...I'm not glad that anyone was dragged into this - or that you all had to come back and go through this all over again, but... [She doesn't look unsure at all now.] I'm grateful for the chance to make things right with Kaoru. I'd rather be here myself, and be able to support him and all of you, than be anywhere else.

[It's surprising to her, but... it's true. They were right when they'd said there was more to life than returning to Okita, and she'll never not care about him, but this is so much bigger than just the fate of the Shinsengumi or her father's work with the ochimizu.]

At the first possible opportunity, I... I want to return to Kaoru's side. I promised I would be there for him, and... I haven't been able to do that. Not when he was suffering after I was gone, and - not when he was suffering in silence all along. He shouldn't ever have to hurt that way again.

...I hope you'll continue to be his friend. He's... been through a lot, but that makes him an even more admirable person.

And you are, too. You, and... Tanaka-san, and Rapture-san, Kanaya-san, and Annie-san, as well.