My Blood Wizard System
Haru feeds Mia a piece of grilled beef—tare sauce dripping—while she giggles and wipes his chin with a napkin.
His arm stays around her; her hand rests on his thigh under the table.
Kojin notices—raises his cup in a subtle toast to Haru.
**Kojin (low, to Haru):**
“She’s good for you, kid.
Grounds the fire.”
Haru smiles—small, real.
**Haru:**
“Yeah.
She does.”
The smoked trout goes on the grill last—skin crisping, flesh flaking tender.
Everyone tries it—murmurs of approval, second helpings.