Sentaro never got the chance to say goodbye to Skuld. She left via a gateway in the middle of the night, unbeknownst to anyone who lived around the temple. When he showed up the next day after school, Banpei and Sigel sat dejectedly on the front porch, their expressions making his heart sink.
"Is Skuld here?" he asked, voice cracking.
"She is not," Sigel replied. "She's gone away."
"Away? Back to her country?" the youth gasped.
The little android nodded sadly.
Urd came to the door, and slid it open.
"Why did Skuld leave?" he asked.
"She had to, Sentaro," the eldest Norn replied. "She had little choice in the matter."
"I don't understand!" he exclaimed in frustration.
"Kiddo, nothing disappointed her more than having to leave. She'll be back one day," Urd tried to console the teen.
Sentaro felt he was out of options. Perhaps Skuld never really wanted to see him ever again. He could try and call or write, for fear of being rejected by her again. He had come today to try and get closure. Having to wait with no time table for her return would be torturous.
"I love your sister," he whispered as he turned away from Urd. "If you speak to her, please let her know that."
And with that, the biker left quietly, determined to never forget the happy memories he had attained and to have faith they would share new ones later on.