Riku sneakily makes his way back into Ansem's Study, not willing to interact with Ansem the Wise and his disciples more than is strictly necessary. Though a lot of time has passed since the incidents in Castle Oblivion and Data Twilight Town, just being around them still brings him a sense of discomfort — especially Ansem.

Once he finally makes it through the maze-like corridors, he finds Kairi in the exact same room as when he saw her last. However, instead of being awake and aware, she’s lying down completely still on a reclining chair bed with machines monitoring her vitals, eerily reminiscent of a hospital room.

"Looks like they've already begun, huh? They work fast..." Riku thinks aloud as he sits down on a chair next to Kairi.

"Kairi... I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm really sorry for how I acted yesterday. I know we haven't been the closest of friends since I caused the islands to fall to Darkness, and I... I really messed things up..."

Despite being aware that Kairi can't hear him right now, let alone reply to his words, he desperately waits for a response.

"...I know I should've tried to reach out during the time Sora was asleep. I was just... afraid, I guess. I had changed, and you had changed. We've both changed." Riku lets out a sigh before continuing. "At one point, I started thinking that the only reason you remained my friend was because of Sora. But only now, after hearing what you said yesterday, I realized it must've been the same from your point of view, too."

Kairi remains unmoving. The only sound Riku hears in response is the electronic beeping coming from the machine next to her.

"I'm, I'm sorry. I should've been a better friend to you, I could've been a better friend to you." Riku lowers his head in his hands. "I really should've told you all of this while you were still awake."

It's like, without Sora, it all falls apart.

Taking a deep breath, the boy steels himself. "I promise to properly apologize to you once you wake up."

Seconds, then minutes, pass by. Riku finally speaks up again.

"I've been trying to make myself useful while everyone else is trying to find Sora. I've got a job with the Restoration Committee today, actually. I don't know if you've met them. Maybe you did when you were a kid, but I don't know if you remember them. Anyway, one of the members, Yuffie, reminds me of you a lot, from before the islands fell."

Riku lets a small smile light his features before sighing again.

"You used to wear your Heart on your sleeve, and liked pulling my leg quite a lot, just like she's doing now. But at some point, you shut yourself off like I did... I can't believe it's taken me this long to notice. Some friend, huh? I should've been there for you, maybe then you wouldn't feel like you had to bottle up your emotions. I know it probably doesn't mean much coming from me, I really don't follow my own advice. I've been... unfairly distant from you. To be fair, I've been a horrible friend-"