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Tease

Another day at the bus. Everyone is chatting away about their own adventures as usual. Jekyll entered the door after a long morning of hauling and, wiping his forehead, he looks toward the seats.
The sinners were more random with their placements, since today didn't particularly matter so long as it didn't cause too trouble. Yet, only one seat remained.
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
Oh no...
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
Ah, Manager Jekyll! Over here—I saved you a spot!
Rather inconveniently, the only empty seat was next to Hong Lu. Where Jekyll would normally sit next to Dante was Ryōshu, who was smoking again.
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
Uh...Thank you, Hong Lu, but I usually sit in the front over here.
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
That's alright—
Ryōshū 無我夢中 阿鼻叫喚 支離滅裂
Not. Seat's taken.
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
But that's my spot.
Ryōshū 無我夢中 阿鼻叫喚 支離滅裂
I.D.C. Sit next to him.
It was obvious she wasn't going to budge. Defeated, the Assistant Manager sat down, and as the bus began to move Hong Lu patted his back, trying to comfort him somehow.
Time passes, and Jekyll wonders if it's so bad that he happened to sit next to someone he likes very much. With the way things are slowly quieting down, he's wondering if he should strike a conversation to bond.
There wasn't any tension in the air, so he could relax if he just breathed a little.
Unfortunately for Jekyll, his seatmate had the wonderful idea of talking first.
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
So, Manager. I've been wondering about something since this morning, if it's alright!
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
Um...Yeah. Yeah, sure. What is it?
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
When we did our mirror dungeon two days ago, did you expect that one abnormality...What was it? To ram its head towards you instead of us?
Right. When they fought the bull, his commands towards the sinners angered it so much to the point it wanted him dead. Jekyll covers his face at the memory, mostly out of embarassment. Some part of him feels guilty knowing that Hong Lu was also the one who shielded his body.
Considering that the bull only found an oppurtunity to attack after he tripped and fell.
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
No, I didn't. I'm still sorry about that.
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
Oh! I wasn't expecting it either. But you were okay in the end, so it's not a problem, right?
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
Right...
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
If I may make a suggestion though...I think you should keep a distance during battle, like how Manager Dante does.
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
Because it'd be really bad if someone I cared about got hurt during a trip. Eheh~
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
Yes...Yes, okay. I'll...keep that in mind.
Jekyll uncovers his face, listening but not turning his head. He nods half-heartedly, and a few seconds pass before Hong Lu's words finally hit the manager in the face like a brick.
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
...W-Wait.
No, he surely must have imagined those words, right? But Hong Lu wouldn't just say something so randomly. The manager's face begins to redden. Hong Lu cared about him. Hong Lu cared about him!
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
Oh...Oh, Wings...Oh...
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
Hm? Was it something I said, Manager?
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
N-No! No, it's fine. It's fine! I just didn't expect you to care so much, is all-!
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
But of course! Wouldn't it be bad if you were in danger? I just want to make sure you're alright!
He's unsure of what to say, as any word that comes out becomes a soup of stutters. All of a sudden, his hand holds Hong Lu's own, as if trying to thank him quietly for caring.
Though Hong Lu doesn't quite understand the gesture, he notices and holds back, which only causes the blush on Jekyll's face to grow worse.
Jekyll LCB Assistant Manager
I-I hope you know I really appreciate it! I do!
Hong Lu 太虛幻境
Oh my! You remind me of a tomato right now, Manager!
In front of them, Dante and Ryōshū stare both stare into the air together, having heard the entire conversation. The latter grips what remains of her cigarette.
Dante LCB Manager
(Is this why you took his spot? Because I'm starting to see your plan here.)
Ryōshū 無我夢中 阿鼻叫喚 支離滅裂
Hrm...
Ryōshū 無我夢中 阿鼻叫喚 支離滅裂
Oi, pipe down.
She turns around a bit and smacks the seat. Her words get drowned out by Hong Lu's worries and Jekyll's blabbering.
Ryōshū 無我夢中 阿鼻叫喚 支離滅裂
Tch. Whatever.
Though, a part of her is a bit smug that this worked.