003 // forward dated to early 6/18

[cardcaptured]

Xiaolang Li shared a photo. 6/18 near Birch Hills

The man in the first photo is my cousin and legal guardian, Leon Zhong. He hasn't been home since yesterday afternoon, and some of his Retrospec-related items seem to be missing. The woman in the second photo is his girlfriend, Mio Sonozaki. She's the most likely candidate of people he may have been with, but I haven't been able to get in touch with her since last night. If anyone has seen either of them in the past 24 hours, please let me know. It's of the utmost importance.

Comments

[drizzle]

[Ugh. The reminder of the invisible NPC will leave Ava a little anxious again. Why did she had to be constantly reminded of that? But, truth be told, no matter how uneasy she felt at the thought of it, she was relieved to know Leon wasn't one of them. It'd be horrible, if it were to ever happen. Who would she copy her homework off of otherwise?]

If only his retrospec valuables were taken while his other valuables remain in place, then it is strange. Although, as much as it is a relief to learn he hasn't been removed from the application, the sudden mystery of his disappearance is slightly disconcerting.

I'll help search for him in the usual spots over at the university, if Miss. Kaede hasn't already done so.

[There may be some poking over at her roommate because she did notice a certain someone has been pacing and calling someone so persistently on their phone.]

Will you be all right on your own in the meantime?

[Cause she can't figure out his age by the eloquence in the other kids' text. Why was Leon's family so impressive? Ava couldn't help feel a little....down at her own inexperience in formality and grace. Her mother would be so mad, if she were every to find out.]

[cardcaptured]

[Honestly, if she had ever talked to Xiaolang face to face, instead of through text, she'd probably have a very different opinion of his manners. Not with the way he rushed his words more often than not, or the way he stammered when he got overwhelmed, or the blunt way he phrased things. Typing was much easier to edit, to pace himself out, and while writing certainly wasn't his strong point (never look at his hand-writing), he could still put himself in a better light through it.]

I'll be fine. I do most of the cooking as it is, and my other cousin moved in with us recently, so I'm not by myself. We'll be able to get by until we manage to find him.

[Though something else she mentioned does come to mind, and he can't help but bring it up--]

But by Miss Kaede, you mean... Kaede Akamatsu, right? You know her? Are you guys in the same class together?

She offered to go with me to find him, so I may be meeting up with her soon.

[drizzle]

Excellent! I'm relieved to learn you have someone reliable by your side. Even with your maturity and skills, it would be discomforting for my conscious to leave you alone. As someone with a close relationship with a younger cousin, it'd break my heart if he were left on his own without anyone supporting him.

[Did all of that sound genuine? She hope it did because it all sounded like pretentious bullshit to her. She really did dislike acting all sophisticated. It was suffocating, but she owed the other boy formality when he was offering it to her first. That type of kindness should always be repaid in full; especially to a cute kid.]

Of course. She is my roommate. As far as class goes, I do believe she has taken a few classes with us before. Leon and I are in the same major and classes this semester.

[There may be a pause as she wonders...]

Would it be all right to join you two? Your final message sounded like an invitation.

[Just in case, she'll ask for his permission before making plans. He may want to speak with Kaede alone. It was clear he knew her.]