Seiga glared at the pair currently conversing in quiet tones across the counter. Shuurei's expression had practically blossomed into happiness at the sight of the silver-haired man who'd approached her, her cheeks pinking with excitement, her eyes brightening and her whole demeanour becoming warm and energized. And the man was being far, far too familiar with his pet, in his opinion.

Er…

Mentally shaking himself, Seiga continued bussing the tables—albeit somewhat faster than normal—and with a rough crash of cutlery and tableware, he dropped the basin onto the counter. Right between Shuurei and Seiran.

"Wash these," he ordered tersely, and glared at Seiran again as he moved behind the counter to stand close to her; far closer than was strictly necessary, in fact.

With her mouth tightening in irritation, Shuurei inhaled through her nose—a sign Seiran recognized as her trying to recoup her patience—and bid her 'big brother' goodbye, wishing him a wonderful night with his fiancée.

Seiran didn't bother to hide his smirk at Seiga's wide-eyed surprise when he turned to take his pair of drinks back to Kouchou, easily the loveliest woman in the pavilion.

Said-beauty was watching him knowingly as he set her cup gently into her hands.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing," murmured Seiran, and he hid a smirk.


TBC.