Page 43 of The Vanishing

“Ah, well, fair enough.” The doctor grins. “Should I come next week, too?”

As they talk, Haruka pulls Amon up from his vise-like position around his waist and sits him against his thighs. When he’s settled, he looks up at Haruka with bright brown eyes. “Can I show you something?” he whispers.

“Yes.” Haruka nods, whispering in turn. “But first, I think we should apologize for not listening to Mom, shouldn’t we?”

Amon turns his head toward Sora and nods in a polite bow. “Momma, I’m sorry.”

Sora smiles in acknowledgment. “Thank you, sweetie—butlistennext time.” She narrows her eyes, then turns back toward the doctor.

Haruka pats Amon against his back. “And can we also properly greet Nino-sama?” Amon turns his head and dips it in a hasty bow.

“Hello, Nino-sama!”

“Hel-hello…”

Amon flips back, looking up at Haruka. “Can I show you now,please?”

“Of course, what is it?”

He digs into his jacket pocket and pulls out a complex-looking object. Holding it within his small hands, Amon flips the toy around as he speaks. “It’s nanoblocks. It’s a shark, see? And it can open and close its mouth—chomp chomp chomp.” Amon grips the shark’s jaw with his fingers, demonstrating and holding it up a little too close to Haruka’s face.

“It’s wonderful.” Haruka chuckles, leaning back. “Did you build this by yourself?”

“No, Dad helped. It took a long time—ah! Can we please do one together? Next time you come visit?”

“I love this idea. What animal should we choose?”

“Hmm, you pick.”

Haruka contemplates, scratching his head. Truly, he has no clue as to what this line of toys has available—

There’s a pig, a parakeet, kangaroo… a fox and all manner of Pokémon.

Haruka meets Nino’s eyes and his mate is watching him. He has his phone in his hands, a gentle smile on his lips. Haruka grins.Thank you, my love.

You’re welcome…

Confident, Haruka looks down at Amon. “I think I would like to do a Pokémon.”

“Yeah!” Amon brightens. “Which one is your favorite?”

For fuck’s sake, Haru. You couldn’t pick the pig? Or one of the other three you recognized?

Haruka bites his lips, discreetly eying his mate.What the hell is a Pokémon?

Unbelievable—

“Nino-sama?”

Shion is at Nino’s side. She places her hands against his exposed arm, affectionately rubbing him there. “Are you okay?”

Nino nods, briefly flickering his eyes toward Haruka before answering, his words slow and careful. “Yes. Th-thank you… for asking…”

“Please feel all better soon,” says Shion. “Then you can come over with Haru-sama, and me and Dad will make mochi!”

“I’ll help too!” Amon frowns.

Shion sighs. “Amon will help, too.”