[He shakes his head gently from side to side, still unable to look directly at Sonic.]

It's more than that. I don't want to get another Chao just because I screwed up last time. It can't be for my sake. All those good times we made into memories together? The next Chao I bring under my wing won't remember them. It'll be a hard reset.

I don't think I'm ready to start over. You know?