this panel is so so so important as a marker of Obi’s growth.
he starts by saying he wants to support Zen and Shirayuki. in his past he only ever focused on survival, but now he’s found people who make life genuinely worth living, and he wants to use his abilities to work towards a sustainable future with them.
he then adds on that he wants to do this for his own sake. Shirayuki and Zen both have impressed upon him that his desires and needs matter. he’s still working on accepting that at this point, but he can see how his wellbeing is important to them, and treats caring for himself as an extension of supporting Zen and Shirayuki.
finally he expresses his wish to stay, asks Shirayuki if that is also something she wants. up until now he has spoken on his previous inclination to flee once he feels like he’s being tied down to one place or people. however, now he feels lighter! this is because Zen and Shirayuki are allowing him this choice to stay, and supporting him through that decision. this is something he actually wants and isn’t doing so out of obligation or to get a paycheck. but he’s also keeping in mind what Shirayuki desires too; it’s only fair, and she and Zen have provided him the safety and space to explore his own autonomy without confinement or reproach. Zen has already shown that he wants for Obi to be with Shirayuki during her endeavor to make a place and name for herself in this career, and he even allowed room for Obi to choose this for himself.
seeing the way Shirayuki, Zen, and Obi support one another through their transitionary periods in life is so very heartwarming