"Hello."
If pressed, Kaz would admit that Rat is one of the very few people he counts as a friend, one of the very few people he feels any measure of warmth towards.
"I almost didn't recognise you."
Other options:
no subject
"Hello."
If pressed, Kaz would admit that Rat is one of the very few people he counts as a friend, one of the very few people he feels any measure of warmth towards.
"I almost didn't recognise you."