Page 222 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Do you help people?"

"When they allow me."

Yumi considered this.

"My mummy didn't want to come."

"Most people do not."

"She said her tummy just hurt."

Renji's expression did not change. Haruki saw the pause beneath it — the calculation of what he knew, what the child knew and what kindness required him not to say.

"Sometimes pain needs more help than we can give it at home," Renji said.

"Is she going to die?"

The question crossed the corridor with the clean violence only children could manage. Haruki felt his body tighten. Renji remained crouched.

"I do not know what is wrong with your mother," he said.

No false reassurance. No easy promise. Yumi looked down at the rabbit.

"My aunt said she'll be okay."

"She may be."

"That means she might not."

"Yes."

Haruki expected the girl to cry. Instead, she looked at Renji with frightened anger.

"You're supposed to say yes."

"Would you believe me?"

Yumi did not answer. Renji's voice softened.

"I think you are old enough to know when someone is lying because they are afraid of upsetting you."

Her eyes filled. Renji stayed where he was.

"But not knowing is not the same as something bad happening," he continued. "Right now, your mother is with people whose only work is helping her."

"Are they good?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

"I have argued with most of them."

A tiny crease appeared between Yumi's eyebrows.

"Why?"

"They are very stubborn."