Hanbee holds his breath as Suzuya and he enter the stark hospital room, which smells of limp food and cleaning fluids.
Suzuya wants to stop, to run away, but he can’t, so Hanbee will hold his breath in his leader’s place.
Suzuya steps in full view of the bed, where Shinohara Yukinori sits, awake and smiling at his wife and not-so-little kids.
Suzuya’s heart beats wildly. Is there still a place for him with Mr. Shinohara?
Shinohara stills as soon as he spies Suzuya. Then he holds out his hands, as emotion clouds his ability to speak.
“Mr. Shinohara!” Suzuya wails and launches himself into Shinohara’s arms. “You’re here, you’re really here.”
“I am,” says Shinohara, embracing Suzuya. “Juuzou, you’ve become a great man.”
“T-thank you,” says Suzuya, wiping his eyes.
“Who is this?” Shinohara’s eyes flit over to the doorway, where Hanbee stands.
“That is Hanbee Abara, my squad member. He’s…very special to me,” says Suzuya, flushing.
“Hanbee.” Mr. Shinohara smiles at him. “I’m glad Suzuya found someone like you.”
Hanbee gasps. “Thank you, sir! Suzuya is – well, he’s the most amazing leader we have. And I – I love him.”
“I’m glad,” says Shinohara, squeezing Suzuya’s shoulder. “Nothing could make me happier.”
Mercy and Magic 