Ryusei stepped away, looking down at the floor to hide his expression. He'd been less wary than he should be. He should have known better; his senses should have been more alert—

He forced himself to take a deep breath. "Th-thank you," he said, a fake apologetic smile almost making its way onto his face. He let it drop naturally a scant moment later. "I'll be fine from here."

It was the smoke that had dulled his perceptions. No, that was a weak excuse. "Uh, wait," he said hastily. "Have you seen anyone else come through this hallway? This tall," he gestured. "Brown hair, holding a black case...?"