"Ritsu," Kieran says, still teary-eyed. "You don't have to lie to make me feel better".
"I'm not lying" she responded, before sighing. "Life isn't as black and white as you're making it out to be. You shouldn't care what other people think of you. Isn't that what you told us a few months ago?".
"Well, what if I was wrong?!" Kieran snaps. "Sometimes people can have valid criticisms. Ritsu, I shouldn't even be a part of your class!".
"Kieran, what are you talking about?" asks Ritsu.
"I'm turning 18 this coming year" Kieran responds. "You guys are all 15 or 16, right? I'm 17".
"And? What does that have to do with anything? You were held back, right?"
"I should be a senior. I was only held back a grade or so because I didn't finish all of my homework at my old school. That was why I came to this school in the first place" Kieran explains. "Ritsu, if I stay with you, I could very well be seen as a pedophile".
"For fuck sake, Kieran! Listen to me!" Ritsu says. "A few years of age difference doesn't make pedophilia! That's the American-Feelings-Yakuza talking!".
Kieran doesn't respond, so Ritsu continues.
"Besides, my birthday is only a month after yours. When you turn 18, I'll turn 17 a month later! It's not like I'm stuck frozen in time!".
Kieran sighs.
"I was hoping I wasn't going to have to tell you this," he says, looking her in the eyes.
"Tell me what?" asks Ritsu.