"He's a feisty one," Zero commented. "Come on, Near- I'll take you to your room."

Near waited for Mail to follow before the two of them stalked after Zero.

"Wammy's isn't known for its creative nicknames," Zero informed. "With names like 'Near', 'Matt', and 'L', though, are you really surprised? Ahh, here we are... your old room."

They stopped in front of a door and Near paused, turning to look at Zero. "This is... my old room."

"That's what I said," Zero confirmed. "We haven't changed it."

Slowly, Near turned the handle and peered inside, only to gasp in surprise.

Mail blinked and hurried forward- pushing the door open to look inside.

It looked like a normal bedroom to him - black curtains to hide from the sun, a toy box in the corner, a neat and tidy bed...

But to Near... it hadn't changed. Not from when he had been in it only a little over twenty four hours ago... everything was exactly the same - but it had been years!

"Mello and Matt made us keep it the same," Zero informed, gently.

"Where are those two?" Mail asked curiously. "I'm sure Near'd love to see them."

"I'm not allowed to answer that and I'm going to get out of here before Near weasels the answer out of me," Zero informed. "I'll swing by with some food in a little bit!"

He practically bolted as Near took a seat in the center of the floor.

Mail stepped in and closed the door.

"...So how would you have gotten him to talk?" Mail chuckled.

"I wouldn't have tried," Near whispered. "I am far too confused and shocked. And getting Zero to speak about something he doesn't want to talk about is like pulling my hair out, anyways."

"What's up...something's buggin' ya." Mail walked over and sat down beside Near.

"This room... is how I left it," Near whispered, looking at Mail. "Eight years ago... It has been dusted, but nothing has been moved."

"They cared that much about you...I thought you'd be happy." Mail blinked.

"Mail doesn't understand..." The little boy turned to look at him. "That means that I didn't return to my time line."

"...Huh?" Matt tilted his head.

"I never go back in time," Near whispered. "I am stuck in the future."

"We don't know that...maybe you're just not here because you haven't gone back yet." Mail offered.

Near's shoulders fell - obviously the words hadn't comforted him - and he let himself fall forward onto the floor, laying on his stomach and pressing his cheek against the carpet.

Mail leaned over and rubbed the boy's back gently.

"...You can't lose hope." He offered. "If you do, then you'll never get back home."