Page 109 of Mercy Written in Blood

"I do not find it bleak."

"No friends?"

"I have friends."

"Akiko?"

"Yes."

"Anyone who doesn't work in a hospital?"

Renji paused. Haruki noticed.

"That is not judgement," he said. "I'm curious."

"Why?"

"Because I know what you do for everyone else. I don't know what you do for yourself."

Renji looked at him. The question was far too personal for a first coffee. It was also not flirtation. Not entirely.

"I require very little," Renji said.

"That wasn't the question."

"No."

Haruki waited. Again, he did not force the silence. Renji turned his cup slowly between both hands.

"For myself," he said, "I listen to music."

"What kind?"

"Several kinds."

"That answer was terrible."

"It was accurate."

"Favourite?"

"I do not have one."

"Everyone has one."

"Then perhaps I am an exception."

Haruki smiled.

"You really believe that, don't you?"

Renji became still. The question carried more than the conversation should have permitted. Haruki seemed not to realise it. Or pretended not to.

"I've been told I'm unusual," Renji said.

"By people who know you?"

"Yes."