Raito tucked the signed print into a protective sleeve and slid it carefully into his bag. No pause, no lingering thoughts about the exchange—just a smooth, efficient motion. The crowd buzzed around him in chaotic energy, but he moved through it like a stone in the river, untouched by the currents.
Emi gurgled from her snug position strapped against his chest, waving a tiny hand toward a plush booth. Raito glanced down at her and patted her head softly.
"You're more useful than your sister," he said, voice quiet and dry.
Emi cooed in response, utterly content.
He checked the checklist he'd drawn up earlier—figurines, three out of five acquired. Limited pins? Two sets. Posters? Rolled neatly in his bag. Special edition volume of Kawai Kitty's Magical Kitchen Adventures? In hand.
He was making good progress.
He approached the snack vendor next, a booth lined with pink-and-purple signage advertising "Kawai Kitty's Purrfect Treats." Most of the customers were kids, parents, or awkward teens trying to act like they weren't here for themselves. Raito stood calmly among them, unbothered.
"One Choco-Nyan bar," he said to the vendor. "And a bottle of warm formula if you have it."
The booth worker blinked, then smiled nervously at his expressionless face and the baby strapped to him. "Y-Yeah, right away!"
Raito took both items and walked over to a quiet corner of the food court area. He sat on a bench, pulled a clean towel from his bag, and laid it across his lap. He cradled Emi in one arm, carefully feeding her the bottle while unwrapping his snack with the other.
For a brief moment, the chaos of the con faded into a soft lull.
He ate slowly. Emi drank happily. The two of them sat in peace, surrounded by pastel decorations, oversized plush mascots, and the hum of distant music.
Then—
"Raito?"
A voice, clear and familiar, cut through the air.
He paused.
He turned his head slightly.
Standing a few feet away in casual clothes, holding a bubble tea in one hand and a badge tucked into her waistband, was Detective Yumi Aikawa.
Her eyes were wide with a mixture of confusion and… was that amusement?
Raito blinked once, slowly.
Of all the people to run into here.
Yumi pointed at the baby carrier with a slightly incredulous look. "Is that—are you seriously at Kawai Kitty Con… with a baby?"
Raito stared at her for a moment, then calmly resumed feeding Emi.
"Yes," he said, unbothered.
Yumi just stood there, mouth slightly open, like her brain was short-circuiting trying to process what she was seeing.
And Raito? He didn't even flinch.
The peace was over.
Yumi stared at Raito like he'd just told her he was a magical girl in disguise.
"Wait—hold on," she said, leaning forward a little, her voice hushed but intense. "Is… is that your kid?"
Raito looked up from Emi, who was now chewing on the strap of the carrier, her cheeks puffed with contentment. He blinked once.
"No," he replied flatly. "She's my little sister. I'm watching her while our parents are away on a trip."
Yumi's shoulders slumped with an audible exhale of relief. "Oh, thank God…"
Then she froze.
A crimson flush crept up her neck as she stiffened, realizing what she just admitted aloud.
"I-I mean—not like I was thinking anything inappropriate or anything!" she stammered quickly, waving her free hand while the other gripped her drink tighter. "Just—you're—you—and a baby—it's just—!"
Raito remained completely unbothered, calmly adjusting Emi's position on his chest.
"You're overthinking it."
Yumi opened her mouth, then closed it again with a tiny huff.
He tilted his head slightly. "What are you doing here anyway? Doesn't really seem like your scene."
Yumi leaned in just a little, eyes scanning the crowd around them. "I'm undercover," she whispered. "Some of us are rotating through events this year as part of a quiet sweep for a few suspects or hooligans who might show up at large gatherings like this. They want security presence without making it obvious."
Raito gave a slight nod, while remaining unfazed. "Makes sense."
Before Yumi could add anything, the static pop of her walkie-talkie crackled at her waist. A voice buzzed through, distorted by the ambient con noise.
"We got a situation at the back vendor lot. Possible suspect identified—requesting backup for visual confirmation."
Yumi's casual posture snapped to alert. She clipped her drink to her belt, pulling the walkie-talkie closer to her mouth.
"This is Unit four. I'm en route," she said briskly.
She looked at Raito again, more serious this time. "Stay out of the back lot. Just in case."
Raito raised a brow but nodded once, not asking questions.
Yumi hesitated a moment longer, her eyes flicking from his unreadable face to the baby sucking her fingers happily, then to his bag bulging slightly with merchandise.
"…You surprisingly fit this role," she muttered, almost too quiet to hear, before jogging off into the crowd.
Raito watched her leave, then looked down at Emi.
"You done with your bottle?"
Emi responded with a gurgling noise that might've been a yes.
He stood, brushing crumbs from his coat. He still had a few more stops to make.
---
The walkie-talkie static faded into the background as Detective Yumi disappeared into the shifting crowd. Raito stood still for a moment longer, watching the spot she vanished into before turning his attention back to Emi.
She was beginning to fall asleep lightly against his chest, one of her small hands clutching the strap of his jacket. Her tiny breaths were steady, calm. Innocent.
"So," came Kurai's voice, casual and curling in the back of his mind like smoke, "are you going to chase after her and play the hero today, or…?"
Raito's expression didn't change as he adjusted Emi's weight on his chest and turned toward the nearest vendor booth.
"No," he said flatly. "I came here for Kawai Kitty Con. I'm not letting anything get in the way of that."
Kurai chuckled. "Even if someone's life is at stake?"
"Then they picked the wrong day to be in danger."
His response was calm, absolute, and unapologetic.
He resumed his slow walk through the convention floor, eyes flicking over displays of plush toys, limited-edition figurines, Kawai Kitty-themed blankets, and pastel tote bags. Occasionally, he'd pause to inspect a rare collectible, always checking its condition and authenticity before silently adding it to his growing collection.
Vendors smiled politely, more than one of them commenting on how "well-behaved" Emi was. Raito would give them a faint nod and move on.
The excitement and chatter of the con buzzed around him, a world of vibrant joy and nostalgia he had always admired from a distance. This time, he was in it—and despite the occasional side-eyes or stares, he felt oddly… at peace.
Hours passed unnoticed. His bag was fuller now. Emi was awake again, chewing on the ear of a Kitty plush while he sipped a canned drink.
And then he saw her again.
Detective Yumi Aikawa.
She was walking toward him fast, eyes locked on his like she had already decided something in her head. Her uniform jacket was half-unzipped now, revealing a badge clipped to her belt. Her walkie-talkie buzzed with muffled noise.
Raito tilted his head slightly.
She stopped in front of him, catching her breath before blurting out, "I need your help."
Raito blinked once.
"…Why?"
But she didn't answer right away. Her serious expression didn't fade.
The background noise of the con dimmed around them.