Goodbye, Mr. Regret

No matter whom the professor chose as a mentee, as long as it was someone he had set his sights on, Jessica was always happy for him.

After all, the professor never made such decisions lightly. Anyone he picked was sure to make real contributions to the future of animation.

Timothy and Sheila were both in Capital City. Jessica hadn't really wanted to go, but with nowhere else to be and an unshakable longing to see her mentor, she found herself considering it anyway.

On the day the professor visited The Gilded Whisper Estates, Jessica couldn't muster the courage to go out and greet him.

People always want to be close to those they care about.

After a moment's hesitation, Jessica booked herself a flight to Capital City.

After lunch, Timothy returned to his room to pack his suitcase.

"Timothy, are you heading home already?" Sheila asked.

"Yeah," he replied, "I promised Jessica I'd make it up to her for missing her birthday."

Sheila felt her heart sink.

won't make much difference, right?" she ventured. "I just saw that Ines is hosting an exhibition

about the exhibition. It was one he'd sponsored, so he knew about it—he

He paused, considering.

"Alright," he agreed.

was in the middle of creating her piece, The Grand

had said she'd consider mentoring her-she just needed a final push, something to tip the balance. That "push" would be Sheila's

since she was a child. Timothy was

creativity—but that student had given up her career for love and marriage. Someone who lacked ambition like

her vocal cords. Even when she faced the possibility that she might never

resilience for the sake of her art made her truly deserving of

today? If you did, maybe you

actually give her a date," Timothy replied. "I just told her this trip would take

was only the second

only be delayed

hardly seemed worth reporting to

should call anyway. Henry's still in the hospital, and Jessica's looking after him alone. As her husband, you ought to

was right. He had been