Slowly, the boy helped Ethan to his feet.
When Ethan raised his head, Raiden was standing before him.
Ethan spoke first.
"I'm sorry… I made all of you suffer without even realizing it."
Raiden shook his head.
"There's a lot I want to say to you. But Moon summed it all up with that slap. Honestly, I'd like to punch you as hard as I can right now… but I'm afraid I might kill you by accident. So I'll postpone it until you're strong enough to survive it."
He smiled faintly.
"Remember this, Ethan. Your life doesn't belong to you alone. There are people who would break down crying if you left them again."
Those words stirred something deep inside him.
Ethan nodded repeatedly, his composure wavering.
Seeing that, Raiden continued more softly.
"If you want to apologize… do it properly when we're all together again. In front of Moon and Alicia. Especially Moon. She fought like hell for you."
At the mention of Moon, Ethan sighed.
"I think she hates me even more now."
