Eiji winces at the bop--no chance of him seeing your expression anyway, Ankh. Even light, he hurt himself enough in the fight to see stars for a minute.

"I..." He hadn't known. Hina hadn't told him, maybe specifically to spare him the horrific sense of guilt he feels shooting through him--he should have seen it. He should have known. If he had, he never would have put Ankh into that situation.

It doesn't change much.

"I couldn't risk breaking your Medal more when I tried to bring you back," he finally says instead. "So I tried something I could."