Heh.

[It's a quiet sound, topped with a quiet little smile as he's fiddling with his coffee cup.]

I can relate to that.

[Taking another drag, putting it out, lighting up.]

One step at a time, eh? Having a direction is one thing... sticking with it is another. But you're in the clear in that area, so.

[Present tense. This doesn't have to be any harder than it already is, and Hikaru's pretty sure that it'll all work out.]