[Chiaki accepts it all in stride - Minato pressing into him, the little shift, and his hold relaxes only just enough that Minato can free himself if he'd like to. Chiaki has no intention of letting him go though, the hand on his friend's head switching to running through his hair in a calming way, because that's just what Chiaki thinks to do.

When he speaks again, his voice is quieter. It still holds all the same warmth, even adding a touch of softness.]

They were fine... They miss you, of course. They hope that you're doing well - they showed me the note that you left behind? So... I promised to find you, for them, and a little for me too. I'm really happy that I have something to report back on.

[There's a little laugh - ]

I left behind a little box of bandaids for them, like when we were kids. Hello Kitty and everything. I said "if he comes back here before I do, can you give him these? If he's still hurting, I owe him a lot more too!"

[A breath, and a hum. He doesn't even notice the way that his eyes well up in the corners with tears.]

I don't know if you are or aren't... but I'm happy to see you again no matter what, Arisu.