“Sensei, we’re going to battle very soon.” Mutsuki nervously nibbles on his lip.
“How are you feeling?” Sasaki can’t lose another Quinx. Never.
“I’m okay. I’m more worried about you.” Mutsuki hesitates. “Is this what love is? That warm feeling in my chest every time you look at me? Being afraid you won’t be there to give me that feeling anymore?”
“Mutsuki.” Sasaki regards him soberly.
“What?”
Sasaki grabs his hands and looks deep into his eyes. “You’ll never be alone.”
Tears well in Mutsuki’s eyes. “Thank you. And you won’t either – not anymore.”
Later that day, Mutsuki finds himself face-to-face with Saeki.
“Go – stop!” Mutsuki screams as Torso smashes Hogi’s brains out against the cave wall.
“Did you come to see me, little lady?” Torso grins maniacally.
“Get the fuck away from my man!” Haise Sasaki knocks Torso into the cave wall, besides Hogi’s remains. Their bloods mingle, and Mutsuki feels horrified at this blasphemy.
“What?” Torso looks up in confusion as a rinkaku encircles him.
“You will never, ever hurt Mutsuki again. I love him and he loves me, and you can’t get between us,” Sasaki seethes.
Mutsuki raises his bikaku. This is why he loves Sasaki – because Sasaki makes him better.
Torso lunges for Sasaki, and Mutsuki rams his kagune through his neck.
His head tumbles to the ground, and Mutuski falls back. Why does he now pity this headless man?
Sasaki looks over and sees Mutsuki’s shoulders shaking. “Mucchan, it’s not your fault. I promise.”
“Are you sure? Why do predators always find me?”
Sasaki blinks back tears. “I don’t know. But I promise you’ll never be alone.”