Still profoundly confused with what just happened, thoughts mixed, and feelings in upheaval, without thinking about his direction, Kazutora immediately rang Chifuyu while mindlessly walking into the general direction of his small apartment.

- Don't you fucking know what time it is, Tora?!

- Sorry... Are you busy?

- Well, not in particular, but sure didn't expect you to call this late. What's the emergency?

- Man, I need a drink... Will you be my drinking buddy for the night? - He sounded kind of desperate.

Chifuyu sighed in annoyance.
- Fine... Where are you?

Kazutora snapped back from his daze, and stopped in his tracks to look around. It was the first moment he became aware of his surroundings after leaving Fuyuko's place. He gave Chifuyu his location. It wasn't too far from the Musashi Shrine.

- Alright. Meet you at the old Toman hideout in an hour. Deal?

- Thanks a million, boss! - Kazutora was relieved.

- You're paying for the booze, by the way...

- Sure! - he smiled through his words. - See ya!

Kazutora dropped by the first convenience store on his way to the Musashi Shrine, buying two bottles of shouchuu, and a six-pack of beer. By the time he arrived, Chifuyu was already there, sitting at the top of the stairs in front of the shrine.

- You intend to die of alcohol poisoning, or something? - the pet shop owner greeted his employee.

- No. Just to drink my pain and worries away. And thanks for coming. - He sat beside his boss, putting the bag of booze between them. Chifuyu opened a can of beer. Kazutora went straight for the bottle of spirits.

- Oi, oi... This seems serious! Come on, talk...!

Without even bothering to toast, Kazutora took a large sip.

- Cheers. - Chifuyu's annoyance was deliberately obvious in his sarcastic tone, as he one-sidedly pushed his beer can against Kazutora's booze bottle.

- I met Tsukishiro-san... at the cemetery. - He didn't even react to Chifuyu's gesture.

- Oh...

- Yeah... did I tell you what Baji's mom told me the other day?

- You did, yeah. I bet it was awkward.

- You can't even imagine. - he muffled through a cigarette in his mouth, searching his pockets for a lighter, only to remember he left it to Fuyuko. - Aw, shit... you got a light?

Chifuyu flipped his Zippo. - Anything for you. - he was sarcastic again.

- Thanks man... - Kazutora was grateful for real.

- So, what happened with her? Did she hate you?

- I'm not sure... - taking a smoke and letting it out in a sigh, he started telling Chifuyu everything that happened a few hours ago, not omitting a single detail. Two thirds of a shouchuu bottle and a whole pack of cigarettes later, he was done talking.

- Whoa, damn... So, you're telling me that you pretty much confessed to her, unintentionally... but she didn't immediately flat out refuse you?!

- I told you everything exactly the way it happened. - Kazutora said while bringing the bottle to his lips once again.

- Stop that! - Chifuyu grabbed his arm. - You won't be able to work tomorrow!

- Then give me a day off, boss!

Chifuyu sighed in annoyance.

- Seems like I have no choice, eh? I can't leave the shop in your care when you're as hungover as you're gonna be tomorrow. Don't come to the shop in the morning, get some rest.

- Thanks, boss! You're the best! - Kazutora hugged him. He was definitely drunk.

- Look, Tora... - Chifuyu carefully removed himself from the unsolicited embrace. - This is good news, actually! I know you're freaking out, but it means you actually stand a chance with Fuyuko.

- How can you tell...?

- Just a hunch...

- A hunch? - Kazutora scoffed.

- What?! I've seen the way she looks at you. I know that kind of curious look. You should go for it, man! - He approvingly slapped Kazutora on the back.

- Chifuyu~, do you think Baji would hate me for trying to hook up with his little cousin?

- Hmm, I don't know... depends, I guess.

- On what?

- On what your exact intentions with her are... Would you ever be able to hurt her in any way?

- NO! Hell no! I'd rather go back to jail willingly, for the rest of my life, than have anything bad happen to her!

Chifuyu lightly smiled at his sudden serious tone. He could tell Kazutora meant it.

- I just wanna see her smile. That's all. I don't need anything else, as long as she's smiling. Aww, maaan... - He lied down on the ground. - I want to protect her for as long as I live! And I want to make her smile! Or at least protect her smile... If I could see her smile every day, I'd die of happiness!

- Then I'm sure Baji-san would have no objections.

- You think? - Kazutora turned his head towards Chifuyu with excitement.

- Yeah... But remember, if you EVER make her cry or hurt her for any reason whatsoever, I am personally going to kill you with my bare hands! I swear to Baji-san!

Kazutora chuckled at Chifuyu's devotion to Baji.

- I wouldn't have it any other way. - He opened a new box of cigarettes, and lit one.

After a short silence, Chifuyu spoke. - So, when are you gonna ask her out? - he finished up his second can of beer.

- I don't know... I don't even have her number yet.

- Then give her yours.

- Well, that was the plan for when I next see her... She did mention she'd visit the shop though. But I'm not sure if she meant it seriously or not...

- Whatever, dude, you know where she lives. Go leave some flowers, or candy, or something at her doorstep. - Chifuyu laughed at his own words.

- Are you fucking kidding me? She'd think that's lame...

- I'm only half kidding you. And how can you be so sure what she would think?

- I don't know, just a "hunch", I guess... - He emphasized the word hunch, making the air quotes as he spoke.

- Bullshit. I say we find out what food or sweets she likes, and you leave some for her with a note inviting her on a date. And don't quote me back to myself, it's creepy.

- Hmm... and... why are YOU single, again? Mr. Know-It-All-When-It-Comes-To-Women!

- Because I'm not the long-term commitment type. - Chifuyu unconsciously sat up straight, his tone suddenly solemn. - My allegiance lied only to Baji-san and Toman!

- Were you, like... gay for Baji? - Alcohol gave Kazutora the guts to not choose his words with his boss.

- What the...?! How dare you! - Chifuyu snarled.

- Hey... just asking. You do seem to have some sort of pathological attachment to him. I thought maybe you were in love with him, or something.

- Are you seriously saying now that love is pathological?!

- Wh-what?! No! That was not my point at all... I'm just wondering about your relationship with Baji... but you know what, whatever. You don't have to answer. Maybe it's even better if I don't know.

- Tora... - Chifuyu's voice dropped down a whole octave from his normal pitch. - If you weren't drunk off your tits right now, I'd have already pulled a Mikey move on you half an hour ago!

- You mean, like, a trademark head kick, or what he did to my face on Bloody Halloween? - he was actually serious.

- Both.

- Sorry... speaking of Mikey... how are they doing?

- As usual. - Chifuyu didn't feel like elaborating.

- Hey, sorry I pissed you off. I didn't mean to. I'm grateful you accepted the role of my friend tonight. May I bother you with one last request for now?

- You may not. - A short pause and an eyeroll later... - Shoot.

- Hah... Can you please help me get back home? My head is spinning like crazy.

- Dude... are you my kid, or what? Come on... - Groaning in annoyance, Chifuyu grabbed Kazutora's arm and put it around his neck to give him support.

. . . . .

Having Chifuyu almost carry him back all the way to his doorstep, Kazutora allowed himself some drunken honesty once again.

- You know, boss... I really can't figure you out. Do you hate me, or are you my friend? My benefactor? My owner? What are you to me? - Kazutora chuckled through his own words.

- "Owner?!" Dafuq is that supposed to mean?!

- Well, I sure feel like your slave from time to time, haha!

- Well, I guess I'm all of the above. Now go get some sleep, and don't you dare showing your sorry ass in the shop until your hangover is completely gone! Understood?

- Loud and clear, sir! - Kazutora jokingly saluted, as he opened the door. - Hey, Chifuyu...! Thank you, man.

- No problem. See ya!

Kazutora just collapsed on the bed without even bothering to take his clothes off, immediately falling asleep.

. . . . .

After coming back home, Chifuyu checked his phone. 03:13 AM. One unread message. He opened it.

_Fuyu-nii, I need to talk to you! Is it ok if I drop by the shop tomorrow? Sorry I haven't kept in touch recently. _ received at 11:46.

"Seriously... Will the two them give me a break?! What am I?! A matchmaker?! Tsk..."

_Sure thing, Fuyu-chan! Come by whenever you want! :) _ sent at 03:15.