Jae-ha doesn't answer that right away. Old him would have bragged about how freely he moved with his whims-- whether it was away from family or towards it-- but that was exactly what had caused this mess, wasn't it? I'll stay when it suits me, but you can't count on me.

It's no wonder why Akaya is giving him the dismissal.

He knew going in this talk wasn't going to be easy, and it's fair that it isn't. Why should Akaya believe this greeting is any different if he can be shaken off with a few acidic words?

And still it's so difficult. Apologizing, admitting he was wrong, opens up the possibility that Akaya will reject it, and him with it. And he'll have lost the chance to reconcile with him forever at that point. At least when it's a hypothetical future discussion, the possibility remains.

"You're angry..." Jae-ha scoffs. "I suppose you have a right to be."