Chapter Text
“Go to the store right now, Sano.” Hijikata’s voice was whisper-soft but the nagging tone was still there.
Harada rubbed his eyes, groaning as he forced himself awake. “At this time, Hijikata? It’s like midnight. No pet store is open right now.”
Hijikata huffed, glaring at the sleepy auburn-haired man. “Then go find a pond and fetch a new goldfish!”
Muttering a curse word under his breath, Harada grabbed a coat and his car keys. “Fine. But if Heisuke finds out before I come back, do not drag me into this mess.”
Hijikata walked into Saito’s room, shaking the peaceful-looking young man. “Hajime, wake up. I need your help.”
Saito sat up quickly. He heard the word “help” from Hijikata’s lips and all the molecules in his body woke up. “Right away, sir.”
Carrying a glass bowl delicately, Hijikata led the purple-haired man into the dark hallway and inside the shared bathroom in the house. Hijikata twitched his lips, pursing them toward the bathroom door. Saito read his body language like an open book, and closed the door behind them as instructed.
“Sir, what are we doing in here?” Saito said softly, a hand covering his mouth. He smacked his lips a few times, tasting the morning breath on his tongue.
Hijikata shoved the bowl in his face, sloshing the water inside it. “It’s dead.”
Saito looked at the orange-yellow fish, eyes widening then drooping down with a frown on his face. “I see,” he sighed, pinching his chin pensively. “Poor Heisuke. He really loved his pet Magic Karp.”
Hijikata nodded slowly, a guilty expression washing over him.
“We should tell him immediately. Or maybe say it evolved into... a dragon?” Saito’s lips tugged up at the ends, amused at his suggestion.
“No. It would truly break his heart if he found out he’s dead.” Hijikata sat the bowl down then leaned in closer to Saito. “No one will ever find out, okay?”
Saito took a step back, fearing the look in Hijikata’s eyes. It was serious, like he was going to commit murder before letting the secret out.
“Noted, sir.”
Hijikata lifted the toilet seat. He used two fingers to grab the floating fish then dropped it inside the porcelain bowl.
Saito reached for the flusher, ready to push down to send Magic Karp down to his grave. Hijikata grabbed his hand before he could flush, shaking his head fervently.
“Not yet.”
“Why, sir?”
“We need to say a few things about Magic Karp. You know, a eulogy.”
Saito raised an eyebrow, confused as ever. But he never questioned Hijikata’s demands, and tonight was no different.
He exhaled a long sigh, gathering his thoughts carefully. “Here floats Magic Karp. He was good to Todo Heisuke, a true friend. Although you never reached your second month birthday, you had lived a happy life... for a goldfish.”
Saito turned to Hijikata, catching the older man wipe his eyes. It was allergy season—a most probable cause to Hijikata’s watery eyes, he thought.
“Sir, it’s your turn.”
Hijikata cleared his throat, taking a few breaths to compose himself. “Good-bye, Magic Karp.” He grabbed the glass bowl and pushed down to flush the fish down the drain with no hesitation. He watched the water swirl inside, making sure Magic Karp would not clog the toilet.
They both sighed as they waited for the water to rise, crystal clear.