Rin stared at the empty space where the System had disappeared.
He couldn't move. He couldn't breathe.
The last message was still burned into his mind.
[For the first time...]
[He is afraid.]
Who was "he"? The God? The Observer? The System itself?
Rin had no idea. And somehow, not knowing was worse. His hand was still wrapped around Kaelith's. He only realized it when Kaelith gently squeezed his fingers.
"Rin."
"...Yeah?"
"You're shaking."
"I know."
"You should sit."
"I know."
"Then sit."
"...You're becoming bossy."
"I have always been bossy."
"True."
Rin slowly sat on the edge of the bed. Kaelith remained beside him. For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Rin looked toward the empty air.
"System?"
Nothing. He waited.
"System-kun?"
Nothing.
"Shiny stalker?"
Silence.
Rin's eyebrows knitted together.
"...Okay."
He poked the air.
"Come on."
Nothing happened. Rin's stomach tightened.
"Where are you?"
Kaelith looked at him.
"You expect it to answer?"
