Home was currently the last place Shido wanted to go. It was hard enough having to avoid Yayoi’s eyes in the car, how would he be able to face Riho?

But it wasn’t like he could tell Yayoi “Let’s not head back just yet”. He’d almost... Almost... (He couldn’t bring himself to say “hurt her”, not even mentally.) But in any case, she sure as hell didn’t owe him any favors.

The drive back was uncomfortably silent. Shido stared out the window, or at least pretended to. What the hell did I almost do?

They eased into a parking space outside of the office far too soon. Yayoi’s hand was on the door.

“Wait,” Shido said, before he even knew what he was going to say.

Yayoi paused, turning to look at him. Her eyes were hard.

Shido swallowed nervously, but went on anyway, trying to put his thoughts into words. “Yayoi, I... I don’t know what happened, but...”

“But you want me to play it cool around Riho, is that it?” Her voice held the barest thread of anger.

Shido nodded, trying to plead with his eyes.

Yayoi stared at him for a long moment, expression just this side of pissed. Then she let out a deep breath, almost a sigh, and shook her head. “I won’t say anything to her, Shido.”

Relief flooded him. “Yayoi, thank you—“

“Don’t think you’re off the hook,” she snapped quickly. “I don’t know what the hell happened either, and until I get a good answer, you can go cold turkey.”

Shido winced, but he’d expected as much. He nodded glumly, not looking at her.

Finally, they went up.

Riho was waiting, a cup of coffee in each hand. “How’d it go?” she asked, sounding both concerned and curious.

Shido tried to think of something to say. Thoughts abandoned him.

Riho’s eyes widened at the look on his face. “Was it really that bad?” She shook her head. “Oh, the poor woman...”

Yayoi took a cup of coffee and drained half of it in one go. “It was that bad and worse,” she said, flopping down on the couch with uncharacteristic gracelessness. She let her head fall back wearily, closing her eyes.

“It musta been bad, if it even fazed SuperCop here,” Guni chirped as she emerged from her comfy spot on the bookshelf. “What, did the bad guy tie bows in her entrails or something?”

Riho looked ill. Shido said “Guni, please.”

Guni laughed. “Come on, don’t be such a wuss.”

“I am not a wuss,” Riho snapped, eyes flashing. “I just don’t like, uh, you know...”

“Blood and guts?” Guni supplied helpfully.

Riho looked embarrassed. “Um. Yeah.”

Shido moved over to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. “There’s no shame in that, Riho.”

Guni, meanwhile, seemed to think this was uproariously funny. “A vampire who’s grossed out by gore! Oh, that’s great!”

Riho turned bright red. Shido gave the faery an acid look. “Just because we live on blood, that doesn’t mean we have to revel in it,” he said.

Over on the couch, Yayoi gave what may have been a derisive snort.

Shido shot her a look, too. She met his gaze levelly, almost challengingly, but then she shrugged and let her head roll back once more.

Riho, sensing the sudden tension but not understanding it, looked to Shido for explanation. “Did something else happen, Mister Shido?” Her eyes were wide and trusting.

Silence.

Then: “No, nothing.” On the couch, Yayoi was silent.

“Oh.” Riho blinked. “Okay, Mister Shido.”

Shido felt like the world’s biggest heel.