[Jyushi bursts through the door to Hitoya seated at the desk, glass in hand, about to greet him when he launches into the full explanation. He's left sitting there for a moment, trying to digest it all and once it's finally processed, he starts to laugh. Fully and sincerely. It takes another moment for him to speak.]

Well he wasn't wrong about that. The trial was a ruse. I had headed off to Shinjuku to challenge Jinguji Jakurai.

[Maybe it's the fact that he took a wide detour and never made it there in the end. Maybe it's the months of time apart that have softened his typical reaction to Kuko's antics. He looks at Jyushi now almost fondly and the small room they share seems to expand in the notable absence of their leader.]

I think I still could have managed a plea deal at a friend's discount.