Page 161 of Mercy Written in Blood

Kael crossed the apartment. He hung his coat over the chair Haruki had used the previous night, then paused when he noticed it had been moved away from the table. Renji had returned the room to order after Haruki left. Mostly. The empty ramen containers were gone, the bowls had been washed, the record returned to its sleeve. The chair, however, remained angled towards the window rather than tucked beneath the table. Renji had not noticed. Kael had. Of course he had.

"You had company," he said.

"No."

Kael looked at the second cup again. Renji followed his gaze.

"That proves nothing."

"It proves someone drank here."

"I am capable of using two cups."

"Why would you?"

"One contained water."

"They are both tea cups."

"The function of an object is not dictated by its name."

Kael stared at him. Renji held his gaze.

"You are becoming worse at this," Kael said.

"At what?"

"Lying."

"I am not lying."

"So someone was here."

"I did not say that."

"You said you were not lying."

"That does not confirm your interpretation."

Kael entered the kitchen without permission. Renji heard cupboards open.

"You know where everything is," he said.

"I have been here before."

"Twice."

"Three times."

"No."

"You were unconscious for one."

Renji closed his eyes. Porcelain touched wood. Water filled the kettle. Kael moved through the small kitchen with offensive ease, selecting tea leaves without asking and using the celadonpot Renji reserved for varieties that required lower water temperatures.

"You are overheating it," Renji called.

"I have made tea before."