Chapter
Forty-Four: Watari, the Sun:
Watari appeared
on Hotaru’s steps. He knocked on the door. Sure, he was late. But that would be
okay. The shinigami looked up at as the door opened.
“Watari!” Hotaru
said. “You made it. Come in. How are you?” Watari bowed his head.
“I have been
good,” he said. “And you?” Hotaru breathed out.
“Busy,” she
said. “More people keep coming.” Watari tried to look inside.
“I can see
that,” he said.
“Oh,” the demon
said. “Please.” She moved aside.
“Thank you,” he
said.
Watari bowed and went inside.
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The party still
clung to life. Rihoko stood in the kitchen on her phone. Only a few snacks were
left.
“Wow,” Watari
said. “Winding down already?”
“You can say
that,” Hotaru said.
“Fine by me,” he
said. “Where are the drinks?”
“Follow me,” she
said. She led him to the kitchen. The blonde scientist followed behind.
“How is she?”
Rihoko asked on the phone. “Good, good. Uh-huh. Uh…” She looked around for a
clock. The young mom spotted Hotaru and Watari in the kitchen.
“Hey, when does
the party end?” Rihoko whispered.
“Ten,” Hotaru
said. The young mother looked slightly worried.
“Do you need to
go?” the hostess asked.
“Not yet,”
Rihoko said.
“You can leave
if you need to,” Hotaru said. The young mother shook her head.
“Nah,” she said.
“It’s fine. I was just asking for the baby-sitter.”
“Ah,” the loli
demon said.
“Hello,” Watari
said.
“Hi… Uh… are you
Tsuzuki’s friend?” Rihoko said.
“Correct!” he
said.
“Ah,” the loli
demon said.
“Watari,” the
blonde scientist said. “Nice to meet you. Again.” Both bowed. Rihoko heard
someone talking from her phone.
“Excuse me,” she
said. The young mother returned to her call. Watari turned to Hotaru.
“How are Bon and
Tatsumi?” he asked.
“Good,” Hotaru
said. She walked over to the fridge. “What would you like?”
“Chilled tea,”
Watari said. Hotaru dug through the fridge. She pulled out a can.
“Here,” she
said.
“Thanks,” Watari
said. He opened the can and took a drink.
“Mmm,” he said.
“Nice and cold.” 003 happily flapped her wings. Hotaru’s face changed.
“You think
Tsuzuki and Anna will be fine?” she asked. Her tone was hushed. Rihoko finished
her call and went back to the living room. Watari was just as serious.
“Yes,” he said.
“I know they will.” Hotaru nodded once.
“Okay,” she
said. Her tone lightened up. “Enjoy your night. There is still food left.” The
loli demon turned walked out of the kitchen. Watari lifted his can.
“Thanks for the drink,” he said. The blonde scientist waited for a beat before following behind to the living room.