Her smile turned painful. "I'd like that. I'd like to feel free, and not chained by the men in my life."
She glanced at Renji, seeing his expression and caught herself suddenly, pressing a hand to her mouth.
"Oh, Renji… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go on like that, trauma-dumping on you. You're just a kid."
He shook his head, his voice calm, gentle in a way that surprised even him.
"It's okay, Mrs. Hoshizawa. I don't mind."
She tilted her head, smiling apologetically. "Really?"
"Yeah. And you shouldn't feel too bad about Kaito. He's old enough to choose how he lives. You've done your part as a mother, haven't you?"
Hana's brow perked. "Yes. I guess… I have."
"Good," he smiled at her. "And now that he's eighteen you have more freedom than you think, trust me. You just have to open the cage's door."
"You're kind, Mrs. Hoshizawa. Kinder than many people I know, and you're stronger than you know, holding everything together when it's falling apart. That takes real courage."
