Yizhi's reaction to his (involuntary) allegiance isn't lost to Minakami -- he hesitates, feeling suddenly wrongfooted. It's one thing to hear talk from more experienced lost souls about the recent tensions, but it's another for it to come up when shopping in a corner store and making smalltalk.

Then Yizhi's outrageous gossip and Tamamori's genuine alarm conspire to figuratively thump him on the head with a foam bat, one after the other.

"You really shouldn't believe everything you hear...!" He bows to Yizhi with somewhat more decorum, with one hand on Tamamori's shoulder steering him firmly towards the cashier. "You've been very gracious with your time, but we should be on our way now..."