All at once, he slapped his hands over his mouth. A deep blush spread on his face as Howl left. Was he really being that loud?

"Ah! Howl! Wait!" But he was already gone. With a groan, he focused on trying to make his swollen eyes and stained face look normal again. He couldn't possibly ignore the wizard now.

After a short time, Nekozawa marched out of Howl's bedroom and rushed down the stairs. "Howl, listen, it's not what you believe! I wasn't crying at all, you must have been mistaken."