( He should be expecting it, but it still hits him square on, a blip in his usual cheery façade crossing his features. His chair creaks as he pulls it out, a single discordant note before Vash is covering it up with a laugh, a smile. )

I'm fine. It's better than he's not here. He had stuff to do back home, right? So it's for the best. ( It doesn't matter that Vash is so sure he won't ever see him again, that after Julai Wolfwood will go back to the orphanage and the kids and he'll leave whatever wreckage the Humanoid Typhoon has made back in the dust. It doesn't matter that Vash realised his feelings a second too late. He should be happy for the undertaker. He is. It's just he also feels a little sorry for himself too. )

I've been looking after the kids for him. I think he'd have liked that.

( And then, more gently. ) I'm sorry, I know you two were close too. But if you need anything I'm here. I'll help.