Chapter Text
It was impossible. At least, that’s what Shiraishi wanted to think. All of Sugimoto’s posturing about being immortal… Shiraishi never really thought it was true, but after personally witnessing Sugimoto survive so many things that should have killed him, the possibility that he might actually die stopped being something Shiraishi considered.
“Asirpa, you’re sure you didn’t see who shot him?”
She sat across the table from him, tea growing cold in her hands.
“I’m sure.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
The answer he expected.
It’s not like there weren’t other people around who wanted to kill Sugimoto, and Ogata couldn’t be the only skilled sniper left over from the war. Still, it was awfully convenient Asirpa ended up within Ogata’s grasp minutes after sniper fire killed Sugimoto. Shiraishi wanted to ask her input on that, but in a bustling tea shop, anyone could be listening. Though maybe he was being paranoid.
Asirpa didn’t seem too interested in conversation, anyway.
Suddenly none of that mattered anymore because the waitress sauntered up to them and wow, did she look good. She wore a simple white kimono but it covered what was certainly a perfect figure. Shiraishi knew now was not the time to be picking up women, but he couldn’t just let an opportunity pass him by.
“Would you happen to be single? Because I-“
Asirpa climbed halfway onto the table to smack him. “Ignore him. We’re fine, thanks.”
“Ow.” Shiraishi whimpered. “Even my so-called friends are against me finding love.” It nearly brought a tear to his eye.
“I’m against you being sleaze. Since when are we friends?” Right, they were more like reluctant coworkers than friends. Shiraishi wasn’t sure why he’d said that; at times he’d thought of Sugimoto as a friend, but not Asirpa. At least she seemed to have broken out of her silence.
Pale evening sunlight streamed through wood-framed windows. It was getting late.
“Do you think he’s really dead?”
“No. He’s immortal.”
“You know that was fake, right?” It felt oddly satisfying to be the one correcting Asirpa about something for once. “Sometimes I forget you’re still a kid.”
“Of course I know!” She slammed her palms on the table. “But I believe in him.”
'Belief isn’t enough to survive a bullet to the brain.' Shiraishi thought. Yet at the same time, some part of him expected Sugimoto to burst through the door any second.
“Hey.” Kiroranke appeared in the doorway. “We’ve got transportation. Time to leave.”
“But I’m not done talking to the waitress.”
“Yes you are.” Asirpa said. “Let’s go.”