shion almost snorted at nezumi's hilarious scowl. everything seemed beautiful―this casual conversation, the gentle atmosphere, even the rays of the setting sun coming in through the window.

"you've gotten pretty good at lying. but not quite polished enough on the finish." "not as nearly as good as you. looks like i'll need a lot more training." "good call."

'if nezumi were here'―his heart wavered in uncertainty. if nezumi were here, he would have sat across from shion, praised karan's cooking, and sneered coolly as he looked on at inukashi and rikiga arguing. he would have wielded his fork and spoon with elegant grace…

"i guess i should have known you'd be good at doing brain-work, huh?" "it's not a question of whether i'm good at it or not. it doesn't matter whether i can or can't―it's something i have to do."

'if only this moment could last forever. if only time would stop right at this moment. if only my entire world consisted of the things right here.'

"i guess i should have known you'd be good at doing brain-work, huh?" "it's not a question of whether i'm good at it or not. it doesn't matter whether i can or can't―it's something i have to do."

numerous times, nezumi had felt frustrated at him. 'where did you leave your fangs and claws behind?' he would think. he had even slapped shion's cheek out of sheer frustration.

'but you know what, nezumi? in the time i've lived with you, i've been able to touch the sprouting ears of truth. i touched them with my own hands. that was my starting point. that's a truth in itself, too.'

but there had also been many heartwarming moments, moments where his pulse had quickened and his spirits had soared. memories with nezumi were always like that. they always brought excitement and warmth to his heart.

"…i don't want to coast along living the easy life, always being protected by you. i want―" shion softly clenched his fingers around his palm, on which he could still feel the sensation of nezumi's cheek. "i want to be equals with you."