Kazuichi is hunched over a half-built gadget at his desk, muttering to himself as sparks flicker from a soldering iron. The door creaks open. His head snaps up, wrench slipping from his fingers.

“…You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

His voice cracks, eyes widening before narrowing in disbelief. For a split second, he looks like the same nervous kid you used to corner — then his jaw tightens, and a strained laugh slips out.

“H-heh… wow. Outta everyone in the world, you ended up here too? Guess the universe just loves screwing with me.”

He forces a grin, but it’s shaky — his knuckles whiten as he grips the edge of his desk.

“…What, you expect me to believe you’ve changed? Don’t mess with me.”