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[Souji is, surprise surprise, in the di-- Actually, this time he's in the kitchen. For a change of pace. He's got the device propped up on something so that he can talk at it hands free. Sitting in front of him is a piece of the rainbowiest rainbow cake a person could possibly make.]

Today is my sixth anniversary.

[He nudges the cake a little toward the camera.]

So I made cake. There's plenty of it, so I'll leave it here in the kitchen in case any one wants to have some.

[With a smile that seems quite tired, he shifts the cake to one side, and glances after it. With his gaze still cast away from the camera, he asks:]

How long have you been here? Do you want to go home? [He looks back at the camera again, his expression more thoughtful than tired now.] I'm kind of...doubting myself in that regard.

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[Six whole years. It was too long of a time to be away from home. But the only time that Minato could be with Souji was with here. For now, at least.

He smiled though as he continued to hug Souji from behind.]

... See, I told you no one would notice.

Only because of my master camera work.

[Or because Minato is significantly shorter than Souji or something. Minato slowly let go of Souji and peered around him.]

Let's have cake.

[Said with a smile but with a slight tinge of seriousness. Six years really wasn't to be taken lightly and Minato knew that it was something they had to address. At some point.]

Crap, it's your anniversary?!

[Kanji had no idea it was coming up-- which isn't surprising, considering he missed his own one-year anniversary a little while back.]

Damn it! I should've done that for you, you shouldn't have to make your own cake, senpai.

Six years? [ Robyn seems fairly awed of this fact, blinking into the camera. ] ... This summer, it will only be two for me. I can't imagine -

[ ... But, maybe she can. It isn't as if she has a place to return to when she leaves Wonderland, after all.

The Warden is quiet for a moment before speaking again. ]

What is it you doubt?

[Souji nodded and moved to cut a second piece of his horrendously colorful cake. He hands it to Minato, then finds a stool to sit on at the counter while they eat.]

Tell me if you like it.

It's not a big deal. [Although he appreciates the concern. It's endearing.]

I usually miss it. I have for the last few years, anyway.

[He smiles a little, still looking a bit tired. He couldn't have imagined it a few years ago, either. He'd never seen anyone stay so long, except for a couple of people who had arrived before him.]

I doubt whether or not I really want to leave.

[It feels like an odd thing to admit. He should want to go home, right? Wonderland is an alarming brand of terrible even when it's being relatively innocuous.]

I can understand that. [ Robyn replies gently. ] For many, there are things here that we can't find in our homes.

[ Life, for one thing. ]

I imagine you have friends here that you would be sad to lose.

[Minato quietly thanked Souji and seated himself on a stool too. He tried some of the cake, a blue part first or as much blue as possible.]

It's good.

[Minato hadn't doubted that it wouldn't be. But time to cut to the chase.]

... You don't want to go home?

[It's a big deal to him, okay.]

It's almost as bad as missin' a birthday.

[He takes celebrations involving cake and potential gifts very seriously, senpai.]

Well, even if you beat me to makin' the cake, I can come help you eat it. Maybe leave dinner to me? Take a night off.

[ Jane is always down for cake, and she's so excited about the look of it that she doesn't even respond, she just goes to the kitchen. When she gets there she pauses, waiting until he doesn't seem to be mid-chewing before speaking, answering his questions from the video. ]

I've been here a year and one month, and...I'm kind of indifferent. Staying here or going home...both are okay to me. But my answer would have been really different a couple months ago. I actually posted something kind of like this on the network a while ago. It helps to hear what other people have to say and to think it out with them.

[ As she talks, she's kind of casually leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed loosely over her chest. ]

I've been here over a year... I think. It's hard to be s-sure, since this place can do anything with our memories.

But... I never want to go back.

Oh my. Six years. I know many talk of years, but I hadn't truly thought about how long. Are you the longest stay here in Wonderland then? Do you know?

[He can't help but to be curious.]

It's only been about six months for me, but honestly I don't mind being here knowing that my life is waiting for me. If I can help here for a time, then so be it.

I don't know.

[Souji gets a bit of icing and sprinkles on his fork and turns it over in his hand, looking at it.]

I've lived here longer than I've lived anywhere in my life.

[He smiles. He loves his team members.]

Arguing won't get me anywhere, huh?

[Oh noooo he'll have to let someone do stuff for him for once.]

Yeah. A few really good ones.

[A few really good ones have already gone.]

It's strange, but there are things about life here that are more stable than my life at home.

[Souji looks up, listening to her answer. He nods a little and gestures her over, getting up to cut her a piece of cake.]

What changed? Why is your answer different now?

[The memory issue is something he's considered--he hasn't heard of Wonderland taking memories of a person's time in Wonderland, but that doesn't make it impossible in the least.]

Why not?

There's one person here who's been here as long as me. I'm not sure which of us arrived first, but I think we came pretty close together.

[He pokes his cake with his fork, but doesn't take a bite.]

Do you know what's going to happen in the future at home? Or do you mean life in general?

B-Because I could die in a really horrible way!

[That sounds legit.]

That's a good reason. I can understand wanting to stay if it's less dangerous here.

[One of the few people who didn't ask follow-up questions. respect.]

At least if you die here, you come back.

[True. Souji had time to actually settle in and get used to being in one place for so long.]

It's like you know you should be home, but whether you want to be is up for debate?

That doesn't make dying more pleasant, but it is a little bit comforting to know that.

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