[ Even though Gladio tries his best to appear reassuring or not upset, Ryoji can't help but feel his optimism ebb away at the thanks. Coma for that long isn't quite death, but it's basically right there at the edge, a torment drawn out for years when one doesn't know if or when the person would wake up.

Letting the silence settle in, Ryoji leans back, head thumping lightly against the wall behind where he sits. For a while, he just sits, eyes on one of the paintings adorning the waiting room walls without really seeing it, waiting for the warmth of his cup to equalize with that of his hands so that he can't feel the stark difference as much. ]

Hey... You know that question? "If a tree falls in a forest, but there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?" [ When he finally speaks up, it's quiet, contemplative, but a bit out of it, having tried to gather his thoughts to share in a more presentable manner. ] I think so. The tree knows it does. I think... Even if your mother can't see you or hear you, your presence here matters, and she'll be able to feel it.