"What a shame. May I ask why?"
Facing Media's complete 180-degree turn in her feelings, Fu Qian paused, then asked in a gossipy tone.
"Um... Actually, nothing particularly special happened. We got along really well at first. Later, I don't know if it was because of his studies, but in a very short time, he seemed to become a different person. He became very... irritable and anxious."
"The qualities that had attracted me to him seemed to disappear all at once."
Media frowned as she recalled it, rubbing the photograph between her fingers.
"Anyway, after we had a few arguments over little things, he suggested we stop seeing each other. I agreed."
"And then... he really never contacted me again."
I see. Actually, I could guess why he'd become so irritable and anxious.
Fu Qian recalled the contents of the notes. It was obvious that around that time, Edral had discovered his tasks were endless, and his resolve had begun to waver.
"Understood. What happened after that?"
"After that, he transferred schools and left here."
Media sighed.
"Maybe that was for the best."
He transferred and left?
Fu Qian thought about it.
"Did he tell you?"
"Not exactly. He left in a hurry and only notified the teachers at school. He didn't say goodbye to me."
"Let me think. He didn't contact you. He contacted... Joseph?"
"How did you know?"
Media was clearly surprised that Fu Qian had guessed correctly again.
"May I ask how the two of you got together?"
Fu Qian lowered his head in thought. A certain feeling was growing clearer in his mind, and he continued asking questions.
"How did we get together..."
Fu Qian's abrupt question sent Media back into her memories.
"It's actually quite an interesting story. It started with an accident. Before that,