[he knows natsume's unhappy. he's making a lot of people unhappy this week actually what's one more. maybe he'll be able to make people smile next week, or the week after, but the start of the month has been nothing short of agonizing.]

... Two of our people that died up there were people you were pretty close with.

[cautious. reluctant. natsume would have his suspicions later anyway, and this is good enough reason to come out with it if it means natsume won't involve himself.]

Rikki and Sai-chan. They were found together.