Zenkichi froze for a heartbeat, Hamuko’s words cutting through all his usual bravado. Even with his eyes hidden behind the opaque visor, there was no mistaking the way his head tilted slightly, like he’d just taken a direct hit.

“‘Admirable resolve,’ huh?” He let out a low, dry chuckle, lips quirking into a lopsided grin. “Didn’t realize we were handing out compliments today. Guess I should start writing this down before I forget it ever happened.”

When did Zenkichi Hasegawa ever have any admirable resolve? The thought punctuated in her head, her laughter now faded as she considered the words that had just spun in her mind. Something in Hamuko's words clashed inside her and she wasn't sure if she could begin to question why. This was good, right? Wolf was getting along with others. One of her hands go to the side, fingers going into a pocket to feel some sort of ease before she finds one of those pink papers from earlier. Wolf-pop Pop.

He suddenly yawns a little quiet as he brings his hand to his mouth. He's so sleepy right now and he's totally not trying to find a way to stray out of this conversation.
"You know sometimes you really have to gaslight yourself into thinking you made the damn right choices," he couldn't help but snicker at his little piece of 'advice.' Despite his words, the warmth in his tone betrayed him. Hamuko’s comment had clearly landed somewhere deep—though he’d never admit it.

“Anyway, you boggled my mind enough for one day. And this—” He reached for the hat on her head. “—is officially mine again. No more extended rentals.”