A small box of dumplings was settled on white hospital sheets, unwrapped immediately by an eager Okita; Tetsu watched anxiously.
"I'm sorry if they're cold, I carried them the whole train ride," Tetsu apologized. It was meaningless, talking to prevent any awkward silence. Smiling wanly, Okita chewed at a slightly squished dumpling and smiled.
"I think they're delicious," he announced softly.
"Well, they are your favorites."
"From the bakery down the street?" Words careful, slow, like the days after Ikedaya–trying not to cough.
Worry bubbled up, and faith almost quelled it. "Yeah. We'll go together, next time."
"I'd like that."