2,510Fate/Reach Out
Inaba Chorus 3: Heartbeat, Heartbreak
July 27th, Junes, Electronics Dept., Evening
The blue-haired, blue-capped boy had passed by the large TV screen about a dozen times now. He stared at the blank screen for a few moments before glancing at his pocket watch. "How much longer will this take?"
Naoto knew he shouldn't complain. He lacked the means to fight with the others, but he had no obligation to actually wait for them by the store either. He avoided suspicion by window shopping and watching a few other TVs than the portal one, playing select stations that would engross other kids.
Not everyone knew he was a cop much less a detective. It helped with blending in, but that veil would be removed soon given time. He'd come to this town because of a murder, and regardless of how today turned out, there would still be one to solve.
After all, Satsuki proved to be a mere copycat.
She arrived after the murders started and had laid low. She only started killing when it seemed to be at a standstill, and by coercing her "brother" Mitsuo to do it. As for the Kubo parents, police had found traces of blood and chewed up remains of flesh in the garage matching their descriptions.
The town would be talking about these additional murders for weeks to come, and the true killer would have a preemptive opportunity on their hands. Either they could maintain the momentum by finding another victim while everyone was busy wondering about the Kubos or skip town while the heat was off.
Just as Naoto was about to make another roundabout, the TV lit up in ripples as the Investigation Team started to exit one by one. All accounted for. And before he forgot, he clicked his watch to end the timer he'd set.
Huh, a hundred and thirteen minutes. A good reference to their outings.
"You're back," Naoto said, relief showing in his voice as he greeted them. Though he noticed that the others didn't look as enthused. They were exhausted, as expected, but it weighed on their hearts more than their bodies. Everyone was here though, so what was wrong?
"Did… something happen?" he asked hesitantly.
"We won," Shirou said, sparing a glance to Yosuke. "At a great personal cost."
"I see." Naoto could only surmise that it meant Satsuki Yumizuka was no more. Bringing that up now would be tactless in light of Hanamura's emotions. He didn't know what else to say.
In fact, no one seemed to know. They stood awkwardly in the store, nursing their bruises and fatigue. Fujimura-san broke the tension with a loud yawn and cat-like stretch of one arm after the other.
"I don't know about you kids, but I'm ready to hit the hay," she declared.
"Uh, is sleep really a good idea?" Chie asked.
"Hey, we survived, stopped a worst-case scenario, and it's the start of summer break. What better time for a victory nap?"
"How about trying to figure out where the real killer is? And where are you going Yosuke?!"
The downtrodden teen briskly walked away from the group, only noticed by the others when Chie called him out. He didn't turn around or stop. "If it's all the same with you, I've got a shift to worry about. Coming, Ted?"
"Uh, sure," the bear nodded. He spared the others a quick bow before trotting after him.
"I think that settles that," Shirou said. "Let's go home for now. We'll call and meet up tomorrow."
Chie looked agitated but she conceded as the others one by one left the electronics store, notably in pairs. Yosuke and Teddie, Shirou and Fujimura, Chie and Yukiko…
Which left Naoto in the awkward company of Kanji and Rise. One of whom the latter wasn't entirely fond of.
"You know you don't have to follow us back to the shopping district," she said, as they waited at the bus stop. "It's not like you live there."
"I have to follow Kanji there," Naoto affirmed. "You are welcome to go ahead or leave later at your own convenience."
Rise frowned, and hesitated. She seemed to want to respond right back, but she failed to find the right words to do so. In the end, she kept silent and looked away.
"Hey, no fighting," Kanji said to his ward. "We just got our asses kicked badly, so we're a little on edge. Not as bad as Yosuke-senpai is feeling, but still."
"I wasn't fighting," Naoto insisted. Fighting would be trying to assert his presence in an uphill battle against elitists. "And regardless of the outcome, you all won, correct?"
"It sure as hell doesn't feel like a victory," Kanji groaned.
And from there it was silent until the two teens returned to their homes. No other commentary, no questions, barely a parting wave as they left the bus.
Naoto stayed and rode the bus to a private property just at the edge of town, a place surrounded by a beautiful forest ripe with green pines and leaves in the humid summertime. Just a brisk walk through the aged stone road, with a lesser known worn-down path to the side that led to a secret base he had since outgrown.
To a humble yet exquisite monochrome painted mansion tied to history, as veiled of a mystery as those that solve them. A place that had become Naoto's home for the last decade or so.
Such was a normal ritual of home that he opened the door and greeted aloud, "I'm home, grandpa."
The house was mostly vacant, with rooms full of trinkets and trophies from cases solved. A few rooms were briefing rooms full of stringboards that had been left up to see the process at work. Others were guest rooms comparable to hotel rooms in tidiness and comfort.
Which is why it was a surprise to Naoto to see one of those guest rooms had been left open. That, along with some shifted covers of a recently used bed, told him they had company.
But why? And so soon at that?
"Grandpa?" he called again, hoping for answers.
He heard his grandfather's voice call from further down. "Ah, Naoto-kun. Come in, we have a visitor."
Well, that explained some things. Naoto wasn't sure if he could handle more surprises after dealing with the vampire so soon.
The library was a favorite room for Naoto and his grandfather both. The dark humid colors with most of the light coming from a well-kept fireplace. Naoto had fond memories sitting by the rug in his pajamas, listening to gripping noir detective stories. Cases from fiction and non-fiction, even tales embellished from the long line of Shirogane detectives and their allies such as the Kuzonoha clan.
The most Naoto attributed to the library was a handful of his own cases, as well as every manga book he owned from his favorite stories: Great Detective Conan, Rurouni Kenshin, and Yu Yu Hakusho to name a few. Conan was still on-going, so maybe he needed to check if a new volume had come out yet?
Naoto's musing in memory lane stopped as he noticed his grandfather sitting in his favorite armchair, talking with the surprise guest in the rocking chair across from him. The young sleuth could make out a long streak of cerulean-white hair in a ponytail, under a hairband with dark lines, and red eyes. A young girl by the features of her round face and frame, even with how rigid she was managing the rocker. Or maybe she was just unable to stop because of how fun it was or how it creaked back and forth.
The Shirogane patriarch turned around, greeting Naoto with a warm smile through his aged and wrinkly eyes. "You're back, Naoto-kun. Did you finally solve that case with your friends in the Investigation Team?"
They weren't his friends. He didn't need or want friends. But Naoto never did have the heart to disappoint his grandpa, so he humored him. It didn't even surprise the younger Shirogane how he knew about Emiya-san's group or their cases, his grandpa knew where to look for whatever he needed to know. A true private eye.
"More or less," he admitted. "They've at least accomplished a big hurdle for now."
"I see, I see," he mused. "Well, I'm sure you'll have a fine story to tell and share once you solve it. But where are my manners? I was catching up with Kirijo-san the other day and she wanted to check up on things in the area. So, her associate here is visiting on her behalf."
Kirijo? Why did that name sound familiar? Well, knowing grandpa, Naoto assumed it was one of his many clients and allies that he'd garnered over the years.
The long-haired guest smiled and bounced up, saluting to him with red gauntlets for arms. "Super Secret Agent Labrys, reporting for duty Ms. Naoto!"
W H A T
So many alarm bells were ringing in his mind, but he grounded out with a steady cough into his hand. "Uh… secret agent?" Was this girl mocking him?
"Ah, oops!" Labrys smiled, and playfully bonked her head with her hand. "I'm here on official business with the Kirijo group, so I'm kinda excited. You're related to Shirogane-san so I guess it's okay, but please don't tell anyone."
Okay, so it wasn't a personal attack. And if Labrys was a 'secret agent', maybe she'd been briefed on certain details. Fair enough.
"Just… don't call me Ms. Naoto. Ever again."
"Ah, was that inappropriate? I just assumed because you're a gi-"
"You are mistaken," Naoto grounded out through clenched teeth. "I just prefer to be seen as a boy."
"But my sensors indicate you have the reproductive organs of-"
"Then keep that information to yourself!" Naoto cut off again, startling the poor girl. "As far as anyone is concerned outside of this room, Naoto Shirogane is a boy. End of discussion. Good night, grandpa."
With that said, the young Shirogane turned and stormed out of the library to the comfort of his bedroom. His grandfather stared sadly at his grandchild's departure, and how shaken Labrys was left from the exchange.
"Do forgive Naoto-kun," he said consolingly. "She's very peculiar about her gender."
For her part, Labrys seemed contemplative about Naoto's outburst and showed no signs of conflict. "I think I understand. What I don't get is how you can just call her a girl like it's no big deal."
Grandpa Shirogane chuckled. "Well, I'm her grandpa! I have family privileges."
"Must be nice to have a family," Labrys smiled. The smile turned bitter as faint memories echoed in her mind, as well as the numbers 024.
Her body stiffened, despite being metal, when she felt Shirogane's hand on her shoulder. "Well, as long as you're here, consider us your family too. Naoto-kun could use a sister like you."
The smiling wink was enough to send Labrys over the moon. A sister! She missed this feeling! A big sister to Naoto-! Labrys stopped and blinked. "Wait, does that mean I have to call her my 'little brother' for now?"
"Well, baby steps," Shirogane said.
Labrys could work with baby steps.
July 29th, Inaba Hill, Late Afternoon
Every weekend there was a gathering of children on the otherwise absent hill overlooking the town. It was perfect for outdoor exercise and fun, granted if someone could keep a handle on the children that went there.
"Hey mister, let's play tag!" A young boy in red shorts and a blue shirt asked.
"No, he promised to play house with us first!" A young girl in a sundress insisted. A pair of other girls nodded behind her.
"Huh? But that's for girls!"
Kanji laughed even as his arms were tugged in two different directions. "Hey, the girls did ask first, but tell you what. I'll run with you a bit and then come back when the girls are ready. But only when they're ready, okay?"
"Yes, Kanji-san."
"All right, mister! You're it!" The boy smiled, already running and zipping through other groups of playing kids, much to their surprise and annoyance.
"Wh-hey! No fair, man!" he yelled, starting to chase after him.
Anyone looking into the situation from an outside perspective would probably wonder how the hell Kanji Tatsumi got there.
Sometime after his harrowing rescue, he had decided to get a part-time job outside of his ma's store to get some independent skills. The only thing that sounded remotely interesting though was watching some rugrats at a daycare on weekends.
The daycare ladies were less than thrilled about him being around, as the whole "biker gang" thing followed him. At least they were willing to give him a trial run.
The kids loved him. They didn't care about gender crap as much, so he could play cool, rough games in the dirt or more docile ones with dolls. He could arm wrestle with the boys and have tea parties with the girls.
He was content in finding a place where he could be manly and soft without getting ridiculed. The matrons overlooked his appearance and hobbies because he could entertain all the children. Even Yuuta Minami.
The fact that there were boys and girls that didn't let gendered norms bother them made his day, like a young boy who liked playing with the girls' dolls. Made him almost think back to Shana-chan, who he hadn't really seen since she got whisked off to juvie.
He really owed her for back then, but he didn't know how to fix… whatever they had. Maybe properly apologizing? Maybe he should ask Shirou-senpai for some advice first. But for now, the most he could do now was keep an eye on the kids.
Speaking of keeping an eye on… the daycare shift was just about over, and all the kids had been picked up by their families. Except for Yuuta.
The two of them stood and waited on the hill. It was like a switch had been flipped in that his rumbustious, sort of troublesome energy was all spent and in his place was a timid boy. Kanji had worked at the daycare for a while, so he picked things up from gossiping matrons to what little he saw firsthand.
It was hard to forget Eri Minami. Her clothes looked a little fancier and city-like than the country mothers in Inaba. Long purple dress, brown coat, and almost always a frown on her rather young face. Almost always when picking up her son Yuuta.
Yuuta's mother wasn't his birth mom. She had moved into the countryside at least six months ago and seemed to dread every time she came over to pick him up. Their father was a busy-body businessman, or so he heard, so the one thing connecting mother and son to their family was absent, leaving them to figure out their dynamic.
And today, it seemed like Minami-san was running late… again. Not that he blamed her for wanting to avoid the other gossiping mothers, but she should know the timing by now.
"Hey, Yuuta," Kanji said, startling the boy. "I'll walk you to your ma's house."
He saw a lot of himself in Yuuta, from the absent father to the gossip out of earshot. They all said Yuuta was a bad kid, but all he saw was a lonely boy trying to fit in.
"No!" he huffed. "I don't wanna go home!"
Anyone else would have either given up or appealed harder. Kanji attempted the latter, but remembered that this was Yuuta, who preferred to do things differently.
"Yeah, you're right," said Kanji. Yuuta relaxed, with a sort of conflicted expression on his face. "Walking over there sounds like a dumb idea. How about a race instead?"
"I don't wanna go anywhere near home," Yuuta insisted. He didn't sound all that against running, though.
"What, you chicken or something?" Kanji jested with a smile. "Think you can't outrun old 'mister' here?"
"N-No way! I'm the fastest there is! You're on!"
Without even waiting for a starting countdown, Yuuta bolted down the hill towards his home. Kanji was surprised by his dastardly lead, but he always intended for the kid to win anyway. He just might catch up to him before the end if he paced himself.
He did hope the two found common ground soon, but he was never a smart guy to figure these things out. He'd keep an eye on Yuuta until then, though.
August 1st, Junes, Afternoon
The last few days were a blur for the Investigation Team. They did call and meet up, but none of their hearts or minds were on the case. Yosuke was completely withdrawn and didn't interact with the others unless it involved working at Junes.
It all came to a head when Satsuki's body showed up on a telephone pole after half a day of rain.
Reports came up that a girl matching her description was responsible for not just the Kubo parents, but Morooka's death as well. There were conflicting arguments though as some would attest that Satsuki Kubo wouldn't hurt a fly, though she matched the data of a similar missing victim Satsuki Yumizuki from the next city over.
As far as Inaba was concerned, she was a victim of the serial killer, just like Mitsuo and Morooka. It only added another rumor wrinkle to the murder's rep and garnered more infamy without even trying.
And Yosuke had to keep working at Junes until then. Surprise sales, friendly smiles, and premiere customer service (whatever the hell that meant). He was just now sitting and enjoying his break after a long shift, listening to their song on his MP3.
A shrill voice overwhelmed his earbuds. "Hanamura!"
Internally he groaned and hit pause as he saw two pain-in-the-neck part-timers march over to him. He could barely remember their names but knew them to be gaudy and snooty. "What is it?" he asked.
The gaudy yellow parka student glared at him. "How come Kazumi-chan has the day off but not us?!"
Yosuke blinked. "Huh?" He looked over their clothes, and the lack of work aprons.
"Not today," the snooty, red-dressed student said. "Saturday the Sixth! We made it clear that we can't work Saturdays, remember!?"
"And they said that they'd fire us if we didn't! How is that fair?!"
Yosuke fought the urge to show any sign of annoyance from sighing to rolling his eyes. These two were honestly only working for a paycheck. They wanted money to burn but were rude and condescending even to other customers. Granted they knew how to reign in their behavior but then they'd complain to him for some random concession.
Such as less time working and more pay, which was unreasonable.
"Kazumi-chan is a hard worker who asked in advance for some time off," he explained. "Whereas I recall you two taking absences without leave lately."
The two students bristled, before the gaudy one cleared her throat. "I-I just forgot to come in," she began weakly. "But that doesn't matter! I have a date planned that day!"
"And hard worker? You're just favoring Kazumi-chan just like Konishi!"
Yosuke stiffened. That's right, they were around when Saki was still alive, so they'd know her too.
"We all know you had a thing for her and treated her special!"
"You even told the other workers to ease up on her. Why does she get the manager's son's treatment?!"
"Saki Konishi has nothing to do with this discussion," he said coldly. "This is about you two failing to properly communicate with management about concessions to your work."
"See? Even now you're defending her! She never even liked you!"
"And don't think you can go running back to your girlfriend, either!"
"Yeah, they found her on a telephone pole! Just like Konishi!"
…were these two being serious right now? They were kicking him down now because they knew Sacchin was dead?
"Kazumi-chan has a boyfriend of her own, by the by! So don't think you can rebound on her like the other two!"
"Not that you had good taste in girls before. First a liquor store girl, then an out-of-towner?"
By this point Yosuke had tuned them out and was trembling. It was one thing to badmouth Saki-senpai, a girl he thought he knew and tried to move on from. But to do the same to Sacchin, not even a day after her wake in which her whole "family" turned up dead?
He had put up with enough shit in his life to let one more person push him around. No more.
"Okay."
The girls stopped and blinked. They exchanged glances, disbelieving. "Okay?" one of them echoed.
"Your complaints have been heard," he stated. "And I'll make sure you'll have all the time you need when Saturday comes around."
They looked so smug and satisfied hearing that. It made the feeling of revenge all the sweeter as he uttered the next words-
"Because you're fired."
-And to see those faces slowly morph to confusion and horror.
"…what?!" the other girl yelled.
"You're fired," he said again. "You've gotten too many write-ups, and while the decision is up to the manager, as assistant manager I can let him know you two were more concerned about a coworker's time off than earning your own. You'll get your last check in the PO Box, don't worry. Now you'll have all the time for your date and stuff."
He made a show to up and leave the table. The conversation was officially done, but he knew they wouldn't let it stand. So, they ran to intercept his retreat and cry foul.
"Y-You can't do that!"
"Yeah, this isn't fair!"
"Fair!? Let me tell you something about 'fairness'!" Yosuke finally yelled, shocking the two broads to silence. "It's putting in the effort to work even when it inconveniences you! It's about making tough decisions to help someone else! It's about saying please and thank you and all that kindergarten stuff that our kid customers would know from watching our commercials!
"You two act like you know everything but you couldn't be any more wrong about people! Saki-senpai never did things half-assed! She did everything asked of her even when she was tired! And Sacchin was only scary towards people that ticked her off! Otherwise, she was caring and sweet and even felt guilty!
"So what if Saki-senpai hated me?! So what if Sacchin killed my teacher?! I already knew all that, and it doesn't matter anyway!" His anger finally subsided, and his gaze fell to the store tiles. "They're gone now… they left me behind."
He didn't care that everyone in the store could have heard him. He didn't care that his ex-employees were staring at him gobsmacked from his rant. He didn't even care that he'd likely get written up by his dad after all this.
Yosuke was just drained and tired and left the store without another word. He'd probably feel madder about the reaction if he were less upset.
Because those two bitches were right. He did hide. All the time.
When he first moved, he latched onto Saki as a lifeline. Perhaps that's why he got so obsessed with her. Then after she died, he latched onto Shirou next. And whenever he wasn't around, he followed the sexy and self-assured vampire Satsuki.
Before he knew it, Yosuke was out by the floodplain river, sitting on the grass hill just beside it. He just stared out to the river, wondering what he should do now with his life.
Even if they found the killer tomorrow, that wouldn't bring those two back, would it? Perhaps there was some magic that could bring them back, but he had seen enough anime and played enough games that such a feat was far more trouble than it's worth. "The rules of equivalent exchange" this and "find seven to make a wish" that.
He'd have better luck asking the grim reaper for their souls back.
No, he'd keep fighting because he wanted to keep Inaba safe. The town that Saki-senpai convinced him was worth something. Where he made all his new friends, where he met Sacchin.
A town that had its unique charm and residents like… a lady in black mourning?!
Yosuke had to double-take to see if his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, but sure enough, there she was. An old, frail looking woman dressed entirely in black, holding a cane as she also sat down on the grass hill with a small blanket under her seat. Spots of pale white skin were visible from her neck and face, covered partially by a black veil from a small cap over her aging purple hair.
She turned and looked at him, almost serenely, and spoke, "A young man like yourself shouldn't be associated with me."
"Wh-Why not?" he asked.
She replied, "I am Death."
Yosuke blinked. She sounded so sure, so certain, and given everything he had seen and done, it was probably not that odd of a thing to happen to him. Almost like she came up as he was rhetorically thinking about asking for souls. But at the same time, she didn't seem all that "supernatural". Maybe she just never grew out of her chuuni phase?
Still, a response like that deserved another. "Huh. I thought you'd look a little younger."
It gave the woman pause. Then she started to chuckle which quickly shattered the illusion that she really was Death. "You're quite a flirt, aren't you?"
He smiled, happy to have both broken the ice and getting complimented. "You should see my best friend. He's got like three girls into him right now."
"Oh, I'm sure you must have a sweetheart or two in your life, young man."
"Had two," Yosuke admitted, frowning. "You took them both away."
"Pardon?"
"Well, you called yourself Death, right?"
He felt a little bad saying a joke like that. It didn't feel funny at all. The woman looked mortified, but understood completely and stared at him with pitying, sad eyes. "…I'm so sorry."
No words were spoken for a long while, as they both stared awkwardly at the riverbed.
"You… lost someone too, didn't you?" he finally dared ask.
"Yes," she said. "My late husband passed away quite recently, in fact."
"Does it get any easier?"
"I've been asking myself that since the day he died."
Yosuke wished Shirou were here. He'd probably figure out a better way to help this old lady.
Yosuke also wished to know why he wanted to help the old lady. He had his own problems sorting out his feelings for Saki and Sacchin, and this widower who may or may not be Death incarnate, was having a similar funk.
Maybe seeing someone else feel miserable made him want to lighten the burden?
A few more seconds of deliberation passed before he stood up, walked, and sat next to her. "My name's Yosuke Hanamura."
The widow seemed to brighten and looked him over once more. "Ah, I thought you looked familiar. Your family runs the new Junes store."
"So, are you mad about us ruining the town's culture too?" he asked, wanting to kick himself immediately after. Dammit, hanging around with Shirou too much gave him no filter! He wanted his best helping qualities, not his worst!
The woman laughed again, so his worries were unfounded. "When you get to be as old as me, Yosuke-kun, anger is the least of your worries."
Ah, this woman was actually very nice. Very sad, too. "So, may I ask the lovely lady for her name?"
She smiled under her veil. "It's Hisano Kuroda."
"That's a much better name than Death, if you ask me."
That earned him another grateful laugh, as if it soothed his own aching heart.
August 2nd, Junes Department Store
Teddie was officially the Junes mascot.
His costume was just perfect: comical, colorful, and appealing to children. There was apparently an "interview" that he had to sit through with not just Yosuke's parents (the owners of the Junes in Inaba) but also sitting in with some other branch directors.
He got measured, probed, asked questions, and even served as the sort of "alpha" bear for what other Junes employees would aspire to. It felt so fulfilling to see his costume be made for future Teddies!
Of course, he was still the one and only for now, especially as he was to be tested and graded by some executives on how effective he was selling his brand, whatever that meant.
Because as the Hanamuras and other coworkers warned him about, summer was gonna be brutal. He was NOT looking forward to the heat again.
But if Yosuke could handle this, he could too. And he knew just how to woo the crowd to his presence. Being himself!
"Mommy, mommy, there's a bear on the massage chair!"
"A… bear?" A lady and son shopping duo stopped and stared at Teddie. Indeed, Teddie was reclining on an electric massage chair.
"Ooooohhhh, hihihihihih therererererere!" He greeted them before turning the machine off and hopping off. "Welcome to Junes, where every day is great here!"
"Uh, thank you?" The mother said hesitantly. Teddie shook her hand, which was actually tough given his portly shape and limited arm range.
"You look tense. How would you like a few minutes on our patent massage chair?"
"No thank you, I can't afford that."
"Oh, me neither. For a place that promotes cheap deals, there's no way I can buy it. I can barely afford Topsicles!"
While the woman was put off by his friendly demeanor, he took the opportunity to lead/drag her over to the chair anyway. "That's why I keep coming to Junes. Using the chair here is free!"
"B-But I already-!" the woman's already weak protests ended as she was pushed into the seat and it turned on. The woman practically melted in euphoria and her tension ebbed away.
Another satisfied customer!
"Now, while your mom takes a well deserved break," he started, talking to her young boy. "Wanna see a magic trick?"
"Do I!" The boy agreed, and Teddie wowed him with his stuff. Small light flashes.
Sock puppetry. Super small balloon balls. What would start with one child would always gather a flock in no time.
Teddie made himself known as the "magic bear of Junes". Management always asked how he did it, but he reminded them that a magician never revealed his secrets. He also made a point to do what his sensei called "stage magic" stuff. The book he had was helpful.
And so, while one child and parent left, he was already on the prowl to appease another. Not everyone was welcoming or patient, though. Sometimes rudely telling him off. He didn't let that get to him, as he could still make another kid's day.
"WOW!"
Such as right now, as he wandered near the grocery aisle, a young girl in a pink dress and brown hair rushed up to him. She was the epitome of innocence and wonder, eyes sparkling as she got close, matching his costume height. Teddie had seen plenty of young children excited to see him, but there was something special about this one, he could tell.
"Hi, I'm Teddie! What's your name?"
"Nanako!" Nanako, as sweet as the apple of her name implies.
"Well Nanako, how can I help you today?" He asked, making an exaggerated attempt at looking around. Manager Hanamura said kids love silliness. "Maybe find your parents?"
"My dad's working, and my mom is up in heaven." ACK! Bad Teddie, kids don't like being reminded about death! "And my big bro's doing shopping right now, but he said I could help!"
Okay, he could bounce back with this! "Oho! Shopping for your brother, I see! Do you know what he likes, Nanako-chan?"
"He tends to cook Japanese-style food like rice and katsu."
"Then you're in luck! We have a special sale on pre-made bentos! Plenty to eat, or use for cooking! The designs are super cute too, or so I'm told?"
"Really?"
"Well, not to brag, but I think I'm pretty dashing to have a Teddie-shaped bento, but those haven't been made yet."
"I'd love to have one like you, Teddie!"
"Aww, that's so sweet of you to say! Thanks, Nanako-chan!"
Nanako's smile was a treasure, he decided. One he wanted to see more by helping her shop for her groceries.
Ah, there's Shirou-sensei! Just by the check-out lanes. Though he couldn't really call out to him since he was on the clock while helping Nanako.
Nanako noticed him too, and her smile seemed to grow wider. "Big Bro!"
Wait, WHAT?
As Teddie processed this development, Nanako rushed over to Shirou-sensei's side and they talked animatedly. He could make out her saying how he helped her, and how surprised she was to hear Teddie was his friend too.
It made so much sense. Only a sweet and pure girl could be related to the indomitably amazing Shirou-sensei!
And it completely made his day to see them both smile and wave goodbye as they left the store. Teddie returned the gesture, and before he knew it, more kids swarmed him asking for toys or balloons.
Such pure glee and joy. Life was good.
Probably my last chapter of the year, but I have been getting a lot of creative juices flowing lately. And given how tense things were last chapter, this felt like a good way to tell things will get better.