Makoto followed Ren as he led her through the streets of Yongen-Jaya, their hands never parting. He wasn't dragging her along per se. Her hand rested loosely in his. At times her fingertips almost slipped away, but then he would renew his grip.

Ever since they parted ways with Sis and Tao-san, it had been like this. Normally they wouldn't hold hands just to walk to Leblanc. She knew the way just fine, but it seemed tonight was different. It wasn't just holding hands either. In the train he had somehow sat closer to her, even though they were seated side-by-side like always. He gave her a reassuring squeeze on the upper arm, twice, in their short ride. She wondered if he was conscious of his change in behavior.

Was he that happy that she thought dinner went well?

Or was it that she didn't back out of their plans when Tao-san wanted her to come home with them instead?

Though… he didn't look particularly happy.

Maybe it was because he wasn't feeling well, even if he had insisted his headache had passed.

Soon they would be somewhere she could ask.

Leblanc was already closed by the time they arrived. Ren let go of her hand and took a few brisk strides to the main light panel. Once the cafė was illuminated, he returned to her, wrapping an arm around her back as he ushered her further in.

He was doing it again.

"Care for a cup of coffee?" he asked.

Makoto opened her mouth to speak before realizing she wasn't sure. She had wanted some time to chat, but it was rather late.

He seemed to notice her hesitation. "I was going to make myself one anyway."

"In that case," Makoto smiled. "Please."

He guided her to a seat at the far end of the counter and then took off his jacket, draping it over the chair next to hers. Next he loosened his tie and slipped it off, laying it over the jacket. He undid the top button of his dress shirt and then pulled an apron out from under the counter.

"So you really think it went well?" he asked as he tied the straps of the apron behind his back.

"Sis seemed really happy to see you again."

While her sister had become more gentle over the years, her no-nonsense demeanor was still the default.

"That's great," Ren exhaled. He paused, his fingers still wrapped around the apron's bow. "But what about her girlfriend?"

"Ah, that…"

Tao-san had always been friendly, if a bit awkward, towards Makoto. She could understand how the older woman might have seemed intimidating to Ren though.

"I think she's trying her best." Makoto suspected Tao-san's history wasn't exactly rosy based on how cagey she and Sis could be about certain topics.

"Hm." Ren turned from the counter and began looking at the shelves of ingredients behind him. After a short while staring, he started to run his hands over some of the bags, gripping one across the front and then changing his mind and considering another.

He didn't speak again until he chose a blend.

"Y'know, now that I've met them, I can see why you originally wanted to move out," Ren said as he returned to the counter. He set down his selected container of coffee, opened a drawer, and fished out a spoon. "Maybe I shouldn't have talked you into staying."

"You didn't talk me into it." Makoto's brow furrowed. Where was this coming from? "I was already considering it. I just needed to sort through all the pros and cons."

Was he beginning to rethink their plans? Maybe he didn't want her over so much…

"Yeah, but…" Ren trailed off. He pressed his lips together and his gaze shifted to some spot on the floor beside him.

Something was wrong.

Makoto went over the events of the night in her head, trying to figure out if she had done something to-

The sound of Ren taking a deep breath brought her attention back to him. "You know how I'm good at seeing certain things?"

Makoto nodded, worrying her lips together as she did.

"Well, there's something off when I look at Machinami."

It took Makoto several seconds to process what he had just said. He looked plainly at her as she tried to wrap her head around his words.

"What does that mean?" she eventually asked.

"I don't know."

It didn't sound good. Was Tao-san somehow involved in that world? Was he implying Tao-san might be a threat? If Ren didn't want her around Tao-san…

"But then what about Sis?" Makoto protested. "Is it-"

"I don't know," Ren repeated himself. "It sometimes shows me good things, sometimes dangerous things, sometimes I'm not sure…"

"But you want me to move out, right?" Makoto dipped her head. "But it's fine for Sis?"

Ren cast his gaze down once more. He shifted his weight, breathing in and out.

"I don't know, it just feels… bad." The skin between Ren's eyebrows puckered and he clenched his jaw. "But, are you ready to damage Sae's relationship over a vague feeling?"

Makoto sighed, shaking her head.

"Have you had this feeling before?" she asked. "About other people?"

"No," Ren was looking at her again. "It's rare for it to trigger on people—usually only those I'm close to and then it's more like…"

He paused. His vision drifted upwards.

"It's a bit complicated," he began. "But it's not invasive or anything. It just makes you easier to see. With Machinami, it's the opposite."

"Oh."

Makoto supposed if his ability made it easier to find treasures, it made sense it would also make it easier to find people. It would explain a lot…

"Wait a second…" Makoto looked up at him. "Is this why you've always been able to spot me so quickly, even in a crowd?"

Ren smiled genuinely for the first time since they left the diner. "I've never needed extra help when it comes to noticing you Makoto."