[Maybe he should have kept that tidbit to himself? It feels bizarre to be thanked when Manabu is sitting there- sitting, because just standing or walking makes him sick- with a prominent tail and dog ears.]

If I'd gotten there earlier we'd be much better off. Instead, I wasted too much time investigating dead ends, and- [Wasting time hesitating, because going after Manabu meant putting himself at risk. It wasn't until a few days after he'd read the news that he'd really done more than think about it.]

-I could have started earlier.