[ Izō couldn't know whether it was true or not -- he died a few years before Ryouma did -- but Lalli wasn't wrong. The only person that mourned his death, whether he knew it or not, was Ryouma. It's easier for Izō to think that he just stopped caring when they went their separate ways. ]

Yeah, well...Maybe. Ain't like I'm gonna see him again t'find out...It's a nice thought, at least.

[ Another drink to bury those feelings as deep as he can again. The once full bottle of sake is nearly empty now.

Lalli's story gives him pause. ]

Wait...Too little? How old were ya?

[ Izō was just 18 when he'd started his more formal training, but something told him Lalli had been even younger than that. ]