Jigsaw Pieces
After Makoto's disappearance, Kousuke began losing interest in medicine. He was twenty-three now, nearly twenty-four, and previously, he'd been intending to intern in medicine and become a doctor. That goal seemed less important now, which was an odd experience for Kousuke. He'd never been without a goal before, but then, he'd never lost his most important friends before either.
Chiaki, gone. Makato missing, presumed dead. Ash wanted for her murder.
Kousuke wanted a change, something new. He didn't know what it was, yet.
His father, seeing this, offered him a chance to join a research group in Europe. A friend of his, someone he'd known at university, was setting it up. Kousuke leapt at the chance to leave, to start afresh.
So, he didn't become a doctor. Makato didn't become a physicist and grow old.
Working with other young students from all over the world, Kousuke helped to invent something.