He tells himself it was never about seeing her, not really. He didn't come chasing closure, or nostalgia, or something soft he'd already cut away.
He just needed to know she hadn't stayed behind for him, that she'd taken the promotion, and stepped into a life that didn't have to orbit his.
<< That had been the point of ending it. >>
<< You convinced her to take that promotion so she wouldn't have to circling the same narrow rooms, and wasted her time with you. >>
Now the answer settled without argument. The system is right. She's gone to Malaysia, a different skyline, a different future.
The worry loosens its grip, quiet and final. Ryoma exhales, turns, and brings the phone back up and dials again.
"Ennosuke-san. You still driving?"
[ What, you think I sleep in the back seat? Where are you? ]
"I'm still at Kaede's apartment."
