[There is no denying that Hayame pays sharper attention when Claude says that he was in his home for those six years. Was it desperate for her to cling to any proof that their worlds were still "alive"? Perhaps. But it makes so much more sense to her than the idea that they could simply be gone, that time could be so strange, and any ounce of proof...]

He must be right.

[- She still can't quite say "is", though. She wishes she could.

When it comes to herself, however... her expression grows cagier. Her fingers curl and fist in the shavings on the floor of her stall. She should get up- she shouldn't let a shard-bearer see her like this, the citizens of Meridian, fine, but...

But.]

So what if I have?

[She goes to defensive rather than honesty on instinct.]

In case you missed it... Meridian was defeated. Why should I want to show my face and invite the shame of Springstar?