Alright. We can skip around the point all day long, I'm sure, but our curry arrives and I drop the subject long enough to take a few bites. It's actually pretty good.

"I have to admit," I say slowly, not wanting to jump into this part of the conversation too abruptly. "That I'm a little more nervous than most might be about her going to Amanogawa."

I pause to take a few more bites, and see what Leo's reaction might be. Little by little...