He keeps saying that. Maybe he really does believe it.

I'm doing my best to ignore the tiny surge of hope deep inside me that says that maybe he can be trusted, a little, and says maybe not just as a business partner, and also says, maybe as someone who cares a little.

He steps closer. I look up, eyes bigger than I'd like them to be. I don't need to play the innocent schoolboy just now. Not entirely, at least. But he's so *close*...

I inhale, but manage to mostly keep my expression still. No point in denying it. "Why, Ryouma-san?"