red string || sano manjiro/ mikey

chapter lxvii: old friends

"I WIN!"

kazua let out a triumphant grin as she finally won against the great kurokawa izana for the first time since they started playing five hours ago. while she jumped off her seat and raised her fists to celebrate her victory, emi let out a sigh and excused herself to finally return to her duties. she was kept here, having kazua's lame excuse that she needs to watch over izana, for a full five hours.

izana folded his arms over his chest and let an amused smile appear on his lips as he watched the girl celebrate. this is the first she's beaten him out of the many rounds they had, and he had to admit that she's pretty fast to catch on to the game. it isn't easy to play a strategy game, and going against someone who knows it by heart was proven to be quite challenging.

"congratulations." he said. "i didn't think you'd catch on to my strategy, and you even manipulated me halfway. that's impressive."

"it's fun when you get the hang of it." kazua smiled down at him. she gathered the pieces together and rolled the mat to put back inside the box. "we should play again sometime, preferably when you're out of this place."

"heh, i'd love a rematch." izana grinned back at her. "they told you about it, right? my progress?"

"mhm! kakucho would definitely be glad to see you soon. i'm proud of you, you know?" kazua put the game pieces in the box and closed it tight. she then put the box by the table, opting to leave it here rather than taking it home. "the doctor told me that you can be filed for discharge by next week. i'll drop by to sign the papers and handle the expenses."

"my last session is next week on wednesday." izana informed. "and thank you for taking good care of me. you don't even know me, but you still did all this."

"oh, don't get me wrong. i didn't do this for you." kazua playfully grinned. "i have a lot of money, so i always look for things or people to spend them on! hehe~"

though she was masking her act of kindness with a playful smile, izana was aware that she really does want to help him. he was glad that she gave him a chance to redeem himself, even after all he did to sano manjiro.

"manji sees you as family. no matter what your blood is, a brother of shinichiro-niisan's a brother of his too. i'm sure emma feels that way too." kazua comfortingly smiled, as if she sensed his worries right on the spot. "i can't have his brother dying when i can do something about it."

"still, the hospital bill is costly."

"pay me back by making it up to your family, then." kazua shrugged lightly. "also, when you get discharged, i can hook you up on a job application in a bakery near my neighborhood. they're looking for an assistant, and they don't need someone with experience, so you're a good fit."

"i'll take you up on that offer."

"great!" kazua picked up her phone from the table and checked the time. "i need to get going. your next session's in thirty minutes, right?"

izana nodded, standing up from the stool himself to make his way to her side. without warning, he pulled the girl in his arms and embraced her tightly.

"thank you, really." he mumbles.

surprised, kazua awkwardly patted his back and let out a quiet chuckle. "there's no need to thank me, doofus. i won the bet, by the way~"

izana rolled his eyes. "hmph. not my fault you got out of therapy first."

"i'll be waiting for your discharge, so you can buy me mint choco!"

and as kazua left, izana watched until she slid the door close carefully. she passed the lobby, greeting suna and emi chatting by the counter before leaving the hospital.