"Ah," I give a small nod, though I'm not so sure.

"Always more than fighting." I echo his words thoughtfully, rolling them over in my head. I try to think back on all that Date said, all the advice he gave me.

I need to be strong in myself. I need to know what that even means for me. What I am now. Who I am now.

I wonder if Eiji's already done that, while I was gone. I wonder if he still needs to do that.

"I think maybe I need some time to myself."

The words fall from my lips and hang in the air between us.