[Deep breath. It takes her a moment to dredge up the courage to get into this. It's the first time she's told anyone since Kokonoe dragged it out of her two years ago.]

He had been researching the source of this power -- the Boundary -- for some time. Several years, even before I ever met him. It... it ate away at his mind, but... he wanted answers.

[Head ducked, shoulders drooping, she blows out a shaky sigh. This is the part that still hurts the worst.] He disappeared one day. He was always glued to his research, but days went by and he never came in to work.

[Her voice cracks.] By the time I went to see if he was alright... it was too late. And it was all my fault.