Page 243 of Mercy Written in Blood

"My mother made chestnut cake," he said. "You remembered that correctly."

"I usually do."

"She added too much honey."

"You dislike sweet food."

"I did then as well."

"But you ate it."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"She made it."

Haruki smiled faintly.

"What else?"

Renji's gaze moved beyond the office. Not towards anything visible. A room centuries gone.

"My father gave practical gifts."

"Such as?"

"A winter cloak. Books. A replacement scabbard."

"That sounds useful."

"It was."

"Your sister?"

The question changed him. Only slightly.

"She gave useless gifts."

Haruki smiled.

"What kind?"

"Once, she gave me a stone."

"A stone."

"She claimed it resembled my face."

"Did it?"

"No."

"Do you still have it?"

Renji looked at him. Haruki already knew the answer.

"Yes," Renji said.