Still no response.

Theo returns home a bit before midnight.

He'll find Kero and his bag in his room when he does.

He walks past his dad, making a half-hearted effort to assure him he's fine, then goes to his room. He assures Kero he's fine.

He stays there all throughout Tuesday.

And Wednesday.

He does go to school Thursday, though.

Sadde messages him on Tuesday. And on Wednesday. And on Thursday.

No response.

Kero is neglected during those days. He has to actually go to the kitchen on his own to get sweets!

And Sadde stops messaging Theo.

Theo texts Sadde on Friday. Hey!

...

Hi

Up to much?

...what the heck.

Not really.

Oh, okay.

.....................

Wanna hang out?

Sure! You wanna come over here?

It might be implied that Theo wouldn't want to go out again, not just yet.

Yeah, sure. Be there in a bit.

Who knows what Theo's doing in the meantime.

Probably nothing.

So Sadde arrives!

And Theo goes to greet him.

"Hey!"

"Hello," he greets cautiously.

"Done anything interesting since I last saw you?"

"...school. Work. Flew around the block at night. The usual. You?"

They go upstairs and to his room.

"School, too. Other than that, nah, not really."

Moping around. Not crying. That's totally not interesting, right?

Kero appears from nowhere and says, "He's sad all the time he doesn't even give me food anymore!"

"...do you even need food?"

"No but it's the principle."