They go to a restaurant. He orders wine, he listens to Seri, he smiles politely, he compliments her point of view, her arguments, her dress.
Seri's a nice one, has always been. He sees admiration in her eyes, hears subjection in her words and he knows he could take her home and throw her away afterwards and she'd love it.
So easy.
He's tempted, but he resists.
For a moment he imagines to break this woman. To see her teary face and hear her teary voice and laugh at her.
But she's Seri after all. His support. She doesn't deserve something like that and even if he's an egoist, he's not concience-proof.
I'm weak, he thinks, even tho he's strong and orders desert.
When they leave the restaurant, someone is waiting for them.
It's snowing and Munakata thinks he's seen him before, but without the snow.
It's a kid, leaning against his car, arms folded. The boys cheeks are red because of the cold, what composes a magnificent contrast to his penetratively blue eyes, hidden by a pair of dark-framed glasses.
"Can we help you?", Munakata asks. Seri's right next to him.
The boy lifts his gaze. He's actually older than Munakata thought at first sight, at least 18 years old.
"My name is Saruhiko Fushimi." he says.
His voice wakes blazing memories. Has Munakata seen him before?
"I'm here to betray my clan."