ごめん

one.

Shō clings to the Boss' arm, trailing rose petals behind them.

"This mission will be quick, and it's not a very important one. But that doesn't mean you get to slack off. Got it?"

The rest of the group nods.

". . . Good."

". . . Hey. . . Dusty. . . ?"

Dusty stops.

"Mm? What is it, kid?"

". . . You think Stabby is okay?"

". . . Stabby's fine, kid. Don't worry about us, okay? You can't afford to be selfless if you're going to be going on missions with us."

". . .Mm. . ."

". . . Everything's going to be alright."

Dusty ruffles Shō's hair. They squeak in response and pull their scarf up in front of their face.

"Hehe, no wonder the Boss took a liking to you."

They tilt their head in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Uh- nothin' kid, don't tell the Boss I said that-"

". . . Okay, if that makes you happy. . ."

". . . C'mon kid, they're gonna leave us behind."

"Ah- sorry-"

Shō runs to catch up with the others. Dusty does the same.

". . . What happened?"

"The kid had to ask me something."

". . . Alright. . . But next time don't get so far behind."

"Yes sir."

Shō stares at the man with the runny mascara.

". . . Hey Stabby, are you okay?"

He freezes.

"Uh- yeah, w-why wouldn't I be? Hehe. . ."

". . . You just seem a bit tired. . . Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"I'm fine, kid-"

"We're here. Get into position."

Stabby and Dusty look at each other and nod, running off in seperate directions.

". . . Where are we, Boss?"

". . . You'll see."

"Mm. . ."

Shō clings to the Boss' arm again. He sighs.

"Why did I let you come. . ."

"I-"

"Don't. Answer that. It was a rhetorical question."

"Ah, sorry-"

"Stop saying sorry. You haven't done anything wrong."

"M-my apologies-?"

"What the hell did I just say? Stop apologizing."

"I-"

"Just be quiet."

Shō nods and falls silent. They stop breathing.

"Jesus- you can breathe, I just meant stop talking-"

They breathe a sigh of relief and start breathing again. The two wait for a moment in silence. A moment turns into a minute, then an hour. Finally, approaching footsteps can be heard and the Boss whispers to Shō.