"Am I?" His brow furrowed at her admittance but to be fair, he could understand where she's coming from- given the conversations they have had before. He keeps himself cool, his smile sobering up to something more thoughtful as he considered her words carefully.

He came off too strong, didn't he? No point trying to rub salt into the wound.

"We might be colleagues working together to help each other in our research but your company in itself is enough. Really, Ichinose-san, I am not looking for anything."

"Why do you think I am looking for something in you?" Gently he eases his expression and listens carefully. "You are a friend."