Tomoko kept smiling as she deposited three sugar cubes in her tea, then added a fourth for good luck. "I... think Ryusei-san's parents like that picture so much because Ryusei-san looks so... lively in it," she said, glancing at the picture again. She wanted to say he looked cute but didn't - he was probably not yet ten when it was taken - and looked about ready to cry that looking at it made one want to reach out and hug him for comfort. "I like that picture," she noted, nodding to herself. "I shall keep it in my memory." She then looked at Ryusei. "How many sugar cubes in yours?"

As for Gentarou... "Well, Kengo-san's trying to help him out more now that he's feeling better, but Gentarou-san..." Tomoko shrugged, an answer in itself.