Uncle Toshiki's House

Haruka very nearly so closely had a heart attack at the appearance of Seph. This would be the 2nd or so time Haruka had made a real conversation with the spirit of Cray but even then if he wasn't talking to someone from the Aqua Force or hearing remnants of the Overlord's voice, it scared the spooks out of him.

"Lord... please, at least announce your arrival next time... Ah, I'm glad to hear she's doing okay though. Really. I myself have been, erm... recovering? That's the best way to put it. I'm good though, thank you for asking... did Satoshi send you here for something to check on me?"

Haruka placed his hands in his pockets, like the old days. All he needs now is a scarf, some coffee and a secret stash of ice cream and nobody would be able to tell the difference. Oh, how the times have changed.

"Sort of." Seph stuck his pinkie in his ear, clearing it a little. "He's gonna send either you or your caretaker a message about it, but from observation, he may or may not have convinced her to, once again, take a break to go to dinner with you guys. Emphasis on 'you guys,' because it's a double date."

His eyes narrowed. "Really, all I was supposed to deliver that message, but I have another reason for staying. It's about your caretaker, actually." He crossed his arms. "Is she actually your relative?"

"Double... date? Last time I was on one of those was with... Seifer, if I remember correctly. That was interesting."

Haruka's memories of basically pledging his heart to Yukino in marriage came back. A slight red rose to his face, but the wind quickly whisked it away.

Then a question about Mizumi rose up. This was... interesting, to say the least.

"As far as I know, yes. She only recently started living with Uncle Toshiki though, so she hasn't been around all my life. Only a few years, since my parents died and all that."

He looked at Seph intently for a moment, giving a kind raise of the eyebrow.

"Why...?"

Seph shrugged. "The last time Satoshi was smitten with someone, he turned out to be their pawn in a plan to permanently take away clans from the world. I want to be sure there's no risk for him." His look turned a bit more dark. "Especially now, with the reapers about."

The spirit's eyes wandered to the window. "Your look-alike isn't any more comforting."

"She's crafty, I'll give you that. But I don't think she wants to do anything inherently wrong."

Foreshadowing is probable.

"Sera is definitely fixed up to a degree. His lack of humanity made his respect for humans before very.... very low. Now that he understands humans, he feels like one of them. Unified in a sense, and wants to protect them. He's very protective of me in the regard that we were the same person at a time."

Haruka drooped his head a little, words becoming softer.

"I know his Reverse powers and the ability to Lock are discontenting to most, but I feel that is part of the key to defeating the Reapers. Most people would say it helps, but I think its more than that. Its deliberate and on-command control for things we've never fought before. He himself feels more proud.... than ever before."

Haruka looked up, staring at Seph. His eyes gleamed with the pride of a soccer mother whose kid just scored a goal from halfway down the field.

"He wants to make a difference." Haruka is best mom.

"...Well, if you truly believe that, I have no reason to pry any more than that." Seph gave a gentle smile. "Let your caretaker know she should try to wear something nice."

And just like that, he was gone.

---

Shortly following, a text went out to Mizumi:

You, me, Haruka and Yukino. Tomorrow at 6. It's formal, so you better look nice.

xx

Satoshi

Haruka, without another word, waved the spirit away as he disappeared. His smile did not fade as he returned to his sky-watching. The day had turned to night much faster than he imagined. It was already past dusk, but he still felt like staying out a bit longer. Maybe camping out on the porch would be fine...


"Oh. Oh. OH!!"

Mizumi was hopping up and down in the kitchen. Haruka and Sera both peeked from outside on the porch and upstairs, respectively.

She quieted down, giggling a bit. With a silent fist pump, she tossed her phone back on the counter, contemplating a dress option. Sera went back upstairs in his boxers and a t-shirt, brushing his teeth. He was prescribed a bedtime in order to keep his late night roaming in check. Haruka stayed on the porch for a few moments longer before also retiring to his basement chambers.

Satoshi ran his hand through his hair. Still spiky and messy, but it went well with suits. As did his glasses; he had opted to not go with contacts tonight, if only because he felt it was maybe a bit more...attractive? He didn't actually know. When was the last time he ever went on a date?

Come to think of it, had he actually ever been on a date?

Stopping outside the walkway to Toshiki's, he pegged out a few texts. First one was to Yukino:

Hey, I'm picking up Mizumi and Haruka. You want us to come get you, or do you just want to meet us at the spot?

Satoshi

Always good to double-check. The next was to Haruka:

Hope you're ready for tonight, man. You don't have to dress too nicely, they'll understand if we bring you in that wheelchair, unless you don't want to be in it. I get it if y'don't. I've arranged for someone to pick us up, anyway.

Satoshi

Finally:

I'm walking up the walkway right now. I can't wait to see you.

xxx

Satoshi

Haruka received the text just as he finished suiting up himself. He had made it home from the outskirts nearly an hour ago, and was preparing most of the remaining time to make sure he looked... suitable. He was afraid to be on a date again. It generally got nerve-wracking going somewhere with Yukino. Not that he was embarrassed, but the other way around. She was like royalty, and he had to show up as well. If she was a Queen, he had to be the King. Though he was always more of a little Prince if you were really going to compare him to that...

"Just a minute sir. This tie is not cooperating as well as I would've liked it. Remind me next I go out to buy better ties, please and thank you. -haru"

Mizumi was in her room, stashing notes and journals into drawers haphazardly. She had her hair perfectly done and was keeping it up for the past two hours. She was wearing a slender purple dress with a high bun. She wore ornate hair pins she kept in a glass jewelry box. She hadn't touched these puppies in ages. After practicing her opening impression four, five, ten times, she clicked open her phone.

"Will be down in just a minute. Haruka is almost done getting ready too~

xx Mizumi"

Haruka brought his supposed-cousin down on an arm to the front door.

"You ready?"

"Of course I am. Do you think I'm gonna let a little trouble with space creepers a week ago ruin this?"

Ha. HA. Ironic.

Satoshi sat on the steps to wait. If they were going to take a bit, he could think and get ready for what was likely to be a fun evening.

If by "fun," one meant "extremely awkward and if there's a god please don't let these ladies choke themselves out over Haruka." Actually, that was making him feel more and more of a third wheel by the minute. He acknowledged the text from Yukino:

See you there, then.

Out the door Haruka and Mizumi went, arm in arm. It became somewhat apparent that Mizumi was somewhat anxious already, Haruka was in 100% top-shape form now. Strange turn of events.

"Well don't you look very slick, sir?" Mizumi teased, walking up to the suited man. While she wouldn't say it outright, she honestly adored the suit. Haruka himself gave the thumbs-up of approval from behind. Sera did as well, from his window on the second floor.

Doofs.

"Ready to go?"

Damn. The both looked great. Was that awkward to say? Eh. Might as well go with it.

"You both look fantastic." Satoshi smiled. "Yeah, Haku's visiting." He jerked a thumb at their ride, offering an arm to Mizumi. "Shall we, my sweets?"

Seph observed silently and invisibly.

Sera immediately trudged upstairs, not wanting anything to do with anyone for the time being. He felt a bit disgraced at his performance that night, and realized that he needed too, to train. Mizumi felt the same, but had somebody to take care of for the night. Uncle Toshiki helped carry him into the basement for 'operation.'

This was the most interesting talents of Mizumi, and the one most people don't know, and probably never will. She tied her hair up in a bun, pulled off her shirt and put on a white tank top instead. It got rather stuffy in the basement due ventilation issues in the house.

She sat at a stool, and placed a hand on Satoshi's chest, who now laid on the bed in the corner of the room. She smiled as the soul resonance from the night before re-emerged. Her eyes lit up a light purple. The power of a reincarnated soul in this timeline. The boy, Amatsuki, left her with this. The ability to travel through somebody's soul, their memories, their consciousness and make a deep contact through touch.

Mizumi was willing to delve as far as she pleased into most people's minds, but she had repairs to do first. She left this meeting of spirits as... purely professional as possible. Prodding into people's minds often leads to malevolent acts and that wasn't a wise way to keep somebody you like around.

The pain would slowly recede into Mizumi's own body, but only at a snail-like pace. Like a glass of water placed in a sink basin, that would which be filled by a faucet of only dripping water. It takes a lot of time and patience. This is how Haruka was healed, by transmitting the pain from one host to another, very slowly. This caused the transferred pain to be at most, only half as strong. It was something she was 100% willing to risk.


"You'll be good as new, darling. Just give me a little time..."

A smile, one of warmth and promise rose. She wears this smile because the look in her eyes during this process is haunting and horrifying to most, so a smile must be the only counterbalance.

Satoshi laid still, feeling the pain fade from his body as Mizumi did her work. It almost felt pleasurable, what she was doing, simply because the pain was leaving so smoothly, even if it was slow. Her hand's touch was light, yet firm...thoughts wandered to the possibility of suddenly taking her hand and pulling her over to him to maybe...

No, none of that yet. She didn't need to know he was consciously aware of all of this just yet.

On the other hand, however, Seph watched from a distance, staying undetectable as he possibly could. the spirit thought to himself.