“I’m going to quit, Geto-san, this time for real. And I just…” Nanami leans forward, hands clasped between his knees. He’s dressed immaculately as always, not a hair out of place, yet it’s clear that he’s fraying around the edges. Or it’s the impression he wants to make. “I can’t do it any more. It’s pointless. I took this job as a favour to the owner of the bakery, but I realised I can’t give it my best effort. I’ll pay your usual fee, and like you said, the case should be simple. A few hours of your time at most.”
What Nanami’s saying is entirely in character for him, and nothing suggests that he’s lying. Unfortunately, it’s a little too close to what Suguru wants to hear from him to trust.
“Why didn’t you go to Satoru, then? I thought you’d decided to play by the rules. If the Council learns of you hiring me…”
“I will retire from witchcraft after this. The clans’ opinion of me will no longer matter.”
“That’s not true.”
“Gojo-san can and will keep them off my back.”
Suguru manages to hold onto his temper and maintain a pleasant smile, but it’s suddenly very hard to feel any kind of sympathy for Nanami. At the same time, he grows even more paranoid. Nanami has to be fishing for something. There’s no way he’s being this callous by accident.
Unfortunately, the temptation to find out what this is really about is too strong. Suguru has also never been able to turn his back on a witch in need.
“In that case, I’m happy to take your money,” he says brightly, and quotes his fee. Between witches, speaking an agreement out loud is enough of a binding contract. They shake on it, then Nanami leaves, forgoing smalltalk and most pleasantries.
Suguru goes back to the files and calls Manami. “Tell everyone that it’s time to slow down a bit and lay low.”
“Hello to you, too, Geto-san. What did you do this time?”
Manami is still a little upset with him for agreeing to work with Satoru on Yuta and Rika’s case. It was, admittedly, a huge gamble, but it paid off, so Suguru generally ignores her digs, feeling good about his choices.
“I agreed to help an old kohai with something, and it may or may not be a trap. I’ll keep you updated.”
“This is turning into a pattern. We’re going to find you an assertiveness coach if it continues. I’m not joking.”
It’s cute that she thinks she can force him to do anything. “I weighed the pros and cons very carefully, I promise. Something did seem off, though, so let’s make sure the clans aren’t onto us. You’ll keep me updated?”
“Of course. Try to be careful, Geto-san.”
“Always am.”
