don't you give me the reason

She was useful and dedicated, Hattori had no reason to distrust Ochitsuki and yet the suspicion came so naturally, the weeds had taken root, and they were stubborn, barbed with thorns and stingers. He could not pinpoint the exact moment or even the reason why, because she was a good woman, but he simply did not like her because he chose to.

And then she asked, because of course she sensed it. They had been on agreeable terms before and thus it was a natural question to ask, something she needed to know, and yet he did not want to say. Because then he would have to openly admit he was being unfair and unkind- and Hattori simply could not do that.

"I promised you shelter and protection. You have it and more." He pointed out, turning slightly, standing parallel to her, taking in her obvious submissive cues, the averted eyes, tucked in posture. That reminded him of Kiriko too, so soft and demure. It felt like lies, even if he reasonably knew it wasn't. "What else did you expect from me?"