As Nezumi turned to peer inquisitively at him, Shion slapped him across the face as hard as he could. Nezumi, of course, didn't so much as stagger―but he was certainly startled. After drawing a breath, he yelled,
"―the hell was that for?"
"You hid things from me. You didn't even mention a word to me about this memo."
Shion softly clenched his fingers around his palm, on which he could still feel the sensation of Nezumi's cheek.
"I want to be equals with you."
Nezumi hunched his shoulders and lifted his right hand in a pledge.
"I admit my mistake. I won't do it again."
"I swear herewith upon my battered cheek."