(He shrinks back into his chair.)

Didn't come here for a pep talk.

(He doesn't need Ryouma to make him feel better or feel like he has a better handle on the situation than he thinks. He knows his limits. He knows what he's good at. He doesn't need this guy reminding him.

A server brings out their food and Hizen sits up again to eat. He splits his chopsticks and pierces the starchy lace keeping them together but pauses just briefly. This feels uncomfortably familiar. Instead of dwelling, he sticks his gyoza in his mouth, focusing more on the food in front of him instead of the man,)

Haven't heard much of anything. Just the Enma're rounding up the kappa and everything's gonna be taken care of. (The new Daitengu will be chosen? Announced? A funeral will happen. He isn't here to give a full report to Ryouma. It isn't his job to share theories or information but he did come to him for a reason...) Been thinking about the assassins though.

(And it's here that he sets down his chopsticks after only a few bites and reaches into the pocket of his hoodie to reveal... a bullet.)