ECSTASY LOVE

Sweet Things

You walk into the room, guards shutting the door beside you and take a seat across the table from the man handcuffed to it. After 6 years of working in this prison facility, you've learned that prisoners won't bother to shake your hand or exchange normal formalities, so you stopped doing so a long time ago. Not to mention that getting over 10 sessions with different prisoners a day made this process a lot quicker and less personal.

You don't bother looking up from the papers you scan and riffle through, filled with his information, as you introduce yourself.

"Afternoon, I'm Dr. Himura Misaki, feel free to call me Misaki as we'll be seeing each other often..." It had no difference anyways, since you kept a fake name here, a popular one at that, for security reasons. You pause, looking through his chart, "Since it seems you are legally required to attend 6 hours with me before your official hearing, in about a week, after that we'll see where this all goes..." Though with his recording of insane hard drugs, they'd probably finish by transferring him somewhere wayy out of Tokyo.

Finally, you bother to look up at your patient, finding their hand outstretched towards you as much as their handcuffs allow.

"Shin Haruko." He gives a small smile, convincing if you hadn't met your fair share of manipulative prisoners and exes.

Nevertheless, you shake his hand. His grip is tight, holding you for a moment longer before letting you go. You really hoped this appointment would go smoothly, you only had three after this and you were beyond tired.

"Let's get to the point Mr. Shin, when you were taken into custody, tests revealed quite a cocktail of drugs within your system. I could list them, but I'm sure you're aware. Quite a few of them automatically file you into my department, which is why we're going to spend a bit of time in hopes of recovery-at least, more than usual. Have you done something like this before?"

"What are you referring to? The part where I've been arrested, or that I'm court mandated to meet such a lovely lady as yourself."

What a smug bastard. You would've rolled your eyes, having somewhat fleshed out what type of person Sanzu is, and how the rest of your time together will be spent. Instead, you keep a straight face that you've become accustomed to. He'd get bored soon enough.

"Please spare me the compliments. I think I should remind you that I am a psychiatrist. Although I may specialize in rehab and dealing with criminals such as yourself," you answer, watching the way his diamond smile only seems to keep the edge of a smirk, "I'm well versed in manipulation tactics and whatever other stunts my patients have tried to pull. Let's not waste each other's time." Although you state this with confidence, admittedly, he's quite attractive. Had he not been handcuffed in the seat across from you, you would've easily fallen for his charms. He only sighs in response, leaning back in his chair.

"Don't worry. We won't be together for long. Soon enough they won't have any evidence to convict me." His response is so confident it's nearly convincing. You say nothing in response.

"Then let's make the most of our time, if that's what you really believe."

You say this straight and blunt, but it elicits a small tuck of his lips, barely holding back from another smile.

"How do you usually do this? Am I supposed to keep talking, because I'd much rather watch your pretty lips move." Somehow, he manages to look comfortable and in control, even when he's the one handcuffed to the table. And somehow, that only wants to make you slap him more. But you resign like always, keeping that empty demeanor, even if it'd kill you.

"Why don't we start by getting familiar with each other?" You say, as if you hadn't heard his words. "I like to start off with this exercise: For every question you answer truthfully, you can ask one back. Nothing invasive or inappropriate," You add on reflexively, without having to look at his raised brow. "I'll start. What's your favorite pastime?"