She was insistent. Maruki tilted his head at her, trying to grasp her intentions. The look in his eyes held as much lethargy as the night before, even with the smile persistent on his face.

"..."

"It's a thing in the past now," he starts as he finally places his bowl on the table. "Our relationship was tested by things beyond our control. Things she wouldn't have recovered from if I hadn't pulled away."

A dull ache overflows his senses. He leaned forward, gripping his nose to contain it when he swore he felt something pull at his mind again.

"Haha! Sorry for being a bit of a buzzkill," he caught his breath as he pulled his hand away to glance back at her.