When a Healer Loves a Killer

Chapter 32

The stench of smoke and dead bodies spread throughout the city. My eyes burned and I suddenly regretted skipping that cup of coffee before I left. Some survivors had been found and brought back to the truck, but my squad had yet to find anything. The two men behind me were quietly talking about something that I couldn't quite make out and didn't really want to. The Suzuya squad held up to their name, being skilled fighters and good people. I would've talked to them more if I wasn't so pissed about Juuzou himself. It's not like there was really time for him to explain, but I wanted him to tell me why there was a girl named Esme who threw herself onto him and claimed to be his fiancé.

I silently cursed myself for sleeping with him before even knowing about his past lovers. It's like I was living in some bubble of bliss and didn't think realistically about our relationship. We just worked so well together and loved each other so much that I assumed nothing bad would happen. I guess he didn't love me as much as I thought he did.

Stop thinking like that! It was obviously a misunderstanding!

But then again, I really don't know about his past.

He doesn't know about your past either, (y/n)! You can't let this ruin everything!

How can I not?!?

Suddenly speaking interrupted my thoughts and brought me back to reality.

"Right, (y/n)?"

"Don't say that!"

I turned around to face the men who were now bickering about something. I gave them a confused look. "What?"

Keijin looked at me and laughed nervously. "Nothing! I just said something that I shouldn't have."

I looked at Hanbee and then back to the blonde. "Well, what was it? You may as well tell me."

After a few moments of my expectant face, Hanbee sighed as Keijin spoke up. "We were talking about how you were beautiful, and then I warned Hanbee to not make an advance on you because your boyfriend is obviously... p-possessive."

"Not that I would ever make a move on you anyways." Hanbee added.

"We were talking about how long and pretty your hair was!" Keijin spat out.

I furrowed my eyebrows.

Possessive?

Oh shit my hickeys.

I felt my eyes widen and my hand trail up to my neck. Hanbee hit Keijin and I laughed. "You know boys, the possessive man you're talking about is your squad leader."

Both of the men looked at me in shock. "J-Juuzou?"

I giggled and raised an eyebrow at them. "You think fighting is the only thing he's good at?"

With that I spun around and began to walk again, going back to the routine of checking in stable buildings and marking the areas we had cleared.

Never mind, how could I ever regret sleeping with Juuzou.

Juuzou's POV

"So. You're with a CCG member. I never took you as someone who would be with such a square."

I narrowed my eyes. "You know nothing about (y/n), Esme. Why are you really here anyways? It's a pretty inconvenient time, not to mention you didn't leave on the best note."

She put her arms around me, not bothering to be gentle with my wounds like (y/n) was. "Isn't it obvious? I came to take you! To make you come with me! You don't have a squad house anymore, right? Let's live together again! Just like old times! I miss you, Rei."

I sighed. "I don't think that's a good idea. I will always have a place in my heart for you, but I have a different life now, and it's a better life than when we were together. I'm staying here, and then I'm moving in with (y/n)."

She suddenly became furious. "(Y/n)? That's all you ever talk about anymore? You're seriously no fun at all Rei! Why are you wasting time with that bitch when you could be with me again?! You promised you would always love and protect me no matter what!"

I stood up and glared at her. "Don't speak ill of (y/n). As for the promise? I suppose I'm going to have to break it."

Esme stood up and pushed me. "You said you would never stop loving me. I guess that was a lie too, wasn't it?"

With that she was out of the door and gone, just like always.

. . .

"You both did well today. Fifty good girl points for Esme and fifty good boy points for Rei! I'll see you both tomorrow." Mama said before strutting out of our cells, slamming the door behind her.

"You hear that, E-chan? Fifty good boy points!"
"Yeah yeah, you aren't too special! I got fifty points too!" Esme said, sticking her tongue out at me.

I glared at her. "How come I want to kill you right now, E-chan?" I asked.

She shrugged. "I dunno, maybe because you're so messed up in the head!"

"Yeah, whatever."

-

"Hey, JuJu! It's your sixteenth birthday soon, right?"

I gave Esme a close-eyed smile. "Sure is! I wonder if mama is going to give me a surprise like she did last year."

Esme glared at me. "She better not. Last time Mama gave you a surprise she gave me one too, and I don't like them one bit."

"You're making me angry, be quiet Esme."

-

"Rei, Do you promise to always love me and protect me? Even when we aren't in these cells? The outside world is scary, and I'm not too sure about the whole CCG thing."

I giggled. "Of course I promise, E-chan! You're the only person important to me!"

-

"I'm Mr. Shinohara. I'll be your subordinate. I'm sorry they haven't found your friend yet, but at least she isn't with Big Madame anymore."

. . .

Esme had the chance to join the CCG with me, but instead she ran away and I didn't see her for a year. She appeared out of nowhere and left out of nowhere, just like she always did. What happened in between when she came and left is history, and there's none of it I want to remember. She used to be someone who was very special to me, almost as special as (y/n). The difference between Esme and I was that I chose a path to heal and become a human again, whereas she chose to stay unstable and violent even when it wasn't necessary. She had no right to show up and preach of me keeping my promise when she was the one who left me.

I just hope (y/n) is okay.

Authors note: This was the first chapter that had Juuzou's POV for more than five minutes lmao. Hope you enjoyed!