Chapter Text
“Holy shit, did we just time travel?!” Yuji gapes.
“Well, yes, but actually no,” Megumi replies.
The warm, balmy night air ruffles the jetlagged teens, carrying the scent of burgers, freedom, and guns. The vantage point of the Los Angeles airport gives them a sprawling view of the glowing city. They get their luggage (with the help of Megumi's expert kitten wrangling skills). They make their way to the taxi pickup area and devise their perfect scheme…
“Hollywood Boulevard has the most celebrities, so we should stake out there to find Kl*y,” Megumi says.
“But we need better clothes in order to fit in!” Nobara counters.
“Er, guys? I'm kinda hungry,” Yuji pipes up as his stomach rumbles. Megumi's stomach growls too; Nobara swears her stomach doesn't harmonize. Megumi sighs as he forms the hand signs for the Divine Dogs. Yuji and Nobara squeal in joy as they are reunited with the black and white doggies.
*There is no way these two will make a successful date happen…*
“Alright guys, we'll let my dogs find us some food.” The gang cheers as the dogs sniff out the Brown Derby restaurant. Megumi runs Gojo’s card, ‘not like he'll notice,’ and they check into the Beverly Hills hotel.
“So guys, where do you think we'll find K*ay?” Yuji says as he snuggles under the covers.
“I'll have my dogs on the lookout,” Megumi says.
“I suggest Beverly Hills, it's a huge celebrity hotspot,” Nobara replies. “We could even go clothes shopping on Rodeo Drive, I could help you get the perfect outfit for your date!”
“Good luck with that,” Megumi deadpans.
“You're clearly underestimating my expert skills!”
“My confidence…”
They awaken with two goals: breakfast and bloodlust. First, they enjoy an authentic American diner breakfast at the Waffle House, which was disappointingly uneventful, and then they hit up the boutiques. Yuji comes out of the stores significantly more burdened than before, balancing a wobbly tower of shopping bags. They stop by their hotel to change into their new getup. Megumi found some black jeans and a silver chain, which complement his black hair and navy blue eyes quite well. Nobara recommended Yuji for shorts and a tank top to show off his muscles, and she convinced him to get a suit for the date. Nobara splurged for herself, getting many shirts and accessories. Now thoroughly engrossed in American cultural apparel, the trio agrees to widen their search, deciding to head to the Santa Monica Pier to see if the dogs sniff out the enemy.
The salty Pacific Ocean winds stir the air. In the distance, waves crash as Yuji sits at the edge of the pier; dangling his legs in silent reverie.
“All that work and not one sign of K*ay,” he says, resting his elbows on his legs. Megumi ambles down the pier with Nobara before spotting Yuji at the end. He pauses before leaving Nobara behind and sitting beside Yuji on the dock.
“So, I guess you're not taking the lack of K*ay well, huh,” he states. He lets the moment hang, staring at the reflective water and folding his hands.
“No! Well, maybe… It's just that I'm thinking of the worst-case scenario, y'know?” Yuji admits. “If I can't save Megan and be her knight, then I can't get a date, and I'll die alone! It's…my worst fear…” he whispers, bottom lip quivering.
“Don’t worry Yuji, we’ll find him,” Megumi replies as he awkwardly pats Yuji on the back.
A new voice cuts the delicate scene from behind the boys’ backs. “Find who?”
Yuji whips around with a murderous gaze. “YOU!!!”