Suzuhan? Yes yes yes!!
“I was thinking,” Suzuya begins, “I should go visit Mr. Shinohara again. Because I haven’t wanted to. Because I hate seeing him like that. But he hated seeing me in pain, and he didn’t leave me.” He clenches his jaw. “So I’ll go.”
Hanbee and Mizurou exchange glances.
“Suzuya,” Hanbee says softly.
“What?” Suzuya’s eyes are so innocent.
“Mr. Shinohara – he passed three days ago,” says Mizurou.
Suzuya starts. “What?”
His lower lip trembles, but he says nothing else before turning and running out of CCG.
“I’ve got this.” Hanbee rushes out. He thinks he knows what to say, and he needs to act before he questions himself.
He finds Suzuya on a park bench, his small shoulders shaking.
Mr. Shinohara made him feel warm and safe and happy. Mr. Shinohara was his dad, really.
And now his father is dead.
And he died for him.
Suzuya looks up as Hanbee looms nearer. “I – I wish it had been me.”
“I don’t,” Hanbee admits. “I wish it would not have happened at all.”
He hesitates. “May I sit down?”
Suzuya nods, and Hanbee settles beside him. “You know, I was completely unfit to be an investigator.” He swallows. “But you – your example – your mentorship – made me into the more dependable person I am today.”
“We had different vices, but I think you went through something similar with Mr. Shinohara. I can’t imagine losing you, so I can’t comfort you adequately – but for what it’s worth, you are everything he would have wanted for you.” Hanbee shivers. “Does that make sense?”
Suzuya nods, tears dribbling down his face. “Thank you, Hanbee.”
Hanbee squeezes his small leader and lets him sob into his shoulders. “You’re very loved, you know.”
“Mr. Shinohara taught me love.” Suzuya looks up. “And I loved him too. Just like I love you all.”
Mercy and Magic 