"We'll see," Robby says, giving no relief to that fluster or worry. But, with a pause and some relenting. "But let's hope we don't have to."

There you go, Chizuru. Foreboding, a warning, that won't ever come to pass if she's a very good girl. He'd make a joke about No Mercy or about his last dojo's strict training, but he'd much prefer to keep away from that chapter of his life, even to someone who'd take no deeper meaning from it.

Distance is always good.

"So, how're you feeling? Wanna get a drink? I'll show you some moves with a bo, no joining in. I've been learning these sweet jump kicks off of them."

Jump kicks, Chizuru!