Yes. We did.

[ Rika isn't sure what to say next. Is this to try and justify herself? Unburden herself? To this facsimile of a long-dead poet? ]

Thank you for encouraging me to be truthful. I hope it will make things better. I am very sorry for troubling you with my burdens.

[ What else is there to say? ]

I feel empty. Like a cloth that's been wrung dry. I can't escape the feeling that there's still something I've done wrong.

I might be imagining it.