[...he's embarrassed but there's a soft smile anyway.]

...in spite of everything? I did. [The timelines they aren't together, the things Akane did, the things he can't forgive her for...she's the one he's crazy about even now. There's an equally quiet laugh and a mumble under his breath, hand running through his hair.]

I never got to move the ring back before I got here. So...that's one of the first things for me.