There is some difference just in that, she mentally notes -- would he have been as open with her before? The Shinichi she knew was prideful, resistant to showing hesitation or weakness -- any kind of vulnerability. She'd managed to get it out of him sometimes . . . but they'd had that kind of relationship for some time, and even she hadn't always succeeded.

She'd like to tell him that maybe not all changes were bad, but she's not sure he's ready to hear it.

"If that's true," she says softly, "I don't think Shinichi has changed in the ways that are most important."