In Kanazawa

Ryousei

As the new week began, the Hashira zeroed in on the mission. The raven haired man pushed aside all the thoughts and feelings that had been consuming him. He wrote to Genya telling him that he would no longer write back for the remainder of the mission. And he dismissed the lingering feelings that lasted after his interactions with Sanemi. He needed to be just how he had been before. Indifferent, focused.

Sanemi, on the other hand found a new discomfort in their position and relationship. He had hated the man, so why now had they grown a strange connection.

He hated his ridiculously bland face; he hated the way he dismissed things, he hated his pitch black hair and the way he brews their tea. He hated his handwriting and his quiet demeanor despite having such a snarky attitude when he felt comfortable. He hated the way his body tilts when he is anxious and the way his face is so uncharacteristic in situation. He hated the way his hand felt and the way he breathed so quietly it was almost impossible to tell if he was dead or asleep.

Sanemi hated it; at least, he had hated it.

But now that hate was gone, and Sanemi hated that even worse.

Sanemi glanced at Giyuu, who fiddled with some plates as he placed them back in shelving. Some water from their sink had found its way into his hair, which he had started keeping down when they were in the house. It glistened as the setting sun dawned on the city of Kanazawa. Sanemi clenched the edge of the table with aggression.

Even the sun rays grace him. Sanemi sneered at Giyuu's elevated beauty and the sight of the man he despised, unable to feel the same hate as before.

Sanemi loved to hate, unadulterated and cruel. He didn't actually love it, but he found a comfort in it. He was safe from heart ache, safe from agony, if all he did was hate. So why can't he hate again, even if that's all he wishes for.

"Should we try to find Ryousei tonight, Shinazugawa?" Giyuu asked firmly, not turning to catch the man's gaze.

Sanemi's breath hitches for a moment before letting out a grunt, followed by a quick, "sure."

Silence occupied the room again, the slight clinking of dishes and spritzing of water had no effect from drawing Sanemi's attention away from Giyuu.
—
Sanemi and Giyuu walked in the night light of down town. Madam Yoshida had mentioned Ryousei often visited a specific bar every evening. That was their best bet at finding him naturally, without having the demon know they were focusing on his safety.

The two men find themselves outside the bar, chatter can be heard and an occasional eruption of shouts or laughter as well. It's a busy bar, and as the boys quickly find out, it's not just a bar.

Prostitutes are scattered at the entrance, advertising the services and drinks offered.

Both men glance at each other with a hint of disgust, the option of just returning home plagued their mind, but they have a mission at hand. Dignity can't get in the way.

As they enter, the stench of older man and booze infests them and Sanemi sneers as a reaction.

"Shinazugawa, perhaps this isn't the best idea..." distaste coated Giyuu's tounge as he glanced around, nothing explicit could be seen, though it was obvious this place was not for either of them.

"If you want to leave, we can leave; but we just need to identify Ryousei and keep him safe. As long as we stay on our toes we can avoid any conflict." Sanemi reminded him and Giyuu nodded, a soft groan escaping his lips as they sat down in a booth.

"Do you remember how he looks?" Sanemi asked as they navigated through the large room. Sanemi frowned when he saw the size of the building— along with the amount of people that flooded each room, finding any one person would not be easy.