You turn on the TV, and change it to the news.
Another young girl went missing tonight. And it's just on the scroll. The segment is about a spice "shortage" in Egypt.
Disgusting. With a huff, you turn the TV off again.
"Master Kazuya," Pascal rests his head on your lap, "You have spent most of your night being frustrated by the television. May I suggest you do something else?"
"...Sure." You nod, tossing the remote off to the side of the couch, "You wanna go for a walk?"
"If only to get you out of the house, yes. I do not need to defecate anymore." Pascal replies without even realizing how weird that was to say.
"Too much information, Pascal." You pat his head, "Let's just...?"
There's a knock at the door.
Pascal backs up, allowing you to stand and answer the--
"Good evening, Kazuya!" Stephen smiles at you, "May I come in for a moment?"
"Stephen?!" You almost don't believe your eyes, "Yeah, come in!"
Pascal makes way for your guest, and you find yourself sitting right back down on the couch.
"I see you're taking to this place well." Stephen says, "That's good."
"It's been..." You sigh before continuing, "...Interesting, especially trying to adjust to all of the new technological advancements here. Did you know they have screens you can touch to interact with their devices?"
"I did see that, yes." Stephen nods, "It's all quite exciting, especially for a man of science like myself."
"So, I doubt you came all this way just to talk?" You drum your fingers on your COMP, "Is there something you need me to do?"
"You're a sharp as ever." Stephen nods, "Do you remember the armor you obtained from Masakado?"
"It needs to be returned, doesn't it?" You ask, already knowing the answer.
"Indeed." Stephen nods again, "However, I won't leave you entirely defenseless. I've designed some armor that can withstand the kinds of battles you are used to as a replacement."
Your eyes widen, "You work fast."
"I always do." Stephen agrees with a smile, "I can return it quite easily."
You nod, getting the armor out from your COMP. "Uh, could you thank Masakado for lending me his armor? I never got to."
Stephen nods, "I will. And here you are. I call it "Devilplate Version 1.4."
>OBTAINED DEVILPLATE VER 1.4.
"Uh..." You finally find the question you've wanted to ask as you show the new armor away, "Did Yuka...?"
Stephen sighs, "I'm afraid so."
Your gaze falls to your lap, "...Oh."
"You two are still bound by fate, Kazuya." Stephen explains, "So long as you live, so too shall she continue to look for you."
"But I'm not there anymore." You tell him.
"Perhaps. But you will find her again some day." Stephen begins to leave, using his motorized wheelchair to disappear behind the corner, "Keep your chin up."
You nearly leap out of your seat to follow him, "Wait, Stephen, I--"
He's gone.
