run for it.

The streets are throbbing with life, night life full of people brushing past each other. but to Suguru? It's a dull hum, a blur. It'd been a year since he'd walked away from that world, since he'd talked to anyone. Them. Her. Moving through the crowds like a shadow, within the shadows, untethered and detached from the world around him.

and yet, he'd felt it. the familiar presence, not cursed energy eiter, it's a heavier presence of those eyes weighing on him. that gaze. he turns, and across the stream of strangers, there she stood. A cigarette burning low between two fingers, and she doesn't even seem to flinch. Just watches him. He stares back at her, unmoving as the city and the walking life mutes around them, sound and motion fading. A beat passes. Then another. Finally, he raises his hand, it's barely a wave, not really, it's more a flick of recognition, half-hearted, uncertain. and then she steps forward, the cigarette drops to the pavement, crushed beneath her shoe as she closes the distance between them, their eyes unwavering. and she says the words 'i love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.'

a beat passes, and his brows twitch as if trying to interpret her words, looking at her, not angry, nor touched even, more .. exhausted, confused. "...why would you say that?" his voice low, "Or, why come looking for me?" it's not asked gently.

Just like before, Suguru steals her breath away with just a look and makes her forget the world exists. It's only as he lifts his hand in some form of recognition does she finally move - the burn of her too small cigarette ignored as she drops it to the ground and snuffs it out. Shoko stumbles over her own feet in her haste to get to him because she can't go through this again. She can't lose him.

As soon as she's close enough, she reaches out to grasp Suguru's sleeve - knuckles immediately turning white from how firm her grip was as she pours her heart out, expressing words she'd never thought she'd get the chance to. When she's met with silence and only the slight shift in his features, Shoko's face flushes with shame - shame that she'd not said it sooner; shame that she'd never had the balls to do it when they were still back in school sharing too long looks and too long touches.

His question has her eyes widening with confusion, but the longer she looks, the more she starts to notice the unspoken quarrels he faced. He looked tired - much like he had before he'd left; when neither her, nor Satoru, had understood how extreme his turmoil was, regardless of how much she'd thought she had. Shoko's hold tightens even more, the movement making it appear as though she were tugging on his arm, and as he questions her reasoning behind professing her love for him, she sucks in a sharp breath.

"Because it's the truth," she starts, frowning. "And I curse myself daily for not telling you when I had the chance," Shoko can feel herself starting to tremble - adrenaline starting to course through her veins as she fought to hold onto him as long as possible; fought to tell him everything she'd ever thought and felt. Because she was tired, too, and call her selfish, but maybe, just maybe, getting the chance to spill her heart to him - regardless of whether or not he accepted - would help her start to sleep at night.

Shoko steps closer now until she's forced to tip her head to look up at Suguru, expression growing firm and determined. "I've been coming here a bunch in hopes of seeing you, and despite all of no-show's, I still held onto my hope that something - anything - would help us cross paths.... and now here you are," the brunette licks her lips, mouth feeling dry and tongue feeling heavy.

"Call me stupid - call me cliche, or sappy - I don't give a fuck, because I can't stand the idea of losing you again without expressing how I felt--" she swallows. "I know that a lot of time's passed and I know that things've changed but I just..." Shoko's grip on his sleeve loosens, not wanting him to feel as though she were forcing him to stay like everyone else had, and not long after her hand falls back to her side and her gaze falls to the floor, her previous gusto seeping into the ground between them.

"I just... wanted you to know that... and that I don't hate you - I never had, never will, and never could." Shoko steps back after her last declaration and crosses her arms over her chest, automatically finding herself self-soothingly rubbing at her goosebump covered biceps. Although she'd come into this expecting and preparing herself for Suguru to ignore her and leave, but she still couldn't stop the hope that weakly pulsed within her that maybe he'd stick around.

Even if it was only for a little while.

A collection of prompts centered around love & desire, taken from various sources. Adjust gender / pronouns / wording / etc. as needed. Some prompts are highly suggestive in nature. Engage appropriately.

─── 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞

❝ It’s nothing, I just . . . I’m glad you’re here. ❞

❝ Could you stay with me? Just for a little while longer? ❞

❝ If you remember me, then I don't care if everyone else forgets. ❞

❝ I can feel your heart beating in your chest. ❞

❝ Just a kiss. That’s all I ask. ❞

❝ I will always be yours. ❞

❝ You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, ❞

❝ You make me feel safe. ❞

❝ You’ll always have a place here. ❞

❝ I’ve never felt like this before. ❞

❝ I’m afraid of what I feel. But . . . I think just that means it’s something worth feeling. ❞

❝ I have loved you from the moment I first heard my name fall from your lips. ❞

❝ Go back to sleep. I promise I will still be here when you wake. ❞

❝ Nothing and no one can hurt you. Not while I’m here. ❞

❝ I don’t want you in my life. You are my life. ❞

❝ I don’t want to sleep. I don’t want to waste another moment I could spend with you. ❞

❝ I want you, just as you are. ❞

❝ You love me. Real, or not real? ❞

❝ I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you. ❞

❝ You are, and always have been, my dream. ❞

─── 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

❝ I’ve always wanted you. Only you. ❞

❝ Can’t you see what you do to me? ❞

❝ Don’t you understand? I would do anything for you. ❞

❝ You are my undoing. I cannot tell if you will be my ruin or my salvation, and I’m no longer sure if I care which it will be. ❞

❝ When I look at you, I see something divine. Something holy. ❞

❝ It’s you I want to worship. I will make supplication to your lips and offer my prayers at the altar between your knees. ❞

❝ I was a monster and you made me a man. ❞

❝ For your sake, I am debased. For you alone, I am weak. ❞

❝ I would lay the whole earth at your feet if you asked it of me. The sun, the moon, and all the stars, I would make them yours. ❞

❝ What I feel for you is not gentle, nor meek. It is not beautiful. It wretched, it is dark and depraved with desire. And it is consuming me whole. ❞

❝ Break my heart if you wish, but the pieces will still be yours. ❞

❝ Tell me you do not feel it, and I will name you a liar. ❞

❝ You are far too good for unworthy hands like mine ❞

❝ To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring on ourselves. ❞

❝ I fear if I let you touch me, I will fall apart. ❞

❝ There are certain things we must not want, yet I find myself wanting them nonetheless. ❞

❝ I need you. I need to have you. I need to make you mine. ❞

❝ You ruined me in my heart long before you ever touched my skin. ❞

❝ Must I beg? Must I fall to my knees and plead for the mercy of your touch? ❞

❝ I want it to be my name that you call in the dead of night, my name that rests upon your tongue when your body shivers. Mine alone. ❞

─── 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲

❝ I think you still love me, but we can’t escape the fact that I’m not enough for you. ❞

❝ You deserve better than that. ❞

❝ I lie awake at night in restless agony, wishing you were there beside me. ❞

❝ Do you not know how you haunt me? ❞

❝ In my dreams, I am yours. ❞

❝ I am to wed someone else. ❞

❝ Does he make you feel like this? ❞

❝ We both know who you’re truly thinking of when you’re with him. ❞

❝ You taste sweeter than she ever could. ❞

❝ She’s not the one I want. ❞

❝ Just because I know I can’t have you, it doesn't change what I feel for you. ❞

❝ He’s not good for you. ❞

❝ Every time I see you with him it kills me a little more inside. ❞

❝ Let me go. The more we hold on to this, the more it will hurt us both. ❞

❝ This is not allowed of us. We mustn’t – ❞

❝ Put aside your pride and admit that you want me. ❞

❝ Will I only ever be worthy of stolen moments in the shadows? ❞

❝ If he puts his hands on you again, I’ll cut them off. ❞

❝ When I’m with her, I pretend that it’s you. ❞

❝ Does he know? ❞

─── 𝐚𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬

❝ Say you love me, and I know it will all be okay. ❞

❝ Do you know how long I have waited for this? For the day I could hold you in my arms and call you mine? ❞

❝ I fought for this. For you. ❞

❝ I never stopped loving you. I was only afraid of what you were becoming. ❞

❝ Come back. Even as a shadow. Even as a dream. ❞

❝ To feel anything deranges you. To be seen feeling anything strips you naked. ❞

❝ When I desire you a part of me is gone. ❞

❝ Desire doubled is love, and love doubled is madness. ❞

❝ I suppose you do love me, in your way. ❞

❝ Love does not make me gentle or kind. ❞

❝ I desire the things which will destroy me in the end. ❞

❝ There is a gentle thought that often springs to life in me, because it speaks of you. ❞

❝ The gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy. ❞

❝ I should not have waited so long. I should have kissed you every night and every day. You were made to be kissed, often and well. ❞

❝ I crossed a thousand leagues to come to you. Don’t tell me to leave. ❞

❝ Love is poison. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same. ❞

❝ You're mine. Mine, as I'm yours. And if we die, we die. All men must die. But first, we'll live. ❞

❝ My sword is yours. My life is yours. My heart is yours. ❞

❝ We all dream of things we cannot have. ❞

He stood there listening to her explanation, chills rising the hairs on the back of his neck as she admits to her feelings. He exhales, somewhat taken back. It's the fact she chooses to be honest with him, now, even after everything. She still felt that way. he starts to acknowledge that perhaps Manami’s intervening had served as a reminder of the time that stood between them. Suguru still remained put where he was when she turns around, he sees her, really sees her for the first time today - in a different light. Not just exhaustion in her face, but the way she looks at him. And he can’t deny, there’s concern for her, but also love that he still held for her. and despite it all, she still came. when she finally admits to it all, chalking it up to her foolishness, he doesn't respond with words. he doesn't need to. Instead, he motions closer, no longer hesitating, but still treading carefully. his eyes fixed on her, unwavering, softer. "Come here," his tone almost breathless, soft as his arms slide around her slowly. one at her waist, the other reting at the back of her head as he draws her in closer, aching for closeness. he exhales against her head, "I think.. it's hoenst," he finally says against her temple, his tone still quiet. Gentle. "Because I've missed you too." his fingers comb through her hair. he almost instinctively kisses her head, but he refrains, stopping himself, instead, just allowing himself to feel the her warmth in his arms. and finally after another moment, he slowly, reluctantly withdraws, just enough to look at her once again. "Come with me," reaching a hand around her shoulder as he guides her around towards another door. Doesn't say where they're headed, but leads her through quiet halls, away from open spaces, to thicker walls, towards the confines of privacy where eyes won't weigh heavy on them. His hands slowly dips down her back as they walk, eventually falling away. They reach a door, and he stops, turning to her. "You've been here all evening," his voice quiet but assured, "I couldn't send you off like this," Specifically worded without pressure, simply invitation. An offer as a request wrapped in sheer courtesy. With that, he opens the door to his personal quraters, holding it open as he extends an arm for her to step through first, watching her with that same softness in his gaze once more.

Oh how long had it been since she'd been held like this? How long had it been since she'd felt so held together - so safe?

His words then hit her like a train, but rather than pain coursing throughout her body, she feels tingles exploding like fireworks beneath her skin. Her taut muscles melt into his embrace as she holds him back - fingers sinking into his soft robes and shoulders. It didn't even matter how fleeting it was, because as he let her go and started to lead her somewhere, it was enough to reignite the yearning within.

Like a lost duckling, she follows wherever he steers her, and once they're in the safe confines of his room, Shoko steps in and takes the space in. It was so undeniably Suguru, and so similar, yet still so vastly different to how his dorm had looked during school. His presence engulfed her every sense and for a moment, Shoko simply closed her eyes to enjoy it before she turned back to him and walked over - not even bothering to say anything as she winds herself around his middle and tucks her face into his chest.

That's all she does for the longest time before she finds her voice again enough to say: "I'd love to stay." The words are muffled by his clothes, but she soon lifts her head to nuzzle herself up and under his jaw, eyes closed as though she were afraid to open them and suddenly wake up from yet another dream. But soon enough she does - albeit a little reluctantly - and when Shoko shifts her head back just enough to look back up at Suguru, she finds herself smiling with relief as she reaches up to cup his face, thumb brushing over his cheek.

"Gods… I didn't think you could get any taller or broader, but look at you," she comments, hand brushing back to gently rake through those long, silken strands. "… Look at your hair…" Shoko's admiration comes out in breathy voice before her hand settles on the nape of Suguru's neck so her nails can scratch softly. "I can't believe it's been four years," she whispers, head cocking slightly as she inspects his face as though she's trying to commit it to memory all over again.

With a slight furrow of her brow and a press of her lips, Shoko presses the pads of her fingertips firmly into the top of his spine. "I'm sorry for not finding you sooner, Ru…"

He's changed since the mantle of gun devil has fallen on his shoulders. Gun metal eyes are drawn to the motion, watching the way that fingers run along the cuff of his suit, absent minded drawings and doodles that have no rhyme or reason. He's mesmerized by it –– and the soothing sensation that curls around in his chest and stomach at the simplicity of it. Aki's come back wrong in so many ways, and yet that familiar part of him that is desperate for something more, desperate for affection, desperate for connection, constantly curls up to the surface when he is meant to be a heartless monster.

There is no solace in the death of who has done this to him, either. Makima is long since dead –– and in her wake, public safety is in shambles. It makes things a little easier, slipping in and out of their service, but the watch they keep on him is tight. He knows that even his apartment has eyes on it; he's too valuable to let loose, too destructive for his own good. The devil that once was has merged with his soul and laughs at the fact that he makes him breathe, but it doesn't matter. Aki has claimed it as his own.

"Is it weird for you? To be able to touch me now?" The question is out before he can think too hard about it, eyes slowly slipping upward to meet Angel's. He finds he's far too glad to see him alive, to see him thriving; someone who hadn't wanted the fate that he was given, but had accepted it all the same. Another one of Makima's victims.

The constant battle became even worse when Aki'd appeared in his life and, for the first time ever, stood by his side without a sliver of fear in that fascinating gaze. And when he'd touched him - gods - it'd damn near killed him to know he'd stolen some of his lovers life. Although it'd been Aki's choice to do what he had - to save him - Angel'd almost locked himself away from the rest of the world - from the raven - in shame of his power.

But when Aki'd had his humanity snatched away from him, the world turned on it's axis at a violent angle. Angel thought he'd lost him for good the first time he'd locked eyes with his love, yet deep down behind several bolted locks, Angel knew Aki was there - his Aki, not the Aki Makima had created and turned into the most dangerous devil known to man.

Day by day, Angel refused to leave his side unless he wished it, and day by day, he helped chip away at those locks until Aki came back to him.

They discovered that he could touch him not long into the process, yet despite it having been a few months, Angel still hesitated. But it was moments of peace like this when they were completely alone and at peace that Angel forgot those worries and found himself touching Aki without fear. It was moments like this where all he could think about was how much he craved this man like a drug.

His fingers dance along the expanse of his arm and his gaze follow their path; from his shoulder, down the dip of his elbow, all the way to the cuff on his wrist before dipping beneath the fabric to touch his cool skin. The question falls upon deaf ears before Angel snaps back into reality, red gaze flickering up to meet grey with an absent stare.

After a blink to restart his thoughts, Angel's gaze falls again to where he's now gripped Aki's wrist as softly as possible within his hand so his thumb can graze over his pulse. "It is," he answers finally, his words soft as though he's scared of ruining their peace. "If I'm being honest? I want to drown in the feel of your skin on mine," Angel admits bluntly, lips pressing into a gentle line as he feels his cheeks warm.

"And yet... I still find myself waiting for the moment something goes wrong," because everything did - everything always had. Angel swallows and squeezes Aki's wrist before letting go to reach up and tentatively brush his knuckles across the raven's cheek, eyes following his touch as though it were a poisonous animal waiting to strike.

"... Is it weird for you, Aki? It doesn't hurt, does it?"

Despite polite appearances, he’s well aware of Manami’s wary impression. Expects as much, as she’s part of the system he’s carefully building. From her point of view, Shoko isn’t simply just an outsider. Manami knows enough about her to have a cause for concern.

but, not to him. Suguru knows that to some degree, he might be compromising things, but, he trusts his intuition. Trusts her. Manami’s suspicion isn’t a cause for concern, he’d deal with the matter later. He knows that if he was standing here with anyone else, they would be kept at a careful distance. And yet here he is, giving her a side of him that he hasn’t given to anyone else in years. Not since the last time he saw her. Because she came, and because she’s still the same girl who sees past everything. Still the same Shoko.

as Manami heads back inside, he picks up on a shift between them. the way her fingers slightly tense, the subtle tilt of her head as she’s watching the other woman’s figure walk off. He watches her, as her words break the silence, as she falters. And suddenly seems to have a change of heart.

He doesn’t stop her. Not right away. Lets her have her space by not reaching out or attempting to go after her. Just lets her speak, watching her fumble. He can hear the doubt, and for a moment, it’s a blatant reminder of just how far apart they have actually grown. How long it had been.

As she turns on her heel, he finally cuts in, composed, and calm as he asks “What’s changed?” A simple question. He stands there, eyeing the back of her head. He isn’t asking her to stay, or pleading for her to reconsider. He won’t. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he can’t with her. He still cared for her, even after all this time. Truly caring for her meant he couldn’t be selfish. He can’t force her. It had to he of her own accord. So instead, he leaves the choice in her hands, as he always did.

If she walks, she walks. And he’d tell himself this was to be expected. But if she stayed… he wouldn’t pretend it wont mean something. And so, he waits patiently, his gaze is sharp, holding out for her decision. To see if she decides this is where she wants to be.

Shoko guesses he wouldn't be Suguru if he didn't turn the spotlight on her whip-lashing, unspoken emotions.

Shoko sets her jaw and lets her head droop forward, doing her best to compose the raging, sickly emotions that'd begun brewing in her mind, heart, and belly. "You're - you're the reason so much work comes through my door, yet you're the reason I can't sleep at night and leave my bed empty,, yet here I am, after four years, trying to blindly climb back into your bed without even thinking of the consequences - about whether or not there'd be someone else - or, fuck, if you were even interested in me anymore," Shoko explains, hating the way her word vomit felt strained because of the tightening of her chest.

"I'm not…" The same sprite, young woman anymore. The brunette cut herself off by biting her tongue and starts to comfortingly rub at her upper arms. Shoko was sure she smelt like an ashtray, despite how clean she kept herself because of her job; her hair was unkempt and starting to get greasy; her clothes were worn and so was she. She was tired - so, so tired. Shoko's fingers tremble and sink into her flesh through her coat. "I got so swept up in seeing, hearing, and smelling you - that I just… I forgot about the world and everything in it." Just like the days they were together - just like it always would be.

Shoko turns back around to face Suguru - to face the one who'd gotten away, despite how desperately she'd tried to cling to him. Although she wishes it to be stronger, the smile she offers him shows just how much life had been sapped from her bones, Yet, amidst it all, there's still a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe she'd gotten the wrong idea about that beautiful woman who's traipsed in with all the confidence she'd once had. Why was it only now whilst being in front of Suguru that she was starting to notice how much she felt like an empty husk of her old self?

"… I got ahead of myself because…" Shoko whispers, pressing her lips into a sad, thin line. "Standing here with you like this is making me remember how much I miss your… stupid ass," she admits, biting out the last words not at him, but at herself for opening up old wounds and bleeding before him. "I guess that really makes me the stupid ass, huh?" She scoffs, arms rearranging to cross over her chest as she turns her face away again to try and hide the flaming blush on her cheeks.

@cigarettedaisychains ft. Shoko Ieiri 🚭

He doesn't say anything, not at first, anyway. Just watches her as she coughs and turns away. Suguru keeps it short and sweet, like always, "That's new." his tone still quiet, but the smallest hint of warmth. When she starts to apologize, he shakes his head, watching as she trails off the moment she notices the spirit he'd summoned to quietly clear the air. Quite literally. All that said, something about her presence brings out the same fondness she used to bring out in him. Subtle, but very much present. and in existence.

She brings up the prospect of him having another 'healer'. To which, earns her a narrowing of his eyes, playful and calculated of course. "Haven't found one quite on par with the esteemed doctor gracing our presence today." he teases, knowing she'd catch on full well to the sarcasm. Even if it was true, of course. However, it's a method to deflect. Suguru knows what she's saying. The thought behind it. That she assumed she'd been replaced, but no one quite matched her. They both knew this.

Maybe that's why he asked. Maybe that's why she came.

A lot of maybes. So when she says, 'Maybe happier is a better word then?' His gaze lingers on her for a moment, shoulders lifting in a slow shrug, his eyes unwavering. "Maybe." he echoes. It's not dismissive, not vague, just… complicated. To say he was happy? That… was not a can of worms he's willing to open or examine.

Of course, when he thinks they'd reached the natural end of things, she finds a reason to stay. She seems to say it quickly, without any hesitation. Those are the small cues Suguru picks up on. He stares at her. Quiet. Still. Part of him knows there's genuine truth in that statement, but there's something else too. Something she wasn't saying.

His eyes narrow slightly, giving her a look that's too piercing, and knowing. The kind that made it seem like he's reading right into her soul. "Really now?" he murmurs, a slow smile tugging at the edges of his lips. He could see right through her, read her, not always, but in times like these, very much so. Something that he knew she personally appreciated. The way he saw her when everyone else only saw her as something of an aid. "I'd appreciate that." he adds, polite, yet unmistakably fond and a little smug, even.

Then, her fingers touch his robes, light, familiar, and in a way that's too hard to ignore. He glances down at the sight, smiling again, slower this time. Warmer, even. She knows exactly where she's brushing up against. Knows him in a way no one else here knows him. With that, Suguru's hand lifts, fingers brushing over hers before curling around them, his touch is subtle as he holds her gaze again. His eyes are saying more than his words, "I didn't think I warranted such top-tier bedside manner." they both know what she's asking. What he's saying.

and just before the tension between them can tip into something more, they're interrupted by none other than his figurehead second-in-command. manami. she steps out, pausing as she takes in the scene before her. He doesn't flinch, he's still holding her knuckles in his grip, standing far too close, his eyes far too soft. He watches as she glances between them with suspicion, but simply turns his head, composed as ever. "Report?" he asks calmly, as if nothing out of place is happening at all. But even so, his fingers still rest over Shoko's, even if only for a moment longer.

If she was going to be bad by visiting him, then she might as well keep the ball rolling.

Shoko raises both eyebrows at the compliment before she scoffs and rolls them, lazily bringing her cigarette back to her lips to hide the smile on her face. "Mmmm, is that so?" she purrs, hating the way her ego was so easily stroked. "Aren't you lucky that this esteemed doctor plays by her own rules, then?" Shoko tsks softly, slowly exhaling milky smoke towards the cursed spirit so it was immediately sucked away.

She's not quite sure what it is about the short, clipped answers she's receiving to her questions, but it's starting to poke at her nerves more than she cared to admit. It was tough reminding herself that the man before her wasn't the same Suguru she'd grown up with. Just when she thought she had that picture of him solidly back in place, Suguru'd beat it back down with every quip, every small smile, and every intimate look he reserved just for her. So as he takes her hand within his and smiles at her in such a heart-stopping way, Shoko finds herself sucking in a little breath and holding it - watching, waiting.

Shoko gets as far as lacing her fingers between Suguru's and opening her mouth to respond when they're interrupted, the flash of pink out of the corner of her eye making her head turn quickly in the woman's direction. "I-- Oh." Manami pauses and eyes Shoko wearily before flicking her gaze to Suguru, a pretty, yet tight-lipped smile painting her features. "Nothing of importance that can't wait until the morning, Master Geto," the young woman bows her head and turns off her tablet with a click.

She wouldn't say anything about having heard their conversation about Miss Ieiri staying, so if asked, she'd make it sound as though the topic was for their ears only. "Well, I'll be on my way - sorry to have interrupted. Call me if you need anything." Manami turns to leave, but after taking a few steps, she stops and turns back around. "And thank you for healing Toshihisa, Ieiri-san," with the slightest of bows in Shoko's direction, Manami turned back around and walked - heels clicking softly on the ground.

Shoko stares after the pretty young woman, and once the assertive tap of her heels disappears wholly, she addresses Suguru again - fingers tightening around the raven's grasp. The confidence she'd felt minutes prior was all but gone with the click of those damn shoes. "I should…" she frowns. "Maybe I should… go - maybe this was a bad idea," Shoko's voice is barely above a whisper as she says this, however she doesn't make a move to pull her hand away until a few seconds later, should he release her. Why would Suguru want to spend time with her after all this time when he had someone as beautiful as his assistant around?

"I'll, um, wait outside for a cab - I'll come back tomorrow." Shoko bows her head and turns to in an attempt to leave, cheeks flustered from the shame of letting her intrusive thoughts get the better of her.