Reminded that she could return alone should her family decide to relocate as a result of the Numbered situation, Benjiro nods his head as his smile breaks wide enough to show hints of his pointed teeth and gives a little squeeze back at her waist. That she would even consider not only leaving her family to be with him but to come back to the chaos of a Numbered life speaks volumes.

While he could move over and probably work at the kotatsu, it is easier here. Rather than trying to shift her back to the chair to continue however, he simply scoots her to the left side in his lap to free up his right arm, and moves the items to his right side one at a time. Left arm looped around her, he works on cutting the foam carefully held in that same hand. He takes his time at the task, whittling it down with small cuts. Occasionally he has to peer back into an ear to check on his progress for comparison, but within fifteen to twenty minutes he has both cut to mirror.

Satisfied with one last look over the foam for any possible irritating edges, he then hands them to her, “Right one, this side up. Left one, this side up. We can mark them if you want, but go ahead and give them a try. You’ll have to squish them long ways to get in deep enough, but they should rise to fill.”