Ryusei looked over when he felt more than heard the exhalation of breath, then hastily backed away.

"W-we'll have to wait unt-until Kisaragi-kun is here, then," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. Ugh, why had there had been a nervous hitch to his voice? He could remain calm. He could. After all this time of putting with Kisaragi and everyone else, he was good at this. He was.

"I-I'm sorry," he belatedly added. "About that. I—" It wasn't like he was hasty to get the Switch done or anything. "I was just—" He stepped forward, earnestly. "There must have been something in my eye—"

Not good enough. He let out a frustrated exhale. "I-I'll let you work," he said, turning to go to the main room.