THE SHADOWS OF MY PAST

Chapter Nineteen – Innuendos

Timeline – Winter 1951

For a long while, I stood before Asato in silence and still very much stunned from what I just heard.

Asato said in a calm and soothing voice, "Why don't we hang out here first? Talk about it, perhaps…?"

I absentmindedly sat in a park bench, leaning forward with elbows resting on my thighs and hands clasping tightly. Many thoughts had crossed my mind, and the more thoughts crammed in my head the more that I worried about Isa.

Asato's comforting hand rested on my back, followed by the gentle words, "Seii, talk to me. Did I upset you?"

I closed my eyes, doing my best to enjoy the small amount of peace that Asato's loving gesture had given me. Once I opened my eyes, I felt a little bit of calm rest upon my soul.

This was the first time that I have noticed how peaceful everything looked around me, especially since a fresh batch of snow had blanketed everything that it could. I sadly smiled, noticing two sets of footprints on the snow-covered ground – Asato's and mine. I took note on how chilly the air was and that snow began to fall once again.

After a couple of minutes, I shifted my gaze from my surroundings to Asato. I was tightlipped and worried when I told him as calmly as I could, "I…never knew about that rule. It… Well…"

Asato gave me as much patience as I needed, not saying a word as I allowed my thoughts and worries to heavily weigh upon me.

Minutes later, I finally managed to gather my thoughts more coherently and explained to him, "Isa… She reminds me of Inari."

"Inari?" asked Asato in a soft voice as he continued to rest his gaze upon me.

After letting out a troubled sigh, I admitted to my lover, "Inari is…or was…my younger sister. She had a hard life. I have many regrets when it comes to her and my mother…things that I have uncovered much, much too late. Many unresolved feelings…."

My companion was patient, not asking for any clarification or answers to additional questions. I then added, "Being with Isa…talking to her…is just like having Inari return from the dead."

I could see from Asato's eyes that he understood my train of thought. His empathy was clearly reflected through his eyes and face. He softly smiled and said, "We could check the kiseki now, if you'd like…if it will help you put your mind at ease."

I shook my head, then explained to Asato in a calm voice, "Our holiday…We're supposed to – "

The smile that Asato gave me became warmer. "A holiday isn't a holiday unless you're at peace to enjoy it, now would it? It'll only take an hour the most out of our holiday. After that, we can focus on enjoying the holiday. Now come on…."

The gaze that I gave Asato deepened even further. After letting out a sigh, I said as I rose from the park bench and buried my hands inside my coat pockets to keep them warm, "All right. Lead the way. After that, let us enjoy the holiday that we've promised each other."

"Do you want to walk there or use the quicker way?"

"A little of both," was my reply after I pondered on the question for a little while. "But first, I want to stop by at home and get a few things for my stay with you. I'll meet you at your place an hour from now?"

Asato nodded with a smile. "I'll wait for you at home, then."

I smiled at Asato, holding his hand with such affectionate tightness before drawing him close to me for a stolen kiss. The kiss between him and I pleasantly lingered, the two of us ignoring the cold brought by the additional snow fall.

As much as I wanted for that kiss to last long, I ended it with a lingering yet chaste kiss. I softly smiled at him with a promised whisper, "I have to go. I'll be quick, Love…and thank you."

My lover smiled back with such warmth and love, his eyes reflecting that smile much more intensely. "Be careful. I'll wait for you."

Once I walked in the door, I said, "I thought that you're gone for two weeks or so, Mako-san? Did your plans change?"

Mako-san, who was enjoying tea, said in a cheerful tone, "Good evening to you, Seii-kun."

I felt my cheeks heat up. My right hand automatically rested on the nape of my neck. "I forgot my manners. Forgive me for being rude. Good evening to you, too, Mako-san."

My father figure, mentor, and fellow shadow master murmured in-between one sip of tea from his cup to the next, "Don't worry about me. No offense taken. You're home early, Seii-kun. I thought that you're staying with Tsuzuki-san for the holidays. You two, from what I understand, have been planning it for months. Three-year anniversary coming up...right?"

"I still am, and yes...three years now and counting," I replied as I sat down for a minute with the dear old man, the latter now pouring a cup of tea for me to enjoy with him. "You told me that you're going away for a couple of weeks, so I made plans. I don't want to spend the holidays alone. But now that you're here, I don't want you to spend the holidays alone. Did your plans change, Mako-san?"

The old man placed the iron-cast kettle on the tray. "Oh, my plans are still on. My mission is shorter. That means that I leave for that mission much later, and then return much sooner. So you and I will pay our annual respects to your family, just as we've always done since you were a boy...visit their gravesites. You and Tsuzuki-san go ahead with your plans. Konoe and I will hang out together. We four could have our regular time together...share sake and food to celebrate Christmas, and then go on with our plans. I'll leave for my mission the day after Christmas - after Ohaka Mairi and our time together as friends. So, do we have a plan and humor two old men...give them the pleasure of teasing you two?"

I fell silent for a while, thinking about many things.

Mako-san gave me a pursed-lipped smile, now asking, "Do you know that you're frowning right now? You're nodding but you're not really here. Where's your presence of mind? What are you thinking about?"

A long period of silence passed before I let out a sigh. Gazing at the old man, I admitted, "This current assignment of mine…and well….I miss you. You and I don't get to spend as much time as we did. You just barely got back from your mission and you're leaving again. I miss our talks, our meals together…."

"You just miss a sake buddy and my cooking – admit it," deadpanned Mako-san, being as tongue-in-cheek as he watched me while continuing to savor his cup of tea.

A chuckle escaped from my lips. I shook my head, took off my glasses for me to clean while I said, "Well, yes…those too. But it's more than those things."

"In a thoughtful and calm tone, Mako san's reply was, "It's the nature of our jobs, Seii-kun. You know that, don't you?"

"I… Well… I feel that I should be spending more time here at home, especially when I know that you're going to be here."

Mako-san chuckled a bit. He consolingly patted my back before telling me, "Son, I'm gone much more often than you. We do see each other as often as possible given our situation. There was never a time that I spent my time alone at home. I assure you that, so don't worry about me."

I looked at the old man for a while, giving him a quiet nod and a soft smile.

The old man's smile became warmer when he said as gently as he could, "If it's any consolation, I miss hanging out with you too, Son. I miss our talks. I miss needling you. I miss our meals together. I miss many things. It's a welcome and much-needed contrast for the work that you and I respectively do."

After letting out a sigh, I told Mako-san, "Yes, I agree with you." I then took another sip from my teacup, still thinking things through about what I have just learned from Asato.

The old man, being as astute as he always had been, asked me immediately when I realized that my teacup was now empty, "More tea?"

I smiled and nodded, handing Mako-san my cup and accepting it back from him with the customary words of gratitude.

Mako-san and I were quiet for a while before I chose to break the silence by sharing, "It's my work. She's one of the teachers who I met while undercover in this current case of mine."

I guess that I was taking too long in sifting through my thoughts, since the old man said, "Go on…."

"Her name is Kouya Isa. She reminds me so much of Inari. Asato and I went out to dinner in Chijou after work, and she saw Asato even though he was already in shinigami mode."

The old man let out a deep, worried sigh. "That's not good. Not good at all."

"Yes. Asato told me exactly why it's not good at all." I then put the teacup down and filled out my cup as well as the old man's cup with hot tea. "She reminds me of me, too, Mako-san. She is the sole breadwinner in her family. Her parents are old and are not healthy. She has younger siblings who are still much too young to fend for themselves. I'm worried about her, Mako-san. I'm also worried about her family if something ever happens to her."

The old man mumbled before taking another sip from his cup, "So, a kindred soul in trouble, Huh…?"

"You could say that."

I then explained to Mako-san the case that I was working on. I pulled out the folders from my briefcase and shared with him the evidence that I have collected thus far.

The old man, as usual, listened intently as he glanced at the folders' respective contents. After reviewing everything, he said, "Tsuzuki-san is right. Her ability to see Tsuzuki-san in his shinigami form may mean one of two things. One is that she has supernatural abilities. Two is that she is about to die and a shinigami is now waiting in the wings to gather her soul and present her before Lord Enma for judgment."

I fell silent for a while. A feeling of dread rose within the core of my being.

"So what are you going to do, Seii-kun?"

"I'm meeting up with Asato at his apartment. He and I will go to JuOhCho and check the kiseki to see if Isa-chan's name is in it."

The old man and I once again fell quiet, the two of us together sharing tea and letting our respective thoughts ramble within our minds.

Mako-san finally broke the silence by murmuring, "Well, there's another thought…"

When I transfixed my gaze at the old man and gave him my full attention, he thought aloud, "There could be a third reason. Something or someone else might be behind all of this, and your friend is another target."

"That's what I'm afraid of, Mako-san. So far, all of the targets have died through freak accidents or by their own hand. I only find out about these victims being targeted only after they die. I don't want something bad to happen to her."

"And you don't want to be too late, either. Is that what's troubling you the most?"

I let out a sigh then nodded. Afterwards, I said, "Yes, or at least that's what I think. She's a good person. So many people are depending upon her. In this particular case, too many people have died so gruesomely. I dread in thinking such a fate falling upon such a good person."

"It's the nature of our work, Seii-kun. I don't mean to sound unfeeling or cruel, but you have to get used to it."

After I fell quiet for a while, I told the old man, "I know what you mean, but I don't think that I could be that heartless."

Without leaving his gaze on me, and looking at me as if he was scrutinizing me, Mako-san asked me, "Do you think that I'm heartless, Son?"

The word "son" and "heartless" combined in one sentence, or maybe the very question itself, felt as if it was a knife that was stabbed deep into my chest. Without hesitation, I replied in a tone laced with the hurt and offense that I felt, "I have never thought of you in such a manner. Why would you insinuate that I would say such things against you, Mako-san?"

The old man did not reply. He just calmly looked at me.

I felt guilt creep upon my soul. Did I hurt the old man's feelings? Did I say the wrong thing to the very person who had been guiding and looking out for me all this time?

I let out a heavy sigh, explaining to Mako-san, "You have been a father to me for as long as I could remember. You have been more than a father to me because you were there in every aspect of my life playing different roles. If it weren't for your kindness, I wouldn't know where or how would I be."

After a long pause, I then added, "I did my best to show you how much I treasure our friendship…our relationship as father and son, business partners, mentor and student. I did my best to show you, Mother, Father, and Inari that I love all of you. Do I come across as someone who thinks that you – or anyone else who I held dear to me – are heartless?"

Mako-san gave me a gentle smile, reaching out and letting his hand rest on mine, "Son, I didn't mean my words to sound as an accusation against you."

"It feels like it, Mako-san..." I then closed my eyes, looked away, and let the comfort of my father figure's gentle gesture pacify me.

"I asked the question because through the years, I've learned to not have my work affect me so much." The old man's voice took an even gentler tone when he said, "Seii-kun… Son… Open your eyes. Talk to me, Son."

I opened my eyes, still feeling a sense of hurt and guilt. I could not help but look at the comforting hand that rested above my hand.

"Listen, Seii-kun. There's a reason why we're here in Purgatory. This place is a transition between our earthly existence and the promises of Heaven. While we're here, the intent is to purge us of our sins."

After a long yet much-intended pause, probably done by the old man to allow me to calm down and let his words soak within the core of my being, Mako-san added as he affectionately clasped my hand, "I know fully well that Lord Enma adds more misery than he what is intended for us to bear. What I'm telling you is to learn how to be a master of your emotions, just as I am teaching you to be a master of the shadows. The mastery that I'm suggesting…pleading…for you to learn and adopt would not turn you into a heartless bastard…. I guarantee you that."

I blinked; those very words making me gaze directly in the old man's eyes. "Lord Enma? I believe you, but in this case I really can't see that to be true."

Mako-san gave me a rueful smile. "Yes, Seii-kun…. Just because one bears the title of "lord" means that the individual perpetually bears good intentions. Lord Enma makes sure that all of us here in Meifu are suffering. He takes pleasure watching us go through that."

My eyes narrowed, with me still having trouble accepting that Lord Enma could be the manipulative being that my mentor was claiming him to be. I could not help but ask my mentor, "What makes you seem so sure of that?"

"How could the gods of Heaven be the very source of mercy and love and yet be vindictive and manipulative at the same time? They can be either one or the other. It's as simple as that."

My eyes remained transfixed on the old man, with him adding the words, "Trust me, Seii-kun, when I say that you've always been a son to me. I tell you these things so that you could always be the strong survivor that you've always been. The life that you had in Chijou was already hard. The existence that you will continue to face in Meifu, especially under Lord Enma's rule, is harder still. Be objective. Be used to what you have seen and will continue to see. Don't let those sorrows drown you into helplessness. Use them as lessons so that you come out of these trials and tribulations much stronger, wiser. Continue doing what I advise you to do until you finally earn the right to enjoy the promises of Heaven. You need to learn how to find peace whenever or wherever you are...to find your Heaven in the oddest of places."

I was quiet for a little while, absorbing the wisdom embedded within Mako-san's words. Once I thought that I comprehended his words, the meaning behind them, and the good intentions and love that those words bore for me, I gave the old man a nod and said, "Yes, I understand."

Mako-san let out a sigh and then smiled. He tightened the hold on my hand again with such affection. "I'm glad. I love you, Son. Just never forget that."

The old man then drew me close and hugged me, whispering in my ear, "I love you, Seii-kun. I know that we only celebrate Christmas as a borrowed tradition from the West, but Merry Christmas, Son. I always want happiness and peace for you."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Mako-san…Father… I love you, and I too wish for your happiness and peace. I always have and I always will," was my reply as I closed my eyes and continued to reciprocate the hug.

After the long but much-needed embrace, Mako-san patted my back. He smiled, wiping the tears away. "I have to go to my assignment. You and I will continue this conversation over a good meal followed by bonding time over sake."

Taking off my glasses because they were now wet and steamed from my tears, I gave my father figure a nod and a smile. "Yes, we will. I'll wait for your return. Be safe."

The man gave me a tightlipped smile and then stood up, his hand stroking my hair just as he did when I was a child and continued doing so every now and then – most especially on moments such as this. "I'll do my best. Be safe as well."

I nodded once more and then watched the old man disappeared before my eyes, the latter now transporting to his assignment.

Once I finished the remaining tea in my cup, I stood up, went to my room, packed my bags for my short stay over at Asato's apartment while I thought, "I never got a chance to ask Mako-san about his current assignment. I wonder what type of assignments he normally would handle. If my assignments are as grueling as this, his might be more grueling than mine."

I let out a sigh after I packed the last item and zipped up my luggage. "Strange…. Mako-san normally volunteers that information without me nudging him to do so. I'll just ask him after he returns from that assignment and I happen to be home."

With a small luggage in tow, I left my room and opened up a portal leading to Asato's doorstep. I knocked on the door and then smiled at him once I saw him.

Asato opened the door wide to let me in, and then escorted me to his bedroom. "Seii, there's room for your clothes and sundries in the dresser drawer and the closet." I saw his warm become warmer still as he added, "I'm so happy that we're spending the holidays together."

I reciprocated Asato's smile by drawing him close to me, with me affectionately holding his hand. "So am I. I'm looking forward to a restful holiday with you."

Asato stole a kiss from me, which was another gesture that I was more than happy to reciprocate. He then drew away from me and then said, "Let us get you settled in, then we can go to JuOhCho, browse through the kiseki, and then see if your friend's name is on it."

After letting out a troubled sigh, I replied, "Right… We'll leave as soon as possible. This won't take long."

Fifteen minutes later, Asato and I were done placing my clothes and sundries in their respective temporary home.

Once Asato and I have given each other a nod, we disappeared for our destination.

In a matter of seconds, my lover and I reappeared before the marbled steps leading up to the great offices of JuOhCho.

Asato glanced my way and he told me, "Why don't we take our time from here, walk and talk at the same time?"

I nodded, smiled, and followed Asato's lead.

The two of us walked side by side, ascending to those ever-familiar marble steps. It was familiar to Asato because he had been a shinigami for decades while I remembered these steps so vividly through its real-world counterpart – the National Diet Building.

Our footsteps echoed more pronouncedly through the long maze of corridors since the building was nearly empty at this time. From what I understand, only the Gushoshin – the librarians of JuOhCho - would be present in the building and maybe a handful of staff that prioritized work over a well-deserved holiday.

Throughout our walk towards the library, Asato and I did not speak to each other but rather enjoyed the comfortable silence. The walk helped quell the worries that had been plaguing me since I have been assigned to the Holy Innocent's Academy case.

Asato explained as he gave me one leather-bound book, "We'll look at the assignment log, and if we don't find Isa-chan's name in it then we have another place to go to. And don't worry. It won't take that long. The one hour time allowance that we have includes that trip."

"Trip…?" I asked, my eyes narrowing a bit. I noticed that he was busy browsing through the second of two leather-bound log books. "If we don't find our answer here, then where are we going?"

With a gentle smile, Asato replied as he gazed at me, "The Castle of Candles and its resident, the Earl. Between here and there, we'll find your answer, Seii."

Asato and I took the liberty of borrowing one of the cars from the small fleet of cars under the Shokan Division's jurisdiction. I normally would not be talked into bending the rules, but my lover made a good case for borrowing the car before filling out any paperwork – we were using the car to go to the Earl on official business.

With me behind the wheel, I followed Asato's directions. Navigating through the many streets of Meifu and taking long stretches of winding roads, he and I reached the majestic Victorian-style mansion of the Earl of the Castle of Candles.

Asato took a deep breath and a long relaxing stretch as soon as he got out of the car.

I also took a stretch, but a more cautious one as I scanned my surroundings. The entire surroundings looked peaceful, lush, yet mysterious and lonely. I surmised, based on the winding roads leading to this place, this mansion was located in a remote location for the sole intention of isolating the Earl and the secrets that he and his Castle held.

The chilly breeze blew some of the sakura petals and made the loose blossoms float as if they were fragrant feathers, mingling with the snow. I could not help but allow my thoughts to get swept away for a couple of seconds, taking in the beauty and the meaning behind the sight before me. I have only been here in Meifu for a handful of years. I would not be surprised if my interpreted meaning behind the sakura trees, their petals falling on the ground, their fragrance, their beauty, and the fact that these mesmerizing trees have been silent yet eternal spectators to the many heartaches of those who resided in Meifu would have everyone else think that either I was being too melodramatic for my own good or that I was just plain crazy.

Asato and I ascended the marble steps which led to the heavy antique doors. Asato rang the doorbell.

I blinked when the door opened without seeing anyone before me, yet I heard Asato cheerfully greet, "Good evening, Watson. My friend and I are here to visit the Earl and ask him a question. Is he available?"

I got startled when my eyes focused downward and saw the owner of that strained yet polite voice – a zombie-looking creature no more than two feet tall who wore and apron and held a shiny silver tray in one hand.

The owner of that voice, Watson, said, "I'm sure that the Earl is available. He would be happy to see you, Tsuzuki-san. You gentlemen are just in time for dinner."

Asato smiled, the two of us coming in after Watson led us to the mansion's receiving area. "Watson, meet my friend Tatsumi Seiichiro. Seii, he is Watson – the Earl's butler."

After I gave the courteous butler a slight bow of acknowledgement, I told him, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Watson."

Watson smiled, the sight giving chills and a sense of endearment. I guess over time, I would get used to seeing him. "Likewise, Tatsumi-san…. Right this way, gentlemen."

A grinning Asato leaned close to me and whispered in my ear, "Watson is a good cook. You'll like his cooking."

I gave Asato a chuckle and a purse-lipped smile. "I know, especially since your stomach has been growing since we rode the car."

Asato blushed, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry. I can't help it."

I froze from where I stood once Watson stopped and announced our presence to his master. The long dining table had a sumptuous feast spread before the master of the house – an invisible man whose presence was known through a floating white porcelain opera mask broken in half for his face, his tuxedo, and his satin white gloves.

The Earl rose from his seat. "I'm pleased to meet you, Tatsumi-san. I've heard so much about you through Chief Konoe. Anyone who helps Tsuzuki-san is always welcome in this house. Gentlemen, why don't you sit down and join me? This is more than plenty for me."

"Earl," said Asato in a reverent fashion, "May we check the kiseki that you keep? It's for a case that we are working on."

"Why of course," said the Earl in a rich, kind tone, "But first, I'd be honored if you two join me for dinner. It's good to have company every now and then."

"Thank you, Earl. We'll be happy to join you," was my polite reply as I sat down in the chair that Watson pulled out for me, and I watched Asato do the same. The Earl sat in the patriarch's position of the table, Tsuzuki sat at the Earl's right side, while I sat at the Earl's left side.

The three of us ate in silence for a while.

Asato was right – Watson's cooking was excellent. Everything tasted great. What I did like the most, though, was the baked salmon almondine with grilled asparagus served with brown and wild rice. Maybe I should ask Watson for the recipe, if he would not mind sharing it with me.

Then again, I figured that it would be better to figure out the recipe on my own. I began savoring the food on my plate, heightening my sense of observation and taste.

There was, however, a distraction which had started since we sat down together for dinner. The distraction became more pronounced, worsening as dinner was half-way done. Along with the heightening of said distraction was the boiling of my temper. My hands looked like fists as I held my eating utensils, doing my best to keep a lid on my rising anger. I felt blood pound in my ears and behind my eyes as I heard and saw more things that distracted me.

What distracted me, one would ask? Well, let us see… Let us start with what was going on right now before me.

The Earl leaned close to Asato, "I assume that this request of yours is another favor, Tsuzuki-san?"

"It's business-related, though," said Asato in a cautious tone.

"Tsuzuki-san, everything that you've asked for from me is all about business. Nothing changes, then," was the Earl's reply. What began to bother me, though, was that the tone of his voice had a lace of seduction in it when he added, "I'll add it to the long list of favors that I have granted you. I keep that list along with the kiseki and the candles that I watch over."

I felt my lips purse, which was another effort to quell my temper. I guess that I was not thinking when I asked point-blank, a question that was a product of my curiosity, "Favors, Earl? What type of favors?'

"Oh, favors. The type that is more appropriate for discussion somewhere more private," was the Earl's reply, his tone sounding more of an admission disguised as a joke.

I did not know what angered me more – our lecherous host's advances towards Asato, which were this short of manhandling my lover before me, or the fact that my lover was blushing as if he was an innocent schoolgirl who just heard something that bordered intimacy and carnality.

"So, Tsuzuki-san, when will you pay me in-kind for the favors that I've done for you?" was the very question that the Earl asked, his gloved right hand seemingly allowing his invisible chin rest on it.

"Please, Earl," was Asato's sheepish response, with him flustered and looking as if he was about to shrink.

I lost my appetite right then and there. I lost my interest in finishing my meal. I wanted to look at the kiseki, find out to answer to my question regarding Isa-chan, and then leave this infernal place. My mind kept running scenarios of the lecher helping himself with Asato. The thoughts were just unbearable. I wanted to lash out and maim the Earl.

Tonight was the first in a very long time that my temper flared up so badly. The last time that I lost my temper was when I killed Ishino Toya, my sister's tormentor and the one who brought shame to my family.

I just pray to the gods that tonight would not be the first in a very long time that my temper and sense of retribution would push my hand to kill the object of my anger. I did not care if he was an Earl. I did not care if I would lose my job over an act that would allow me to unleash my rage towards the lecherous Earl. I did not care as to whether the Earl was alive, dead, or undead.

That very night, I have simplified my assessment about the Earl – something that had stuck with me for a very long time: I hate him.

And the assessment "I hate him" was a euphemism of what was really brewing inside me. Words not being able to fully grasp the intensity and complexity of how I feel towards the lecher. For now, and for a very good long while, the words "I hate him" would do.

I let out a heavy sigh. I gave Asato a look which gave him the hint that I want to see the kiseki.

A couple of minutes later, the Earl noticed that Asato and I were done eating and that we were getting ready to return to the purpose of our infernal trip here. "There's still dessert. Watson made a decadent devil's food cake for tonight."

I saw Asato's eyes twinkle, as if he was ready to jump up, sit, and beg. I glared at him, but that was ignored as we ended up finishing dessert. I did not touch my piece of cake because I fully lost my appetite and my blood felt as if it was boiling.

Asato asked me, "Aren't you eating your dessert?"

I told Asato in a flat tone, "No, I'm not."

Asato asked with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, "May I have your piece, then?"

I give up. That was it. I pushed the plate towards Asato, giving him a death glare because I felt as if my head has swollen three times its size.

And to add insult to injury, Asato ate that piece of cake with much delight and much to my disgust.

Time moved torturously from the moment that I gave Asato my cake up to the time that he and I entered the chamber where the kiseki was kept. I heard Asato's and the Earl's respective explanations about the kiseki. I know that I needed to hear this, and so I listened even though I wanted to kill them both right now.

The Earl allowed me to personally review the kiseki to look for Isa-chan's name, per his and Asato's instructions. It was agony focusing on the task while hearing that perverted lecher, his sexual innuendos, and Asato's coy whimper-like responses.

After my examination, I closed the book. Still holding on to my last shred of control over my temper, I told the Earl and Asato, "Her name isn't there."

"Then that means that she's not scheduled to die yet. She might have supernatural abilities, which is why she was able to see dear Tsuzuki-san here," explained the Earl, the last words of his explanation seductively curling when he said the words "dear Tsuzuki-san here."

I bowed before the Earl, hiding how my eyes were narrowing so dangerously. "Thank you very much for dinner and this favor. I need to get some air, so Asato and I bid our farewell."

The Earl said, "Such a shame. I was hoping if the two of you could stay longer."

Asato's reply was, "Maybe next time, Earl. Seii…is not feeling well, it seems."

The Earl's rich voice was laced with worry. "May Watson and I offer you two some tea before you leave? It might help."

This time, I was the one who said, "No, thank you. I had quite enough this evening."

"I beg your pardon?"

I glared at the Earl, telling him in front of Asato, "I am normally not a rude person, but I will make an exception tonight. You, Earl, have been lecherously sending sexual innuendos to my lover all evening long."

"Your lover?" said the Earl, his tone incredulous.

I felt as if my eyes were burning when I said in a firm tone, "Yes. Asato is my lover. This may be your home, but I suggest for you to have a semblance of decency to not drape yourself over someone else's lover like a cheap rug. However, I am grateful for your help with the kiseki and for a delicious dinner. As grateful as I am, your behavior is depraved. Farewell."

And before a shocked Asato could respond or close his hanging jaw, I said, "I'll wait for you in the car, Asato."

I then hurried down the stairs, collected my coat, walked out the door, went in the car, slammed the door, and started the ignition. I gave Asato five minutes to bid his goodbye to that lecher. If he was not in the car by that time, damn it all – I would be driving out of this hell-hole without him.

End of Chapter Nineteen

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I do not own Yami no Matsuei and its lovable characters. However, I do own this fic and other original characters.