𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

file 059 | eight weeks of nothing

Day Two of Recovery

"Why are you such a danger magnet?" Hiro groaned, rubbing a hand down his face after setting down a small stack of books on the hospital table. "I leave you alone for one second, and you end up with a bomb on your wrist!"

"Yes, like I ask for these things to happen to me," Suzume groused, rolling her eyes and pouting like a child. She wiggled her casted leg. "I mean, a fractured ankle is better than being blown up, right?"

"Your priorities terrify me, Suzume," Hiro muttered before clapping his hands. "Alright, I've chased away any lingering onlookers, Ran-san and her friends and father have gone home for some rest, and the kids are at home with their parents. Are you really just going to read all day?"

She shrugged in response. "I mean, that was the plan, but if you don't like it..."

"Maybe take a nap," he suggested, putting emphasis on 'nap'. "Listen to some music through your earbuds. Watch some TV. Just a few suggestions."

"Or talking with your parents?"

Suzume's head whipped towards the door as a blinding grin appeared on her face as she saw both her mother and father standing in the doorway, peeking inside.

"Mom! Dad!" she cheered, welcoming the warm hug Yukiko pulled her into.

Yusaku gave Hiro a nod and patted his shoulder. "Thank you for watching over her."

Hiro sighed. "Fat lot of good it did this time."

"Well, that's because you weren't around when this happened," Yusaku pointed out gently. "Don't beat yourself up over it."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, now." Yukiko clapped her hands together. "How's it going with Ran-chan? Anything new happen lately?"

"Nothing you don't already know," Suzume said.

Yukiko pouted in disappointment. "Aw..."

"Mom..."

"Fine, fine. I'll drop it," Yukiko relented, waving a hand. "How about that pierrot from the beach?"

Hiro choked on his saliva in shock, making Yusaku pat his back with an awkward chuckle. Suzume turned bright red.

"Mom!" Suzume hissed.

"What?" Yukiko pouted. "Can I not inquire about my daughter's love life?"

"Mom, his name is Akai Shuichi and he's an FBI agent," Suzume revealed, making the room fall silent.

Yusaku looked at Hiro, who silently held up a signal jammer with a raised eyebrow that screamed, 'really?'.

"FBI?" Yukiko murmured, tapping a finger on her chin thoughtfully. "I'm assuming he's chasing that organization you talked about? The one Sharon's part of?"

Suzume nodded silently, frowning mentally at the mention of Vermouth. She figured she would never be able to understand the woman who is a master of disguise and deceit.

"And he asked her out on a date," Hiro piped up with a cheeky grin, making Suzume glare at him with a blush.

"Hiro!"

"He asked you out?" Yusaku repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"After he got Ran's permission," Suzume added tiredly. "We haven't gone out yet, if that's what you're concerned about."

"That's not what I meant," Yusaku told her gently, making her look up with pursed lips. "His job just adds a little more danger to your life. Do you understand what I'm concerned about?"