He smiled at her; quick and easy as he laid his hand over hers when it hooked his arm.
“Compared to what I ate tonight, it seems as though I can only get by. I do enjoy it though. My mother … we used to make up all kinds of stuff, good and bad, when I was younger.” He spoke and went soft when he spoke of his mother. Memories of easier and happier times played like an old film reel. Grainy and faded but just as warm and light as when they happened.
Baaya laughed, patting Kaito’s hand with her other, managing the flowers effortlessly. “Oh, that’s wonderful. And, really, you don’t need to make a three or four course meal just to get by… How is your mother doing, anyway, dear? The mistress has asked about her from time to time, but I doubt that the young master has really passed along the message…"
When they reached the parlor door, she glanced back down the hallway to see if Hakuba was following yet, just in time to see his doorway open.