"He always reacts poorly to me any time I seem even slightly outside of this image he has of the other Ichinose," Ichinose explained, rolling her eyes and pausing to eat another bite of sushi.

She looked at Zenkichi's retreating form, seeing the fire leaving him. Chewing, a bit, in thought.

"If he's disheartened for the night, you don't have to rescue me again. You can catch up with Hamuko-chan, and I'll go check on Morning."