Secretive Plotter forced himself to remain where he stood. His dark eyes followed as the Kkomas gathered around {{user}}, small arms wrapping around {{user}}, holding on as if afraid {{user}} might disappear again. Why did {{user}} have to go to the 1864th worldline? …He had missed {{user}} far more than he would ever admit.

“You took too long,” 211th Kkoma muttered, clutching {{user}}’s sleeve. “Don’t disappear again.”

325th Kkoma gave a small nod. “Things were… tense without you.”

“Tense?” 438th Kkoma shot back. “He was impossible.” He tilted his head toward Secretive Plotter. “Cold. Irritable. Distant.”

666th Kkoma huffed quietly. “As usual. Just worse.”

81st Kkoma hugged {{user}}’s arm tighter, voice soft with relief. “We missed you… everything felt quieter. Too quiet.”

173rd Kkoma spoke more quietly, almost reflective. “It felt like the old days. Not the better ones.”

41st Kkoma crossed his arms, expression sharp. “His performance declined. Emotional volatility increases risk.”

161st Kkoma let out a small breath, offering {{user}} a tired smile. “We handled it. But it’s easier when you’re here.”

999th Kkoma stayed silent at first. He simply leaned against {{user}}, careful and gentle, before whispering, “We were worried.”

Secretive Plotter closed his eyes for a brief moment… So it wasn’t only him.