Chapter Text
Raidou Kuzunoha is one of Japan’s most famous fictional detectives and perhaps one of Japan’s most famous fictional characters period. He has a plethora of movies, TV shows, and books about him that have been created throughout the decades since his inception in the early 1960s. There have even been video games made about some of his exploits in the beginning of his journey as protector of the Capital in the 1940s with his trusted allies. Armed with a revolver, a katana, and special tubes to summon demons, he fought solely on the side of justice and always solved the case even when the odds seemed to be against him. Although his popularity has waned in recent years, he’s still treated with respect by casual readers and detective enthusiasts alike.
Over the years, there have been rumors that all of the works about Raidou’s life were genuine rather than mere fiction. That dangerous demons roamed Japan and terrorized the people, that there was a mad scientist who lived under a pawn shop that could play God by combining such demons to create new life, among other things of that nature. Rumors that Raidou saved not only Japan but the entire world several times over thanks to his quick wits, iron will, and steady hands. And while there was an actual school by the name of Yumizuki High within Tokyo, it had no records of such a student who matched Raidou’s understandably poor grades due to having to fulfill his duties. Thus, these rumors remained as just that: Rumors.
Naoto Shirogane came to this conclusion well before she finished her first book about Raidou Kuzunoha. She could never believe that such fantastic events could take place on such a scale and that the absence of proof to the contrary was clear. It didn’t necessarily mean that it was truly impossible now that she had dealt with the events in Inaba and everything that came after but there still wasn’t any proof that he was real. Although he couldn’t compare to her favorite Holmes, she did find his tales engaging and there was a brief period in her childhood that she harbored a small crush over him (though she would never admit this to anyone’s face and especially not to anyone in the Investigation Team due to everyone’s ability to bag on each other playfully yet mercilessly). In fact, part of her favoring the use of revolvers aside from their practicality and ease of maintenance was that Raidou used them and used them well. She even dressed up as Raidou during one Halloween and still has the costume somewhere buried in her closet.
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The sun was shining brightly and there was a pleasant breeze as Naoto strolled around Tokyo’s streets, having left one of the Kirijo Group’s many branches over something involving classified business with the Shadow Operatives. After having provided some insight on said business and politely refusing yet again to join the S.O. in an official capacity, she needed some time to unwind since she would be in town for another week before she heads back to the Shirogane Estate until a case comes her way. She has been in Tokyo a few times in the past, some for work and some for visiting an associate, but she wasn’t much of a fan of big cities these days. The simplicity and quiet of Inaba had made her develop a sort of distaste of them despite the ease of which she can travel around in minutes. The only things she really enjoyed about Tokyo as of late were the restaurants and a few hobby shops.
It was shortly after she entered Harujuku that she spotted a black cat waiting at the corner of an intersection, as if it was waiting for someone or something. She wouldn’t have paid it much mind had she not noticed that it had a collar on. Someone’s pet? was her first thought but then she looked closer and saw a small notebook tucked under its collar. The cat yawned as it sat there, ignoring passersby trying to catch its attention and content with looking around at its surroundings. Its ears perked when it made eye contact with her, slowly sitting up very attentively for the first time within the past few hours. She felt odd as it looked her way, like it was sizing her up. She had spent some time with Yu and the cats in front of the Dojima residence and none of them acted like the way this cat was right now.
She didn’t know whether to approach the cat or not, but it didn’t give her a chance to make a choice as it went ahead and walked up to her on its own. She kneels in front of it and checks its collar for a tag, only to find nothing but that notebook. She wisely leaves it where it is and concludes that this cat is friendly enough. She smiles and reaches her hand out to the cat as a peaceful gesture. Petting a stray isn’t a wise idea but she felt that it wouldn’t try anything.
“Ah, Gouto. There you are.”
A voice of an old man, sharp yet polite, came from behind her. She turns her head and sees him walking toward the pair. The years have been kind to him as far as his appearances despite how he sounds, his hair gray but his sideburns distinctively pointed and bent. His eyes betray a hard life, his build of someone who keeps in shape and for whom age is nothing but a number. His clothes all black but antiquated and comfortable, reminding her of fashion from the ‘40s with a matching Stetson resting on his head. He chuckles as Gouto slowly walks up to him and meows while Naoto stands up to face him properly.
“My apologies. I didn’t know this cat was with you, sir.”
“It’s fine. Gouto sometimes gets a bit impatient and wanders around. He has a habit of sneaking off to go people-watching. He usually doesn’t go too far.” He removes his hat and puts it on his chest, bowing slightly. “It’s an honor to meet the famous Naoto Shirogane. Always nice to see another detective and one so capable at that.” He chuckles once more and smiles politely at her.
“Thank you, sir. It’s quite nice to have someone react in a relatively subdued way.” She feels a little pride and smiles in return before registering what he said. Gouto sits calmly between them, looking up at Naoto like before. “You said another detective, yes? I take it you are one as well. Or perhaps you’re retired.”
“No, I’m still on the beat. Just not as much as the young ones are these days. Though ones such as yourself are a rarity. Who would have thought I’d meet someone like you here of all places? Life has a funny way of working. Then again, Tokyo’s had a bit of a history with people like us. Always something going on here that doesn’t enter the public eye.” He puts his hat back on his head and smiles a little wider while she stands there processing what he has said. “You’ve dealt with something not entirely normal, have you? Was it a god? Or a demon, perhaps?”
She was taken aback, albeit slightly. It was uncommon to have random people approach her and say nonsensical things, especially about the supernatural. As a rational individual, she didn’t really pay much mind to it as it rarely, if ever, related to her line of work. Had this conversation come up before she ever went to Inaba, she would rightfully think of him as off-kilter like the rest. Now, she wasn’t quite sure how to respond and stood in silence for a few seconds before trying to brush it off.
“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what you mean, sir. I must have misheard you. Did you say something about gods and demons?” Her smile was a little strained, both as an act and because of already having to deal with such things on at least three separate occasions, none of which were a pleasant time aside from being with her friends.
“Ms. Shirogane, I’d like to say from one detective to another that there’s always a tell when someone’s clearly not telling the truth. You of all people ought to know that. As for how I know what gave you away…” He laughs a little and sighs. “It’s your eyes. Your right hand that you favor with your weapon of choice, too. You’ve seen some strange things that can’t be explained entirely by logic. Supernatural occurrences that most likely threatened your life. Probably a few rough nights of sleep along with that. Anyone who’s ever gone through the same can pick it up right away. I’m trying not to be presumptuous here, but you must understand that it’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone like you. A very long time.”
“Admittedly, I have gone through some… trying times. However, I would be hard-pressed to associate any of them with what you claim as supernatural. Surely you must understand the dangers posed within our mutual occupation. It’s rare for me to be ‘off,’ especially in a city as large as this thanks to such dangers.” She had to choose her words carefully as she didn’t know what his deal was or who he was affiliated with. Getting grilled on what was essentially her break wasn’t helping matters, either.
“Ah, I can believe that.” His smile slowly grows as he crosses his arms while nodding slowly. “Well, if you are speaking the truth then I suppose we’ll just have to leave it at that. My sincerest apologies if I’ve offended you in any way.” He tips his hat and starts moving to walk past her, the sounds of the bustling pedestrians dulled as her ears focus on his voice. “Though, if you are lying, I can only offer a warning. This town has a lot of problems under the surface, deeper than even the typical criminal elements. I don’t know where your… unusual encounters occurred before in your career, but Tokyo is quite a different ball game in that regard. Still, I suppose you can carry yourself well if you’ve made it to today.”
With that, he walks away with Gouto following close behind him. The black cat turns his head briefly to subtly nod at her in such a way that it seems he was paying attention to their conversation.