Cold weather

Amplified

The temperature

Dropping

Zero.

Frozen in place

Stunned

In disbelief

The sage

Indeed

Jaded green eyes

Far more sinister

Behind the mask.

"Well come now. I think Yumi-chan would be delighted to see you."

As if flipping a switch

Immediate swap

Of character

From a cold cynic

To a sweet grandmother.

Terrifying.

On par

Crystal façades

Of a certain devil woman

Except

This one

Perfectly concealed

Only now

Unveiled.

In silence

They walked

Subtle understanding

In deep contemplation

Attempt to foretell

Deadly consequences.

Subconsciously

The cynic knew

Another storm

Brewing.

In the distance

A familiar place

Coming closer

Just last night

He had been here.

The bell rang

Announce

Another

Predicament.

Slow opening

Of a grand door

Revealing

A certain recluse

Wary black eyes

Upon seeing

The sage

He glowered

In displeasure.

"Hikigaya-san. What is Miura-sama doing here?"

His voice

Dripping with hostility

Now that he thought of it

The two

Similar

Yet

Like the wolf

And the lion

Both

Vicious

Prestigious

Unable to tolerate

The presence

Of each other.

The sage stepped forward.

"Is there a problem with me visiting my granddaughter?"

"Of all the times, you choose to show up now."

From the sidelines

The cynic

Silent spectator

Jade green and sharp black

Thunder and lightning

Once again

He must act

The bomb agent

Defuse the situation.

"Now is not the time to quarrel about petty disputes."

At the very least

Douse the flames

A moment of calm

Before a storm.

The sage and recluse

Breaking deadlock

Finally

Proverbial dust

Briefly settled.

The three

Making their way

A flight of stairs

Heavy silence

Broken

By a staccato

Of footsteps.

"She's taking a nap right now."

Sharp creaking

Opening the door

Into the room

Observe

A beautiful girl

Fast asleep.

Slowly traipsing

The sage

Gazing at her grandchild

Her hands

Crossed behind

As if

Inspecting.

A slight frown

Evident

On her

Unreadable visage.

"Well... she certainly is still alive."

The recluse crossed his arms

At her remark.

With a wrinkled hand

Lightly

Touch

An arm

Of the fire queen

Shaking her head

Upon seeing

A bandaged part.

"How... disappointing."

"What do you know?"

"That is exactly the point."

Like two serpents

Hissing in animosity

Indeed

The two

Put together

Both a hazard

To each other.

Icy glares

Cannot compare

Dark green eyes

Hundredfold

Intimidating.

Only matched

By a pair

Razor sharp

Black ice.

"You have no idea."

"And you do? That makes you responsible."

"You have no right to criticize."

"Is that so? Where were you when she needed you most?"

The sage struck him in check.

"Had it not been for this young man here, we would be gathering together with white flowers."

"Will you two stop fighting."

Attention

Drawn

Towards

The cynic

Deadly silence

Ensued.

Looking to his side

The sleeping woman

Silently

Glistening streams

Tears

Rolling down

Her pinkish cheeks.

"We... should leave her in peace. For now."

The fire queen

Stirred

Turning away

Hiding.

Filing out of the room

A discussion

Or an argument

To resolve

Or point the blame.

Consequence

Fallout

Catastrophy.

Severity of repercussion

Directly proportional

To the amount of time

It was evaded.

It was childish.

Truth be told

Man

Grows old

But does not

Grow up.

In life

The key to success

Is finding someone to blame.

On the contrary

A good solution

Is a good scapegoat.

Source: me.