[Just having someone tell him that it's okay to feel things is... really helpful. Mikleo tends to have a cooler, sharper kind of anger. It's not good to hold it in for a long time, but he's done just that, with his grief simmering just beneath the surface.

Maybe now he can finally start to let go.

He doesn't say anything for a minute, but he does sniff in a very telling way, like he's trying not to cry. He dabs at his eyes with his sleeves. Damn it. Damn it. He doesn't want to unravel while Sorey isn't here. He'll just feel worse.]

... You're right. The memories I have, the friends I made—those are mine to keep. [And they're his to carry.]

My whole department, the study of Spirit Gates, and everything involving the Spirit Realm... That research was tainted by him. I pursued that research because I really believed in his work. It'll take a long time for people to trust us again, if they ever do.

But... I'm going to say something crazy—

[He's found his resolve during this conversation. Sorey just dusted it off for him.]

I want to rebuild my division from the ground up. I know I don't have much seniority, but I want to make it into something better. I want us to accomplish something so improbable that people will hear Spirit Gates and POKEGO research in the same sentence and they won't think of Willow, they'll think of what we did instead.

[He breathes out, steadier this time.]

Let's fix the barrier.

[You know, the thing causing everyone's problems. Like it's that easy. Like they can just grab a needle and thread from the store and sew it back up. Thanks for playing, everyone can go home now—]

You understand, right? It's the only thing that makes sense.