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Warm summer rain fell in a torrent over Seasoning City, bringing with it the smell of wet asphalt in the humid air. Serizawa ventured onto the roof of Claw Headquarters, clutching his umbrella. Inside things were getting uncomfortable and noisy, with Hatori throwing a fit over some security measure, Shimazaki being himself and Shibata trying his best to keep them both in check.
The roof was usually deserted, even Serizawa didn’t venture up there due to the height and openness being somewhat scary, but Serizawa also wasn’t alone.
“Why are you out in the rain?” Serizawa asked.
Minegishi didn’t look up from their book. They sat on one of the picnic benches left over from when the building still had a rooftop cafe, ankles crossed and expression impassive. The calmness of their aura hung in the air, the feeling like that of walking through a forest alone, like sitting in a garden on a sunny day.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Minegishi said.
“Things are a little too much in there,” Serizawa replied, and Minegishi nodded in recognition.
Lots of things about them were a secret, or at least weren’t things they shared openly. Serizawa never knew how to ask them anything, intimidating as they were, but of everyone else in Claw they were easily the most approachable in that they seemed to understand him, or at least try.
Serizawa moved closer to the bench and was surprised when Minegishi moved over to make room for him. He sat, still holding his umbrella.
Minegishi kept reading. They’d tucked their hair behind their ears, likely to keep it from falling in their face as they read, but Serizawa found it kind of cute. He wondered why they chose to dye their hair purple, he’d never found it appropriate to try and find out.
“Are you lonely out here?” He asked. Minegishi could often be found alone, even though everyone seemed to enjoy their company. Keeping to themselves earned them the trust and good graces of nearly everyone in Claw, Serizawa included.
“Your compassion isn’t suited for the line of work you’re in,” they said, eyes never leaving their book.
“What do you mean?” Was Minegishi criticizing him? He thought he was doing okay at his job.
“It’s just that it’s very unusual for people around here to be concerned about whether the people around them are doing well.” Minegishi said impassively. They took a beat of silence before looking up, finally meeting Serizawa’s eyes.
“It’s a compliment.”
Albeit a roundabout one. Serizawa was confused. His eyes darted away, breaking their gaze.
“O-oh, thank you, Minegishi.”
They didn’t respond for a while. The rain pounded on the metal canopy cover over their heads, a thick metallic sound filling the humid air. Were it windy, they’d both be getting soaked but the still, hot air offered at least that shred of reprieve.
“To answer your question, I think all of us are lonely, in a way,” Minegishi’s tone was as enigmatic as the words they said. Serizawa found himself more confused.
“I’m not lonely anymore, I have President Suzuki,” he said.
“You deserve better,” Minegishi said. Serizawa frowned, feeling an odd jab in his chest.
“What is better? The president is a great man to work for.”
“He’s given us a purpose, it doesn’t mean he’s great.”
Serizawa disagreed, but he was afraid to voice it against someone like Minegishi. They both worked for Suzuki, they couldn’t badmouth him! And why would they? Minegishi had to admire him, everyone admired him.
Still, Serizawa’s curiosity got the better of him.
“Why do you work for him then?”
Minegishi turned the page in their book.
“Same reason as you,” they said simply.
The president gave Serizawa a purpose, the president had saved him. Did he also save Minegishi? How many lives has he touched, given a purpose to? Serizawa felt proud, working for someone like that.
He didn’t say anything for a while, sitting and watching Minegishi from the corner of his eye. Around them Serizawa felt nervous, but he liked their presence even if they made his heart race. He wrung his hands around the handle of his umbrella, just for something solid to remind him he was here.
“I get to ask you a hard question now,” Minegishi said. Was there a playfulness on the edge of their tone? Serizawa couldn’t tell.
“O-okay!” Serizawa said, suddenly even more nervous, “Go ahead.”
Minegishi looked up at him, expression hard set. For the first time Serizawa noticed the green around their pupils where he’d previously thought it was a lighter brown. Their stare seemed to go right through him. He blinked, a blush rising in his cheeks.
“Are you happy?” Minegishi asked.
The question threw him off.
“I’m- I think so! I’m happy to work for a visionary like our president!” he said. Certainly now he was happier than before, that had to mean something.
“Hm,” was Minegishi’s clipped response. It didn’t soothe Serizawa’s nerves.
“Are you, Minegishi?” he flipped the question back on them not to challenge them, but because he was curious. They weren’t an open person, but Serizawa wanted to try. He wanted to know more.
Minegishi took an excruciating moment to think about it.
“I’m content,” they said.
“As in?”
“Rain makes me feel better, I think.”
Serizawa looked out at the sky, thick with dark clouds that rose like the spires of a castle. The lights of the city reflected on the wet ground and in the puddles around them in shimmering patches of color.
“Because it’s good for plants?” Serizawa asked.
“Sure,” Minegishi said.
“I like the rain too.”
Minegishi snorted, “Well you’re always prepared for it.”
If that was meant to be a jab at him, Serizawa didn’t catch it.
“Yeah. With this I feel like I can be prepared for anything. Even if I’m not.”
Why did he say that? You can’t tell a coworker you don’t feel prepared for your job! Serizawa’s cheeks burned, embarrassed.
“You’re much more capable than you realize.” Minegishi said, much to Serizawa’s surprise, “You have more kindness than the rest of us. Don’t let Claw take that out of you.”
Their voice weighed heavy with something, regret, sorrow maybe. Defeat.
Serizawa wrung his hands over his umbrella again, fingers finding the well-worn spots on the handle from his worrying.
“You’re a nice person too, Minegishi,” he assured them.
Their laugh was hollow, humorless. Serizawa had never heard them laugh before, and he wished he could hear them laugh genuinely.
“Not really.” Minegishi said. It occurred to Serizawa that he really didn’t laugh much either.
“You’re nice to me,” he offered. Maybe he was naïve, but he accepted kindness from any source. And it was the truth, Minegishi had never been cruel to him. They could be sarcastic and apathetic, but Serizawa wasn’t usually on the receiving end.
“I don't think I could live with myself if I wasn’t nice to you.” Minegishi said, a tinge of sincerity burning under their disinterested drawl.
Serizawa wasn’t sure he understood what Minegishi meant, but it felt good to hear. He sat quiet for a while, listening to the rain and distant claps of thunder. If it got any closer he’d get scared, but Minegishi didn’t seem scared so maybe he didn’t need to be either.
They were reading again, but not turning any pages. It seemed more like they were thinking, worrying their bottom lip between their teeth. Serizawa’s heart pounded, louder than the rain.
Minegishi wasn’t looking at him when they spoke next.
“Things will get better. There’s a whole world out there that we can change. A better world.”
Serizawa nodded emphatically.
“That’s the president's dream.”
“And we’re just living in it.” Minegishi said flatly.
Serizawa fidgeted for a moment, unsure what to say. Maybe he should just speak his feelings plainly, he got the feeling Minegishi wouldn’t judge.
“Talking to you makes me feel better, thank you.”
Minegishi looked at him, expression more open than Serizawa had ever seen it.
“Good,” they said.
Serizawa thought that he’d like to be closer to them, whatever that meant for him right now. A burst of courage propelled him forward, and he wrapped his arms around Minegishi, squeezing them tight against his chest. They were tiny compared to him, practically drowning in his embrace. He felt their body stiffen against him and for a moment he panicked that he’d crossed a line.
After a moment their arms wrapped around his torso, palms pressed flat to his back. Vines curled lazily around the bench where they sat, little white flowers blooming in bunches among star-pointed leaves.
“I’m glad,” Minegishi’s voice muffled in the thick fabric of Serizawa’s sweater. He held them tighter, a smile crossing his face.
Lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a clap of thunder that made Serizawa jump. Minegishi’s hand lingered on his back as they pulled away.
“Come on, let’s go inside.”
“Will you stay with me?” Serizawa asked, afraid the answer would be no. Minegishi’s expression betrayed little except for the smile that quirked at the corners of their mouth.
“Of course.”