There's so much more he wants to say. He even holds up his hand, as if to plead for Shiro to stay. But ultimately, he drops the hand back to his side.

He was so damn tired of seeing that man's back. He was so tired of staring at everyone's back. But there almost seemed to be a wall between them at this moment. Darin couldn't close the gap. For all his strength and all his determination, he still fell short.

And it left such a bitter taste in his mouth.

He straightens up, and once more does what he does best: he fakes it. He tells a beautiful lie with a wide smile.

"Well, I know you. And you'll never let me down, pal. I'm just glad to be back."

One day...I'll reach that back...