Chapter Text
MIKAZUKI SIGHED, HER FINGER TRACING THE RIM OF HER GLASS AGAIN. She wondered if she would ever be able to let go of the past, to find a way to coexist with Lรฉa without the undercurrent of hostility. Not that ever allowing that French cunt to live was part of her plans. For now, though, she remained vigilant, ever aware of the delicate balance of power and the fragile peace that held her world together. One wrong move and her whole plan could come undone. One mistake, and sheโd be right where she started; in those damned handcuffs, watching the power she grew inside of her being stifled once again.
Satoru raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in her mood.
โThisย isnโt really her scene.โ
Which part of it, she wondered? The drinks, the nightlife, the people or the peace that seemed to envelop it all? It seemed almost impossible to imagine that so many foreign sorcerers would get along so well, but in here, everything seemed possible.
โOf course not.โ Mikazuki said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. โSheโs probably too busy pulling strings from her ivory tower, making sure everything and everyone falls into place according to herย grandย design.โ
Satoru let out a sigh, taking a sip of his Tokyo Blossom. It burned as it went down his throat, but he ignored the sting, focusing back on the beautiful woman in front of him. It was so easy to get lost in those sunset-coloured eyes of hers, but even now, with the chill in the air and the calm around them, he remained vigilant around her, careful. Satoru would like to believe it was his usual state of hypervigilance as a special-grade, but his mind knew better. It was Mikazuki; she put him on edge, in more ways than one.
โYou really donโt trust her, do you?โ
Mikazukiโs golden eyes flashed with anger. By now, it should be clear she did not in fact trust Madame Dubois nor any of the higher-ups related to The Magistrate and its forces.
โWhy should I? Sheโs the reason I was exiled, the reason I had to leave everything behind.โ The sorceress swallowed hard, lips smacking together. โEvery time I look at her, I see the person who took away a decade of my life.โ
She took everything. Mikazuki didnโt say. Satoru didnโt respond immediately, knowing that anything he said would likely fall on deaf ears. He understood her bitterness, even if he didnโt share it. He watched her trace the rim of her glass, her expression a mixture of hurt and defiance.
โI know itโs hard.โ He said softly, finally breaking the silence. โBut holding onto that anger isnโt going to change the past.โ
Mikazukiโs gaze softened slightly, but the anger didnโt entirely fade.
โMaybe not.โ She conceded. โBut itโs all I have to keep me going sometimes.โ
They sat in silence again, the noise of the rooftop bar a distant hum compared to the storm of emotions within Mikazuki. She wondered if she would ever be able to let go of the past, to find a way to coexist with Lรฉa without the undercurrent of hostility. For now, though, she remained vigilant, ever aware of the delicate balance of power and the fragile peace that held her world together.
The Kinzoku looked back at the crowd, her gaze sweeping over the dancers as she finally focused on finding someone to spend the night with. Her break-up with Yashiro was still fresh in her mind, the ache in her soul and heart palpable, but Satoru was right; she needed to move on. She needed to get it out of her system and focus on her work, not whatever her heart desired. Hearts were stupid, anyway.
As she scanned the dance floor, her eyes fell on a striking figureโa tall, lean man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He moved with a confident grace, his body fluid and effortless as he danced to the beat of the music. Mikazuki felt a flutter in her chest as she watched him, the memory of Yashiro fading momentarily as desire stirred within her. She imagined the warmth of his touch, the taste of his lips, and for a moment, the ache in her heart eased.
But then her gaze shifted, and she saw herโa woman with long, flowing hair and curves that seemed to defy gravity. She moved with a sensual rhythm, her hips swaying in time with the music as she danced with abandon. Mikazuki felt her breath catch in her throat as she watched her, the intensity of her desire igniting like a flame. She imagined the softness of her skin, the taste of her lips, and for a moment, she forgot all about Yashiro and the pain he had caused.
For a brief moment, Mikazuki allowed herself to indulge in the fantasy of being with either of them, of losing herself in their touch and forgetting the world outside. But then reality crashed down on her like a wave, and she remembered why she was hereโto forget, to move on, to focus on her work. With a sigh, she tore her gaze away from the dancers and took a sip of her drink, the bitterness of the alcohol matching the bitterness in her heart.
Hearts were stupid, she reminded herself. And tonight, she couldn't afford to be stupid. She needed to be strong, to be focused, to be the powerful sorceress that she was. With that thought in mind, she squared her shoulders and forced herself to look away from the dancers, turning her attention back to the conversation at hand. But deep down, she couldn't shake the longing in her heart, the desire for something more, something she couldn't quite name.
โSo, anyone interesting?โ Satoru asked, raising his glass.
Mikazuki hummed, somewhat uninterested by the whole thing and fearing another heartbreak.
โThe redhead.โ She mumbled under her breath, her gaze drifting lazily across the dance floor. โI like her. Althoughโฆโ Her eyes wandered to the other side of the room, where a raven-haired woman was dancing alone, a drink in her hand while her hips swayed in a hypnotic rhythm. โI also like her. She looksโฆโ Mikazuki licked her lips, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the words.
The woman's hair was a rich, deep shade of black, cascading down her back in soft waves that caught the light and shimmered with every movement. Her skin was smooth and flawless, kissed by the warm glow of the ambient lighting, and her eyes sparkled with an inner fire that drew Mikazuki in like a moth to a flame. She moved with a sensual grace, her body fluid and sinuous as she danced to the pulsating beat of the music.
Mikazuki couldn't tear her gaze away as she watched the woman, captivated by the way she seemed to lose herself in the music, her movements both sensual and elegant. There was a raw, primal energy about her, a magnetic pull that left Mikazuki feeling breathless and strangely exhilarated.
โShe looksโฆโ Mikazuki's voice trailed off again, her mind struggling to find the right words to describe the woman's allure. โโฆgood.โย Delicious. She finally managed, the simple word falling far short of capturing the intensity of her attraction.
Satoru raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips as he followed Mikazuki's gaze.
โShe does indeed.โ He agreed, his tone tinged with amusement.
Mikazuki tore her gaze away from the woman reluctantly, forcing herself to focus on the conversation at hand. But deep down, she couldn't shake the image of the raven-haired dancer from her mind, her presence lingering like a tantalizing promise of something more.
โYou do know youโre drooling, right?โ Satoru teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he delighted in watching his friend enjoy herself.
Mikazuki's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of her lips. She playfully nudged him on the shoulder.
โShut up!โ she retorted, her tone light and teasing. โItโs been a long time since Iโve been with a woman. Iโm rusty.โ
Satoru chuckled, the sound rich and warm as he leaned back in his chair.
โRusty, huh?โ Satoru laughed. โWell, lucky for you, practice makes perfect and I just know youโll pick it back up quickly.โ He quipped, his tone light and teasing.
Mikazuki rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her gaze as she looked at him. Despite everything they had been through, their banter remained unchanged, a comforting constant in the ever-shifting landscape of their lives. They had weathered storms together, faced challenges and triumphs side by side, and through it all, their friendship had remained steadfast and unwavering.
โYouโre insufferable.โ She said, but there was a hint of affection in her voice as she spoke.
Satoru grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
โAnd you love me for it,โ he replied, his tone light and playful.
Maybe I did, a long time ago. Maybe I didnโt. Itโs hard to remember if any of it was ever real. Mikazuki laughed, the sound bright and genuine as she shook her head.
โUnfortunately.โ She teased, but there was warmth in her words, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had formed between them over the years.