"I see. I think I get what you mean," Ardeel nods. He wasn't sure whether he asked her the question before, but the diversion worked. He also begins to realize what he appreciated about Lenora. It wasn't that she always seemed relatively upbeat, but also incredibly selfless in spite of all the circumstances. Amid a small smile, Ardeel looks back, judging the distance they walked, and in doing so, noticed the forgotten member of the tour: Aiko. A flood of conflicting emotions strikes him immediately. On one hand, he was elated to see her, meaning he and Lenora were not lost after all. On the other hand, Aiko more than likely overheard their conversation, and judging by what little Ardeel knew about her, she likely read him like a book. Fully facing Aiko at that point, Ardeel's frame freezes in place, as stiff as a board, his assumptions over the situations taking hold.