"I'm glad that you're here, Firecracker. And we're all honored to have you, but do tell me: why have you left the big city of Tokyo and returned to your humble beginnings?"
Hearing the Branch Master's deep and slightly hoarse voice made Firecracker all of a sudden feel rather guilty. Although he hadn't betrayed the country or anything of the sort, he still ghosted the city and community that might as well have raised him up from nothing. It would've been unusual if he hadn't felt any guilt upon seeing the worn-down appearance of the old man whom he once saw as a mentor.
"Teacher… I…" Firecracker had a hard time finding the exact words he wanted to say. Though, after steadying his erratically flickering eyes on the refined Old Man, he built up the courage to say, "I apologize for leaving on those terms! I also apologize for pretending that all of you didn't exist! Please forgive me, Teacher!"
