[ Demanding an immediate demonstration of the French press really had been about giving Edamura a familiar task to focus on to ground his thoughts once more, but maybe it wasn't a bad idea in general. The smell of freshly-brewed coffee fills the air as Edamura pushes the plunger down -- it's soothing.

Rom permits himself a moment to luxuriate in it before giving a low laugh. ]

Aahh -- maybe I can guess at what his reasoning for it was? Something like -- 'not telling you results in a more genuine act. It was worth it. And I knew you'd be able to pull it off.'

[ Scummy. But also -- the sort of thing he'd do himself, if necessary. He isn't beyond manipulating people a little bit for a good cause, after all. ]

Perhaps you can take it as a compliment, at least. Even if it was cruel.