Yeah, Goro expected that. And who's going to look Ren in the face, and tell him what they plan? The idea turns his stomach; it tastes like acid. He'd almost rather face the police in Niijima's Palace.

Fortunately, the kettle begins to chatter on the hotplate; he lifts it for the bloom pour, resting one hand on the lid. "It's funny, you know. A crow and a frog. If the metaphor held, you should be eating me."