#ramuann

One may question how he was able to keep up with this, how he was able to consume all of these sweets with no issue whatsoever. After all, the amount of sugar and junkfood was unhealthy for the regular human body. It would cause strains with the body, weight gain being a common problem yet it usually starts there and then goes from there. And it was only getting worse and worse as time went on. Yeah, worse and worse… And they knew it better than anyone. Not to mention how people would look at someone like that, let alone what they would say behind someone’s back… So Raumda’s condition was something to envy to the blind eye. Honestly, knowing that he relied on something for survival didn’t make Ann envy their boyfriend at all. And besides, his body was far from the regular human body. Technically he wasn’t even human after all. So who knows how his metabolism even worked to begin with. But that’s besides the point right now.

Then again, it was a thought commonly crossing their mind as this was one of the few secrets surrounding him they couldn’t figure out. It had worried them at first, knowing the amount of sweet foods he was eating on the regular. But he would always assure them in the end. “It’s ok Ann–Chan! I can take it!” He would always tell them with a light smile. Sometimes it was even accompanied with him holding one of his sweets right in front of their mouth, just like now. It always varied, from another type of lollipop to a biscuit and right now it was a pocky. Said pocky was almost touching their lips, that’s how close it was. And it made them flinch, feeling the chocolate covered part right on their very own lips, the bite being all too tempting as a result. Yet they held back, they had to. But when Ramuda put on his sweet yet calm smile… That changed things almost instantly. But only almost. Yet it was as if he wanted to tempt them, in the way that he would ease them in. “It’s fine, it's fine. Eat up~”

They wanted to turn away, politely decline. “Uhm… Thank you but—” They were so close to say yet the dangling of the pocky against their lips had them almost take a bite. They shut just in time, before it was too late yet their face said it all. The face of embarrassment, as if going ‘Hey, is that really necessary?’

He would probably frame it as an accident, he would always do that. And right now he did so by tilting his head a little to the side, the smile soft yet ever so playful. All while he hummed the word “Sorry~” out loud. Though it was not the equivalent of a well meant apology, as if he was truly sorry. No, it was the opposite of that. Despite the word his tone was just proving that he was beyond amused when watching them squirm, the undeniable urge to resist the sweet treat right on their lips. And thus he kept moving it, right against their lips. Up and down. Up and down.

They didn’t even need to say it. Their slightly sharpened glare said it all. ‘As if you’re sorry’. Though he wasn’t terrified of it, no. Very far from it. He was more than amused, chuckling once more as he kept moving the pocky, over and over, the wide grin on his face. “Don’t be shy. One bite won’t hurt, right?”

Their gaze wandered around, a little embarrassed when hearing that. He really knew what cards to play, how to tempt them and how to get them to give in. And they had to admit that it was working. Though it was not the sweet treat which got them tempted, no. It was his face alone, his entire attitude. He knew what cards to play, always. He looked innocent, always pretended to be innocent. Just someone who was ever so innocently offering them a treat. However, that smile may as well be the devil’s temptation in disguise sometimes. He knew what he wanted and thus he was using his face to get it. And what he wanted right now? Apparently it was seeing Ann at the edge of their seat, all flustered, witnessing them fumbling around. Because that was exactly what was happening right now. And it didn’t seem to stop anytime soon.

Not even when the movement of his hand stopped, the pocky just simply being in the air, pressed against their lips. But now he was not saying anything, making it worse. His face… His smile, wide on his face… Ah yeesh! They really couldn’t resist at that point!

So they opened their lips slightly, moving the pocky stick into their mouth and taking a small yet quick bite on their face. And they felt embarrassment overcoming them, ashamed that they gave in yet again. But he didn’t leave them any choice! He never did! And he knew it, judging from his chuckles.

“Haha, there we go~” Ramuda even said, though not moving the pocky away, not really. “Alright then, eat up. Say aaah~”

He was cruel. Ramuda was cruel sometimes… Sweetly cruel but still cruel.

But how did the others react? Well… Dice did not hide his reaction in any way, looking at the two a little baffled before sighing and saying: “Ok ok, we get it. Mind takin’ it elsewhere?”

“Huh? Are you jealous?” Ramuda asked, sounding very carefree as he did, while looking over to the blue haired male. This one looked only mildly annoyed yet that was not a sign of jealousy. And he made that more than obvious once waving the smaller guy off pretty quickly.

“It ain’t like that and you know it.” He responded. “Just wanting to let ya know that Gentaro and I are here too…”

“Oh I know. But when you had Ann–Chan on your lap when we were at that restaurant it was ok?” 

Oh the memory, Ramuda just had to bring it up. The mention of it had Ann themself all red in one go, staring with wide eyes while thinking back on it. When they had been seated on Dice’s lap out on the open like that, him yanking them right on it with no choice. And why was that? 

“Th… That’s different!” The gambler countered quickly. “There weren’t ‘nough seats so I just… Y’know!”

“Hmm… Nope! Not different at all!” Was the counter Ramuda made however, then going back clinging onto them. “So I get to do this now, hehe~”

“H… Hey. At least hold back for a little bit…” Ann tried to reason here yet with no success whatsoever. It was only met with one of his cheeks rubbing against theirs all giggly.

“No can do Ann–Chan~” He even responded while making them nearly fall over and drop onto the couch, but just nearly. Actually wait they were falling over here!

“Ey dude! Watch out! Right behind ‘em is—” But it was too late, not even Dice’s warning had done it any good. Instead they felt their head bump against something, or rather someone, and hitting themself rather hardly right then and there. In the end they were leaning against that someone while Ramuda had been hugging them now in a more lying position as well, being right on top of them.

“Thou should be a little more careful.” The voice of the person would say, letting out a sigh as well. Yeah, the person they had hit their head on was none other than Gentaro. “Thou could hurt thyselves or someone else.”

“Hehe, sorry sorry~” Ramuda apologized, though was that really an apology? Probably not actually, especially not in the position the two were in. 

“At least try.” And yet, there was something a little off with Gentaro at that moment. Or it was something Ann had imagined. After all, they may have seen him taking a glimpse at the sight, away from his book, yet for a second they swore they saw him looking a little… Envious? No, that was not the right word. Yet there was some type of longing in his gaze, as if he was wishing for something perhaps… And even that smile he put on shortly after when noticing that at least they had been looking felt rather empty, as if he was forcing himself to do just that. “But it is great to see Ramuda back to his usual self, isn’t it Dice?”

“Hm? Ah yeah, sure is!” The one in question agreed quickly, grin audible. “I was gettin’ a hella lot worried here!”

“I cannot disagree with thee.” Gentaro added before getting up from the couch, resulting in Ann now completely falling over with Ramuda on top of them, and thus facing the ceiling right after. “We should leave those two be for a while, should we not?”

“Eh? You’re already leaving?” They even heard Ramuda say with a pout yet honestly, who could blame the two of them here?

“I mean… He’s got a point.” Dice agreed. “Fine, we’ll be back later. Have fun~”

“Eh!? Wait wait wait we—”

“Ann, there is no need. Please enjoy your time with Ramuda. We will not disturb thee.” Gentaro assured them and honestly, not like they could do much about that in the end. They were trapped after all, between Ramuda and the couch. 

Then again, in the end there was no reason to complain. One glance back at Ramuda who was grinning non stop, unable to hold it all back and it put them at ease for at least a little bit. Yeah, there was no point in ruining this moment right now. Just enjoy it for as long as it lasts. Especially after all the trouble he went through… 

“Hehe… I love you, Ann–Chan~”

When looking at it, all of it, the entire picture, he couldn’t help but wonder – Wasn’t he just disposable as well? After all, he was doing nothing different from Dice and Gentaro in the end, was he? Ann reacted in the exact same way to them as they were to Ramuda: Smiling, blushing, pouting, teasing. All of it, the exact same expressions. 

One may argue that he has been just imagining things all this time. But was he really? He would like to think that he was. He would love for that to be the case. And yet… It was a cycle, wasn’t it? One day they might just do the same thing a—

Ah! What had been going through his mind all this time? All he wanted to do was slap himself, in disbelief that he would even consider such a thing possible! And yet… 

Yet… What if there was something about all of this which was true? After all, that dream he had. It would never leave him. It wasn’t real of course, there was no such sickness which would make you suffocate by mere flowers. That was fiction, maybe an early urban legend. And yet, maybe it was a sign if it appeared within a dream. Maybe that was what the woman meant back then. Maybe… Yeah, it wasn’t exactly impossible, right? Because the timing was almost too perfect.

But at the same time he just wanted to brush it off. He wanted to believe otherwise and hold onto whatever he could. Yet at the same time it was eating him up. He cannot think, cannot act. it all became harder and harder to keep up with. It was all just too much in his head. He wanted to tell himself that this was nothing but a childish fear. They had said so after all! 

“I'm sorry! I really am! Just… Don't leave me alone! Ever!”

“Hey, I never could. And I never will.”

“R… Really? You promise?”

They nodded. “Yeah. I promise.”

The words had been stuck in his head. They had promised to never leave him, even assured him as he had been distraught, scared that they would leave him after one lousy argument. They were sincere about it. So he shouldn’t feel like this! And yet… Something inside him made this fear crawl up again.

'Am I enough?’ or ‘Am I special to them? Can’t I be replaced?’ Simple questions he asked himself and prayed that these were nothing but unnecessary ones. And yet, when thinking about that dream… 

Ah, it was giving him a headache. Ramuda was just a mess. He didn’t want to admit it, admit to anything. Everything was fine, he had to keep up that appearance. But he had noticed, he couldn’t do this forever. He has to forget all of this quickly…This nightmare and his doubts.

But he couldn’t. This wasn’t so easy… He could only run for so long. Maybe if he took his distance from everything for a bit… Or if he even distanced himself from Ann for a short while… Everything would be turning alright then. He just shouldn’t expose himself to the reminders for the time being.

A feeling almost as good as gambling itself… Of course he could not let this opportunity slip. So as soon he had noticed what had been going on in his mind he was more than set to let his feelings be known. If he waited for too long, who knows what might happen. He had to strike as soon as possible, take his chance before it slips away and be out of luck. He had to snatch the big win, no matter what! And the big win in question was Ann this time around! So no beating around the bush, hop to it no matter what! Even if you get hit by a truck afterwards, you have to take the chance!

And Dice took it. He didn’t wait long, at all. And he had done so with no announcement prior. He had bumped into Ann by mere chance, first dragging them to the usual – Because he felt like hitting a pachinko parlor before getting to the big event! Just to try out his luck. And if he is unlucky before, the luck should smile upon him later! Well… One can guess then how that trip went. But no matter, it had been a good sign. Balance out the bad luck with good luck later, right? Right! So he was confident that his words would get through!

So, after a few hours and some money wasted the duo had finally stepped out the building, though the gambler would get an earful first. It was the usual scolding. ‘Did you have to waste so much money at once?’ , ‘You need to learn to do it in moderation’ or ‘You should’ve at least left something for dinner you know!’ – Stuff like that. And it all made him sigh, then follow it up with a nervous grin. Yet even if he apologized, it had not really changed anything. The scolding was more than common though, the same spiel. Both probably were more than used to it. So it had not even bothered Dice when the two were just walking around for a little, him trying to lift the mood here and there. All because the brunette seemed to not have been in the best mood at the time. He couldn’t exactly say it then… Right?Then again, it was not the worst mood they were in. And honestly, he was only becoming more and more impatient as time went on. This already had been going on for way too long after all. And his lips were just itching to get those words out. Maybe this was a situation where he needs to take a deep breath, then exhale said breath, turn to them, so that he may stand in their view,  and—

"Ey Ann, wanna go out?” 

It was a simple question, one he had finally gotten out. And yet, he said it as calmly as he could, seeing no reason to turn it into a big deal. It was nothing too difficult, or shouldn’t be. Well, as calm as he may have looked, he was hella nervous at this moment. It was like being in front of a slot machine, just having pushed the lever down and waiting for the slots to stop spinning, one by one. It was that type of anticipation. Now he just had to wait for the jackpot or a massive loss. There was no in between.

He had to wait for a moment however, given they were somewhat shocked and unable to respond in a way… Which only made this drag out. Just as a slot machine would drag it out. “Come again?”

“Wanna go out? That’s what I said.”

“Wh… Why?”

“ ‘cuz I’m in love with ya.” Said with no shame. He could only lose by scoring a rejection at worst after all, right?

And yet, they were beyond flustered, unsure how to respond to any of this. At least that was what their stutter suggested. They were stuck between ‘Er…’ and ‘Uhm…’ and it made the wait only more and more unbearable. He asked his question and gave his reasoning. So there was only one slot missing – The response. And it had to come from their mouth, right? Yet the longer he heard them talk, the more he was doubting his chances. Hah, if it was a no then—

“Dice, what do you think you’re saying?” Out of literal nowhere the gambler got interrupted however in his little scenario, making even Ann go silent and freeze on the spot. The voice was familiar yet deep, deeper than he himself had been used to. He knew who it had belonged to, no way he could mistake it… And yet… It left him a little scared. Or at least have a shiver going down his spine when turning, then looking down.

“Ah– R… Ramuda!? Whawhawha… What are you doing here!?” He asked, shuddering on the spot. Yeah, the smaller guy was smiling, but there was something super unsettling about it. “W… What’s up? Where did ya even come from? Heh…”

“Oh, I was just on my way home after visiting a client~ And then I saw you two here and wanted to greet you, heh~” He responded, sounding ever so cheerful the first second, yet then having a slightly deeper tone in the next, as if handling a switch. “So so, what did you say to Ann–Chan~?”

“Ah— That… Erm…” He was about to respond yet had no chance to. Because to Dice’s own dismay Ann would open their mouth… At the worst possible timing.

“Wait wait wait! I can explain! This isn’t what it looks like, honest!” They said, being nervous yet somewhat defensive. Oh for crying out loud— 

“Haha, don’t worry Ann–Chan, I’m not mad at you. I could never~ I mean, I get why Dice confessed to you just now.” Ramuda responded cheerfully. Wait, the guy had overheard!? Then why— “Buuut that’s still a no–go y’know.”

This left the gambler confused for a moment yet he had a bad feeling about this, clearly. “A… No—Go? Why—”

“ Because that’s my partner you moron. ” The tone was sharp, almost cutting Dice’s own throat. Or it would have. It left him in disbelief, staring and staring… Processing what had just been said… Wait, hold on… That… Ann was… Hah!? Oh shit! Shit shit shit! Was he trying to snatch his buddy’s partner here!? Fuck, shit, crap! That’s bad! No, terrible! He may as well die on the spot! Especially given that Ramuda had formed his smile into a very intense yet sharp glare, as if ready to choke a poor, homeless dude… Ok, Dice was known to be homeless but still! Not the point!

“Ah— R… Ramuda! We can talk ‘bout this! I… I can explain! Listen, I—”

“ Don’t wanna hear it bastard. ”

It made Dice shriek for a short moment, taking a few steps backwards. Don’t wanna hear it huh!? Help, he’s on it now! When Ramuda’s pissed then it’s not a good idea to stay. He has to run. He should run! While he still could and explain when he calmed down, maybe then—

"Just kidding~” However, just when Dice believed Ramuda was going in for the kill, the mood turned around from one moment to the next. Because he smiled widely, chuckling shortly after. 

It made the bluenette stop, staring in disbelief, blinking a few times. “Hah?” 

Ramuda then approached Dice, almost skipping while walking. He was in an… Awful good mood? What a contrast. No, seriously. Literally. “Mhm! Just kidding~ Yeesh.”

“You… Don’t want me dead?”

“Dead? No! Not at all! We’re friends.”

“But I just asked out your—”

“Yeah, you did. I mean, if it was anyone else I wouldn't be kidding.” He responded, not hesitating. The tone didn’t make it any better. Ramuda would kill a man for this!? Guh… “Buuuut if it's Dice, then I don't mind!"

“Ya don’t?” This was getting confusing now, for both apparently. 

Because even Ann spoke up again after a short moment of silence, having gotten a little closer. “You mean the confession, right?” They asked, as if making sure. “I mean, Dice didn’t know—”

“Hey Ann–Chan, are you in love with Dice?” Ramuda interrupted, however, the smile was ever so curious.

“Huh? Wha— Why!?” And as if he had the nail on the head they were turning… Red!? Wait wait wait no! No chance! It’s just some embarrassing question! Nothing more! Yeah, that’s why—

“I mean, you’ve been all blushy around him sometimes. And you two can get a little touchy. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”

“Th… That, I… Well…”

“Haha, you can be honest. As I said, I don’t mind if it’s Dice.”

“You mean the confession, ri—”

“No, dating.” He interrupted, responding with a wide smile, then staying silent as he was staring at the two. 

Needless to say, when Dice had turned to Ann he saw them red, eyes as wide as his own. Both were just looking at him, the shock written all over their faces. Did he just say— 

“Hold on dude! That’s a trick, right!?” Dice asked, still unable to believe his ears.

“No, I’m being serious.” Ramuda said however, very cheerfully. “I don’t mind you dating them too. We can all be happy here.”

“Wait wait wait! That doesn’t make any sense! Ramuda, that’s a little—”

“Hey, we’re friends, aren’t we? So it’s fine. I trust you and Gentaro lots and lots!”

“Gentaro too? So if he was to show up and suddenly—”

“Yeah, if he wants I’d be up for it!” Yeah, Ramuda said this so shamelessly, it was unbelievable. “I’m sure Ann–Chan is happy with this too.”

“Eh? Me!?” They repeated, sounding as if caught red handed. “W… Well… That… I don’t mean… Well—”

“Oh, I noticed that you like Dice too. I said it’s ok. Let’s be happy together, alright? As long as it’s between our Posse!” He said it with a cheerful grin, an honest one. He was serious about this. “I’ll leave them in your care too Dice~”

And that was how that happened… It was sudden and certainly something very unexpected. But it was how this relationship started. It was the day where Dice started to date the same person as Ramuda. Oh what an unexpected turn of events. And yet… To be honest, he was willing to give it a shot. It’s not been heard of and he himself wasn’t sure how this would work but you never know until you try. Could be a fun time. He’s willing to make that bet.

A long story short, to say the least. He had begged them a few times, wanting to know if they wanted to give it a shot. And Ann being Ann, they had a hard time resisting Ramuda. So they had agreed in the end and the next time they met they knew what they were already in for. However, that would take up an entire afternoon… 

The trick in question was exactly as described. Pick out a card and let him figure out what the card was. Sounded simple enough. And the two were following it step by step. Well, they were just picking out a card and memorizing it while he had been shuffling the cards around on the table and picking out the correct one. Or… He tried but…

“Hmmm… You had… This one!” Ramuda announced as he turned one of the several cards around finally, revealing a 5 spade. And he was looking confident this time around, or was trying to rather. As confident as that smile was on his face it was also showing clear exhaustion. 

Why? Because the two have been at it for the past hour. Ramuda was trying to figure out what card Ann had picked from the set. Yet he had not gotten it correct which was honestly impressive… At this point they were wondering if they were really practicing a magic trick or if this had just turned into a blind guessing game. Probably the latter. 

Now, they wanted to get this over with and say ‘You finally got it’ yet they had tried doing so before. Yet he could see right through them, knowing that they were literally just saying that. The tone alone suggested it, let alone the hesitation. So they were not going to try this again, knowing that it would be pretty much fruitless. Yet the two had been at it for a while now too… Hah, this was getting nowhere, was it? Yet they couldn’t exactly tell him off either, as frustrating as it was. He was really being stubborn about this, wasn’t he? 

“Uhm… Ramuda, maybe you should take a break.” They suggested, avoiding the question altogether. Then again, maybe that told him already all he needed to know. No, it did actually, if his sudden pout was something to go by.

“Wrong again? You could’ve just said so.”

“Ah– W… Well… I didn’t say that–”

“But you were implying that, weren’t you?”

“Th… That…”

“Yes or no?”

“Ah!?” They had a choice here but— Hah, no. It was obvious. The both of them knew. “Y…. Yeah. It’s wrong again.”

The pink haired guy sighed, placing the card back onto the tiny table. One could see the frustration, disappointment and exhaustion on his face. Even if he was facing down onto the table and not facing them directly. “Uh… Failed again. This is harder than it looks.”

“Maybe you want to revise the steps? How the trick works I mean and then—”

“No! I can’t give up now!” He lifted his head back up, insisting with a pout from one moment to the next. “I will find your card first Ann–Chan! Whether you like it or not!”

Yeah, this was far from that magic trick at this point. He just didn’t want to lose or something. It was like a gamble. Well, nothing was on the line really so it was honestly just a guessing game by now. And he didn’t seem to let it go. “Eh? But—”

“Ok next! There are still a few unturned ones! It has to be one of them!”

“Ramuda, that—” They were about to say yet he didn’t give them a chance, only turning around another card before they knew it and asking if it was this one. It made them sigh internally in the end. Who knew he had such a stubborn, childish side to him. Then again, maybe it wasn’t that surprising when it came to Ramuda.

Although, even during the times where he was a little frustrated they could see hints of him having fun. Glimpses here and there yet he was just— Wait, maybe that’s why he wanted to keep going, because it was just fun? Even if it was far from what they had initially planned, it was that in the end – Fun.

If looking at it that way they couldn’t help but chuckle. Hah, there’s no use but to play his game in the end, isn’t there? Fine, have it his way.

“No, not that one either.”

“Still not!? Theeen… It’s this one!”

And needless to say… It was obvious that it went on like this for a little while longer.

“ Say say, have you ever considered getting married Ramuda–Chan!? ”

“Ahaha, not at all. It’s too early to think about that. And besides, it’s not the most important thing. Though such a life sounds fun… Living together, seeing another first thing in the morning and the last face when going to bed. Hmm… Sounds like lots of fun! But you don’t have to be married for that, right? Though we could act like a married couple. Just to test it out y’know. It could be lots of fun! Oh, maybe I’ll ask them if they want to try it. It’ll probably fluster them to no end~”

“ Eh? There’s already someone you have in mind? ”

“Well duh, of course. I already said that, didn’t I? I love all Oneesans! But when it comes to Ann–Chan… That’s a little different. Married or not, nothing about that will ever change~”

After all, Ramuda loves them no matter what. He hasn’t thought about it nor considered it anytime soon. After all, he means it, married or not.

“ You have looked more troubled recently Yumeno–Sensei? Could it be wife troubles? ”

“Wife?”

“ Ahaha, just kidding! I know that— ”

“If they would have heard thee, they would have flipped the table right then and there.”

“ Huh? Wh… What are you— ”

“My dear does not want to be referred to as such. ‘Wife’, the dirty word. Perhaps thou should use ‘spouse’ in future? It is important that my dear is referred as they wish to be referred as. They are not here but what if it slips out of thy mouth? Could thou bear their fury?”

“ That— ”

“Arguments with them are a little hard to overcome. They art a stubborn one, so stubborn that they are dense at times. It is endearing yet frustrating. But I would hate for them to cause a scene. Thou surely understands. I am not just looking out for their well being but thee’s as well. I know my spouse after all.”

“ Wait, you’re married!? I… I didn’t know that you are… Actually— ”

“Haha, of course not. That was a lie.” 

“Ah, of course. You always get me Yumeno–Sensei.”

“A force of habit. Apologies, I couldn’t resist.”

Though for a moment he felt as if he was doing just that… Defending his one and only. It is amusing, really. A fantasy? Yes, it is. It would jump the gun. But indulging in it a little… That could never hurt.

“ Yo Dice! Haven’t seen your fiancée in a while. Don’t tell me they broke it off with ya. ”

“Ugh, for the last time, Ann ain’t my fiancée!”

“ Haha, who am I kidding? Given how they keep clinging on you they’re probably still your adorable, future spouse. AIn’t that right? ”

“Sometimes I think you guys just have fun drivin’ me insane…”

“ Oh c’mon. You don’t stop us when we call ‘em Arisugawa–San. ”

“Ah— That— I wouldn’t hear the end of it alright? You have no idea how they can be sometimes…”

“ I mean, they sure got the spouse act down. Lucky you, always broke yet getting hitched with someone at any point… How does it feel? ”

“Can ya quit it!? We’re here to gamble, not for this!”

“ Damn, that flustered? ”

“I wanna focus on winnin’ it big.”

It isn’t often a topic yet it wasn’t rare that Dice is being teased in that regard. Yeah, the gambling buddies have started asking where Ann is these days. Apparently the dudes just enjoy how they ‘keep Dice under control’. They just want to see him put in his place in the most embarrassing ways possible, don’t they? Hah… One cannot believe those guys. He isn’t sure if they believe their words or not but they just roll with this ‘future spouse’ thing now.

But… Well, he still recalls how he felt at that time when the name dropped. Them… An Arisugawa… No, not that. A— He needs to stop thinking about this whenever it comes up. Ugh, he isn’t going to say ‘no’ the thought exactly but that’s a little early. He isn’t going to tie himself somewhere just yet. There’s still more he plans on seeing. But… Maybe someday? Eh, that wasn’t a conversation he could have with them alone to begin with. There’s at least one more after all.