🎀

[ if he is disappointed at all to see her take her leave, he doesn't show it. his expression remains perfectly neutral as he lifts that cup to his lips and takes his first sip of tea; by now the temperature has settled into something bordering lukewarm, but it makes for an easier drink as the liquid goes down without steam or burn.

he sets the cup down just as she turns to him one last time, leaving room for a faint smile on his lips. ]

Thank you, Miss Rin.

[ for the food, for the consideration. for giving him the space to think about all this. perhaps a wiser man would have thought twice about signing himself away again but — this time had been entirely his choice. that alone feels like it makes all the difference he needs. ]

I hope to hear from you soon.