She answers with silence as she's unable to deny the girls proclaim.

"But why? Why go there?"

With a rather hopeless expression, she looks at me as though telling me I'd have somewhat of a clue.

"Fifteen million dollars. That's the amount you owe, even if I worked a lifetime I could never make even remotely enough. But he suggested there's an easier way to make money if I was willing to put in the effort."

"Tsk, that f-"

"There's nothing I could've done... is what I thought... but, perhaps I could've opposed against it all. It's my fault... I walked into it even though I knew just what he meant."

I couldn't say anything else even if I wanted to know what exactly happened. Even if it's obvious, in such a place, only those deeds are done. Regardless of whether it was extreme or not, that doesn't matter. The moment she walked in...

"...My reason, I know it that doesn't matter anymore, with what I have done; there's no exception... But... I just wanted to be useful to you. If someday, somehow, miraculously I managed to pay it off, and you came back to me... I would've done something for you to look my way once more... and tell me that I've done well."

With a torn expression in tears, it's like she saw something terrifying. She clings against my legs as she hangs her head, bawling.

"I love you, Henrik! I always will, forever. I always accepted you and will continue to no matter what. So please, don't leave me!"

"But I... I forgot about you, and even now... I'm still confused. How can you even look at me in that way?"

"That's fine!"

Looking up to me with tear-filled eyes, they almost resemble tears of joy as she smiles deeply. As red colours her cheeks and how fluorescent her eyes are, she looks absolutely stunning.

"Because, you're the same man I fell in love with. You always have been, regardless of who you are, or what you've done."

At first, I thought it was merely blind devotion that she continued to wait for such a man. But now, I think I see the reason why. She just wants to stay by Henrik, the man she fell in love with. She loves him for who he is, and what he's done for her. I don't think there's an ulterior motive that she chooses to be with him.

"Even if it saddens me, even if you don't remember it all... We can create new memories, together."

Rising from the floor, she wipes the tears from her face and waits for my answer. With my heart thumping as if it'd jump right out, my body trembles from the insufferable emotions within.

"...You're strong, Mari. I don't think I deserve that."

After what I've done, she still loves him. And still, I can't seem to believe I'm the Henrik she speaks of so fondly, even if it's the undeniable truth.

"No..."

Shaking her head ever so slightly, she takes my hand at my side and pulls it towards her with an affectionate touch.

"You deserve much more than me... I guess I'm being selfish to say I want to have you to myself again."

As she traces her finger against my palm, I gently grasp her fingers as I couldn't quite look her in the eyes.

"...Mari, I don't know how to say this... I'm grateful, really... But," taking my hand back, she anxiously looks to me as I gaze over towards the girl, "I know this may sound strange, but, while the me in the past had you, the current me... The Henrik you see now, owes everything to her, including his life."

As Mari looks to her, the girl merely looks away the moment they lock eyes.

"I'm not going to let you have him."

The girl says as I already expected such an answer, she can't accept Mari.

"...In my mind, I figured this would happen... I just thought I could've done something about it."

Taking a few steps back, she distances herself.

"At least... I tried, right..?"

Staring at the ground, it's like she couldn't look at any of us.

"I don't quite believe in second chances... but, I know I lost mine the moment I stepped into such an establishment... I mean, how could you accept such a woman back?"

Smiling in defeat, she then gazes to me as not even a tear drips down her cheeks.

"Thank you, Henrik... For everything, and though this isn't how I imagined we'd part ways... I'm glad I was able to see you one last time."

"..."

Unable to muster up a response, I could only nod as the girl begins to walk away as though to signal that everything has been concluded. There's something deep inside me, I don't know what it is, but it's to do with Mari and I'm not sure what it is, is it love? Or is it just because I see her as almost pitiful?

The girls actions, though justified; they're still cold. But, perhaps there's a way to part on better terms than this.