Author's Note: Sorry, I left the last chapter the way I did, because I felt having their classmates and the director react or cutting back to Ship 2 or leaving an Author's Note would just ruin the whole mood. Rather let the comments from the readers say it. ^_^ I don't have a Chapter Title yet(suggestions welcome), and this one's a short one. Today's my husband's birthday, tomorrow our 18 year anniversary, so I might not anything more done on this story until Tuesday or Wednesday. As always, thank you all for the faves, bookmars, and Kudos. And, KONCT_Chizza_Picken, as always, thank you for the comments, you really are too kind. ^_^ Sorry this chapter's so short, but still, I hope you all enjoy.

Synopsis: Yogi tried to ask a Hirato a question and gets side-railed by Hirato's unexpected reply. The two recount the events of the crash on the way to Kuronomie.

Karneval: Pyromancy

Chapter 22:

"Ne, Hirato-San, can I ask you a question?" Yogi asked, as joined the captain in the library.

Hirato smirked as he asked, "You're not asking me for permission to propose to Gareki, or to officiate the wedding, are you?" He was half teasing.

Yogi blushed. "No! I don't think we're ready for that stage yet," he refuted . The blonde stopped and blinked as what his captain had just said registered with him. "Wait, does that mean you would, if I did ask?"

Hirato chuckled. "Gareki would probably insist I have no business in your personal affairs of you asked the former, but I would certainly hold no objections to the later. Go ahead, Yogi, what's your question?"

Yogi blinked, blushed, and shook his head. "I honestly don't remember, anymore. You threw me off guard," he admitted.

"I'm sure it'll come back to you over time," Hirato said, setting aside his reading material. "In the meantime, since you're here, I do have some questions for you. As long as the two of you are happy, the way you handle your relationship is none of my business, but as someone who's in a rather secret relationship with another member of Circus, if that's how you two want to play it, I understand, but I hope you two will be careful with it. Go too far down that route, and you could end up unintentionally hurting one another."

"Who says we're going that route?" Yogi asked, "Right now, it's just a long distance friendship until he finishes school. Or at least, that's what we agreed on on the way to Kuronomie."

Hirato smiled. "And yet, you didn't seem surprised I suggested something more."

"Well, after he graduates, 'something more' is a possibility," Yogi admitted, with a blush, as he rubbed the back of his neck

Hirato sighed. "Sit down, Yogi," he said, calmly, so calmly, in fact, it almost startled the blonde. Yogi nodded and sat across from his captain as he'd been told. "Like I said, I do have some questions for you. Questions I know Gareki won't answer. He knows how to bend the truth without lying. If you're uncomfortable answering them, just say so."

Yogi blinked. Why did he suddenly feel nervous? He nodded, "O-ok."

"What exactly happened on your way to Kuronomie? I never really had the chance to ask you. How did you miss that storm? Was the equipment not working properly?" Hirato questioned.

Yogi shook his head. "I honestly don't know what happened, Hirato-San," he admitted, "Gareki-Kun was taking a nap, so I wasn't distracted with talking with him, or anything."

"Well, that rules out Akari-San's theory," Hirato thought with a smug smile.

"All I know is Gareki-Kun suddenly woke up, insisting I land. He knew the storm was coming. Next thing either of us knew, a lightning bolt hit the airpod and we were forced to eject."

"So you touched ground long before the pod?" Hirato asked. Yogi nodded. "Well, that accounts for the distance between your campsite and where we found the pod. Gareki knew the storm was coming, before even though he'd been asleep?" Again, Yogi nodded. "Add meteorologist to the list of things Gareki can do, " Hirato muttered, rubbing his chin in thought. "This next question is rather personal, Yogi, but, what about the berries Jiki and Kiichi found, did you two actually eat them? Gareki was pretty harsh on you when he found out what they were, but he said it would make sense what everyone would have assumed happened?"

Yogi flinched and blushed. He'd promised Gareki that would stay a secret between them. They both ate those berries. He swallowed a nervous gulp of air and hung his head. "Jiki did say there was an edible berry that looks so much like those it's easy to confuse one for the other, right? I ate them," he admitted, "Gareki-Kun questioned if they we're safe or not."

Hirato stiffled a laugh. "You're a horrible liar, but apparently Gareki's ability to twist the truth is rubbing off on you a little," he thought.

"I swear I didn't know," Yogi started.

Hirato rose to his feet. The 27 year old captain smiled as he crossed the room and ruffled a white gloves hand through the Lieutenant's golden tresses. "Relax, Yogi, this isn't a formal investigation. You're not in trouble," he assured him. "No one's going to take Nyanperowna away from you, if that's what you're worried is simply the case of a concerned uncle, looking out for his nephew, and a captain worried about the wellbeing of one of his subordinates. Besides, Gareki trusts you enough I'm sure he would have been a willing participant, even if neither of you had eaten them. Don't worry, the secret's safe with me. But at least I know the truth when everyone else begins to question it again. Next time, though, avoid berries you don't know for certain what they are, alright? I hate to think what would have happened if you had misidentified some of the poisonous variety instead."

"Yes, sir," Yogi nodded.

Hirato started to head out of the room, but paused. "Oh, yes, I almost forgot. Not a word of this to anyone else, Yogi, but Akari-Sensei and Tsukitachi both tell me Kuronomie is putting on a play for their acting class. We may not make it back for opening night, but if we complete this mission and get back before the final run, I thought we might all go see it."