When Reika turned the final corner, he found Naoki waiting in the doorway of his small house, his expression etched with concern—or what Reika interpreted as concern and most others would have read as a passing irritation. The guitarist watched him approach, obviously gauging the complete lack of evidence of any physical harm. A slight loosening of the shoulder muscles indicated his relief to see Reika walking normally with no sign of injury—or the intoxication or incapacitation he clearly expected.
“Come on,” was all Naoki said, taking Reika by the elbow and leading him inside.
Frankly, Reika couldn’t think of a single thing he could say that might convince Naoki of his sanity or the truth of his story, so he kept his mouth shut, allowing the guitarist’s mere presence to soothe some of
