Page 50 of The Tainted and the Tamed
“Then how would I close my own? Mine is already carefully packed, unlike yours.”
Haruki shook his head in amazement. How could two political rivals go from screaming at one another in the Diet chambers to having silly arguments about folding clothes? If even these two could fall in love, there was hope for every vampire heart.
“Can we get back to the part about you leaving?” Haruki implored.
Junpei’s hands went to his hips. “Both of us have business to conclude at our respective homes before returning to the capital next month.”
“And neither of us wants to be stuck here in your mountain snow,” Daisuke added, a poorly folded kimono in his arms. “You should make your travel arrangements early. It’s been a long time since anyone had to prepare a train car for you. Give the poor workers some time to air the thing out.”
Haruki folded his arms.
“No!” Junpei exclaimed.
Daisuke looked affronted. “I’m just going to refold it—”
“Not you.Him.” Junpei’s glare at Haruki intensified. “You said you were going to support us.”
Daisuke’s head swiveled between the two of them. He didn’t know Haruki anywhere near as well as Junpei did. So he did not see what was plain to the other chairman.
Haruki was having second thoughts.
Haruki cleared his throat. “After everything that’s happened—”
“No,” Junpei repeated.“You do not get to back down from this. It’s time you returned to Miyoto and did your duty. What happened to saving the cities from polluting factories? Where did your convictions go?”
“It would be best if I stayed here for now,” Haruki said, quietly this time.
“I was going to support you,” Daisuke said, now caught up on what was happening and red-faced with anger. “After all of this—do you have no honor left at all?”
Haruki closed his eyes. “It’s not a matter of honor.”
“Like hell it isn’t!”
“We’re not samurai or daimyo anymore—”
“Why don’t you give up your seat, if you’re going to be useless?” Daisuke spat out. “We came to help you. We risked our lives for you, and protectedyourhome andyourterritory. And you can’t be bothered to show up for us.”
“I’m not saying I’ll never come—”
“You’re not saying you ever will, either,” Junpei chimed in. Disgust evident on his face, he turned to Daisuke. “Forget him, Dai. We don’t need his help.”
With shaking hands, Daisuke returned the kimono to the trunk, its collar still sticking out at an odd angle.
“I still support you.” Haruki took a step back. “I can write a letter—”
“You can drag your sorry ass to the Diet for once. Dammit, Haruki, I actually was starting to like you.”
“Youdolike me.”
With visible self-restraint, Daisuke turned away. Junpei seized Haruki’s arm, guiding him into the hall.
“Junpei,” Haruki tried as he found himself shuffling back to his own rooms. “I just can’t go back there—”
“I know you think that.” Junpei’s nostrils flared. “But if you won’t stand up for what you think is right, then who will? If you have any morals or convictions left, you’ll go to Miyoto within the month.”
“I caused a political disaster last time. No one wants me there.”
“That can be dealt with. The only obstacle here is you.”
