Page 112 of Mercy Written in Blood

"No."

"Redness?"

"No."

"Drainage?"

"No."

"Then it is likely normal healing."

"You see? Still examining me."

"I asked four questions."

"I feel cared for."

Renji picked up his tea.

"You should not."

"Too late."

He should have left then. Instead, they stood facing each other beside the small café table while people moved around them. Haruki adjusted the cuff of his coat. The confidence had returned, but something of the quiet remained beneath it.

"Same time next week?" he asked.

Renji's answer came before the reasons against it could assemble.

"Yes."

Haruki blinked. Renji did too. The agreement seemed to surprise them equally.

Haruki recovered first.

"Coffee?"

"Tea."

"Of course."

"Twenty minutes."

"Thirty."

"Twenty-five."

Haruki smiled.

"Done."

Renji should have corrected himself. Should have said the meeting depended on his rota, that he could not promise, that this was merely a chance encounter and repeating it would make it something else. Instead, he nodded once.

"Next week."

He walked towards the corridor. At the entrance to the café, he looked back. Haruki had returned to the window. But he no longer looked alone.

Renji turned away before he could ask himself why that pleased him.