Page 189 of Mercy Written in Blood

Nothing had happened. Yet the apartment no longer felt forbidden. That itself felt dangerous.

Renji sat in his usual armchair. Haruki took the sofa. The coffee table between them was low, narrow and entirely impractical. Its dark wood was polished enough to reflect the lamplight. A stack of books occupied one end, leaving just enough space for their drinks.

Haruki placed his cup down. Renji examined his own.

"You added milk."

"You take milk."

"Very little."

"That is very little."

Renji lifted the lid.

"This is not very little."

"It's barely changed colour."

"It has changed enough."

Haruki leaned back.

"Drink it."

"I may not."

"You will."

"You are remarkably commanding in other people's homes."

"I'm commanding everywhere."

"That is not an admirable quality."

"It keeps people alive."

"It also makes them put too much milk in coffee."

Haruki smiled. This had become another kind of routine. Renji objected. Haruki ignored him. Renji drank the coffee anyway. His expression remained critical, but he took a second sip before setting it down.

"Acceptable," he said.

"You like it."

"No."

"You've used that word before."

"It remains accurate."

"You finished the ramen."

"I was hungry."

"You ate two pieces of cake."

"They were small."