Chapter Text
“I can’t say you were the guest I was expecting to see.”
Reigen pulled out his plastic-backed chair and sat down, smiling temperately, before Touichirou. “Well - surprise, then,” he drawled, words accompanied by a jazzy little shake of his hands. “Shou decided he wasn’t up to coming in. I had matters of my own that needed attending to, though.”
Touichirou raised his eyebrows. “I don’t believe I managed to catch your name when we last met,” he stated, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
Reigen stuck out a hand for Touichirou to curtly shake. “Arataka Reigen. You were preoccupied with trying to kill me at the time.”
Touichirou let out a small laugh. “Touichirou Suzuki. And the aforementioned matters?”
The man across the table leaned back now, arms crossed calmly over his jacketed chest. “I’d like to thank you for trying to stop Mob last week.” When he offered no more sentiment than this, Touichirou laughed again, more legitimately this time.
“It was the least I could do. Does this make you and I even as well, then?”
Reigen’s smile only grew, pulling at the corners into something so cloyingly sweet it made Touichirou’s skin crawl.
“Emphasis on trying to stop Mob. Trying to kill me, and in front of my kid, at that. Do you know what would have happened had Mr. Serizawa not turned on you in the knick of time?”
“I believe I bore witness to it just last week,” Touichirou answered, feeling sweat beading on the back of his neck.
Reigen let out a harsh laugh. “The Mob to whom you bore witness was directionless - unconscious, even. Imagine, Mr. Suzuki, all that power turned on you in one fell fit of magnetized animosity. He’d have torn you to shreds.”
Only in this moment could Touichirou see straight through Reigen’s relaxed facade: it wasn’t often this man got to feed so unabashedly on the untapped strength of his follower. He was enjoying himself, entertaining the idea, as one might the notion of sicking an attack dog on someone.
Touichirou couldn’t say he didn’t know the feeling.
“I don’t doubt it. And I’m assuming you were the one who managed to calm him down in the end, then.”
Reigen nodded. “He’s my student. I know how he ticks.”
“Student or ‘kid’?”
His visitor didn’t respond to that.
“Regardless,” Touichirou dismissed, waving a hand, “I’m glad he made it out alright. What triggered it in the first place, if I may ask?”
“He was hit by a car.” Forced calm in these words, Touichirou observed.
“No collateral damage otherwise?”
“Mob was unhurt, thank God. A few civilians didn’t fare as well. No deaths.” Reigen’s gaze, since fallen to the tile beneath their feet, flicked back up into Touichirou’s. “I should be getting back to the office. Any other questions?”
“How’s Shou?”
Reigen smirked. “Just fine. He’s moving in with one of Mob’s other friends.”
“Good kid?”
“Very. His name’s Teruki Hanazawa.”
Touichirou laughed at that, knit his fingers together on the tabletop. “Yes, I’m familiar. He was one of the natural-born espers Claw had its eye on during our founding. And Serizawa?”
“Katsuya’s well.” Reigen paused for a moment to consider his words - he seemed to be deciding whether or not to elaborate, but when a self-satisfied smile flickered across his lips, the conman’s choice was evident. “He works for me now, as it happens. Excellent employee. Very loyal.”
“I’m sure,” Touichirou chimed through grit molars.
Reigen admired him, chin resting in his hand, for another moment. Touichirou didn’t lose his gaze, nor yield to his urge to lean across the table and strangle the stupid fraudster ‘till his face went blue.
“Well, Mr. Suzuki, it’s been a pleasure. I really must be going.”
Touichirou politely followed suit as Reigen stood, shaking the conman’s hand one last time. “Good to have you, Mr. Reigen. All things considered, though, I’d much rather you simply send my son in next time.”
Reigen grinned, the look on his face somewhat awestruck. “Some position you’re in to be begging and choosing. You’ll take what you get, Touichirou.”
Touichirou didn’t - couldn’t - respond to that. Before he left, Reigen turned, flashed his teeth at the inmate one last time. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again very soon,” he uttered.
“Reigen.”
The addressed paused, smile drifting away as easily as it had come.
“I am sorry. I’m sorry for what I tried to do to you.”
Reigen stared at him. Then, slowly, he smiled once more - differently now, eyes set with warmth. He was pleased, genuinely. “That’s a good start,” he said. Then he left, and the door shut behind him with a gentle click .