[ shuten's voice comes clear, the angle of her chin in the fresh air as she walks; the cadence and cushioning of her words against the walls of their private apartment obviously absent. ]

Just as I thought. So I wasn't imagining the hesitation in your voice...

[ text is ever so tricky for an ancient, unchanging thing like her. ]

Could it be ... Are you feeling shy all of a sudden, Ibaraki? You're the one who approached me first, you know.