Ango smiled at the poor unfortunate.

"So are you telling the truth?"

(Y/n) was enchanted by his smile and she didn't hear Ango's request.

"(Y/n)?"

The girl went out of her trance.

"Y-yes?"

Ango looked at her puzzled.

"Aren't we going to verify if this person is telling the truth?" He asked with a harsh tone.

"Oh..."

Some cherry blossoms appeared at the interrogation table while (Y/n) started looking at the examined person.

"I'll ask you again. Are you involved in the incident?" Ango asked, knowing what was going to happen soon.

He didn't love to take advantage of (Y/n)'s ability, but it couldn't be otherwise.

It was trustworthy.

The man denied.

The cherry blossoms were dirtied with blood and the man faded.

"Are you sure?" Asked Ango again.

Now he knew (Y/n)'s ability like his own pockets.

The demon didn't appear right away.

(Y/n) was sitting not far, keeping her eyes on the man.

She knew Ango was aware of how her ability worked, so she didn't have to say anything.

The man's horrified look highlighted to them that Sakura no mori (under cherry tree in full bloom), (Y/n)'s ability was activated.

The demon assassin was there and soon it would have pointed its sword to the liar's neck.

The man didn't perceive the threat of that ability and didn't change his mind.

Ango spoke again only when the demon's sword was at the man's neck.

"If you tell us the truth, the demon will disappear." He explained calmly.

"It heats hearing lies. It won't exitate cutting your head off... but if you cooperate..."

The man tried telling the truth and the demon disappeared.

Only the cherry blossoms were left, but they weren't bloody anymore.

The man kept speaking, trembling.

When the interrogation ended (Y/n) stood up ready to leave that place, but also Ango stood up with her.

She felt destabilized by his move, like a rainstorm on her sand castle.

Ango had this effect on her.

Even though her ability was pretty strong, her legs gave way under her every time the boy was near her.

This time he was too close, too much for her liking.

She didn't mind it, but she hated how it destabilized her.

She hated how he just had to come closer to her to make her lose herself.

To make her heart beat and make her blush.

Her. Someone who could behead everyone lying to her with her ability.

Her who broke down before him.

Ango got closer and placed a hand on her forehead.

"Are you alright, (Y/n)? You seem pale. It must be my fault... I've taken advantage of your ability for too long today..."

"Maybe yes." She whispered.

It was Ango's fault, but not in the way he thought.

She really wished he could understand what she felt.

Wasn't he near enough to feel how her heart was beating in her chest?

Ango smiled.

"It'd be better if I let you go for now, I won't lose my precious colleague."

Also (Y/n) smiled.

"Thank you... I really need it. See you tomorrow then!"

She sneaked out with Ango's smile in her head.

She sighed.

She saw sparks fly whenever he smiled.

Alas it didn't happen that often.

Ango was always focused on working and it was difficult that he let go of himself, even for a brief moment.

That's why the girl jealously guarded every moment he showed a bit of humanity.

These brief moments were what she remembered better when she thought about him.

She'd love to see him taking just a moment for him, but she knew it wasn't going to happen.

She looked back at the office when she was on the road.

And yet he noticed I was tired. He was so nice with me today.

She sighed.

It was amazing how much she deluded herself so easily.

Once home she remembered the boring business dinner she had that night.

It would have been boring because Ango almost never came to such events.

Still (Y/n) kept attending them hoping to spend some time with him beyond daily interrogations.

Without the permanent mediation of sakura no mori.

One flaw of her ability was that she couldn't see the demon.

Only one who lied could see it.

Everyone said it was a horrible vision.

Also when Ango tried her ability he said something similar.

She took a shower, dug through her closet looking for something nice to put on.

Her gaze was caught by a sequin dress.

She doubted the calm and balanced Ango could love a similar piece of clothing. Anyway he wouldn't be there, right?

So she could dare for once.

She was speaking with another colleague when she saw Ango joining other colleagues.

She swung around and tried not to be seen, but she asked what might have brought him there.

It didn't take long for Ango to reach her.

"(Y/n)?"

When the girl turned in his direction she saw something new in his gaze. Something she didn't understand.

"You also came tonight." She said.

Ango chuckled.

"Sometimes I also need to take a break. Today was a busy day."

He took a break and glanced at the dress (Y/n) was wearing.

"I've never seen you wearing something so... sparkly."

The girl hoped the guy wouldn't notice the effect his gaze had on her.

"Is it that horrible?" Asked (Y/n) with a nervous chuckle.

Ango stayed silent.

"I wouldn't have said so..." He sighed.

It seemed he was going something else but they were interrupted.

Someone complimented Ango's work and took him away from her.

The girl sighed.

Maybe it was better like this.

Her mind always forgot that Sakaguchi Ango was a bad idea.

He was loyal just to his ideals and to his work.

The girl left the scene.

Yes, she should have reminded herself that she could only admire him from afar, but she still wished for him to drop everything for her.

She was still thinking about her fantasies a few hours later.

It was still early, but she didn't particularly like those occasions and every time she tried to leave as soon as possible.

She was almost at the end of the staircase that led out when a hand stopped her arm.

She was ready to break free, but an overly familiar voice reached her ears.

"Are you running away?"

"Maybe I'm not the only one considering you're also there." Chuckled the girl.

"I couldn't let you go before telling you one thing."

He got closer.

"This dress isn't horrible, indeed. It makes you shine... and makes you more charming..."

He whispered slowly, his lips near his ear.

The girl shivered.

She expected everything but that.

She picked and got away from him.

"Do you need information from me?"

She took advantage of Ango's confusion to go out.

She really thought it was the only reason Ango could have told her that.

She walked not caring about the rain and was speechless for what happened a few moments later.

Ango had reached her under the rain and now he was kissing her.

On the street, in the pouring rain.

(Y/n) convinced herself that those words were true and she let go.

Maybe he would have also betrayed her one day?

Maybe, but she didn't care.

Not now.

Now she saw sparks fly.

The sparks she saw whenever Ango smiled.

14/07/2023

Here I am with the second chapter <3

I realise that Ango, particularly towards the end, may not be too in character, but I like the idea I had for (T/n)'s ability too much 😜😜

In this case the inspiration for the ability is 'Sakura no mori no mankai no shita' (Under Cherry Tree in Full Bloom); this time it's a short story by Sakaguchi Ango himself, so I thought it might be perfect for the occasion! I haven't actually exactly read this short story, but I based it on my Japanese literature notes which inspired me in creating this ability.

See you next week with Back to December!!! You'll never guess who's waiting for you ❄❄❄