[ names: ryouma and izou. they don't ring any bells for him now, but...

well. the tea has cooled off enough, and shylock will take this moment to take a sip. it's refreshing, but the mood is anything but. it's all right though -- he chose to visit him in the first place, no matter what disposition hizen was in. shylock didn't believe that he was all right in the first place, but this was... a lot. ]

Last month took a toll in everyone's minds. You know this.

[ but at the same time, it was also shylock who told him that he was loved by his master in life. what happened now?

he closes his eyes as he carefully chooses his words. ]

They must've had their reasons, but it could not have hurt them to tell you. Although it could be that it must have hurt telling you to stay away, too.

[ but he could be playing devil's advocate, as he always has. ]