[he opens his mouth, about to deny her... but that same disquiet he felt the day she "died" comes back, and he shuts it again, thinking.]

I... apologize. It wasn't my intent to scare you.

[he looks aside, chewing on his lip with nerves.]

Maybe... I can find another solution.

[he could just go there now and finish the task. Or make a formal request for a replacement- he'd punished, but was unlikely to be Terminated for the failure if he reported it now. Months late.

Damn it.]

... have a good day, Hoshino Ai.

[and the call ends]