"Well... there's a lot of ways to feel about it, I think. One thing I think is... I owe my friends an apology, for disappearing like I did. We all wanted to live and see our futures together, and I had to break that promise," Hamuko admitted softly, drawing her knees up and hugging them, twiddling her thumbs.

"Even if I'd do it again, and again, and again, because it's the right thing... I still want them to know that I never wanted to leave them. And it's okay if they're sad or mad about it. I just want to give them the chance to keep going."