Raizen slowed his pace on purpose.
Not because he was tired—but because Aoi was watching him.
"…We already ate," Aoi said, eyes narrowed slightly as they walked through the corridor leading back to the dining wing. "Why are you suddenly hungry again?"
Raizen smiled, casual, almost lazy.
"Did we?" he said. "I don't remember being full."
She stopped.
"You're acting suspicious."
"No I'm not," he replied instantly—too instantly.
That made her suspicious and annoyed.
They reached the private dining room assigned to them. The sliding door was already half open.
Inside, a low table had been neatly prepared.
Steam curled upward from warm rice and grilled fish. Fresh vegetables glistened with oil. A small ceramic bottle sat beside two cups.
Raizen's eyes lit up.
"…Is that sake?"
Aoi followed his gaze. "…Why is there alcohol here."
Raizen scratched his cheek. "Do these people not ask for age before serving alcohol?"
She didn't answer.
She was watching him now.
Raizen stepped inside first.
Perfect.
This is perfect.
Alright, he thought. This is my chance.
If I put it in her cup, she'll fall asleep. Senji can do whatever stupid secret thing he's planning. I bring her back safely. Everyone wins.
Clean. Efficient.
…Why am I smiling?
Aoi took off her sandals. "I'm washing my hands."
"Yeah," Raizen said quickly. "Good idea. I will too."
She paused.
"…You first."
"…Ladies first."
They stared at each other.
Aoi clicked her tongue and turned toward the wash basin.
The moment her back was turned, Raizen moved.
Alright. Calm. Controlled.
Pour into my cup first so she doesn't notice.
He lifted the bottle—
Wait.
Why is my heart beating faster?
Focus.
He poured a small amount into his own cup.
Good.
Now—
A faint pause.
A reflection in the polished table.
Aoi's eyes.
She was watching him through the reflection.
Raizen froze internally.
She saw.
No—she suspects.
Then I'll commit.
He poured into her cup.
Straightened.
Cleared his throat.
"Aoi," he called casually. "Food's getting cold."
From the wash basin, Aoi smiled.
You jerk, she thought. I saw that.
You think I don't know what you're doing?
Her fingers twitched.
A thin, almost invisible thread of shadow flickered from her sleeve—silent, precise.
I'll just switch the cups.
He won't notice.
Then we'll see who sleeps.
Raizen sat down.
Smiled.
I know you're going to change the cups.
Thank you.
Aoi returned and sat across from him, setting her hands on her lap like nothing happened.
They ate.
Quietly.
Peacefully.
Too peacefully.
Raizen tracked everything.
Her breathing.
Her fingers.
The angle of her wrist.
The moment her shadow shifted.
When she reached for her cup, she barely nudged his.
Perfect timing.
Perfect execution.
A lesser opponent would've missed it.
Raizen didn't.
You're good, he admitted mentally. But not faster than my predictions.
He lifted his cup.
"So," he said lightly, "a toast?"
Aoi raised hers.
"…To what?"
"Getting through today."
They clinked cups.
Raizen watched her eyes.
"Go on," he said. "Drink up."
She smirked.
"You first."
"…Fair."
He drank.
A full sip.
The world tilted.
…Oh.
Oh no.
I wasn't supposed to—
The warmth hit his chest instantly.
Aoi blinked.
"…You drank."
Raizen stiffened.
"…Yeah."
"…That was my cup."
Silence.
They stared at each other.
Raizen's thoughts scrambled.
Wait.
Did I miscalculate?
No—
Aoi suddenly laughed.
Not loudly.
Just once.
"…You're an idiot."
Raizen's face heated. "Y-You switched it back?!"
"Of course I did," she said smugly, lifting her cup. "I know you too well."
She drank.
Immediately.
Both of them froze.
"…Wait," Aoi muttered. "Why does my head feel—"
Raizen slumped forward slightly.
"…Uh… Aoi…"
"…Yeah?"
"…I think we both messed up."
Her vision blurred.
"…Why is the table moving…"
She leaned forward.
Raizen caught her instinctively.
"…Oops."
Somewhere else—
Senji paced.
"…Twelve minutes," he muttered. "Twelve."
Lu Shouxing was tied to a chair behind him, arms bound, glaring holes into his back.
"Where the hell is that bastard," Senji sighed. "I told him ten minutes."
He adjusted his goggles.
"…And why do I feel like something went very wrong."
The ship creaked.
The threads pulled tighter.