[after not being able to find her in all of her usual spots, Kanji decided to poke around on the gear a little.

> ERROR: THIS NUMBER NO LONGER IN USE.

he could literally feel his heart dropping into his stomach on his first failed attempt. after going through this twice with her, he knew what had happened. still-- it didn't sting any less than it did the first time she went home. but hey, at least his door managed to stay hinged and unscathed this time!

he heaves a heavy sigh, welp, time to get this over with... he switches over to video and pauses. grasping for words was never this hard before. though, after seemed like forever of him staring down at the gear, he finally finds the strength he needs.]

S-So... Naoto Shirogane has... she's... she's gone. She's left Johto. I-- I know she's... she's probably happy to be back home. [he clenches his jaw.] She's... she's with everyone else now, and I-- I know she'd be... [his bottom lip quivers slightly and his voice grows an octave.] she'd be really sad if anyone else was sad.

So yeah--

[he sets the gear down and before turning it off he sniffles.] dammit Naoto, I-- [and the feed cuts off.]

[A soft clunking noise is made as Kanji sets his gear down on the floor. Maoh curiously pokes his head up at the noise and makes his way over to the gear. After poking some buttons he switches it over from audio to video and beings to play with it.

Despite the Pichu close-ups you can see Kanji moping sitting in the background. Blinking, Maoh ditches the gear and makes his way over to his owner.

Sighing, Kanji reaches for his make-shift locket out of habit and opens it. He used to do this a lot back home whenever he had a particularly rough day, and today--well today was a good time to break out the cute pictures of baby kittens. Moving his wrist in small swervey motions he opened his mouth.]

Mew, mew. Mew, mew.

[Frowning at the noise his owner was making, Maoh gently pawed at Kanji's leg.]

Huh--? Oh... h-hey Maoh. Don't worry about me. I'm just a little.... [Kanji paused momentarily as he closed his locket.] N-Naoto went home. I can't find her name on the gear or anything. So I'm just--tryin' to make myself feel better about her goin' home.

[This is why Kanji shouldn't fiddle with his pokégear while talking about important, secret-y things! It accidentally records, sob his life.

Anyways! Kanji looks up in thought.]

So... today's the nineteenth... And her birthday's on the twenty-seventh. That's... in eight days?! Aww hell... I need to figure out something to give her and fast.

[Kanji turns the gear in his hands as he continues thinking.] It can't be lame either. And buying something from one of the stores would be a pretty shitty gift too... I wonder if this place has a fabric store.

[Kanji shakes his head and frowns.] Crap, what was that store Rise mentioned?