Fair will give Subaru a hopefully comforting nudge.

Sephiroth is not an optimist but, that's no reason to discourage a kid.

"It is likely we would be able to catch up withing a few hours if we don't find him before the rest of the group leaves." Yeah, that means he'll stay to help if you need him to. The idea of traveling with the larger group the whole time doesn't appeal to him anyway. This is an excuse to hang back a little.