Aura Shinsanpei has a secret: he hates himself.
He’s convinced he will never measure up. His aunt is freaking Aura Kiyoko, for crying out loud.
He doesn’t know how to interact with people. If he loves you, he worships you. If he hates you, he’s your worst nightmare. There is no grey for Aura, and he doesn’t understand tepid people.
He wants to be the heroes he reads about. He wants to be like Aunt Kiyoko.
“San-chan,” calls a voice, and he looks up to see Saiko waving at him.
“Oh. Hi.” He’s sitting on a bench outside CCG, musing on how he wants to disappear, but his tall body renders that impossible.
“Mind if I sit next to you?” She hops next to him without waiting for confirmation. “Mind if Higa and Hsaio do, too?”
Suddenly, Aura finds himself surrounded by Quinx. Even Urie is here, sitting awkwardly in the back with Mutsuki.
“We’re here to tell you we love you,” Saiko sings.
“Huh?”
She kisses his cheek, and Hsaio hugs him.
Higemaru leans his head on Aura’s shoulder. “You’re our friend, you know.”
“And admittedly your aunt sent us,” Hsaio says.
“But we would have come anyway! Just, later,” Saiko adds.
“We want you to know you’re okay,” says Urie.
Mutsuki doesn’t say anything. He’s not okay. Neither is Aura. But if Aura can be okay, that’s great, unless it keeps him from Sasaki – but if Aura is convinced not to kill Sasaki, that might be easier, too.
“I know I’m fine,” Aura insists, his cheeks pink.
“No, you don’t. You avoid us and live for your aunt. She wants you to live for you, and we want that, too.” Saiko pats his leg. “Come on. We’re all going out for ice cream, and I’ll show you how.”
Mercy and Magic 