He nods, thinking about the iron will that keeps such a weather eye on the two of them. He wonders if she had to learn that strength or if she came by it naturally. Perhaps if Soukichi had been as open and warm as Akiko... But there's no sense in going down that road. "She is. We reap the largest benefit."

"You can't protect someone from the truth. Eventually it comes out, and knowing you didn't know can be unbearable. Chief could have told you that."