Upon hearing that comment about his daughter, Barnaby couldn’t help but blink in mild surprise. Kotetsu was talking like he’d already retired, packed up his things, and returned to Oriental Town. And then it occurred to him that maybe that was exactly what happened, and Barnaby simply didn’t recall any of it. The thought made his stomach turn, and he swallowed hard as he resisted the urge to ask for clarification. After all, he’d already picked up on the significance behind what Kotetsu was saying, even if the full meaning hadn’t sunk in yet. There would be plenty of time to demand answers from the man in front of him. For now, Barnaby attentively listened to Kotetsu as he shed some rare light on his own uncertainty and insecurities surrounding their new situation. Despite his best attempts to keep a stoic face while they were in public, his intense gaze softened when he realized just what Kotetsu was admitting.

He needed him.

And Barnaby knew he needed Kotetsu too, especially now that he was starting to feel like he couldn’t even trust his own perceptions of reality.

"We're a team, aren't we?" he quietly murmured as he turned his green eyes toward his hands, which were neatly clasped between his knees now. "You have every right to ask for support if you need it. Your retiring shouldn't change that." Such a concept seemed ridiculously simple to Barnaby, particularly with how well they worked together, but at least this was a much more productive conversation than their argument at the skating rink.

"We should exchange room numbers in case we need to find each other later," he added, looking up at Kotetsu again. "I'm in M12."