Kaoru's cup had been raised to his mouth as if to drink, but he didn't - not while Seimei was speaking. He continued to hold it in both hands as he listened.

Seimei's story was almost identical to his own - discounting the half-kitsune part. Even so, he couldn't quite accept that Seimei had been as bad as he made out. Nor could he accept that Seimei had any notion of how difficult a child Kaoru had been. But arguing the point was useless - instead of protesting, he took a sip of his tea to silence himself.

"...do you think Tama-chan's going to be just as difficult? Just as vexing?"