“Haaaaaaise!” Suzuya launches himself into Sasaki’s open arms.
“Juuzou!” Sasaki laughs. “How are you?”
“Happy to see you.” Suzuya’s cheeks flush. “You look good!”
“Uh – so do you.”
Across the room, Keijin Nakarai whistles softly. “Look at that.”
Hanbee Abara raises his eyebrows. “Is that a blush?”
“It definitely is,” decides Mizurou Tamaki.
“The stars have decreed that two leaders would be good married,” intones Miyuki Mikage.
Keijin swats Mikage’s shoulder. “Please! It’s a crush.”
But as they watch Sasaki toss Skittles into Suzuya’s mouth, they have to wonder if that’s all it is.
“Why don’t you show this office some respect,” snaps a passing officer.
“Excuse me?” Haise’s face pinches. Suzuya’s face falls.
“I don’t mean you,” the man adds to Suzuya. “I mean the ghoul here.”
Sasaki squirms.
“How dare you!” cries Suzuya.
“It’s okay,” Sasaki says.
“No, it’s not. Sasaki is my friend!” Suzuya stomps his foot. “He’s nice and brings me candy and he loves everyone. You’re the monster, from where I’m standing. Now, apologize!”
His scarlet eyes glitter, and for a moment, the man feels true terror that Suzuya might slay him.
“I – I’m sorry,” the man grumbles, brushing past.
“He just lost his brother to a ghoul, Suzuya,” Sasaki says quietly.
“Oh.” Suzuya winces. “But it’s still not your fault. I like you.”
“I appreciate that.” Sasaki smiles at him, and Suzuya feels like he’s soaring.
Mercy and Magic 