"Mhm?" he looked up at her. "Oh. No. No. I'm…" he was lost in her gaze for a moment. "I'm fine, Mrs. Hoshizawa."
His voice was as steady as he could make it, but it still had a slight tremor caused by the emotional storm inside him.
Hana tilted her head, her cheeks squeezed by how happy and wide her smile was. "It's so good to see you, Renji, I really never expected to miss you this much."
Renji's brows raised. "Really? You missed me?"
"Of course," Hana replied, her voice soft and full of that motherly affection that had always made him feel seen, her smile widening to reveal perfect white teeth, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
So she missed him?
Hearing that made Renji feel even warmer. Special.
"So how have you been?" she asked, placing her hand on his shoulder in a gesture that sent electricity through him.
