. . . [ Susato inhales sharply, hearing the name. Somehow it manages to feel like a surprise, though given that she had known what Kazuma was planning to do, it really shouldn’t have been. She just had no idea things could go so badly.

She regrets it now, not pressing him further, not following him; but she doesn’t think that’s the answer either. Kazuma lost, and all she knows is to be here for him, as she was always meant to be—even if the lack of answer means she can’t be sure he even recognizes her. ]

It’s alright. [ She swallows. ] The flowers—they’ll make you feel better. We can fix you up, and then we can find Jack together.