Username: KenjiSato

For the first time in a year, the name flickered online.

Only for a second.

But it was there.

KenjiSato – Location Unknown.

Ren's hands trembled.

"He's active," he said. "I saw it."

"The system denies it," Aiko said. "But I believe you."

Botan nodded once, silent but firm.

That night, Ren stayed awake in-game, camping at the last known signal node.

But Kenji never appeared again.

Still, that one flicker was enough.

Proof.