Boys Don't Cry
by Leareth
Chapter Six
The JuOhCho was not a workplace that had many outside visitors. No spouses or children turned up with lunches, no consultants or business representatives, nothing. Therefore, whenever a new face was seen in the building it attracted immediate attention. Especially when the face was as distinctive as this one.
The first indication to Tatsumi that the Shokan Division had a visitor was the way that the shinigami positioned near the entrance all suddenly looked down at the ground. Some of them, those which Tatsumi knew as old hands, turned back to their work as soon as they saw who or what it was, but the newer ones looked startled. One of them looked even repulsed. From those observations, and the fact that whoever had come in was short enough to be hidden behind the desks, Tatsumi immediately deduced who it was. He did wait, however, for the visitor to appear before saying anything in greeting.
"Good morning, Watson-san."
Watson, the disfigured dwarf retained by the Earl of the Castle of Candles, bowed, his right eye almost dangling in the air for a moment. "Tatsumi-san," he rasped. "How are you?"
"Quite well, thank you. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Watson stood up a little straighter. He was holding an envelope in his hand that given his size, was nearly the width of his head. "I have an invitation to deliver. Is Tsuzuki-san around?"
"Tsuzuki-san?" Tatsumi glanced at the unoccupied desk next to his, wondering why on earth the Earl would send something to his partner. "He's not here at the moment."
"Where is he?"
Good question. Tatsumi frowned; he had sent Tsuzuki off to the library to get something but given his partner's tendency to get distracted easily either by people or by causing little accidents, that didn't mean Tsuzuki was actually at the library. In fact, now that he thought about it, wasn't the common room on the way between here and the library?
"Will he be back soon?" asked Watson.
Yes, the common room was on the way. Tatsumi sighed. "I won't count on it. Why don't you leave that with me? I'll see that he gets it."
The dwarf looked from side to side. "My instructions are to give it to Tsuzuki-san."
"I'm his partner. I can act as agent."
"Tsuzuki-san himself."
Tatsumi was starting to get impatient. "Watson-san, I do not know when Tsuzuki-san will return, and it would be a great inconvenience for you to wait." He left it to the dwarf to figure out who exactly would be inconvenienced. "You may leave the invitation with me. I will make sure Tsuzuki-san receives it."
"But—"
"Unless," continued Tatsumi, looking down on the dwarf, "you don't trust me?"
Watson had to crane his neck up to meet Tatsumi's gaze. Those icy-blue eyes didn't blink. The dwarf began to tremble. Tatsumi sat back in his chair and picked up his work again. "Leave it on the desk, Watson-san."
Watson seemed rather shaky as he stood up on tiptoe to slide the envelope onto the corner of the desk. Once he had done so, he lost his balance and fell backwards. Tatsumi didn't look up as the dwarf pulled himself onto his feet with a groan, then turned to go looking most put out. For a few moments Tatsumi kept at his work, listening carefully to the sound of Watson shuffling away. Eventually, he heard the door open and close.
Tatsumi put down the pen and picked up the invitation. Leaning back in his chair he turned it over in his hands. It was an elegant thing, and expensive-looking. The envelope was a pale yellow, and had the texture of stiff parchment. There was a red wax seal on one side, and Tsuzuki's name written in a large hand on the other. Tatsumi wondered what on earth the Earl was inviting Tsuzuki to. The Earl was known for having parties at the Castle of Candles, events to which most of the shinigami were welcome and invited, but it was rare that the Earl would invite any one person specially. Unless it was it for something business-related?
No matter. He could find out later when Tsuzuki returned. Putting the invitation to one side he returned properly to his work, absently wondering at the back of his mind just where Tsuzuki might have gotten to while on a simple errand to fetch a book, and whether it was any trouble Tatsumi would have to pull him out of. He had to do that a lot.
It was nearly half an hour before Tsuzuki returned. He opened the door and came lightly over to Tatsumi's desk. "Sorry I took so long," said the younger shinigami cheerfully. "The library's so big, and the Gushoushin wouldn't help me at all – I think they're still angry over the coffee spill thing." He put the book he was carrying on top of the papers Tatsumi happened to be writing on. "But I managed to find it by myself in the end. It is the right one, isn't it?"
Tatsumi picked up the book and gave it a cursory glance to check it was the one he wanted, which it was. "Thank you. Next time if you go to the library and the Gushoushin purposefully make things difficult for you, tell them to come see me. By the way," he added as nonchalantly as possible, "something came for you."
"For me?" Tsuzuki blinked as Tatsumi slid the letter over the desk towards him. He picked it up and turned it over. "Who's it from?"
Tatsumi went back to his reports. "The Earl."
"The Earl?"
Something in his partner's voice made Tatsumi pause and glance up. "Is something the matter?" he asked.
His partner didn't answer. Actually, on closer inspection, Tsuzuki seemed to have gone rather pale. "What is it?" asked Tatsumi worriedly as the younger man gingerly opened the envelope.
Tsuzuki scanned the letter. "It's an invitation."
"I can see that. What have you been invited to?"
Tsuzuki had a funny expression on his face. "The Earl has invited me to have lunch with him tomorrow."
"Oh." Tatsumi returned to his reports. "Go ahead then – for once you won't be begging me for money to buy lunch."
There was no answer. Tatsumi glanced up again. Tsuzuki looked apprehensive, something rather unexpected seeing that he had just gotten a lunch invitation. Tatsumi frowned. "What's the matter?"
Tsuzuki took a deep breath. "I'm not so sure about going."
That was definitely unexpected. Tatsumi put his pen down and pushed his chair back to give his partner his full attention. "Why."
"The Earl is ... weird."
"A pair of floating white gloves and a mask isn't something you see every day, but in Meifu it's nothing to worry about."
"It's not that!" Tsuzuki fiddled uncomfortably with the invitation as he tried to find words. "He's just ... weird!"
Tatsumi was starting to get exasperated. "What are you talking about—"
He broke off as Tsuzuki suddenly turned, leaned over the desk, and fixed him with a desperate look. "Please come with me tomorrow!"
Tatsumi blinked, uncomfortable with having his partner's face inches in front of his. "What?"
"Please! Come with me to the lunch tomorrow!"
Tatsumi rolled his eyes and drew a breath in preparation for a lecture about being able to go places without a chaperone. He stopped. His partner held him in a pleading amethyst gaze.
Tsuzuki really did look apprehensive about this invitation, Tatsumi thought distantly.
The younger shinigami waited anxiously. With a long sigh Tatsumi put a hand to his head. "Fine."
Tsuzuki's face broke into a wide, relieved smile. Before the other shinigami could react Tsuzuki leaned even further over the desk and gave him a hug. "Thank you, Tatsumi!"
Tatsumi spluttered and pushed Tsuzuki off. "Stop being silly. Now get back to work!"
* * *
True to his word, the next day Tatsumi met up with Tsuzuki at the beginning of lunch break and the two of them teleported to the Castle of Candles. Not directly to the door, no, that would be rude; instead they brought themselves to the front gates which opened at their approach. Once inside the two shinigami had to walk the rest of the way. At least, Tatsumi walked; the closer they got to the main doors, the more Tsuzuki acted like a skittish horse.
"Do pull yourself together," said Tatsumi, pausing for the third time as Tsuzuki lagged behind him. Above them the luxuriant foliage of the trees cast patterned shadows over the driveway. It was a lovely day, and Tatsumi hoped that the Earl would be serving lunch outside. Actually, he had been looking forward to this afternoon, not for the Earl's company, oh no, the Earl wasn't the type of person he got along with, but rather, the free meal. Any day in which Tatsumi could save money was a good day. There had been less of those than he liked these past two months with Tsuzuki around.
Dragging his feet Tsuzuki eventually caught up. Tatsumi sighed in exasperation as he began walking again, slower this time to match his partner. "Really, Tsuzuki-san, just what is the problem?"
Tsuzuki looked from left to right, as if he was expecting someone to appear from the bushes. "Um, have you ever been invited to see the Earl before?"
"On a few occasions. Those he favours are sometimes invited for tea or parties."
"What do you mean by 'favours'?"
Tatsumi frowned, wondering at the direction of the conversation. They were nearing the doors, an elegant double set at the top of a short flight of stairs. "Exemplary workers, mostly. The Earl likes to talk and discuss the current doings at JuOhCho. I've been invited over to speak with him several times, Kacho comes here perhaps once every week or so. Since you have a personal invitation today, I assume you must be quite high in his regard."
Tsuzuki winced, something which did not escape Tatsumi's attention. "What do you talk about when you visit?"
"Business, general issues at the JuOhCho, now and then the Earl's latest hobbies – since he rarely leaves the grounds, he finds various things to keep himself occupied; I think his latest was painting. He's probably found something else to do by now. Why do you ask?"
"He doesn't ah, talk about anything ... strange?"
Tatsumi frowned. "Strange?"
"Like ... personal stuff."
All this verbal tiptoeing was starting to get irritating. "Just what is it that has you so nervous, Tsuzuki-san?" asked Tatsumi as they ascended the steps.
"Ah ..."
Before Tsuzuki could explain – if he was going to explain – the doors in front of them opened. Watson the deformed dwarf bobbed a bow as they slowed to a halt on the landing. "Welcome," he said.
Tatsumi didn't bat an eye, though Tsuzuki was obviously doing his best not to stare at the dwarf-butler's face. "Good afternoon, Watson-san. I trust we are not late?"
Watson grinned toothily. "You are expected. The master is waiting in the south garden."
"Thank you." Tsuzuki for some reason looked as if he were about to suddenly think up something he had to do at home, so Tatsumi put a warning hand in the small of Tsuzuki's back to make sure he didn't go anywhere. "Please show us the way."
Watson bowed, stepping aside for Tatsumi and Tsuzuki to enter. Gently but firmly Tatsumi pushed Tsuzuki through the door, which Watson closed behind them. They waited as the dwarf toddled in front to guide them down the hall. The hall, large and lavishly decorated in a manner that wasn't quite to Tatsumi's taste, was dim and the footsteps of the shinigami echoed in its walls. Tatsumi, having been here several times, paid it no mind but Tsuzuki lagged behind, either looking around or hesitant to proceed any further, and only hurried up when Tatsumi turned to chide him. This occurred twice more along the way.
"For goodness sake, Tsuzuki-san, if you didn't want to come here then you should have declined the invitation in the first place," muttered Tatsumi.
"I couldn't turn down a lunch!" Tsuzuki whispered back.
Tatsumi rolled his eyes. "Well, now that you are here you had better put a good face on it. Besides, I don't know why you're so on edge. It's just the Earl."
"That's the problem!"
"The south garden, gentlemen," said Watson before Tatsumi could reply. Making a mental note to have a Talk to his partner afterwards, Tatsumi nodded his thanks to Watson as the dwarf bowed and stood to one side of the glass door he was holding open. Tsuzuki gulped, but since Tatsumi was already heading down the walkway to the garden, had little choice but to follow.
There was somebody waiting in the garden beside a table. If a mask and pair of floating gloves constituted a body, that is.
"Welcome!" greeted the invisible Earl. The half-mask's mouth looked as if it were turned in a particularly wide smile. At the sight of Tatsumi, however, it seemed to drop into an expression of startlement. "Tatsumi? What are you doing here?"
"Good afternoon, my lord." Tatsumi gave a little bow. "I'm here on my partner's request; I trust that in his reply to your invitation he mentioned it to you."
"No, he – Tsuzuki!" Suddenly the gloves and mask swept past Tatsumi towards the figure hesitantly emerging from the walkway. As Tatsumi watched curiously his partner seemed to freeze at the sight of the Earl, amethyst eyes growing a little worried. Before Tsuzuki could do anything, however, one of the gloves had grasped his hand. To Tatsumi's complete astonishment, the Earl's mask bent to kiss the back of it. "It's been so long, you know not how I've pined for the sight of you. Your beauty shames even the most radiant of the flowers here—"
Tsuzuki twitched. "You said to come for lunch, so quit with the speeches."
"Ah, but who else is deserving of it? If not you, then upon whom can I bestow my poetry? Tsuzuki, you must—"
Tatsumi recognised the expression on his partner's face as a plea for help. "My lord," he said loudly. "The afternoon is getting on; perhaps we should be seated for lunch before time calls us back to work."
The mask swivelled around to look at him. Apparently the Earl had forgotten he was there. "Ah, yes, thank you for alerting my attention to the hour. Watson! Bring the food!" There was a sound of acknowledgement from somewhere inside. Tsuzuki sent Tatsumi a look of sheer gratitude, something that quickly disappeared as the Earl turned to him again. "Come, Tsuzuki, I have arranged a most delicious lunch for you. It would please me very much if you would eat it with me."
Tsuzuki looked as if he had just been invited to eat cake in a cage of tigers, but apparently the temptation won out and he allowed himself to be escorted to the garden table. He drew the line at the Earl wrapping an arm around his waist, but, slapping it away as he would a fly. Tatsumi pretended to be engrossed in seating himself and placing the napkin on his lap, which hid the fact that his eyebrows had made a temporary home in his hair. He had always known that Tsuzuki was considered attractive, but to discover that Tsuzuki counted the Earl amongst his admirers, that was something Tatsumi hadn't seen coming.
Squeaky wheels were heard from the veranda as Watson trundled a food cart outside. Tatsumi had no idea how Watson was managing to push it, but he did whilst wearing a pink frilly apron to boot. As the Earl fussed over Tsuzuki Watson put the brakes on the cart and began carrying dishes over. Tatsumi glanced at these – he might clash with the Earl in terms of aesthetic taste, but there was never any dispute as to the food served at the Earl's table. Mediterranean salads with steaks of grilled salmon, slices of fresh lightly toasted bread, white wine, no, Tatsumi had no complaints. Apparently Tsuzuki didn't either, because the moment the dishes were on the table his face lighted up despite the smothering attentions of his host which in Tatsumi's opinion were enough to put anyone off their food, especially when the Earl insisted on serving Tsuzuki himself and oh-so-accidentally kept touching Tsuzuki in the process.
"Ah, Tsuzuki, let me get that for you—"
"I can feed myself, damn it!"
So this is why Tsuzuki-san was so reluctant to come here. Tatsumi kept his eyes on the food that was being served and did his best to ignore the ridiculousness on the other side of the table. It was painfully obvious that Tsuzuki wasn't welcoming the attention which was cringe-worthy enough to watch, let alone be the recipient of, but then again the Earl's behaviour wasn't particularly surprising. The Earl had a tendency to go way over the top with anything he was interested in, whether it be magicking a whole symphony orchestra worth of instruments with double the usual brass section because he suddenly wanted to compose a piano concerto, or filling in a whole lake because he wanted to build a garden maze (Tatsumi was of the personal opinion that centuries worth of near solitude and idleness had made the Earl more than usually eccentric) before abruptly abandoning his projects in favour of something new. In some ways it was the kind of habit that annoyed Tatsumi even more than Tsuzuki's carelessness, the fact that an obviously intelligent mind wasted its talent on the silliest of things and never saw projects through to the end. This, however, was merely personal opinion; since Tatsumi had little to do with the Earl outside of work it was none of his business what he Earl got up to in his spare time. Though hitting on his partner ... was that still none of his business?
"Is this your first time at the Castle of Candles, Tsuzuki-san?" asked Tatsumi, trying to start some normal conversation as he poured the wine out.
"Oh no, he's been here before," replied the Earl before Tsuzuki could answer – probably a good thing seeing that Tsuzuki's mouth was full of food. "I shall never forget the first time he came here and I set eyes on him; it had started off as such a beautiful day but then this violet-eyed angel appeared on my doorstep and oh I had never seen such—"
Tsuzuki was rolling his eyes. "When did this happen?" asked Tatsumi.
"Several months ago. He came to ask a favour of me, didn't you, my dear."
"Shut up," muttered Tsuzuki.
"A favour?"
"For the job he was doing at the time. It involved a young man who had passed his appointed time of death, so Tsuzuki and his partner had to go pick him up. Apparently the young man had seen it coming and wasn't putting up a fuss except that he wanted extra time so he could go visit his parents on the other end of the country. Tsuzuki came here to ask me to grant that extra time."
Tatsumi blinked. "You did what, Tsuzuki-san?" he asked in complete disbelief. He had never ever in his whole time at the JuOhCho met someone who had even dared to contemplate asking clemency for a soul, let alone actually gone and done it.
Tsuzuki shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I thought it would be a nice thing to do."
Why am I not surprised, thought Tatsumi with a inward sigh. "And I take it you refused, my lord?" he asked.
"Actually, I agreed," replied the Earl much to Tatsumi's astonishment. "Oh, it was highly irregular, I know that, but given the person making the request, how could I refuse? Although," here the Earl put a gloved hand on Tsuzuki's shoulder, "it does mean that Tsuzuki is indebted to me."
Tsuzuki twitched. The jagged half-mask leaned over him. "Perhaps I should call in my debt now ...?"
Tsuzuki put a hand beneath where the Earl's chin would be and pushed upwards. "Buzz off."
"But surely you would not be dishonourable?"
"Ah, just how much does Tsuzuki-san owe you, my lord?" interrupted Tatsumi before Tsuzuki could do something more violent.
The half-mask turned to him. "It's not a question of how much Tsuzuki owes me, but rather, what."
"Oh? What does he owe you?"
A devilish grin played about the mouth of the half-mask. "His body."
Tatsumi choked on his wine. Tsuzuki looked as if we wanted to crawl under the table. "I would have accepted a monetary return or similar," continued the Earl, blithely unaware of the reactions of his two guests, "but seeing how poor Tsuzuki is, I had to think of something else. Actually, I prefer it – Tsuzuki is such a rare, beautiful creature, how could anyone not want that? Don't you agree, Tatsumi?"
"Ah?" Tatsumi put down the napkin he was wiping his mouth with and looked at the Earl, trying to catch up with the expected question. "I beg your pardon?"
The Earl made a sweeping gesture with one of his gloves. "Admit it, Tatsumi, you also think that Tsuzuki is the most enticing being ever to walk this place."
Tatsumi coughed. Meantime, across the table Tsuzuki was looking at him curiously. "I, ah, it hadn't crossed my mind."
"And well that it has not!" The mask seemed to glare at him. "I don't tolerate competition!"
Tatsumi didn't even waste the energy deigning that statement with a reply and turned back to his food. Competition? Him? For Tsuzuki-san? Ridiculous idea, not that Tatsumi had ever thought about it before. He had always been aware that Tsuzuki was attractive by anyone's standards because after all, it was rather hard to miss the daily JuOhCho gossip which put Tsuzuki in the top ranks of desirable dates. It wasn't just the women either; there were no few men as well who cast Tsuzuki admiring glances from across the room. Not that Tatsumi counted himself amongst that group, oh no, he was above such things. Besides, Tsuzuki was his partner and Tatsumi was far too professional to mix business with personal relations. Getting involved with Tsuzuki Asato in any way was completely out of the question.
"Ah, Tsuzuki, your beautiful eyes, like a rare jewel burning with an inner fire—"
"Quit with the meaningless poetry!"
Still, now that he thought about it, Tatsumi could see perhaps why people would desire the young man. Physical looks were a part of it, for sure, but far more important than was the fact that Tsuzuki was the type of person who would give himself up for the happiness of others. That selflessness, combined a complete naiveté of his own appeal which stood in stark contrast with the awesome power Tsuzuki was capable of wielding ... yes, Tatsumi could see why that would be fascinating. On the other hand, it could lead to problems, and as Tsuzuki's partner it was up to Tatsumi to keep the young man out of trouble. Tatsumi had to do that a lot. In fact, Tatsumi had almost gotten used to rescuing his partner from various situations, usually of the dangerous sort. Embarrassing situations like this one hadn't really come up. Currently Tsuzuki was squirming to keep himself away from the Earl who was just as energetically trying to romance him and earning little but sharp glares from those amazing amethyst eyes that nowadays looked so often to Tatsumi ...
"What the hell are you doing putting your hands there!"
"Down payment on your debt, my dear Tsuzuki."
Though really, if Tatsumi thought about it, Tsuzuki had gotten himself into this one.
"In front of guests as well – don't you have any shame?!"
And really, Tsuzuki wasn't in any serious trouble.
"But darling—"
And really, Tsuzuki's romantic life wasn't any of his business.
"What kind of a host hits on his guest!"
And really, Tatsumi was completely indifferent to other people having such free hand with Tsuzuki.
"I must attribute your coyness as a method for increasing my love by anticipation—"
"ARGH!"
That was it. Tatsumi put down his knife and fork. If nothing else, he told himself, it was getting impossible to eat his lunch with such a ruckus. "Tsuzuki-san," he said pointedly, "just what have I told you about your eating habits?"
Tsuzuki, apparently wrestling the Earl's arm away from his waist, stopped and blinked at him. "Huh?"
"You have food on your face. Again."
"I do?" Tsuzuki reached up to touch his mouth. "I don't think so."
"Trust me." Before anyone could do anything, Tatsumi stood up with napkin in hand and went to the other side of the table. "Excuse me, my lord," he said to the Earl, briskly elbowing the startled invisible man out of the way before leaning down to take hold of Tsuzuki's chin and being wiping his partner's face with the napkin. "Really, Tsuzuki-san," he chided. "Don't you know how to behave properly at a social meal gathering? And at the Earl's table too – aren't you embarrassed?"
So businesslike was Tatsumi in his actions that it took several seconds for the Earl to react. "W-wait!" Quickly he snatched another napkin off the table. "I'm the host – I should take care of my guests." The Earl advanced on Tsuzuki, who leapt off his chair and stepped backwards so that Tatsumi was between him and the Earl. The half-mask twitched. "This is most unkind of you, my dear Tsuzuki."
Tsuzuki glared at him. "What do you mean 'my dear'? I'm not anyone's, least of all yours!"
Tatsumi coughed lightly. "If I may speak, my lord?"
The Earl looked at him. The eye-holes of the mask seemed to narrow, as if it was only just dawning on the Earl that Tatsumi was a significant presence in the situation. "This has nothing to do with you, Tatsumi. Please stay out of it."
"Actually, it has everything to do with me. Tsuzuki-san is my partner and as such I have to make sure he is taken care of so that work can be done properly. I'm afraid that your attentions are distracting him."
"Distracting him from what?"
Tsuzuki peeked out defiantly from behind Tatsumi's shoulder. "Distracting me from lunch – ow!"
Tatsumi lifted the heel of his foot off Tsuzuki's toes and ignored the way his partner leaned against his back in pain. "What I'm saying, my lord, is that the afternoon is getting on and unfortunately we must return to the JuOhCho before the end of our lunch break. There is quite a lot to be done, as I'm sure you're aware."
The Earl gaped, or at least that was the impression he gave Tatsumi. Then suddenly the mask seemed to glare and the Earl jabbed one gloved finger at Tatsumi. "I see your game! You want Tsuzuki all to yourself!"
Tatsumi blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"You want to take Tsuzuki away from me!"
If there was one thing Tatsumi hated more than ridiculousness, it was being dragged into said ridiculousness. "Excuse me, my lord," bit out Tatsumi. "First of all, I was not aware that you had any claim to Tsuzuki-san, let alone that Tsuzuki-san had acknowledged any claim over his person. Secondly, from a certain point of view perhaps I do want to remove my partner from the vicinity of such perverted attention but it just so happens that we do have work to attend to and unlike certain people we cannot put it off to indulge in frivolous pastimes that have absolutely no practical use and are a complete waste of effort, time, and most of all, money!"
The Earl looked outraged. "Are you calling my projects, my masterpieces, frivolous?"
"Frivolous, useless, impractical, and in complete bad taste."
"Bad taste?" screeched the Earl. "You just don't understand the mind of an artiste!"
"Martyrdom is always the comfort of eccentrics."
The response apparently infuriated the Earl so much that he was unable to speak for several moments. "Uh, Tatsumi," said Tsuzuki delicately. "Aren't you going a bit far?"
"No, I'm not." Tatsumi turned to his partner. "If the Earl wishes to be considered an artist and puts his projects out in the public domain, he must expect his work to be subjected to observation and criticism. I am merely expressing my own personal opinion." He checked his watch. "Are you done with lunch? We should really be returning to work."
"Um ..." Tsuzuki glanced at his still mostly full plate, then at the Earl who was now ranting something incomprehensible at Tatsumi's back. "Can we get something on the way?"
Tatsumi thought about it for a moment, ignoring the infuriated spluttering in his ear. "I suppose that could be managed – if it's something inexpensive." He looked over his shoulder. "Is there something I can help you with, my lord?"
The Earl fumed at him. "You're not taking Tsuzuki away!"
"You're right, I'm not." Tatsumi turned to go. "He's leaving with me."
And he began to walk. He hadn't even taken two steps before he heard Tsuzuki quickly following, trying to look dignified but radiating profound relief instead. Paying little attention to the outraged ranting from the Earl, Tatsumi and Tsuzuki quickly left the garden.
"Thank you," murmured Tsuzuki as they hurried through the Castle of Candles to the front door.
"What for?"
"Getting me out of there."
"Hmpf." Tatsumi pushed the main door open, squinting a little at the sunlight that peeked in. After the dimness of the Castle corridors, it was rather bright. "You shouldn't have gotten into such a situation in the first place."
Tsuzuki followed him down the stairs. "How is it my fault that the Earl has a ... um, a thing for me?"
"I wasn't referring to the fact that the Earl is attracted to you, I meant that you shouldn't have come here in the first place. By accepting the Earl's invitation knowing his intentions towards you, you were just asking for trouble."
"Oh."
"Just try to think about the consequences of your actions, not just what you would gain in the short term." Ahead of them, the main gates silently opened – Tatsumi absently wondered if they would respond to him so readily in future now that he had angered the Earl. "Anyway, you didn't manage to eat much at the lunch, so we'll stop by somewhere and get some take-away. How much money do you have?"
"Ah ..."
"You did remember to bring your wallet, didn't you?"
"Actually ..."
"You didn't?"
"I thought I was getting a free lunch today, I didn't expect we would leave early!" Tsuzuki looked at him hopefully as they finally left the Castle gates behind them. "Lend me a thousand yen?"
Tatsumi twitched. "No."
"Please?"
"NO."
Tsuzuki pouted. "But, Tatsumi~i, I'll starve!"
"So be it."
Tsuzuki sighed melodramatically. Despite his disappointment, however, there was a wry smile on his face. "Meanie."
Tatsumi laughed.
Chapter Five Chapter Seven