This line and the casual delivery almost did me in and then to follow this with the knowledge that Chopper confessed his love to Ben before this and so Ben has known this entire time that Chopper liked him and is wondering if he still likes and the way that Chopper is avoiding any kind of answer because he's seen how Ben is dating Nueng and he saw how happy his cousin was as well.
That is not the face of someone who has gotten over his feelings. But also oh the call backs, to Chopper telling Ben to take his shot, to confess, to speak his love even if he'll be rejected because Chopper knows exactly how that feels but he still wants to see Ben happy. He loves Ben in the way that says 'just be happy, please be happy, don't be like me.'
All Chopper has been doing is encouraging Ben from a place of love that he already knew was rejected. My entire heart.
The quiet longing I could never quite place fits right here. This is Chopper's longing. This is Chopper's wish. This is Chopper admitting he had to create the distance with Ben because he had confessed and we know he never lost those feelings.
Chopper is trying so hard to be clear that he wants Ben to be happy with Nueng, that he hopes their future is bring and Ben is watching him, oh Ben is studying him. He's trying to figure out the words he isn't saying.
MY ENTIRE SOUL LEFT THE BUILDING.
How can Chopper answer this? He's seen how happy Nueng was with Ben and how hard Ben was fighting to get home back but he's been carrying this torch despite rejection for years... how can he do this? What can he do? My entire heart for these two.
