sakon76

"Ta...kamura...san?" she asked, echoing his tone. She was wearing a summer-weight gray kimono decorated with green reeds and red dragonflies. She seemed unbelievably delicate, this "wisteria fairy," and Suoh knew without a doubt that he had been set up yet again by Nokoru. The knowledge didn't help him at the moment.

He examined the floor. He'd never known quite what to say around Nagisa, it seemed. She was too beautiful to be believed, something that had always had him tongue-tied. He snuck a quick glance and saw that she, too, was looking down.

"Umm." They spoke at the same time, looking up. Suoh blushed and gestured for her to speak first.

"Thank you for saving my life that time," she said in a small voice.

Suoh was confused. "What time?"

"When Nokoru-sama was...." She gestured helplessly.

When Nokoru was killed.

Something tightened in Suoh's chest, making it impossible for him to breathe. Nokoru was dead. No matter that he'd come back for a little while, Nokoru was dead and Suoh was a Takamura and he'd failed in his duty and there was no way he would ever be worthy enough to touch Nagisa's white hand, let alone hold her.

"Excuse me," he said quickly, and bolted out the door.