"...I'll join you, sure," he says, pushing himself back up and fetching a plate and chopsticks.

...neither of them seem to have been expecting this. And Tochima in particular is starting to connect some dots in his head that are making him very suspicious.

"Is Ren-san doing alright? I don't think I've run into her in a while," he says, as he takes his seat.

"...I presume she must be."

"I'll be honest, I miss her sashimi. Her skill is unparalleled."

Hana is looking more baffled and bewildered by every word Tōkan says. That's almost... nice? Respectful? Polite? She's never seen Tōkan do that.

"It is your own choice to not be here when she cooks, boy," grunts Tochima.

"You're right. Maybe... I should make more of an effort to be around.

"Anyway, my apologies, I must have interrupted you."

    "...yes. You did."

Tochima turns to Hana. "You were saying, about Danbō-san?"

    "I think he's dragging his feet because he knows the best he can do here is limit his losses and the prospect of facing me is too hard on his ego."

"Does he need some encouragement?"

    "It's fine, dear, I'll handle it."

"I know you will. I trust you to."

Oh god yeah he remembers part of the reason why he hates having dinner with these two is that their idea for table conversation is work. And they're insufferable.

Still, Tōkan can play along, for now, and Ren-san's food is actually delicious, so even as he plays the role of a dutiful remorseful prodigal son he can take solace in that.

They can almost forget Tōkan is there, which if he's not going to say useful things about the topics that come up is the next best thing. But after they're done with their food Tochima will, in fact, go to his study with Tōkan to talk about whatever it is.

"So?"

"You know... the whole thing. With Inori. That's been happening."

"...your omega. Yes, he's been detained by the police, hasn't he? I knew he wasn't good for you."

"He's not 'my omega'. We haven't paired or anything."

"A modicum of sensibility, I'm impressed."

"...Father, can you not be like that, I'm trying to..."

"You're right. Apologies, son. You were saying?"

He has this guy eating from the palm of his hand, it's great.

"Anyway, yeah, uh... I didn't really... I mean, it was a surprise."

"I don't know how. We've conversed twice over less than five mintues and I could have seen this coming, especially given the other rumours I've heard about him."

"Rumours?"

"You cannot be seriously unaware of them."

"No, I mean, I know about lots of them, I just... was wondering which you were referring to, is all."

"Isn't that a problem, itself?"

"I guess..."

"He goes after alphas and betas and attacks them like a rabid dog, just for being themselves, and he dares to call it justice."

"Well, I mean, um... I, I mean, I guess it's hard, and he..."