[ video ]

[thirdarrow]

[ The video feed opens to show the inside of an apartment, with a chair directly facing the camera. The interior of the room has been left untouched, and there are no visible decorations save for a single calligraphy scroll hung on one wall. There seems to be no one on-screen.

A few seconds' silence elapses before someone speaks. ]

... Hello? Is this... transmitting properly? [ Pause. ] Ah, it should be.

[ The camera shakes momentarily before settling down again. A young man comes into view from the left of the screen and sits down on the chair.

For those who have met him before, he seems... older, somehow. His features still suggest approximately the same age, but he looks more tired, perhaps even a little unwell. There are dark shadows under his eyes, and his frame shows vague signs of one too many forgotten meals.

His voice still sounds the same, though - calm and composed. ]

I suppose I ought to introduce myself again...? My name is Takakage Kobayakawa, and you may have seen me about during the Thirteenth Hour in the previous week.

From my perspective, eight years have elapsed since my last contact with this city. If I am not mistaken, only a day has passed here - therefore my momentary absence. I apologize if anyone had tried to contact me yesterday, for I was not present and thus could not take your message.

But in any case, I am here again. It has been a long while.

[ He nods, smiling faintly. ]

If there is anything I need to know and have missed, I would appreciate it if you could take the time to update me.

Thank you.

[ The feed cuts here. ]