As Sadie rejects his gratitude, Benjiro looks up to her from where he sits. He visibly cringes at the question that really twists his perspective and sinks a little lower as his gaze drops back down. His consideration of immediate inconvenience had jeopardized his ability to lend his support to her in the future. Her request for a promise is taken to heart, but he feels he cannot make that promise until after he has thoroughly analyzed how he put himself in this position in the first place. Specifically, how he had so easily overlooked his own safety. At least, he manages a nod to show he understands.

Sitting in silence with Sadie, he’ll work slowly to eat the remainder of the biscuits in the bag and drink the squash. He would not waste them, even with guilt tempering his appetite.

The honk doesn’t so much get his attention as Sadie moving to stand up to meet the vehicle. Quick to tuck the bag from the biscuits and empty bottle into the side pocket on his backpack, he slides the bag on with both straps as he stands to follow Sadie, albeit more slowly. Reaching the car in time for the introduction, he keeps acute awareness of his posture.

Upbringing kicking in hard while feeling flustered, Benjiro clamps his elbows against his lower ribs with arms straight and bows his head and chest fully forward from the waist. Keeping fully forward for a good five or six seconds as he replies verbally, he’ll rise back up to finish speaking, “Mrs. Moore. I apologize for the inconveniences taking me in will cause but I am very grateful that I can stay with you.”