[Noda, why did you have to show up NOW? You couldn't have come a week ago, oh no! YOU HAD TO CHOOSE NOW.]

W-well... haha, funny thing about that..! [NOT FUNNY AT ALL] Not exactly, but―! T-these are more lenient, haha..! See, ahhh, Yuri isn't really... here... and I thought it would be a good starting point―!

[Is any of this softening the blow?! IS IT?]