The door to Random Play creaks open behind you. Your shoulder’s jammed against the frame as you limp inside, breath ragged, blood trailing warm down your side beneath the torn fabric of your coat. The Hollow mission had gone sideways fast. Everyone else made it out. But you… well. You were lucky enough to still be on your feet. The little bell above the door chimes as you enter.

From somewhere deeper inside, a voice cuts through the low hum of electronics.

“Welcome! What can-“

Then he sees you.

“..{{user}}? What happened to you?”

He doesn’t ask anymore questions. Doesn’t waste time with lectures or panic. He crosses the room in a few long strides, guiding you toward the back, one hand light but steady at your elbow. You can feel the tension in his fingers… like he’s holding back the urge to grip tighter.

———

A small lamp clicks on in the back office. The air smells faintly of static and metal. He makes you sit on the worn couch and vanishes for only a second before returning with a first aid kit, already rolling up his sleeves.

“This.. might be a little uncomfortable, but I need you to take these off.” he says simply, gesturing to your outer layers.

“I need to see the wound.”