The laugh surprises him, bringing a puzzled look to his face, and then she gives up the game, and he cannot believe he missed it. For a moment, Togusa is laughing, too. "Of course. Sally." Holden's own tiny obsession in the book.

But her explanation is another mending line, just the smallest offering of hope. Hope that maybe he isn't as far gone as he'd like to believe. Maybe. Maybe Zee's plan can still work. Maybe he can hang on to himself.

Togusa automatically stands up with Mariko, and again, he notices something is off about her motions. Just like with her hand.

Oh no.

He can keep the sharp inhalation of breath silent. It's still her, but it's as if she's gotten the software upgrade before- the hardware one. It is disgusting to think of it that way, but it's precisely what is happening. Togusa's hand out to the side of Mariko's arm is gentle.

"Okay." With all of the intonation of 'I'm here for you.'

"If you're- comfortable with it," she likely isn't, but he will make the offer, "Isamu could take you home? He'll do all the driving for you." It's how Togusa had planned to drink at the office and still make it back to his own bed. A practical suggestion, nothing else.