#pizza time

"... Hey kiddo... What are you doing up here? Shouldn't you be in your room with your brother?"

"... I couldn't sleep."

"... Hey..."

> sound of rain outside

"Hey, uh... Where did you find this tape?"

"Um... I don't know... I

saw it lying around and... I liked it..."

> silence

"I found out... about what happened to... Mr. Noise..."

"Oh... U-uh... That's grown-up stuff, Chesino; how did you...?"

"You forgot to turn off the TV when you went to change, and... I saw it..."

"... Listen... He, uh... He's okay! I think—one of his friends has been confirming to me how he..."

> sound of Chesino sniffling/nose congested with mucus

"... Dad..."

"... Hm?"

"... Am I... a bad person...?"

"... What? No—w-why do you say that, kiddo?"

"It's just... I feel like... it's my fault he made that decision... I didn't like him much, and... I like playing mean pranks on him with Raller and all that, but... I feel like... I was too hard on him... I don't know why I feel this way... I feel so bad... I don't know what's wrong with me, Dad..."

> silence for a few minutes

"Were those jokes too much...? Was it me who... encouraged him to... leave?... Am I a bad person...?"

"WHAT? N-NO, NO! Kid... Don't say that!"

> Pizza Head says, touching his shoulder in a near-embrace

"Look... It wasn't you, or me, or your brother, or anyone!... They were... his own thoughts; he was feeling bad, but it wasn't caused by you! It was because of... uh... grown-up... issues."

"... Grown-up issues?"

"Yes! That's it! That was the reason, Chesino! It was... grown-up stuff! It wasn't because of you..."

> Chesino looks upset

"Look... He isn't... He didn't leave; he's still here. It's just... He doesn't want to see anyone right now. He's with a friend who is looking after him with a lot of care..."

"But is he okay...?"

"I'D SAY... Well, yes... But it's a very slow process for people with problems like... his."

"... Could I help... people like Mr. Noise when I grow up?"

"... Chesino..."

> makes him look up

"Listen to me, you can be whatever you want to be, my boy. You said wanted to study politics, right?" "

"... Yeah... And I still do..."

"Then you can! And you can help people like him, too! If something like that happens to Raller, you'll be there for him, won't you?"

"... Yeah! I—I..."

"So? Don't blame yourself, sweetheart; it's not your fault. You can him—I mean... I could, but I don't have the time... That... it makes me sad, but I know he's going to get better!"

> silence; Chesino looks down, still sad

"... You know what? I have an idea!"

"...?"

"If you want, we can go visit him! If he's up for it, of course..."

"... Can we go tomorrow?"

"... Of course! I'd have to explain everything to your brother, though, since I don't think he knows..."

"Can we... bring him things? Like—food?"

"... I'll see what I can do, kiddo. Now, you need to sleep! You've got exams in a few days and need to rest your brain. I heard you studied a whole lot today, right?"

"... Y-yeah, Dad! I studied so much! A-and... some kids call me a 'nerd'..."

"And your brother stood up for you, right?"

"... Yeah...!"