Shimazaki just laughed, his head dangling over the edge of the bench. It’s not like Minegishi ever cared about flattering him or impressing him, which was exactly what he liked about them. If anything, he was prepared for some denigrating remark about expecting to be included.

“Now I’m embarrassed.” He felt a vine slither against the back of his neck—was it trying to keep him from falling? “Well…if you really feel that way…we can just say three’s a crowd and leave it at that.”