Jiro sat in the main area of the Inn, sipping tea. He waited for a certain individual to pass through, so that he could have her join him. His expression was a jumble of emotion. But the tea helped him keep calm.

Kasumi, fresh off of a bit of a musical interlude down at the docks, entered in a slightly less pensive mood... which lasted exactly as long as it took her to see him.

Her heart leapt.
Her heart sank.
Her stomach tied itself in knots.

He smiles at her and waves her over. His own heart thudded. He hated this, but he dug the hole.

Kasumi figured she knew how this was going.

There was only one way it really could go, after all.

But she put on a friendly smile and ambled over.

"Evenin', Jiro-san. How'd th'day find you?"

"Brighter with your presence, but also difficult," he says, admitting to the discord in himself.

"Lotta that goin' 'round."

She sighed and had a seat.

"So."

I knew it'd be rough. We both did. But damn it.

He nodded at the sigh and smiled.

"I never said anything I didn't mean or believe Kasumi. I believe that's true for you too," he says, starting off with something he hoped would be reassuring.

"Aye. I know. Only promises we ever made were that there were gonna be... limits."

"You are an amazing person. And don't ever think for a moment I believe anything else. But you can't be my amazing person, even for a short stolen moment, not anymore."

His smile doesn't fade.

"I was being selfish," he says, shaking his head. "I shouldn't have, but I was. I regret that I made certain choices, but I don't regret the choices that I made, if that makes sense."

She sighed. Leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

"I... hate t'say I told ya so, but..."

She closed her eyes.

Exhaled again.

"It's th'right thing t'do."

He nods and meets her eyes. "But... the wrong thing was nice while I was in denial. Better than nice really. A whole lot better than nice actually."

"And while it might be ill advised, I still want to keep in touch. I can't, I won't keep on the path we were on. But I think this all started because I felt like you would make a great friend. From the first time we spoke of singing inappropriate work songs."

He smirks at that.

That got a sad smile.

"Don't think I could cut y'loose anyhow. Even if it's just t'piss your brother off. I stand by my friends."

He nods. "You really are one of the most important people I have met here. I get along with most, enjoy others company, but you... fit. Was always something that felt right and familiar," he replies.

"I am glad to have you as a friend. Might be my best friend even. I think I get along with you better than I get along with my brother."

"Some folks are just... easier'n others. An' s'far as your brother goes?"

She snorted.

"That's damnin' with faint praise. He's lucky he's still got all his teeth."

"Well, the real metric for comparison is how we get along. Not how much he grates on you," he replies with a smirk.

"So maybe... you and I get along like lightning and thunder? Not exactly lined up, but always pretty damn close."

"I'd go with that."

Another slight sad smile.

"An' always fated t'be just a bit apart, 'cause that's how it's gotta be."

"Always fated," he agrees, his returned smile a mirror of her own. "But I guess we did defy that fate for a moment. Pretty great moment."

"That it was. An' I don't regret it."

She cocked her head at him.

"D'you?"

"I agreed to a lifelong burden for a moment with you. I told you I believed I would be haunted no matter the choice. It was beautiful, I don't regret it, and now I will carry it with all it's weight for the rest of my days."

"Just so you're all right with it. Not that I could do much if y'weren't, but..."