Hozuki's Shadow--Hozuki x reader (Hoozuki no Reitetsu)

Chapter 8

(F/N)'s life motto was 'don't think too hard about it.' It had gotten her through a lot, and this was the life skill she chose to employ with the maid costume incident. By the next day, everything was back to normal, not a single word spoken about the previous night, and soon, it was all but forgotten, replaced by more pressing matters, like the shopping list in her hand.

"Let's see..." she muttered, "what was I supposed to be getting again?"

(F/N) checked the list for the third time, a headache starting to come on. Normally, when she went shopping, it was for work. This, however, was not. Earlier that day, Ichiko and Niko had bullied her into picking up some toys in town, but so far, (F/N) had picked up several things for herself, and nothing for them.

"Let's see..." she whispered, "toy shop, toy shop..."

"Ah! (F/N)-chan!"

"Huh?"

(F/N) looked up just in time to see Hakutaku pushing through the crowd, waving like an excited grade-schooler. (F/N) smiled, and returned his wave with a hesitant one of her own.

"(F/N)-chan!" he repeated, skidding to a stop in front of her. "What a coincidence!"

"Yeah. What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"Oh, that?" He waved a hand dismissively. "Tao-taro-kun can take care of that."

"I'm so glad I'm not your employee," (F/N) muttered as she looked down at the list. "Anyway, it seems I've gotten a little lost. Do you have any idea where the toy shop is? The zashiki-warashi twins sent me on an errand."

"Of course! Just follow me!"

(F/N) smiled gratefully, and followed after him through the lunchtime crowd.

I do understand why Hozuki-kun doesn't like him, she thought to herself, but I think he's nice. I kind of wish I could get the two of them to make up, but oh, well. I guess their bickering is kind of cute...

Wow, I really am desensitized.

"Hey, (F/N)-chan, are you listening?"

She flinched. "Oh, yeah, sorry. What were you saying?"

Hakutaku chuckled. "I was just wondering, do you remember what I said the other day?"

"Huh? Which thing? You said a lot."

"You know, how I want to take you out on a date sometime."

"Oh, you mean that joke?"

Hakutaku stared at her, and burst out laughing.

"Oh, (F/N)-chan, you're so funny!" A sly grin crept across his face. "I wonder...what would you do if I told you it wasn't a joke?"

~o0o~

That night, King Enma made the executive decision that (F/N) and Hozuki were going to join him for drinks. So far, things had gone about as she expected. Lots of alcohol was served, several people passed out drunk, and (F/N) and Hozuki remained on the sidelines, wondering when everything was going to be over so they could go home.

"And then—" Enma said, voice slurred with alcohol, "and then my grandchild said 'you're going to hell!' Can you believe it?"

(F/N) groaned, and scooted closer to Hozuki.

"I swear I've heard this story twenty times before," she whispered.

"Indeed," he muttered, lifting a sake cup to his lips. "One would think he'd find a more productive way to spend his time."

"Speaking of 'productive' ways to spend time, the goldfish plant enthusiasts' conference starts soon, right?"

He shifted closer. "It starts tomorrow. A new breed has been discovered recently, so it's going to be quite exciting. Will you be able to come?"

"First of all, those things are creepy, and second of all, no, I can't make it."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Well, believe it or not, I have a date tomorrow."

The sake pitcher in Hozuki's hand cracked.

"Oh, really?" he said, voice dropping by an octave. "And may I ask who you're going on a date with?"

"Oh, I'm going with Hakutaku—"

The pitcher shattered.

For a moment, everything was quiet. Then Hozuki took hold of his club, stood up, and started towards the door.

"Please excuse me. I have someone I need to kill."

"Oh, no you don't." (F/N) grabbed his arm, and dragged him back a couple of steps. "I've been alive for thousands of years, and this is the first time anyone's asked me on a date. You can kill him later, okay?"

"All I'm doing is getting my licks in ahead of time before he breaks your heart."

"Do you honestly think I'm that dumb?" she demanded. "I know he's interested in every female that breathes!"

"Then why—"

"Because I'm not looking for a relationship!" she snapped. "All I want is to have a good time! Or am I suddenly not allowed to have fun?"

He pulled his arm out of her grip. "Not when that divine beast is involved! I forbid you from going on that date with him!"

All of a sudden, (F/N) became very, very quiet.

"Hozuki-kun," she said sweetly, "since all that sake has apparently shrunk your brain down to the size of a chickpea, let me explain this to you in terms you'll understand." She held her hands up. "If my business is the offices of Shinko, then your business is the offices of Godotenrin, and this is decidedly not your business!"

"My business is the Offices of Enma, and you are an employee there!"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, so working at the Offices of Enma makes me your slave all of a sudden? I'm not a child, you know!"

"If you continue to behave this way, I'm going to start thinking otherwise!"

"You know what? How about I put this in even simpler terms? Fuck off!"

"I refuse!"

"And I refuse to cancel the date!"

"Then I'll just have to make sure you can't go!"

He grabbed her wrist, and started pulling her towards the door. She let out a help, and dug her heels in, trying to pull her arm out of his grip.

"Hozuki-kun, stop it!" she snapped. "Let go of me! Why does this bother you so much, anyway? It's just a stupid date—"

"Why does it bother me?" He spun around, tightening his grip on her arm. "It bothers me because I love you!"

And with that, they suddenly remembered they were standing in the middle of a crowded restaurant, and the entire staff of the Offices of Enma was staring at them.

Author's Note: Sorry for the late update! More should be coming soon, hopefully. Anyway, thank you for reading, and if you enjoyed, please remember to vote. Thanks!

-Marguerite Partello