"It's a little strange," she agrees, "but I'm honored you trust me enough to let me see this." She prefers it, to be honest. Ms. Willis sounds so formal, and she's just not a formal kind of person.

His smile might be a work in progress, but hers usually is as well. She won't fault him for it. "You have friends, Katsuya. You're not alone. Never again, if you don't want to be. Although I hope you won't try pushing me away again when this wears off." Not that she would fault him for that, either.