[ a look of surprise crosses her face and she thinks of smiling it off but... it's true, isn't it? everyone is missing someone. they're all struggling. they're all fighting their own battles.

though she smiles, it's a melancholy one. yet somehow, it reaches her eyes. ]

Yeah. [ she's okay. she misses them. all of the above. ] But having friends here helps and admitting it aloud does, too. Thank you for asking, Ryu-san.

[ with that in mind, while putting another marshy-kun on her stick, ]

Who are you missing?