"Well 'course," he says softly, mostly grateful she doesn't push the subject any further, because while he could explain the more obvious absence of his parents without too much trouble he doesn't want to have to explain his brother, too.

And he's glad to change the subject again, too. "Aunt Cass has had Mochi for nearly forever, even when I was really little. He's kinda the café mascot, because it's the Lucky Cat and he's - well that's what he looks like."