For the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee on the Ministry of Magic Discord.
The scene of Henri with his hands on Ichigo's waist and twirling her around the garden replays over and over in Makoto's mind. Even when he closes his eyes, it's all he can see.
"Do you think Ichigo loves Henri?"
Much to Makoto's distain, the look Andou gives him looks entirely too knowingly. His despair doesn't last long though, because Andou does eventually shake his head at the question.
"Ichigo was only dancing with him, Makoto," he says confidently. "And dancing with a man is not the same as loving him. After all, she danced with all of us too, didn't she?"
Makoto is not convinced. Of course, he knows it was just a dance. But he also sees the way her eyes sparkle when Henri's name comes up. He sees the way she trembles with nerves when he enters the room. And he sees the way that, above all, it's his praise she craves.
"Why do you care if Ichigo loves Henri?" Andou asks, his grin turning wicked. "Would it bother you if she did?"
Makoto looks away quickly, flushing a deep red. "Ichigo can do what she wants. It's none of my business."
"But you still asked."
"Only because—"
"Because you want to know," Andou finishes. "It's okay, Makoto. I understand."
Somehow, Andou's sympathetic tone makes it worse. He's acting as if he knows something that Makoto doesn't, though Makoto can't imagine what.
"You could ask her yourself," Andou says.
"Why would I do that?"
His friend raises his eyebrows. "Because you want to know, don't you?"
It's a simple enough question. And Makoto has to admit that he knows the answer. He does want to know—he wants to know if he's imagining the joy that Ichigo radiates whenever Henri is near. But just asking her? Makoto can't imagine it.
"It's fine, Makoto," Andou says gently. "You'll ask her one day."
And once again, Makoto gets the feeling that Andou knows something he doesn't. But he supposes he'll find out one day. One day he'll have the answers to all his questions. One day.