022

A delicate porcelain cup settled onto its matching plate with a quiet clink.

Wisps of steam curled upward, curling like a beckoning finger into the air above.

The room was quiet save for the faint clatter of the tea tray.

Mori sat elegantly on a velvet lined couch, legs crossed, swirling his tea absentmindedly.

You were on the floor in front of him, legs stretched out in a lazy sprawl.

Behind you, Elise sat perched on the plush backrest, small fingers entangled in your hair, humming softly to herself as she wove the strands into something vaguely monstrous.

Mori’s smile was mild, unreadable. "I heard you're getting along with Chuuya-kun."

"He’s eager to learn," you replied, voice casual. "Though not like Dazai, he’s still a fast learner."

Mori took a sip of tea. "I'm feeling rather curious... May I know the reason for your interest in him, L/N-kun?"

You tilted your head slightly, eyes following the trail of steam rising from your untouched cup.

"He’s a surprisingly soft kid for a temper like that. I was intrigued by his dynamic with Dazai, but not for long. Now, I’m more curious about his ability."

"From the files, I know he’s a gravity manipulator similar to him, though I haven’t seen it for myself what his potential might be."

Mori exhaled through his nose. "You threatened our information operative again, didn’t you?"

You smiled faintly.

"I should have you banned from ever having to interact with our poor staff," he said, sighing with dramatic flair.

"We both know you can’t stop me, Mori-san."

"Right, right… I should get rid of you soon," he said casually, as if commenting on the weather.

You didn't miss a beat. "Do your best~ I’ll join an enemy’s organization then."

You paused, the smile curling a bit further. "Perhaps I’ll take Mister samurai's offer to join him. If it's still available of course."

Mori blinked. Just once. A faint shift in his expression, surprise.

It had been years, after all. And only one meeting. Yet, you still remembered the man you once called "boring."

"Done!" Elise suddenly chirped, bright with pride, holding out a mirror to you with both hands. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

You took it. Looked.

Mori leaned slightly forward, peering at your reflection.

Silence.

A full five seconds passed.

"Ne, Elise-chan... I don’t think that hairstyle suits L/N-kun very well..." Mori said delicately, sweat beading faintly at his brow.

"This looks ugly," you stated flatly.

Offended silence.

Elise’s mouth fell open. She puffed her cheeks out, eyes narrowing. "Rintarou! He's being mean again!"

Mori raised his hands. "L/N-kun, that was very blunt—"

"I’m not wrong."

Elise huffed. "You just don’t get art!"

You didn’t respond. You were too busy removing the hair clips that made you resemble a sea urchin.

Mori coughed into his hand, trying and failing to suppress a smile.

Then, setting his teacup down, he straightened slightly. "Would you like to accompany me this evening, L/N-kun? Elise-chan wants to go shopping."

You blinked once.

He smiled. "Think of it as a family bonding moment."

You stared at him.

Then, your lips twitched.

"So… I’ll be your and Elise’s child in this family bonding trip?"

Mori’s face lit up. Pure bliss bloomed across his expression, soft petals of delusion practically materializing around him.

"It’s not a bad idea," he said, utterly genuine.

Elise looked at you.

Her expression said everything.

Horror. Disgust. Betrayal.

As if you’d spat on everything sacred.

"I’m the mom?! Him?! You?! NO WAY! That’s disgusting! I hate it! I hate it!"

You chuckled, brushing stray hair from your shoulder as you rose to your feet. "I’ll go with you."

You left the room.

Behind you, Elise kicked Mori hard in the shin.

He didn’t even flinch.

Still caught in his flowers and daydreams haze.

The mall was brightly lit, sterile in a way that only made the twisted dynamic between the three of you stand out even more.

Mori walked a step ahead, hands neatly behind his back like a proud, eccentric father taking his children out for an afternoon stroll.

Elise skipped beside him, a designer bag in each hand, dressed in a pink frilly dress that screamed spoiled child.

You trailed behind them with six bags in hand. Elise’s, not yours.

From a distance, it almost looked like a family outing. A single father with his two children. Happy. Whole.

But up close, it was anything but.

"Hey, Rintarou, I want the stuffed rabbit too," Elise said, already pointing to another store.

"The one with the ribbon around its neck."

"Of course, Elise-chan," Mori answered sweetly. "We’ll get the biggest one they have."

You sighed softly behind them. "You spoil her."

"I spoil you too," Mori replied without looking back.

You gave a dry laugh. "That's true."

Elise turned to glance at you, eyes narrowing. "Only because he thinks you’ll kill him one day."

"Wouldn’t dream of it," you replied, eyes hollow, tone almost gentle. "He’s still entertaining."

"Flatterer," Mori hummed, glancing back with a knowing smile.

"You say such sweet things when you want something, L/N-kun."

"Is that not how families work?" you tilted your head. “A little lie, a little love, a knife or two if needed.”

Mori chuckled lightly. Elise didn't.

Then, it happened.

"L/N!!"

You stopped.

The bags in your hands didn’t sway. Your shoulders didn’t stiffen.

But your head tilted, slightly.

Mori turned slowly, curiosity tinging his smile. Elise paused mid step.

Footsteps approached. Fast. Desperate.

You dropped the bags gently to the ground in front of Elise.

"Carry them yourself, will you?"

Elise blinked, mildly offended. "Hah? I don't wanna! You're here to be my servant, to carry my things!"

"Mori-san," you called, not turning. Your voice was light, too light. "Mind giving me a hand?"

Mori’s smile was that of amusement.

He didn't recognize the woman, but he can guess it was one out of many of your little test subject.

Then—

A body collided with yours. Arms wrapped around you from behind in a suffocating grip.

"You’re really here— I knew it—! I knew you wouldn’t forget me—!" The voice was shrill, emotional, cracking.

You didn’t move. But you already knew who it was.

Of course you did.

You'd experimented with her emotions for months, slowly warping her affections until she begged for your approval.

Then, as always, you had discarded her the moment you understood her limits.

She hadn’t taken it well.

She squealed, nails digging a little too hard into your coat. "I’ve been looking everywhere! How could you just disappear like that?! Do you know how long I waited outside that cafe?!"

"You’re awful! But— gosh, I missed you. You look even better than before. Did you cut your hair? Oh wait, no— you never let anyone touch your hair, right? Hahaha— ahhh, your scent is still the same…"

You still didn’t move. Didn’t speak.

Like she didn't exist in the first place.

Your head didn’t turn, but your eyes, flat, cold, empty, slid toward Mori.

He smiled gently and stepped forward. "I’m terribly sorry, miss. But we’re in the middle of—"

"Shut it, old man!" she snapped, clinging tighter to you. "Leave us alone!"

Mori blinked. Just once.

"—Pfft," Elise stifled a laugh behind her hand.

You smiled faintly.

It made the woman glow.

She pressed her cheek against your back. "You smiled at me! Ahh, how beautiful... You missed me too, I know it—!"

"You have awful taste in women," Elise muttered.

The woman turned sharply. "What did you just say, brat?"

Elise stared, mouth open. She looked deeply offended. "Did you just—?"

You finally turned your head to the side.

Not enough to meet the woman’s eyes. But enough to make her see your face.

Blank. Utterly devoid of life. A porcelain doll that had long since lost its soul.

The woman faltered. She shuddered.

Then—

"Ah... You look so cold, so— different!" She whispered with a tint of blush on her cheeks, voice trembling.

"You told me I was your world! You said I made you feel! That no one ever made you— But now— Hah... I thought you couldn't get anymore perfect..."

The woman cupped your cheeks with her palms, forcing you to look at her. She looks on the edge to losing control, so delighted she could cry.

Mori smiled. Slowly. Almost...fondly.

"Miss," he said, tone light, airy.

"I must ask you to step away now. Or I’ll be forced to take more direct measures."

"Oh, please," she rolled her eyes. "What’re you gonna do, old man? Call mall security?"

The air shifted.

It was like stepping into a vacuum. All sound drained. Everything froze.

Elise stood still, eyes wide.

The woman's voice died in her throat.

Mori hadn’t moved.

And yet—

Killing intent oozed from his body like a toxin. Thick. Pure. Refined through years of blood and authority.

It wrapped around the woman like a leash, pressing down like gravity.

Her hands slipped from your cheeks.

She stumbled back, eyes wide, pupils trembling. "W-What—?"

"Leave," Mori said calmly.

"Before I stain the floor of this charming boutique with your insides."

She turned and fled without another word.

Elise stared after her. "...You should've gotten rid of her, Rintarou!!" She huffed.

Mori scratched the back of his head apologetically. "Maa... we're still in public and this is supposed to be a family outing!"

The silence that followed the woman’s departure was heavy.

And then—

“Ha…”

A light sound broke the silence.

A chuckle.

Not Mori’s, he was still smiling. Not Elise’s, she looked like she’d swallowed a lemon.

It was you.