Page 104 of Mercy Written in Blood

"My surgeon told me recovery would take several weeks."

"Your surgeon was correct."

"He was very pleased with himself."

"I doubt that."

"You didn't see his face when I finally followed an instruction."

Renji had. Haruki had arrived at his follow-up appointment on time, taken his antibiotics as prescribed and refrained from reopening the wound for eleven consecutive days. Renji had not attended that appointment. He had still read the report.

"How many instructions did you ignore before that?" he asked.

"Several."

"Then the pleasure was likely relief."

Haruki laughed. The sound was softer than Renji remembered. He did not brace a hand against his side afterwards. The movement no longer hurt him. Renji noticed.

"You're checking," Haruki said.

"What?"

"Whether I'm in pain."

"I am not."

"You looked at my side when I laughed."

"Reflex."

"Medical?"

"Yes."

"Convenient."

Renji lifted his cup. Haruki did the same. For several moments, they drank in silence. It was not uncomfortable. That unsettled Renji more than conversation would have. Silence with another person usually demanded something — reassurance, entertainment, explanation. People rushed to fill it before it revealed too much. Haruki allowed it to remain. He looked through the window again.

Renji studied him without intending to. The tunnel attack had changed him. Not visibly enough that a stranger would notice — his confidence remained, so did the ease with which he occupied space. But there was fatigue around him now. Not physical. Something heavier.

"Who are you visiting?" Renji asked.

"Jun."

"How is he?"

"Angry."

"That is not a medical assessment."

"It's the most important one."

Renji waited. Haruki traced one thumb along the seam of his cup.

"He kept the leg."

"I know."