To this, Eiji only had silence. The cup-staring had grown more sullen now - face strained in a look of conflict, jaw tightening without realizing it. Even his grip had gone rigid.

What he wanted in those situations... was it even possible for him to say that he wanted to stay with Emi? No. Of course not. Because he knew, intrinsically, that staying would've meant losing him. How could he ever wish that, just to have the momentary gratification of having a comforting presence a little longer?

It was a fantasy, to think that he could have Emi at his side without risking him. It was beyond his ability to indulgently imagine so far out of the realm of fact.

"I wanted... things to be different," he said at last, quietly. He wanted a different road for the both of them to walk down, together...