“Nakarai, what are you staring at?” Mizurou Tamaki hurries outside.
Keijin Nakarai looks back from his seat on the steps to their house. “The stars. Miyuki was right. You could lose yourself looking at them.”
“We’d find you,” says Tamaki.
Nakarai snorts. “Only if I want to be found.”
“You know you’d miss us!” Tamaki slaps Nakarai’s shoulder. “You know it!”
“All right, all right, I would, okay?” Nakarai laughs.
“Good.” Tamaki elbows Nakarai all the same.
“Do tha again,” Nakarai warns, “and I’ll tickle you.”
Tamaki gasps, recalling how just last week they introduced Suzuya to the horrible concept of tickles. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“You know I would.” Nakarai grins.
“Can I kiss you?”
“What?!” He spurts.
“I mean – Nakarai, you – I like you.” Tamaki lowers his eyes. “That’s why I followed you out here.”
“Looking at the stars, we have our first kiss. Does this make us star-crossed? You better not die on me.” Nakarai can’t believe it, but finally – “So that’s a yes!”
Their lips meet, and Nakarai feels like he’s started a great adventure and Tamaki feels wanted and –
And then both hear Suzuya, Hanbee, and Mikage giggling from the door behind them.
Mercy and Magic 