“We’ve gotta bite the bullet sometime,” Hairu mutters to Ui.
He gulps. “I guess.”
“Whoa. So pretty.” Masanori gazes at the vaulted ceiling and beautiful arabesque walls. “I want to climb them.”
Ui sends Hairu a panicked look. He still hasn’t recovered from Disneyland Tokyo. They only just released the bird back into the wild.
“Mommy, can I try your wine?” Masanori asks. “If I whine enough.”
Hairu has to giggle at the pun. “Did Kaneki tell you to say that?”
“Uh-huh.” Masanori sucks down his soda. “I want to taste it please.”
Ui sighs and holds out his glass. He doesn’t trust Masanori enough to hold it on his own. “Just one sip.”
Masanori puckers his lips. “It’s bitter.”
Ui nods.
“Why do adults like icky food?” Masanori eyes the menu.
“Because when you’re an adult, icky food tastes good,” says Hairu.
“That sounds sad.” Masanori pauses.
“They have shrimp tempura,” Hairu teases.
Masanori’s eyes widen. “I like the crunchies.”
Ui breathes a sigh of relief.
In fact, they make it almost the entire way through the meal before disaster strikes. Sure, Masanori has crumbs all over his face, but he’s happy.
And then.
And then.
He reaches for his soda. It falls onto the white tablecloth.
“Oh no!” Masanori clutches the tablecloth, accidentally yanking all their dishes along with it. “Ah!”
Plates, glasses, and silverware crash to the floor. Masanori is covered in tempura remains and sake.
Waiters rush over, and Hairu has to laugh. Ui has to refrain from crying as they apologize.
“I’m sorry,” Masanori whispers.
“It’s okay.” Hairu wipes her eyes and grabs Masanori to carry him to the restroom to wash off. She had expected nothing less this entire night. But she just wanted Masanori the chance to experience a fancy restaurant, the kind she never got to visit as a kid.
Ui nods as he helps the waiters. It’s embarrassing, every day with Masanori is adventurous and embarrassing. And he loves it.
Mercy and Magic 