Chapter Text
It smarted, but Ryou had to admit he'd been neglecting his personal life ever since Shino became a Lost One. Most of his meaningful friendships belonged in The World, but he thought they'd understand if he played less for a while. If his grades didn't improve, there'd be hell to pay.
Besides, Shino had said she'd keep him updated.
It'd failed to occur to him that even she would have difficulties reaching some people. Endrance was short with people who weren't Haseo on a good day, and avoided all contact on a bad one.
So, Ryou had chosen to hop online for a small while, if only to check on the reticent blade brandier.
Perhaps he'd been a little too quick with the party invitation, since it took Endrance more than a few seconds to respond. However, the message he got in response looked... standard. The added "welcome back, Haseo" aside, it was the same as always.
Ryou wasn't sure why he cared this much. Maybe it was because a part of him just felt responsible for Endrance, since he knew he didn't get out much or eat well. Endrance reminded him a little of what he himself had been like after Tri-Edge had attacked Shino.
As Haseo, he nodded in a greeting once Endrance gated in. "Hey. I didn't interrupt anything, right?"
"Ah, no..." Endrance shook his head. "There is nothing more precious to me than being with you... thank you for the invitation, Haseo..."
There he went again, with the awkward things he said. Haseo shrugged, bafflement mixing with exasperated fondness. He stepped up to the Chaos Gate.
He didn't have that much time, but he could afford to spend a moment reassuring Endrance that he wouldn't disappear on him. He supposed he owed the man that much.