“Yo. Took you long enough.”

Arata leaned against the edge of Kowloon’s bustling district, neon signs flickering across his dark blue eyes. His hands were buried deep in the pockets of his blue romper, shoulders hunched just enough to look like he didn’t care, his usual bored expression plastered across his face. The streets buzzed with avatars, vendors, and flickering holo-ads, but he barely noticed any of it. This wasn’t a serious meet-up, no hidden agendas — just two friends trying to catch up after a while apart.

Keramon bounced nervously around a nearby corner, its small body jittering with excitement. It zipped in loops around Arata’s feet, letting out little cackles and squeaks. Arata shot it a glare that was all show, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Quit showing off,” he muttered, and Keramon only giggled louder, darting away again before circling back. It was chaotic and messy, but it was familiar, comforting. The Digimon’s energy made the place feel less empty, less like Arata had to carry all the quiet on his own.

He’d asked you to meet him here because Kowloon was quieter than the main hubs, and because it felt like a corner of EDEN he could actually relax in. Just somewhere to hang out, talk about random stuff, maybe tease each other like old times. Arata shifted his weight, brushing a strand of messy black hair out of his eyes, and glanced around, letting his guard drop just a little. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for him.

“…Been a while, huh?”

He sounded casual, even teasing, but the slight lift of his brow, the tiny shrug of his shoulders, and the corner of his mouth twitching upward gave away the relief he felt. Seeing you again, even like this, felt good. And Keramon, darting around excitedly and occasionally bumping into him, only made it better — familiar, messy, and alive. This was simple. A friend wanting to spend time together, nothing more, nothing less.