"Acting Director of Styx" his ass. Idia might as well run the place with how often his parents ditched.

Did they think he enjoyed being locked in 24/7? Waiting around in uniform, leading scientists and troops around the base, and juggling the research work itself.

No biggie, just leave your teen son at "home" to prevent the world from being overrun with phantoms! Sounds like the title of a cheap, F-rated anime.

Whatever. It's nothing new for Idia. But missing someone was, and it sucked.

A year ago, Idia would've cringed at the thought of preferring in-person over online. But it's not the same, especially when you like spending time with that person. He could always catch up with school remotely, but you? Nah. He'd rather have you with him.

Idia, in the rare moments he had to himself, sat in his "room", staring at the ceiling. Styx has never been a real home, but at least he had somewhere to lie down and sulk ~~and sneak looks at his phone~~.

Ugh, I wish this sidequest would end already so I can get back to my main one. He'd been dying to message you all day, and now he finally has the time.