Shigetoshi watched Tatsuki compose himself. Or as best as he could. He still looked sad, but he tried to smile. [i]Perhaps[/i], the innkeeper thought, [i]it would have been better not to say anything.[/i] But what was done was done, and there was no changing that. When the other man gestured at the food and remained silent Shigetoshi thought it was a cue for him to eat and leave him alone. Willing to do one of those things, Shigetoshi took up his own chopsticks and carefully sampled the wares. While he did so he kept a close eye on the guest as he looked around the room. Shigetoshi was beginning to get the feeling that whatever was troubling the man wasn't anything Shigetoshi did. The thought caused mixed feelings. Relief, that it probably wasn't his fault. But regret too. Because it would have been so much easier to fix.

Shigetoshi realized between one blink and the next that the young guest had moved in closer. Shigetoshi nearly jumped when Tatsuki began to talk in a low voice. Low enough that he had to lean further in to hear. The words made sense, but then again, they didn't. The young Asian couldn't help the frown that pulled on his lips. But Tatsuki didn't seem to notice between his concentration on the food and on the other patrons. When the other's eyes did a funny flash, Shigetoshi didn't notice it, or ignored it because it couldn't have possibly happened.

When Tatsuki turned finally to look at Shigetoshi, the young man wished Tatsuki would turn away again. There was something there, but Shigetoshi wasn't ready to accept it, or even think about it. Shigetoshi turned away first and looks down at the utensils in his hand. He swallows as Tatsuki finally falls quiet. However the words still burned in his ears, unerasable. Was this young man next to him some kind of... dare he say it? Shigetoshi pressed his lips together.

"The meal you've made is very tasty." Shigetoshi said as he gathered the courage to look back at Tatsuki, who was eating still. Then his gaze drifted to the others. None of them seemed to notice anything off. Which was good. And they too were enjoying the food. "And it looks like everyone else is too." He smiled, even if it felt rather forced. Shigetoshi knew he was avoiding the topic, but he didn't know what to do. After all his father had drilled into him that the comfort of his guest came first and he should do everything to ensure they were in fact comfortable. In this case, if it was normal, he's listen to anything Tatsuki had to say.

But the case wasn't normal. Shigetoshi wasn't even sure if this young man wasn't a... Shigetoshi couldn't even think the thought, He placed down the chopsticks and looks back at Tatsuki. "I can listen." The young man shurgged as he dropped his gaze and straightened one of the chopsticks.