It's....hard to explain? [ a.k.a. bokuto really doesn't know how to explain it. he never really was curious enough to try and find an answer as to how all of this was possible in the first place, and especially now that akaashi's asking him about it he realizes just how much he never bothered to figure out.

it's not until akaashi mentions being with him at practice, seeing him fifteen or so minutes ago, that bokuto's heart stops for a second. just one second, where he misses home and his friends and the team and akaashi all so desperately, so intensely, it's impossible to completely hide away.

but then the second is gone, and bokuto's shaking his head, then stopping, then stroking at his chin as he looks over dramatically thoughtful. ] I mean, I haven't been here before. I've just been here! Time is weird- or something. I don't really understand it, but you're never really gone back home. It's like the zap you here and then when the Landlord is done with you he zaps you back in that exact spot! No one even notices.

[ and there it is again - that kind of empty smile. that awkward silence where bokuto is definitely, totally, chipper and upbeat as always. ]

But I've been here a while, so I can show you around. C'mon! [ and then he's just taking his hand off akaashi's shoulder and looping his arm through akaashi's instead, pulling him along. ]