Page 236 of Mercy Written in Blood

He found the door open. Renji sat behind his desk with a tablet in one hand and a paper form laid flat before him. A young administrator stood opposite. She looked barely old enough to have finished university and deeply regretted whatever task had brought her there.

"I understand the year may be approximate," she said.

"It is not approximate."

"Then could you write it here?"

"I have already entered my date of birth into the hospital system."

"The system rejected it."

"That is a fault in the system."

"Yes."

She said it with the exhausted patience of someone who had already agreed several times.

"But the insurance audit requires a signed form."

"I do not use the hospital insurance plan."

"It still requires a form."

"Why?"

"Because the audit requires one."

"That is circular."

"I know."

Renji looked down at the paper. Haruki stopped outside the doorway. The administrator noticed him first. Relief passed across her face.

"Mr Ishida."

Renji looked up. His expression changed almost imperceptibly — not a smile, recognition warmed by something private. Haruki had begun noticing the difference.

"You are early," Renji said.

"You said noon."

"It is eleven fifty-three."

"That's seven minutes early."

"Yes."

"Most people consider that punctual."

"Most people are imprecise."

The administrator glanced between them. Haruki raised the bag of food.

"I brought lunch."

"You brought too much."

"You haven't seen it."