Work Text:
According to the report, this was supposed to be one of Ayatsuji Yukito’s “less dangerous” cases. Of course, the government doesn’t just hand out the moniker “Homicide Detective” and ask you to explain why the sky is blue. No, instead this was a not-so-dangerous case, where a powerline fell on their target. He was a government worker turned murderous ability user. Thankfully, Tsujimura didn’t know him.
While most agents would celebrate their target being incapacitated (well, dead due to Ayatsuji’s ability “Another), the random falling of the powerline triggered a fire to start in a recently abandoned building. Ignoring Ayatsuji’s call, Tsujimura ran into the building to ensure that no one was inside—she did not realize it was abandoned.
In retrospect, Tsujimura would have to agree, this wasn’t that dangerous of a case.
The flames were not surrounding her like in a dramatic movie, instead, smoke was only lightly filling the air. The building wasn’t too big either, making it easy for her to navigate around the boxes and call out for survivors. Her brain must have been on auto-pilot, as she didn’t put together the “for sale” sign outside the door, or the packing boxes filled with randomly assorted junk. After receiving no reply and finding no endangered innocents, Tsujimura made her way outside the building to a waiting Ayatsuji.
“Did you have a grand time making sure none of those poor boxes were going to be damaged?” He asked before she could speak. “Don’t worry, the fire department is already here. They’ll make it.”
Tsujimura frowned, “Even so… there was no telling if some poor homeless citizen would have…”
“The previous owners only left a few days ago, just by simple observation of the building’s state.” The detective finished. Ah, simple… Simple for him might as well be complex for every normal person. Though, he likely used the word to further humiliate her. As Tsujimura sighed, she noticed a splash of red near the flaming building. Before she could get a better look at the small figure, it vanished down the alley.
“If you’re going to get as distracted as a squirrel, there’s no point in attempting to converse with you.” Tsujimura blinked and looked back at Ayatsuji.
“Sorry, I thought I saw something..” Tsujimura replied, feeling guilty despite knowing the cold man she was apologizing too.
“There was a little girl in that alley, but she doesn’t pertain to the case. Speaking of, I’ve finished what the government needed me to do. So, like a good dog, I should be heading back to my doghouse.”
Tsujimura would comment on his callous reply to her concerns, but that would ultimately get her nowhere. Instead, she shook her head at the metaphor and began walking.
“Normally we have problems with keeping you inside, Sensei.”
“The weather isn’t ideal for a stroll,” is the throw-away reply Tsujimura received as she lead Ayatsuji back to his office.
The office and apartment are relatively normal, Ayatsuji has two cats, a desk, a place to eat, a place to sleep… and then the dolls in the basement. He was so close to being normal, yet his skeleton in the closet was a creepy room with dolls watching Tsujimura’s every move. She doesn’t like to take visits down there, and typically spends most of her time in Ayatsuji’s office… and kitchen.
After encouraging (hounding) Ayatsuji to finish the report, Tsujimura took the sheet to turn it in to her boss in the next morning. If she hurried, she hoped maybe she could…
“Don’t go searching in places you don’t belong,” Ayatsuji warned her as she prepared to leave. Of course, of course, he knew… But that wouldn’t stop her.
“Have a nice night, Sensei.” Tsujimura waved as she left the building. She walked to her car parked not too far outside and climbed in. She just had one more stop to make.
After parking her car outside the ashy building, Tsujimura wandered back to the alley she saw the figure run into. She honestly did not expect to find anyone, but Tsujimura wanted to at least try. For some reason, she felt a need to find closure.
As she expected, there was nobody in the alleyway, but as she was heading back to her car, Tsujimura heard a crash from inside the burnt building. Ignoring the warning like a main character from about every horror movie ever created, Tsujimura opened the front door and peered inside.
While the walls had suffered minor burn damage, and the air was slightly smoky, the building was mostly intact. Tsujimura would have to say that everything looked similar to when she last went inside, except for the girl lying on the ground.
Tsujimura immediately made her way to the girl, and when she grabbed a hold of her arm to help her up, the girl raised her head to stare at her.
“Are.. are you alright?” Tsujumura asked after a few seconds of staring in silence.
“I think so.” The young girl doesn’t try to explain why she’s here or what the loud noise was. It reminds Tsujimura of someone.
“Well… what are you doing here? Should I call your parents?” Tsujimura began speaking in a softer voice, worried that the girl could be scared of her.
“My parents gave me up,” the girl replied without missing a beat.
Oh… oh god. Tsujimura can’t help but feel sorry for the girl, but at the same time, she said it with such an impartial face. Just… what has she been through to warrant those types of reactions? Tsujimura frowned, and now here she was, all alone…
“Don’t… you have some family to stay with? Did they live here?” Tsujimura asked before she could stop herself.
The girl shook her head. “This place used to be a doll store,” she answered, explaining nothing and everything at the same time.
“Do you want to come home with me?” She blurted out suddenly. This produced a bit of a shocked expression on the young girl’s face. Well, obviously it would. Tsujimura didn’t even give this girl her name!
“Uh… I’m Tsujimura Mizuki. I wouldn’t… mind giving you someplace to stay even if just for a bit. If you don’t want to I can—”
“I’ll go,” the girl decided before Tsujimura could finish. “My name is Mei.”
Tsujimura notes the lack of a surname and decided that it’s best to not overwhelm Mei with questions. After leading the young girl, who can’t be over the age of 14, to her car, Tsujimura drove both of them to her residence. It wasn’t large, but it was enough for just Tsujimura. Luckily, there was one spare room that she had Mei sleep in.
When Tsujimura got settled in for bed and laid down, reality began crashing down on her. She just took in a random kid off the street, and she works a full-time job that often sends her into overtime. But… Mei was alone. She had nobody, nobody until Tsujimura went out of her way to find her. Perhaps, then, Tsujimura sees herself in Mei. Her childhood was filled with watching spy movies alone, pretending that the main character was her mother and that in a way her mother was telling her all about her day. Spy movies, instant meals, cleaning the house, unnerving silence, late-night calls, always hitching rides with friends…
Tsujimura sighed, “no, it’s not like that… No child deserves to be left alone!” She looked to her right to see Mei standing in the doorway and shrieked.
“Do you always talk to yourself that loudly?” This was the longest reply Tsujimura got out of Mei, and of course, it was a snarky one.
“Did you want something?” Tsujimura held back any hasty reply and answered the girl in a soft voice.
“Your thinking is too loud for me to sleep.”
Tsujimura stared at the child, opening and closing her mouth to try and find a reply while not further damaging her reputation.
“I’ll… try to keep it down.”
Mei nodded and disappeared from the doorway. Just what had Tsujimura gotten herself into…?
Tsujimura’s morning started like every other morning. She woke up, got herself ready, then stopped by her boss’ office to drop off Ayatsuji’s report. It was a bit concerning; Mei was like a ghost. She followed Tsujimura’s routine and didn’t object to anything. Tsujimura should feel relieved that she picked up a child that well-behaved, but… most children would have strong reactions to a completely new schedule, right?
Wait, does this make her sound bad?
Due to how fast she took in Mei, Tsujimura didn’t have any plans for what to do with the young girl exactly. She was planning on enrolling her in school, but she has work and last night was too late to do such a thing. Also, Ayatsuji wasn’t supposed to be getting any important cases today, so she thought that...
She decided to bring Mei to Ayatsuji’s office, which is honestly a horrible decision. Tsujimura has heard Ayatsuji comment on children in the past… and none of his comments were positive. Perhaps Mei was an exception… at least that’s what Tsujimura hoped as she entered Ayatsuji’s residence. Mei followed behind, silent and gazing around at everything. The room didn’t look too… off. Tsujimura would just have to keep Mei away from the creepy basement.
When she opened the door to the office, she found Ayatsuji reading a book (probably on dolls, murder, or anything grotesque). Noticing her entrance, Ayatsuji looked up and stared at the child silently. Mei stared back at him. Tsujimura wondered if they were having a telepathic conversation.
Tsujimura, the brave soul she is, decided to break the silence and clear her throat. “This is Mei. I found her last night, and took her in…” Tsujimura can almost foresee the snarky reply.
“Ayatsuji Yukito,” he introduced himself without a sly comment or quip. Tsujimura’s face must have looked ridiculous.
One of Ayatsuji’s cats peeked from around the corner of his desk, and Mei chose to focus on the more important things in the room.
“A cat.” She remarked elegantly while walking over to Ayatsuji’s desk and sitting by his foot to pet said cat. The cat seemed to not mind her presence and leaned into the petting.
“The other one is eating in the kitchen,” Ayatsuji answered, without any bite or patronizing words to follow.
Mei took this information to heart and picked up the cat near her feet, then began to walk out of the room to find the other cat.
“M-Mei…”
“I’ll be with the cats.”
Just like that, she was gone, and it was only her and Ayatsuji.
“Um…”
“Do you ever stop to think before you act recklessly?”
“She’s just a child, Sensei. I couldn’t just ignore her!”
“Instead, you decided to take her in, completely unprepared and naïve to the perils of parenting. Most people tend to plan out having children.”
“Well, I’m not most people!” Tsujimura huffed.
“Do you want me to congratulate you?” Ayatsuji retorted.
Tsujimura could feel a headache beginning to form, and pinched the bridge of her nose. Sometimes talking with him was like talking to a wall…
“Nonetheless, how long do you honestly expect this to last?”
“Excuse me?” Tsujimura moved her hand back down to stare at him.
“This picture-perfect charade of mother and daughter,” Ayatsuji explained.
“It… This is really none of your business Sensei. My job is to watch you, not to be scolded for my reasonable decisions,” Tsujimura crossed her arms.
Either Ayatsuji lost interest in the argument, or he didn’t feel like bickering until one of them gives in. Instead of giving her an answer, he began to light his pipe and smoke.
After that particularly gruesome day, where Ayatsuji continued judging Tsujimura’s decisions, things got a bit easier for her. She enrolled Mei in a public school and somehow convinced her boss to help her skip all the legal nonsense of adoption and sign the papers. Every day, without fail, Tsujimura would try to find something fun for the two together. Whether it be watching spy movies, visiting famous parks, or going shopping. Tsujimura would make Mei’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner, then they would eat as a family. Overall, she was giving the child very little time by herself. She remembered vividly waiting for her mom to come home every night. Sometimes, she wouldn’t even come home, and Tsujimura would barely get much of a notice. She didn’t hate her mom but… she wants to do better. Things were looking up for Tsujimura, and she took quite an amount of pride in knowing that she’s setting Mei on the right path.
That was until she got a phone call.
When she was on a lunch break, she got a call from an unknown number and picked up. The woman on the line was the school’s superintendent, who was concerned because Mei had simply not been attending any of her classes. This, for one, shocked Tsujimura. Mei always remarked that she could ride the bus instead of having Tsujimura drive her. In hindsight, Tsujimura should have been a bit skeptical, given that one of Mei’s protests to even attending school was: “I don’t like children.” But she didn’t expect to be lied to like this…
Tsujimura decided to cut her break short and return to Ayatsuji’s office so that she could inform him that she needs to go find wherever Mei runs off to. She would text Ayatsuji, but the detective never replies to her texts and leaves her wondering if she was left on read or he simply didn’t use his phone a lot (it’s likely the former, knowing him).
When she entered his house, she heard voices coming from the basement. Normally, this would not be a big concern for her. Ayatsuji frequents that disturbing basement often. However, she heard voices. Not just his. If someone was here, they could be compromised. Tsujimura quickened her pace to the door. How did they even get past the sniper team…? Tsujimura opens the door, peering down the stairs into the darkness. She could make out both of the voices now.
“Mei!” She shouted into the darkness. The voices went silent, and the slow, gradual sound of someone walking up the steps filled the void. Mei appeared in front of her on command, with Ayatsuji not too far behind.
“What.. What are you doing here? You should be in school, learning. Instead, you’re in Sensei’s basement?!”
Mei stared up at her for a few seconds, “I was looking at the dolls.”
“I… You can do that when you’re not in school.” Tsujimura shook her head. The girl really… doesn’t think what she’s doing is wrong. Tsujimura shifted her gaze to Ayatsuji. “Sensei, why would you encourage this?”
“Mei is not my responsibility. I cannot help that she found her way around the sniper team, intruded in my home, and asked to pet my cats and view my doll collection.”
Tsujimura blinks, “Yes, yes you can help! You could have told me!”
“I did not feel as if it was within my lane, so to speak.”
“You always go out of your lane and hit people!” Tsujumura exclaimed, raising her hands in the air for emphasis.
“In that case, you do understand that what you’re doing won’t change the past and how your mother treated you, right?”
“....” Tsujimura stayed silent. She’s shocked, but she shouldn’t be. He always does this, he always goes for the low blows so nonchalantly. As if he’s the most perfect person ever, and anyone outside of his worldview is just another idiot merely living day by day. Finally, she found a reply: “That has nothing to do with this…”
“You wished your mother would have been around more often, and so you’re trying to compensate using Mei. You are attempting to live the childhood you wanted through Mei. If you don’t realize that you do need to see it before it’s too late.”
Tsujimura isn’t the type of person to flip out on people, but Ayatsuji’s words hit too close, and she was just so tired of it, of him. She scoffed, “You don’t even like children, no, you don’t like anyone but yourself. I’m surprised you can see from overtop your pedestal! You may have known my mom, but you don’t know me, and you have no right to make such remarks! I am not going to listen to you run your mouth without regard for people’s feelings any longer! Mei, come on!” She didn’t mean to yell at Mei, but the emotions rising in her chest were not fading anytime soon. She felt sorry and felt like apologizing, but she wouldn’t do it in front of him.
Mei, who had witnessed the entire confrontation, remained silent and walked towards Tsujimura. She turned back to Ayatsuji briefly, “goodbye Yukito.”
Tsujimura didn’t feel like thinking about why Mei was already on a first-name basis with Ayatsuji, instead, she marched out the door. Mei followed behind like a ghost.
At this point, Tsujimura has enough self-restraint to not slam her car door closed as she and Mei got inside. But, she isn’t done yet.
“Ugh… Just who does he think he is?! Would he rather me just watch as children die out on the streets? He couldn’t just stop there, no, of course, he can’t. He just has to bring my mother into this! He knows she was the reason for me becoming an agent, and he used it against me! Unbelievable…” Tsujimura shook her head as she turned on the engine. She felt a pat on the shoulder and realized that Mei was also in the car with her. Mei watched her entire freak out, and she yelled at her…
“I’m so sorry Mei… I really shouldn’t have let him get to me like that…”
“It happens,” Mei replied, moving her hand away from Tsujimura’s shoulder. “Even the kindest person can get mad.”
“I’m an adult,” Tsujimura argued. With a child. “I should have been mature enough to at least keep you out of the fight…”
“It was loud, I still would have heard it.”
That doesn’t make Tsujimura feel better. She sighed as she began a trip home. There was no use in bringing Mei to the school this late, and she just stormed out of her job.
Though, when they made it to Tsujimura’s home, she was curious.
“Have you… really been hiding out at Ayatsuji’s place right under my nose?” Tsujimura asked, and dreaded the answer that she was dying to know.
Mei nods. She was seen entering the building with Tsujimura before, so the snipers thought little of her. Even though she was a school-age child. Perhaps the snipers thought little at all.
The aftermath of Tsujimura’s outburst consisted of calling in sick for work, as well as making sure Mei went to school each and every weekday. She drove and picked up Mei, instead of subjecting her to the noisy bus. There was an obvious tension in the air, but Tsujimura did her best to ignore it and remain happy around the girl.
The faux peace lasted no longer than a week.
During breakfast one morning, as Tsujimura set down some eggs and toast, Mei said:
“I want to see the cats and the dolls again.”
What Mei was really saying was: it’s time to make things up with Ayatsuji. While that was true, Tsujimura dreaded the idea of returning to that man after her outburst. If anything, Ayatsuji should be the one to apologize first. But there’s no way Ayatsuji would be the first to contact her—not that he could because he apparently doesn’t use phones and is guarded 24/7 by a team of snipers. But hey, the snipers haven’t stopped him before.
Tsujimura sighed. Even if she wanted to, she can’t keep avoiding her job like this. There’s no doubt she’ll be working overtime for weeks because of this stunt…
“We can go there after breakfast…” Tsujimura relented. Mei perked up a bit in response. While she isn’t one to smile, Tsujimura has begun to be able to detect changes in her demeanor from small signs. Of course, even with this knowledge… she knew that Ayatsuji was right to a degree. Mei had likely confided in Ayatsuji to complain about Tsujimura’s erratic parenting style.
How in the world had Ayatsuji of all people become a better parent than her?
Her boss was extremely relieved that Tsujimura could come into work today. Apparently, they had been through three interns in a series of only five days. Before heading to Ayatsuji’s house, Tsujimura stopped by a coffee shop to get an espresso to help pep her up. Since she was there, she got Mei a hot chocolate to focus on as well.
It wasn’t like Tsujimura was trying to delay the inevitable.
Reaching Ayatsuji’s office at a leisurely pace, Mei all but invited herself into his home and ran off to presumably pester the cats. Tsujimura wondered just how well the two had gotten along, regardless of Ayatsuji’s cold attitude towards… well, everyone.
Tsujimura sighed as she knew she couldn’t delay it any longer. She walked inside and found Ayatsuji smoking at his desk, unbothered by Mei’s sudden reappearance and snatching of the cats. Ayatsuji either doesn’t notice Tsujimura enter, or he doesn’t care that she’s back. It’s likely the latter, so she took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry for my outburst, Sensei.” Tsujimura still felt hurt by his words, but she knew better than to think Ayatsuji of all people would apologize for hurting someone’s feelings.
Ayatsuji breathed out, then slowly set his pipe down. He then relaxed back in his chair.
“I suppose what I said went a bit over the line.”
Was… was that an apology? It’s Ayatsuji, so… she’ll gladly take it.
“Just try to be careful around such topics, Sensei…”
“I can’t help but point out my observations.”
Ah, there’s the Ayatsuji she is forced to babysit. Mei peeked into the room as Tsujimura shook her head. She stared at Ayatsuji and only Ayatsuji noticed.
“Somehow, it feels like you’re a better parent for Mei than me,” Tsujimura admitted suddenly, more in a jokingly manner, even though it was something she felt. “She never seems to enjoy anything we do.”
“If she did not at least tolerate your presence, she would have simply left a while ago,” Ayatsuji pointed out. “The strongest virtue of a parent is understanding, while a vice is assuming a child will enjoy what the parent enjoys.” Ayatsuji looked up at her.
Tsujimura shuffled her feet, “I’m just trying to figure out what she likes.”
“Did you start with spy movies?”
“... You really enjoy making guesses about my personal life.”
Ayatsuji smiled, “Simple observation. Perhaps aided by correspondence with Mei. She does talk a lot if you listen.”
That hurt more than Ayatsuji likely intended it to, but Tsujimura decided to brush it off and kept up a strong face.
“You merely have to work on listening to her more, she speaks in more ways than just verbal. She is not and will never be like you were when you were a child. Because, of course, she will always have you. Your persistence to always aid the helpless is a badge you wear proudly.”
… He was giving her advice.
Ayatsuji Yukito was giving Tsujimura parenting advice.
She’s shocked in more ways than one, and likely won’t fully understand this until a few weeks have passed.
But—
Tsujumura grinned, “Thank you, Sensei. Do you normally give out helpful parenting advice?”
Ayatsuji took the bait and huffed, “If you continue the path that you’re on, she would be basically living with me. I don’t exactly want to babysit a child. After all, you’re the dog-sitter here.”
Tsujimura could not determine if Ayatsuji was insulting himself or her. He normally called himself a dog, so he probably gets no shame from it.
“I don’t like dogs.” A small voice broke through Tsujimura’s thoughts as she turned to look over at the girl. Had she been listening to this entire time…?
“I don’t like dogs,” Mei repeated as she walked inside. “But I do like cats, dolls, and ghost stories.” This was her attempt at helping Tsujimura. The girl didn’t mind being taken in by Tsujimura, she just found her a bit hard to talk to. Tsujimura can communicate with people easily, something that Mei struggled with—hence why she has a fascination with animals and dolls instead of people.
When she heard that last part, Tsujimura’s mind immediately went back to a conversation she had with her mom. A story about her friend, or at least her mom believed she had this friend who vanished. A smile formed on her face as she looked down at Mei.
“Well, I do know this one story about a young girl who suddenly never existed at all…”