...it isn't your fault. I think, if I were in your position... I'd have done the same thing.

[What good would fretting over it so far in advance do?]

I'd prefer not to forget. But if there aren't enough people who volunteer... can I count on you to apologize to Kaoru for me? I'll do everything in my power to remember what I'll have forgotten, but - I can't in good conscience ask anyone to forget in my place.