Chapter Text
At the heart of the dense city of Tokyo, there were alleys which twisted and turned- small bars and shops open, waiting for tourists and locals alike to stumble upon them. Wedged between a clothing store and a stationary store, stood a small tattoo parlor. The parlor was named ‘Nohebi’, with designs of tattoos at the window for potential customers to see. It seemed like the perfect name- most clients found the likeness of a snake in the shop. The tattoo artists had a strange aura about them, as if they were like other beings but that wasn’t possible. However, what attracted the most crowd was their popularity of their intricate snake tattoos.
But it was not all what it seemed at this small and humble tattoo parlor. A secret clung to the walls of the parlor- unknown to the pure humans. Despite that, business was slow right now- not many people came for a tattoo appointment on a Tuesday morning. Suguru stretched his arms and yawned. He was the only one at the parlor right now. He absently turned the pages of a magazine, rubbing the corners of the page. He was already done with the accounts and the appointment schedule. The clock, he had decided, was too slow. Someone from Nohebi should be coming for their shift.
He assumed he should be grateful to have some time to himself before the Nakamura guy came for his appointment. The man didn’t sound too excited for his tattoo, and Suguru didn’t really blame him. None of his special customers were very happy or satisfied when they had an appointment with Nohebi. He glanced to the spectacle case in front of him on the counter. He pushed it to the side.
He didn’t need them yet.
Suguru shifted in his seat, and pinched his nose, squinting at the text on the poster taped on the opposite of the room. The text was a bit blurry, but not unreadable. As long as he didn’t use it, he’d be fine.
But inside a voice hissed at him. No one can escape the fate.
The tinkling of the bell interrupted his thoughts (thankfully) and he straightened up as two women entered the parlor. One of them had dark hair, tied in a braid while the other had long light brown hair. They both looked around Suguru’s age. They were in deep conversation as they looked around the display of designs framed on the walls.
Suguru blinked as he recognized one of them. He wondered how he didn’t recognize her at first. She had grown taller and her movements were graceful. But other than that, she hadn’t changed. She was still the same even after four years. And the memory of her anger still ran fresh in Suguru’s mind. She had been livid when he told her he had to leave. The brunette made her way to the counter.
Yamaka Mika made her way to him.
Suguru swallowed, hoping that she didn’t recognize him. He hadn’t changed much either, just a piercing on his left brow and a snake tattoo coiling around his torso, concealed beneath his shirt.
And the weakening eyesight.
“Hello,” Mika greeted warmly, “Do you have any other floral tattoo designs we could look at?”
Suguru wondered how she had spent the four years with him not in her life. Had she been angry for a day? A week? Months? Years? Had she pursued psychology like she always wanted to? Were her parents well? Did she ever wonder why her best friend just left without a proper explanation?
She was still so beautiful; her eyes still had that spark he couldn’t seem to place, her voice still pleasant to hear and that gesture of her pushing her hair behind her ears when she spoke. He didn’t know that he had missed her so much until she was right there before him.
I had loved you.
Mika cleared her voice and Suguru blinked back to reality. There was no going back and no going forward. Mika was to be a stranger to him and nothing more. It was better this way anyways.
“I’m sorry, you said you wanted to see more floral designs?” Suguru smiled.
“Yes, I want to see all of them.” Mika’s friend piped in.
“Certainly.” Suguru pushed his chair back, and searched through the drawers of the counter. He produced three files and placed them on the counter. “You can take a seat on the sofa and browse.” He gestured while looking at Mika.
Remember me?
Mika frowned a bit, as if she didn’t believe him.
Over what?
She managed a small smile. “Thank you very much.”
And with that, both girls went to the sofa with the files. He was going to offer them coffee when the tinkling of the bell announced another visitor.
Suguru looked up and frowned. Nakamura wasn’t supposed to be here until an hour. And he wasn’t supposed to look so panicked. Both the girls seemed to assess his appearance as well. The man was in a suit, his breath ragged and he was sweating. His dark fringe clung onto his forehead and he assessed the present people in the parlor until his wide eyes fell on Suguru.
“Please,” he rasped out, “I don’t want this.”
The girls looked uncomfortable and Suguru inwardly cursed Sakishima for bailing out on him. He was better with people in these kinds of situations. But now a situation had emerged and he had to handle it. He rolled back his shoulders and approached Nakamura.
“Sir, shall I take you upstairs and we can have a talk about why you’re upset?” He smiled, holding out his hand.
Nakamura slapped it away. “I don’t want to be fucking cursed like you snakes.”
Suguru’s lips twitched as he tried to maintain a calm demeanor. Nakamura was going to blow away the tattoo parlor’s cover with his paranoia.
“Sir, I assure you, whatever is bothering you, we can address it calmly.” Suguru started when Nakamura grabbed him by the collar.
“You are going to hide me, or else.” Nakamura threatened.
For someone who tried to look menacing, he wasn’t doing an excellent job. The poor man was shaking in fear. Suguru understood his fear. He wanted to tell Nakamura that nobody wanted to go through what came after the mark. But he also wanted to tell him it was unavoidable.
Even without the tattoo, you are as cursed as I am.
The hold around Suguru’s collar tightened. He had to think fast without alarming the other customers.
“Sir, I’ll listen to you. But please don’t make a scene.” Suguru held up his hands.
“Hide me.” Nakamura’s voice broke. “Or see my future.”
“You know I can’t do either, sir.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Suguru’s vision caught the dark energy seeping out from Nakamura’s body. He was unstable, Suguru realized with horror. If he were to give in to the power, the whole neighborhood wouldn’t be safe. He only hoped anyone from Nohebi would come in. Anyone with power would do. He cursed himself for having a useless ability.
He opened his mouth when he saw Mika creep up behind Nakamura with a taser. He looked back at Nakamura, afraid that the man would notice.
“Fine, fine.” Suguru sighed. He cocked his head to the side. “I’ll help you out. I understand you’re under distress. Just let me go and we’ll talk about this.”
Nakamura let go of Suguru, his eyes burning into Suguru’s.
Good, Suguru thought as Mika positioned her taser, all eyes on me.
“I’ll be taking the girls as hostage in case you do anything fu-.”
Before he could finish, Mika tased him. Nakamura let out a surprised sound but as soon as Mika stopped he turned to her. Suguru tapped him on the shoulder and punched Nakamura hard. He then reached for his pocket and took out a small talisman, concealed to normal human eyes and pressed it on Nakamura’s neck.
Nakamura slumped on the floor instantly. The parlor was silent for what seemed like a long while. It was the dark-haired girl’s voice that cut into the silence like a sharp knife.
“Are you some drug dealer?”
Suguru didn’t know what he was expecting to be asked. The question, that may sound serious to any other person seemed ludicrous. Suguru couldn’t help but chuckle. “I don’t really know this man.”
“We should call the police.” Mika said, her brow furrowing at Nakamura’s body. “A taser and a punch shouldn’t be that powerful to knock him unconscious.”
“Maybe he was just exhausted.”
“From what?” Mika questioned.
“Running?” Suguru countered. He rubbed his shoulder. Even having contact with talismans somehow drained him. “But let’s talk about you both. You went through something unpleasant.” He bowed. “I apologize for that. May I offer a fifty percent discount on your tattoos?”
Mika shook her head. “Not for me, my friend Chiyo wants one.”
“I’m fine with that!” Chiyo said cheerfully, “I love discounts.”
Suguru smiled. “I’ll call the police right now. Can you come at a later time or tomorrow? We can have a proper appointment to discuss your tattoo and design.”
Chiyo nodded. “I’ll drop by tomorrow. Are you sure we can leave you alone with-.” She motioned at the unconscious Nakamura.
Suguru grimaced at what was to come after. “It’s unpleasant but I’ll handle it. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
Chiyo waved as she exited the parlor. Mika, however, had paused at the door. Her fingers tapped at the door.
“You didn’t have to pretend that you didn’t recognize me.” She turned to look at Suguru, smiling bitterly, “But I guess that’s how you do everything.” She shook her head and walked away, leaving Suguru with a body slumped on the floor beside him.