Without looking at anyone else, he held a lollipop out to me. “Here, sis.”
The entire room sharpened.
Kaede froze mid-breath.
Toma’s eyes actually widened.
Daisuke blinked three times.
The twins exchanged another quick glance—this one not suspicion but surprise.
Even Reo, now seated farther away, paused with his tea halfway to his lips.
Only Kenji didn’t move; he watched with a faint curl at the corner of his mouth, as if this were something he already figured would happen and was glad he’d guessed right.
Shocked, I took the lollipop. “Thanks. . .bro.”
Hiro unwrapped his lollipop with a single flick of his thumb.
Smooth.
Fluid.
He’d definitely done that a thousand times.
Alright then.
I did my best to mirror him and failed.
Daisuke's shoulder twitched—the barest movement, but I caught it.
Amusement.
I gave up and used both hands to take off the wrapping. The plastic crinkled softly between my fingers.
Hiro watched me with intrigue and lifted his lollipop to his mouth.
Fast, I did the same.
Together, we placed them on our tongues.
Oh damn.
The flavor hit instantly—dark cherry syrup, warm vanilla sugar, and a tiny spark of citrus that melted against my tongue like an illicit secret.
No wonder he’s always sucking on these.
This was not sweet or childish. This was a grown man’s candy. A killer’s indulgence refined into softness.
Kaede straightened with new respect.
The twins eased back in their chairs, suspicion dissolving into something closer to allegiance.
Toma let out a sharp, approving huff—almost a laugh.
Daisuke’s chin dipped once and then he blended back into the surroundings.
Next, Hiro faced the Claws and pulled out the lollipop. “Have you all met Nyomi?”
