Michael froze.
"…Ah."
That was what this was about. A small trace of panic entered his expression.
"No, wait. That's not exactly what happened."
Arianne raised an eyebrow.
Michael quickly continued.
"I told you before I left that I might not be around for a while, remember?"
She said nothing.
"And I had Jester send you a message three days ago saying I'd be back soon, no?"
Arianne's expression remained unchanged.
Michael felt slightly more confident.
Exactly. I communicated with her after returning from Aurora. I didn't simply vanish without saying anything.
Amidst his thoughts, Arianne asked calmly, "Were you really so busy that you couldn't come and tell me yourself?"
"…"
Michael's mouth opened. Then closed.
Arianne stared at him.
Michael looked away for half a second.
For someone capable of processing countless thoughts simultaneously, he suddenly found himself without a single useful response that wouldn't sound like a lame excuse.
Technically…
