AD 2206, 5/7, 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi– Orient Town

"No. Way." Luna's deadpan glare reminds Kagura all too much of the other young blonde now in his life. He feels sweat slowly dripping down his temple, and hums.

His desperation is growing palpable. He can't believe he's having this much trouble selling a young lady on a date. Then he remembers who the date is and still feels frustration, Clover can't be that hard a sell.

"Come on, Luna, it'll be worth your while, I swear." He offers an easy smile, and her glare gains some of that trademark fire.

"Look, I ain't a science experiment. And I don't owe him anything, either." Luna glares at the perv. He's been trying to sweettalk her into seeing Carl for about fifteen minutes now, and she's getting tired of being civil. Maybe if she blasted him hard enough, he'd just go away. Her fingers twitch towards Muchourin.

The perv's face pales, and he begins again. "L-Look, he promises not to do any of that creepy staring without your saying so. And I'll be right there to help if he even reaches for that eyepatch."

"He's not lying. And Carl did help us back then…"

"I just said we don't owe him anything, Sena."

"I'm not saying that we do, just that… Maybe we've been reading him wrong. He hasn't come after anyone who didn't have a bounty on their head since…"

"Yeah, that's kinda why I wanna keep it that way."

She must be talking to her better half. Kagura stares in awkward silence as Platinum glares at him, occasionally shifting expression. She's not going to pay attention until she and Sena are done arguing. So, Kagura starts formulating his next brilliant pitch. Maybe if he shows her a picture. Wait, he didn't take a picture.

"Note to self; remind Hibiki to remind me to remind Hibiki to take a picture."

Kagura nods, satisfied with his plan. Luna growls, frustration plain to see. Then she glares at him even harder. Kagura keeps his cool. She takes a deep breath, shuts her eyes, and huffs with visible breath. Then she stares at him threateningly.

"Fine. Let's say I believe you, why should I give up my Saturday night to hang out with some iceberg?" She raises a critical brow and Kagura fights off a cringe. She's got a point. Clover's distant as hell these days.

"He agreed to this, right? I'm sure he'll try to be gentlemanly. And I've got reservations at the best restaurant in Ookoto. Think about it, the best food, the best seats, and a perfect gentleman hanging off your arm. Doesn't that sound great?"

"That don't impress me much." Luna scowls darkly. Kagura feels yet more sweat dripping down his temple. When did she get so intimidating? She was just a pipsqueak the last time he was here.

"W-Well, I—" Platinum's eyes change. It's subtle, but enough for Kagura to pause.

"I'll do it." Sena says with a shrug. Platinum's eyes flash for a second, but Sena maintains control. Kagura swallows, he's still not used to them doing that. But he has to focus, if Sena is willing, he's already halfway there.

"Great. So, how do you two—" Sena clears his throat. Kagura freezes, and waits for him to speak.

Sena smiles sweetly, it's fucking terrifying. "Luna's not doing it, Mutsuki. Drop it, please."

Kagura nods haltingly.

Sena smiles even brighter, and a chill runs down his spine. "I ain't a girl, neither. So, you can forget about me hanging off Carl's arm. As far as I'm concerned, this is a good old-fashioned dinner with a nice acquaintance. Got it?"

Kagura nods again. "Y-Yeah. Got it."

Sena hums happily. "That said, just let Carl know he's not getting a date, just a dinner. I don't think he cares too much."

Kagura holds back a groan. The kid hit the nail on the head. He thought Clover and Platinum had just met the once. How is this Sena kid so knowledgeable?

Sena rises from his seat. "Alright, let me just grab my things and we can get going."

Kagura freezes again, and Sena raises an eyebrow. "What, you expect us to pay our own way to a date you set up?"

Kagura startles. "O-Of course not! You'll be staying—"

"At the best hotel in town, yeah, I know." Sena sounds way too fucking chipper as he tosses that over his shoulder, a bounce in his step. Kagura remembers him being a lot nicer. At least he's got the kid's consent, even if this isn't exactly what he was going for.

He gathers himself, and walks back into the clinic's main room, where Litchi is waiting patiently. "I expect you to keep them safe."

"Right." Kagura rubs the back of his neck. Litchi eyes him coolly.

When he'd first told her about his plan, she'd flat out said that Linhua was off limits, and Kagura had to grovel hard to convince her he'd never thought of that. He'd groveled even harder for the chance to convince Luna. He doesn't know what hurts more, his dignity, or his back from all the bowing. He'd ask her to check it, but… Clover had better appreciate this.

Litchi calmly sips her tea. "It was Sena, wasn't it?"

"Y-Yeah…"

Litchi hums. "That boy needs to get out more." She says it so conversationally, like her staff isn't still leaning on her shoulder. "And he's not the only boy I know who needs it."

She eyes him intensely. "Tell Carl that I expect to hear from him. Very soon."

Kagura quickly responds in the affirmative, wondering what the hell is taking Sena so long.

"Alright, let's go. See you later, Litchi." Sena waves happily as he strides past, his silhouette much more masculine than what Kagura has seen before. Huh.

Litchi raises a brow, and Kagura gets moving. No sense in overstaying his welcome, after all.

After the two leave, Litchi sighs sadly. Her thoughts turn to Carl, and the man he's become. She's heard some terrible rumors. And without a way to contact him without scaring him off, she has no idea which, if any, are true. She doubted Mutsuki would be able to convince him to talk to her, she'd just wanted to unbalance the man.

"Oh, Sena…" The boy was too kind for his own good sometimes. She has no doubt that he's only agreeing to this ridiculous arrangement to give her some peace of mind.

"He'd better not come back with a single scratch he didn't ask for."