Having found a secluded spot at the periphery of the Imperial Palace's expansive gardens, the Protagonist and I took our seats casually on a patch of soft grass.
Because there were so many guests visiting on this day, we ended up moving this far in order to guarantee a spot of true isolation from any pesky disturbances.
It seems both of us had our motives, as we easily concurred, albeit in silence.
It was a genuinely beautiful place, one from which we could effortlessly gaze upon the countless sparkling stars in the sky as well as the cosmic sight of the Winter Full Moon looking over us as we, in turn, overlooked the vastness of the Imperial Capital, its streets blanketed in natural shadow.
Incidentally, it needn't be mentioned that the mellow tune of the 「scene」 was also with us.
Sitting side-by-side, our knees barely touching, I was the first one to speak―
"Sorry."
―Starting with a simple word of curt apology.
