Page 13 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Daichi."

"Yes?"

"You were also right."

The smugness vanished from Ken's face.

"What?"

"The supplier had to be paid."

Ken frowned.

"But—"

Haruki held up one finger.

"You wanted procedure."

"Yes."

"You wanted the building work to continue."

"...Yes."

"So did Daichi."

Ken opened his mouth, then closed it again. Haruki continued.

"You were trying to solve different problems."

Neither man spoke.

"You argued because neither of you asked what problem the other was trying to solve."

Silence. Then Daichi looked at Ken.

"I should've called."

Ken rubbed the back of his neck.

"...Yeah."

"I would've approved it."

"I know."

"You still should've called."

"I know."

Haruki stood.

"There."

Ken frowned.

"...That's it?"