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The fiasco with Burnett earlier was nothing as he expected. He couldn't even play the game anymore, being reminded of Jack's face whenever the mere name of 707 shows up. He would have to make up for it with costly hourglasses.. gah.. damnit.
 
Hanako didn't even know where he was going and for how long. Only that home was not the place he wanted to be in right now. He might've listened to Burnett nagging - bringing his phone and all. And he tried to listen to the 2nd command of not staying out so late.
 
But with how much his mind wanders back to their earlier conversation - the way Burnett looked - the things Hanako said - he found some flimsy reasons to stop by random stores for random make-up errands, just to not go back home.
 
And now he was in an unfamiliar part of the city, thrilled by the confusion of the way distracting him from other things. The concern only hit him when the sun had set a while ago, and his phone that had been on silent, now was just dead from not being charged long enough. This was an impromptu side quest after all.
 
Oh well... he lived in the city most of his life. Surely something will come back to him if he just.. took this turn.. or maybe .. that turn.. and maybe.. straight ahead...? Oh jee - what a pain.
 
This is all Burnett's fault.
 
Jack had quickly changed out of his 707 Mystic Messenger cosplay soon after Hanako had left and put it away. He wasn't sure what to do with it, exactly; return it or give it to Hanako or keep it somewhere in his closet or what. Perhaps returning it would have been best. After all, he doubted Hanako would have responded well to seeing it again. Jack still couldn't get his last words and the look on his face before he had left out of his head.
 
Once he had put everything away - since he hadn't worn them for very long - he paced his room and tried to call for delivery for dinner to see if he could make it up to Hanako for having said what he had said. The more time that passed, the worse he felt about it. He knew Hanako wasn't that shallow, however much he might have pretended to be. He didn't know why he had acted as if he thought his peer was. Probably because he had been so damned flustered and embarrassed and...hurt?
 
He didn't know. All he knew was he wanted to make things right again. To apologize. But it felt wrong doing that over a phone call or through text. So he waited for Hanako to come home. And waited. And waited.

The food was delivered and soon began to grow cold. Jack began to get worried. Very worried. He texted and even tried to call his peer to ask him to come home already, but to no avail. There was no reply, no one picking up, and rather than ringing, after a while, the calls went straight to voicemail.
 
"Come on, Tone, come ooon... Why aren't you home yet?!" he muttered to himself as he paced the kitchen. They should have been done with dinner and Jack would have been normally out on patrol as a Dark Mirror Senshi by then. But as it began to get later and later, though the redhead originally wanted to be there at the apartment in case Hanako returned, he finally decided he couldn't wait any longer. He had warned his apartment roommate not to be out late. Surely he would know that Jack would go out looking for him by then.
 
Sighing deeply, Jack was about to put on his jacket when he changed his mind, went to his room, and powered up. It would be faster and easier to search the city as Super Sailor Sinope, especially if he ran into trouble. Especially if Hanako turned out to be in trouble.
 
Sinope turned off the lights around the apartment, locked the front door, and then left for Mirrorspace through a large mirror in his room which he had kept there specifically for that purpose. From Mirrorspace, he entered another mirror to return to Destiny City, but rather than come back into his room, he re-entered the city through a mirror in an alleyway he knew was used by many Dark Mirror Senshi. From there, he used an old fire escape ladder to head up to the roof of the nearest building and began to traverse the city rooftops in search of Hanako.
 
You better be safe, he thought fiercely. Or I'll kill you myself.
 
Meanwhile, a feral youma that looked vaguely like some vulpine creature happened to come across the wandering Hanako. It had spikey, bright yellow and white fur that sparked with electricity - electricity that it had been using to knock out passersby and drain their energy. Anyone that had come too close to the alley it had appeared in from the Rift fell victim to it. As soon as it sensed Hanako come close, its hackles went up and it began to growl, approaching him. Before he could so much as open his mouth, the youma shot out a bolt of electricity meant to paralyze and stun him, eager to drain him dry of his energry - and perhaps to feed on his starseed.
 
Dratted sense of direction - Hanako would’ve had less stress to deal with if his phone had just been turned out. He had begun to give up, thinking if he should just deal with Jack later and instead focus on finding the nearest convenience store to get something to charge his phone with. He dreaded thinking the amount of missed calls or texts.
 
If.. Jack even texted him.. that is. Hanako wasn’t sure if the other was too angry to do so. Hanako used to flicker between amusement and annoyance at how often much of a worrywart Jack was . If it weren’t for the fact they were roommates, Hanako would've blocked him. He was the one doing stupid pranks. Hanako wanted to blame everything on Jack and solely Jack but he knew that wasn't it. If it was then Hanako wouldn’t have spent hours just thinking what the right thing to say was when he returned.
 
He must've been too deep into his thoughts to notice the definitely-not-normal creature. Enough unfamiliar to make Hanako freeze on sight as the it begun to growl. He felt the hairs behind his neck stand up, and before he could think of a way to leave - something spat out of the creatures mouth, hitting Hanako square in the chest. He hardly was able to let out a painted grunt before his joints became stiff and frozen. What the f- oh he's so screwed.
 
Sinope saw the light from the sparks of electricity in the dark of the night before he felt the chaotic energy signature of the feral youma. The energy signature was much less than that of even a newly-awakened senshi, so the Dark Mirror Senshi had almost missed it, but he couldn't have missed the electric light coming from the alleyway. Concerned, he bolted in the direction of the glow only to find none other than a feral youma closing in on a paralyzed Hanako.
 
The senshi wasted no time in drop-kicking the youma from the rooftop above, receiving a somewhat painful shock in return, but he had expected as much. He knew his senshi magic would have been practically useless on a feral youma, so he didn't bother trying to use it, however. He knew that despite the danger of coming into contact with the creature, he had no other choice but to fight it through physical combat. Fortunately, he had continued his krav maga lessons even when he'd been in Wales, so he still had some means to defend himself - and Hanako - despite his inability to use effective magical attacks on the youma. He just had to weather a few electric shocks in exchange for landing his blows.
 
He would have like to tell Hanako to run, but he knew he likely couldn't; not if the youma had really paralyzed him. So, instead, Sinope concentrated on staying between his opponent and his roommate in order to keep the latter from the former.
 
As luck would have it, the youma - as feral youma usually were - was pretty weak, so he managed to dust it in little to no time at all. Though he suffered a few nasty shocks for his troubles, soon the youma had been returned to the Rift, leaving a little pile of dust in its wake. Once that was done, Sinope, breathing hard, turned back to Hanako to check on him, wondering if the paralyzation had begun to wear off by then.
 
"...Hey," he panted, "...Can you move? Are...are you hurt anywhere?"
 
Hanako was surprised as someone swooped in. Instead of staring in awe or gratefulness, Hana started to force his fingers to move. Managing to move his fingers, then his arms, soon his face, and just as the stranger finished - Hanako had only just begun trying to move his legs though with less luck. "Emotionally or physically?" He let out a shaky laugh, wincing a little - feeling the after-effects of the electric paralysis, "Not gonna lie, I feel like I should really and definitely want to wake up from a dream right now - which I hope it is."
 
Sinope suddenly looked incredibly guilty. Gingerly, he asked, "I know it's a little undignified, but...can I...carry you somewhere? To a doctor, to your home...? I don't think a youma as weak as that should have been able to cause any lasting damage to you if it didn't take your starseed. I just don't know how long it might take you to fully recover."
 
He looked away, groaning at the two options, focused on moving his legs. Neither option seemed nice. "I’m fine! I’m fine! You did a lot more work than I did. Whoppie, yippee I just need a little more time to wake up, so feel free to take your fancy little random words and cute little costume and be on your w-"
 
Forcing his legs to move had worked. Except it make Hanako trip right into Sinope.
 
With his heightened reflexes, speed, and strength, Sinope caught Hanako easily, carefully steadying him. "Alright. Please take it easy. Take as much time as you need. I'll be right here until you're fully able to move again."
 
Stupid him...if he hadn't made Hanako want to leave the apartment in the first place, none of that would have happened.
 
"Do you have a phone? I could get it and call someone for you if you like. It's pretty late out. Someone must be worried sick about you somewhere."
 
He blushed a bit in embarrassment at falling into the stranger, though with no other support, he ended up relying on the other to steady him. At the mention of someone being worried, Hanako's flush died down to a frown. "...Doubt it," he mumbled, before looking up to the stranger’s face, inspecting him for a moment before using a hand to pinch Sinope's cheeks.
 
Sinope's brows furrowed when he heard Hanako's mutter, but before he could respond, he felt his cheek being pinched. "Ow! What was that for?"
 
"When am I waking up?" he asked. "I usually won't complain dreaming about being in someone, but gingers wouldn't be my first choice at the moment - no offence."
 
"Gingers...?" He looked puzzled before realizing what Hanako meant somewhat. At least...he thought he did. "Oh...none taken. But...sorry to say you aren't dreaming." He smiled weakly. "I would have liked to take you home and let you continue to believe that, but, um...that might be a little difficult at this point."
 
Come to think of it, maybe he should have. Maybe...he could knock Hanako out right then...but he still wasn't confident he knew how to knock him out and he didn't want to hurt Hanako any more than he was already hurt. Not to mention...he deserved to know what had just happened to him. Perhaps realizing it wasn't a dream would make him more aware of the dangers of Destiny City and discourage him against staying out so late next time.
 
"Say- what about your home?"
 
"S-sorry, what?"
 
"Instead of taking me to the hospital or my home, what about yours?"
 
Sinope grimaced. "Uh...you'd...want to go home with a stranger? While you're still so...helpless?"
 
"So that's a no..." he looked uneasy, like letting go of the last bit confidence he had, a breath of relief escaping him, almost smiling like he liked the answer. "...Sorry... I'm not thinking straight. It's - just... been a long day and I don't.. even know where to begin with what just happened...and I don't want to be alone..." He sighed. "Who are you?"
 
"I mean...there is a place I can take you...if you don't want to go home," he said, thinking of the Mirrorverse and his realm there, "But...I don't think it would let you stay there for long. Um. Or we can just go hang out on a rooftop or something until you feel like going back."
 
He looked concerned again when Hanako told him he wasn't thinking straight and he'd had a long day. "Yeah...I know. It's a lot to process and take in. Which is why I would have let you just imagine it was a dream if I could. But...I can't exactly take you back home if I don't know where you live, heh."
 
When asked who he was, he answered, "Sailor Sinope. Weird name, I know, but senshi tend to have weird names. Um...who are you?"
 
"Right... not a dream..." he sighed, tensing feeling his skin prickle with tinges of electricity again. Letting a weak laugh at the name. "Yeah.. it’s weird. Hana…I go by Hana."
 
"The rooftops…" He seemed weary, but he would have rather not stayed there longer, either. "...Yeah...actually that sounds great right now... Help me get out of here...please."
 
"Uh...nice to meet you...Hana," he said, chuckling softly. "Alright. Rooftops it is." Bending down, he reached behind Hanako's knees to lift his legs while using his other arms to support his back and carry him in his arms bridal-style. "Sorry about this, but if I tried to carry you a different way, I'd be worried you might fall since you might not be able to hold on to me."
 
That said, he jumped up onto a dumpster - higher than he could have jumped as a civilian - and then up onto a fire escape ladder and then a balcony and from there, onto the nearest rooftop where he gently set Hanako down.
 
He grimaced a bit at suddenly being carried this way. God, maybe he should’ve let that creature thing take him instead. Simply waving off the other’s apology before holding on where he could. Tightening his grip and leaning in closer when the other jumped absurdly high. Coughing awkwardly as he was sat down, trying to quell his nerves.
 
"...I’m not even going to question how you could do that. But thank you. Do you…not have somewhere to be right now?"
 
"Not really. I, uh... I did what I had come out here to do. And if you don't want to be alone, then it seems like the best thing I could do right now would be to keep you company." He sat down beside him. "Do you, um...want to talk about your day?"
 
He blushed a bit in shame. "Oh god... Why did you have to remember I said that..." He looked away shyly. "I don't know. Is this pre near-death-experience, or post near-death-experience?"
 
"Because...it's important." Sinope smiled weakly. "No one who doesn't want to be alone should have to be."
 
"Oh, um...whatever...you feel like talking about, I suppose. If you feel like talking about anything at all. You don't have to."
 
Hanako said nothing to the comment. He paused for a moment as if debating. "Can I be the one asking questions first?"
 
"Oh - yeah, sure. Of course."
 
"What are you? Some…weirdly shaped fairy? A superhero?"
 
Sinope chuckled softly. "I'm a senshi. That's the word for 'soldier' or 'warrior' in Japanese. The first senshi that were known were from Japan I think or something, so that's why we use that word. Anyway...I guess we're kind of like superheroes. We have powers normal people don't have. Improved physical abilities like strength, speed, agility, etcetera. And then magical abilities that are unique to each senshi."
 
"Ah…that explains the...jumping…and…kicking…and punching. What was the thing you killed earlier?"
 
"That's called a youma. They're from a place called the Rift. They come here every now and then to feed on the energy of humans. Sometimes they even try to take and eat their souls which take the shape of crystals called starseeds," the Dark Mirror Senshi explained.
 
"Also, I didn't kill it. I just 'dusted it', which sends it back to the Rift. Only very, very powerful senshi can actually kill a youma permanently."
 
"This sounds so...utterly…ridiculous." He let out a dry laugh.
 
"So if you didn’t come...I would’ve been...???"
 
"Youma were once human. But they got corrupted by chaotic energy. If I didn't show up, you could have been just drained of your energy at best. But turned into a youma or had your starseed eaten and become a soul-less husk at worst."
 
He nodded. "Yeah...I know it sounds ridiculous. But a lot about Destiny City is ridiculous. A lot of strange things happen here with little to no explanation."
 
"A ...soul less…husk... Great... Just what I needed today... So are there more of you? I've lived here all my life. Why hadn’t I - you know...seen...any…of them or…you…?"
 
He winced. "Sorry. But they usually don't show up in broad daylight, so as long as you don't go wandering the streets by yourself too late at night, you should be okay," Sinope warned.
 
"Yeah, there are more of us. All different kinds. But we make a point to try to stay hidden. Sometimes they talk about senshi on the news or something, but it's easy to miss hearing about us if you don't know what to listen for."
 
"Broad...daylight.. So…after dark… I should get worried..." he mumbled out, looking at his dead phone with a frown, as if thinking of someone.
 
"...You said you already did what you came out to do. What was it? Or is your job to just save people one second away from getting their soul sucked out?"
 
"Generally...yeah." Sinope glanced at the phone, too. No wonder Hanako hadn't been answering him or picking up his calls. He hadn't blocked him; at least, it didn't seem like he had. His phone had just been dead.
 
"Oh...um...no, heh. I usually patrol around the city. Try to help where I can. It's not like my job's ever really finished, but it's not like you've stopped needing my help...have you?"
 
"No... Unless... Do you maybe have something that can charge this?" He showed Sinope his dead phone. It’d been dead for a while.
 
"Heh...sorry, I don't. I use a compact mirror to communicate, so I don't have a phone you can use, either. Pretty sure the mirror runs on alien technology. But I can take you to a store to get a battery pack or a charger if you want."
 
He sighed, shaking his head. "It’s fine... You helped me a ton already. I would've been cooked if you weren't around. I rather die a better death then having some ugly youde - youna - or whatever get to me...thanks. I think I'll take you up on the offer on getting a battery pack later."

"...You still want to know about my day before the near death experience?"
 
Sinope chuckled. "You-ma. Youma. And you're welcome. Glad I could help."

He crisscrossed his legs and nodded at Hanako's last question.
 
"...What do you know about crushes?" Hanako asked.

"Actually, no, pause that."

"What’s your type?"
 
The Senshi of Slyness turned bright red and pulled his hood down over his face. "Wh-what? I - uh - I...why?"
 
"Just answer the question. It’s related to my day."
 
"...Someone...I could connect with emotionally, I guess…"
 
The model genuinely let out a laugh, forgetting for a moment he almost died. "What’s with the generic response? Are you shy or do you just not want to tell me? Because I’m a stranger, maybe? We just met? You didn't look shy earlier when you were kicking youma butt, though~" he teased lightly laughing.
 
"Is that a generic response?" He scratched his head. "It might sound like a simple requirement, but I don't think it's as easy to find someone to meet that requirement as it seems."
 
Sinope laughed anxiously. "Well, at least I knew what to do then. When it comes to knowing what kind of person you like...that's...less clear. At least for me. You know what kind of person you like?"
 
"It’s something everyone wants in a relationship. Well- I suppose…most people." Hanako’s laughing died down. He stopped smiling at the last question.
 
"Hm...someone - well often…most people tell me I’m shallow. It won't take a lot for me to like someone. For being pretty. Or helping me one time. If it’s so easy, can you consider that liking someone at all?" he asked.
 
"I was ready to let you take me to your house, defenseless. You think that says something about me?"
 
"Really? I thought most people just want a relationship with someone they find physically attractive."
 
He tilted his head. "I don't think it's necessarily shallow if you're easy to please. But...do you know if you really like someone that much that you want to be in a relationship with them for being pretty or helping you one time?
 
The hooded senshi hesitated, then met Hanako's eyes. "Yeah. It says to me that you don't value yourself enough. You're not concerned enough about your own safety. Isn't that also why you were wandering around so late at night alone out here? Even without knowing about youma, that's still really dangerous. Even children know that. Not to mention your phone is dead and you had no way to defend yourself from what I could tell.
 
"I thought so too before I meet my - um.. someone in my life."
 
Hanako shook his head. "I don't...think there was anyone I wanted to get in a relationship with. Unless...I know there's absolutely no chance of getting with them. But...I'm not sure how to explain it all the time so I just tell everyone I like the emotionally unavailable." He shrugged.
 
His eyes widened at the next words, speechless. "H-hold on, one nag at a time," he laughed awkwardly, ignoring the sense of deja vu. "Hey, I was going to find my way to a convenience store before heading to a hotel eventually if that youma didn't decide to attack me... If they're such a concern, why isn't everyone aware of them?"
 
"You like...going after people who you have no chance of getting with? But that's so sad! Do you know why?" He frowned. "Is it because...you don't feel like you deserve them, or something? Like you just want to like them from afar?" Sinope paused. "Or...because you don't feel like you deserve to be in a romantic relationship in general?"
 
He sneered then. "I'm not nagging. I'm just pointing out observations and asking questions about them."
 
His sneer faded. "And most people aren't aware of them because the ones who get attacked don't usually survive the attacks. Or, if they do, I'm guessing like you, they think maybe they dreamed it all up. Lots goes down here in Destiny City that people have trouble explaining, so most of the residents stop trying to question it and just go about their daily lives as best they can. But even then...most don't go out late at night like this on their own if they can help it."
 
Hanako blinked and let out a nervous laugh, looking away. "You really don't hold back do you..,?" He sounded a bit sad, his voice quiet. "...Some things are better in concept than they are in practice. I...I don't even know why I'm telling you all this. Ignore me - I was gonna just talk about my day, wasn't I? Ah..." He went quiet, looking at the city view as if thinking. "...I think I feel better now. Can you...drop me off at a convenience store?"
 
"Don't know what you mean. I'm not telling you how to live your life. Sorry if I sounded a little judgy when I said it was sad, but...I don't mean to judge you. Not like I have a love life of my own to brag about," Sinope chuckled softly. "In fact...I had a crush once, but that ended in disaster. So...seems kind of pointless to try again. I'll probably just mess it up again."
 
The senshi looked at Hanako again. "Sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers about things like this because you don't have to worry about living with their opinions since you'll probably never see them again. So it doesn't really matter what they think. And you can trust them to be honest and not biased since they don't know you and don't really have any reason to lie to you if they're not likely to see you again." He nodded. "But yeah...you were going to talk about your day. Did it...have something to do with all that?"
 
It was his turn to pause then. "Oh...yeah. Sorry...I, uh...tend to talk too much. And...get curious. So I tend to pry." Sinope got up and offered his conversation partner a hand. "Are you still numb or paralyzed anywhere?"
 
The model laughed a bit and shook his head. "I'm not offended...defensive- yes, a little. Only because you're right. Even if you think it's pointless to try and you mess it up again, you don't seem as determined as me to cut the option out completely. At least.. not if your first reaction to someone not getting in a relationship because they don't deserve it is, 'but that's so sad'," Hana said, mimicking Sinope's voice.
 
"Hm...no. I'm just...not good at talking about myself in general." He smiled a bit. "I appreciate it...with the youma and the...keeping me company until I feel better. I just...think there's someone else I want to talk about this to first."
 
He laughed. "Nah...you're good. I like yappers." He took Sinope's hand to stand up slowly. "Doesn't...seem like it. Why? You don't want to carry me anymore now that I'm not paralyzed?" he teased.
 
"Well...probably because I don't totally hate myself. I like to think...no matter how bad someone is, there's a chance that they can redeem themselves; that they can change and become better. And I think everyone deserves to be loved."
 
Sinope looked at the other young man and raised a brow. "I mean...honestly, can you really say you're cutting out the option completely yourself, since you're not giving up on loving people completely? Still wondering about types and wanting to go after them even if you tell yourself they'll never like you? Because...deep down...you know there is a chance they can end up liking you back, right?" He laughed at Hanako's mimicry of his voice.
 
The Dark Mirror Senshi nodded. "Talking about yourself honestly can be hard for some people. Thanks for trying to do it with me anyway." He smiled. "Yeah. Glad I could help at least a little bit. And best of luck talking to that someone else."
 
Then Sinope snorted. "You like yappers because they keep you from having to talk about yourself, don't you?" He beamed when he saw that Hanako could stand up on his own. "Nah, I'm still going to carry you. It'll be faster that way. But this time you can ride piggyback instead of bridal style if you want. If you think you can hold on, that is."
 
"Is that motto how you keep yourself sane?" Hanako couldn't help but ask.
 
He laughed and lightly punched Sinope's shoulder. "....I don't know... I like things being easier. And someone liking you back...isn't exactly easy."
 
"..." He ruffled Sinope's hair despite it being under a hood. "I think...you know me too well for someone who had just met me a while ago. Or am I that obvious?"
 
"Which motto?"
 
The senshi laughed. "And someone you like not liking you back is easier? I'd say that's it's own heartache to deal with."
 
"HEY!" He swatted his hands away when he tried to ruffle his hair. "Heh. I think you might be a bit more obvious than you think you are. At least to me. But maybe that's because we have similar ways of thinking. Trying to keep away from relationships and all that."
 
"Everyone deserves to be loved no matter if they seem irredeemable? Even anyone involved in that disastrous crush situation you had? I don't know what made it so disastrous, but...someone was hurt in there somewhere, weren't they? Maybe even you? Something that stops you from hating yourself so much?" He shrugged. "What do I know?"
 
Hanako shrugged again. "Only when someone else apart from you finds out. At least...that's how I think. Based on experience. But hey, maybe you're right."
 
His features softened, but he didn't say anything in response to that. Instead, he leaned in closer, resting his palms on Sinope's shoulder before wrapping his arms around his neck, speaking in a whisper. "Carry me like you did before."
 
That caused Sinope to freeze. Did he really believe that? That everyone deserved to be loved? Even if they were the murderer of his parents?
 
"...Yes..." said slowly through gritted teeth eventually. "Sometimes being loved and loving someone else in return is what can make someone redeemable. I wouldn't say the motto keeps me sane, though. In fact...at times it threatens to do the opposite. But...I do believe it's true."
 
He looked back at Hanako. "So. You do agree that it's easier to share a secret like unrequited crush with someone else? Even if that someone isn't the person you have a crush on?"
 
When Hanako moved to rest his palms on his shoulder and then wrapped his arms around his neck, he stood very still. "...."
 
His face flushed deeply in the shadow of his hood before he bent down to comply with Hanako's request and tried to laugh it off. "You like that, huh, Princess?"
 
Hanako took note of what Sinope said, nodding but choosing not to answer.
 
He paused, frowning at the connection Sinope made. "...Maybe. I haven't been lucky enough to find someone I feel safe enough to share information like that with."
 
"Ah well...you know how it is." He let Sinope carry him. "You're saved from potential doom by a mysterious stranger who yaps so much and seems to look through you too easily and you can't help but want to be in the comforting warmth of their arms all night~" he teased.
 
"Well...may you have better luck in the near future, then. Especially if that's what it takes to make the unbearable bearable for you."
 
Sinope righted himself and stood up straight with Hanako in his arms, blinking at his words before laughing, his face still dark red under the shadow of his hood. "Okay, yeah...I can see how that might...be enticing. Especially since you have no chance of being together since you'll probably never see each other again, huh?"
 
He stepped over to the edge of the roof. "Brace yourself." Then he started running and leapt off the roof with enough momentum to land on the next, but kept going to head to the nearest convenience store.
 
Hanako leaned in closer to Sinope, resting his head on Sinope's shoulder but overall feeling less tense than the first time Sinope carried him. Eventually they managed to reach a convenience store. Hanako didn't say anything until his feet were planted back on the ground and he let go of Sinope. "So...this is it, hm? We're not going to see each other again?" Hanako asked, doing his best to keep his tone casual. "You're going to be busy saving other helpless, defenseless people during the night?"
 
Sinope's heart was beating a mile a minute when the one he carried laid his head on his shoulder and the senshi prayed to high heaven that Hanako couldn't hear or feel it. Maybe with the way he kept bounding from roof to roof, the movement was enough for his heartbeat to be lost in the vibrations.
 
Once they reached the convenience store, Sinope hopped down onto a ledge, then onto another railing, then onto a windowsill, and then off it until they were down on the ground again.
 
Sinope smiled lop-sidedly, his demeanor awkward as he scratched the back of his neck. "I highly doubt it. Even if you get attacked by another youma - which I hope you're smart enough not to do - another senshi would probably come save you faster than I ever could. I just happened to be in the area this time, but I patrol all around the city."
 
"Are you saying you're totally fine with never seeing me again?" He smirked.
 
"I'm just one of the many you've saved, aren't I? Ouch~ I can hear my heart breaking in a million pieces," he teased dramatically.
 
Sinope smiled. "I think you're forgetting one thing, Hana-hime." He leaned over and booped his nose with the tip of his index finger. "I have a civilian identity. So I might see you around or meet you again and you might not even realize it. That's the way senshi glamours work."
 
He laughed. "I don't...normally save people. I don't make a habit of fighting youma since my senshi magic isn't really for attacking. Anyway...you're memorable. So it doesn't matter how many people I've saved in the past or will save in the future - I won't forget you."
 
Hanako smiled, rubbing his own nose after Sinope booped it. "I see...I'll keep that in mind."
 
"...That's such a friggin' cheesy, cliche thing to say..." He laughed lightly at his next words. "Alright - I'll play. This is the part where the damsel kisses her knight as a thanks for saving her, no?" He leaned in closer.
 
"Shall I do that for you, my hero~?"
 
"It is not!" Sinope laughed.
 
Then he stopped abruptly and nearly fell over. "K-kiss...?"
 
He looked away. "What's the purpose of kissing someone you can't be with?"
 
That's just how princesses show appreciation for their heroes~" Hanako teased, trying to gently hold Sinope's chin so they'd be able to look at Hanako again. "You're the one that called me a princess, weren't you? Are you saying you didn't mean it?"
 
Sinope looked utterly distressed with his face beet red and warm to the touch as he was gently made to look at Hanako. "I...I..."
 
"Three seconds to say no~"
 
"Three..." He leaned in closer with each count.
 
"Two..." Hanako fluttered his eyes closed.
 
Sinope finally unfroze before giving Hanako a kiss on the cheek. "...I'm the grateful one." He looked down at the ground, avoiding Hanako's eyes. "You chased away my loneliness for a night. So...thanks."
 
Hanako blinked - taken aback, completely frozen before blushing, immediately leaning away. "...Okais~" he said, unusually high-pitched followed by a light laugh. "I dont know how keeping someone company is equal to saving someone's life, but sure." He stepped back, his blush less red. "Anyway - I can take care of myself here. I got things to take care of now. Thanks...Sinope. For a lot of things," he said a bit softly, his gaze drifting to the convenience store doors. "I hope to..." He paused, shaking his head. "Nevermind. See you~" He waved at Sinope, expecting him to leave first.
 
"You'd be surprised how many lives could be saved simply by keeping someone company."
 
Sinope smiled again and stepped back himself. "Alright, then. Thank you for a lot of things too, Hana. It was...very nice to meet you."
 
The senshi bowed before turning to jump back up to head back to the rooftops.
 
He nodded with a practiced grin, waving him off until Hanako couldn't see Sinope anymore. His grin fell immediately then as he turned around to enter the convenience store. Planning out how he's going to spend the rest of his night.