The echo didn't escape Gene. That had been rough for everyone, and he was sure that being around him and his issues hadn't made it any easier. At points, the tension between himself and Howard had crackled like a live wire.

Gene shook his head. "No. I find that work keeps me focused." Correction - beating the hell out of things keeps him focused. But working at the dojo meant the same thing, in the end.

"...but thank you for the offer." That was unusually understanding of Bakura. Although given their recent experiences, maybe some understanding was warranted.