Inspired by @koyuki-tan‘s “Peace Sign.”
“What would she like?” Ryoichi whispers to himself.
He stands before a giant department store, tapping his fingers to his chin.
“Your haircut, doofus,” whispers a voice in his ear.
Ryoichi yelps. He spins around to see a smirking Kanae von Rosewald.
“Look, courting a dove is a bad idea, but you’re not the first idiot to try. And since I’m helpless to save the other, I’ll help you, leibling,” says Kanae. She crosses her arms.
“Why are you being so nice?” He narrows his eyes.
“’Tis the season,” Kanae says. “Have you paid attention to her interests at all?”
“A – a little,” Ryoichi stammers.
“Sweet or savory?”
“Uh, sweet?”
“Wrong.” Kanae shakes her head. “What kind of posters does she have in her room?”
“I wouldn’t look at her room!” Ryoichi cries.
Kanae rolls her eyes. “Oh my god. Horses, dummy.”
“Horses?”
“Yes. Buy her something to do with horses.” Kanae nods. “You can’t go wrong.”
“But…” Ryoichi hesitates. “She might still hate me. Because I’m a full ghoul.”
“You never know until you try. Shuu might hate me because I’m a girl. I’m still gonna try.” Kanae shrugs. “Bye.”
And just like that, the Rose vanishes into the crowd.
When Ryoichi returns to Re later that day, he’s beaming with pride.
“Lemme see.” Touka stomps her foot.
Ryoichi reaches into his bag to produce an elaborate crystalline horse.
“Magnificent,” says Yomo in surprise.
“Touka, you should get Ryoichi to be your boyfriend,” says Nishiki.
“Shut up!” Ryoichi and Touka yell at once.
Mercy and Magic 