[It hadn't quite occurred to Komaeda that people might have searched for him. Like a square peg and a round hole, the information simply doesn't register as comprehensible in his brain, as if all these relationships he's made over the many months, have remained superficial. Despite this, though, he feels the weight of Lila's presence inside of him, just as he feels the weight of Atem's grip on his shoulders—as if his friend were scared that he just might disappear again without it.

There's a comfort in that weight, that reminds him of the way Mukuro would curl up as they slept, her wolfish head resting heavily upon him. It reminds him of the same way his childhood dog would sleep with him in the warm rays of the afternoon sun; and still, he looks up at Atem with a perceived distance. A space between them that feels bigger than it actually is, simply because Komaeda refuses to understand his importance to others.

But, in light of those heavy feelings, his serene expression remains—warm with Atem's heartfelt admonishing.]

Ah... so you want to put a collar on me? [Komaeda asks, his tone wholly serious despite the sly grin that's spread across his sallow features.] I don't mind, but you should probably ask Lila-san first... she's the one who claims to own me.

[Just talking as if... you know, she isn't here.]