She pinks a little at that, though between the half-light and her facing away from him, it's likely not something he can see. It's honestly not something she would have believed he thought -- that she wasn't strong enough to handle it -- but that affirmation of belief in her feels nice all the same. She falters in believing her own strength sometimes, and somehow he never seems to waver on it.

"I think 'easy' more in the sense of whether or not it would hurt." The words are soft, because well, it did. And still does. Knowing the person you love lied to you willingly hurts, no matter the reason . . . even if the reason keeps her from drowning in it.

"Why did you stay with me?" She pauses at the edge of the trees, watching the lights of the fair, the ferris wheel arching high above it. Somehow the question feels connected to the previous statement, important. "You could have gone other places -- to the United States with your parents. Agasa-hakase could have taken care of you -- because I'm guessing that he knows. Those other places could have been easier . . . and as far as your dad, you might have had more resources. But you stayed with Dad and me. You made that choice."