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Raidou wasn’t sure how he ended back into the void of time and space again, but he supposed he would need to stop pissing off Rasputin soon or it would become a regular occurrence.
“This again? Has he no other tricks?” Gouto sighed in annoyance all the while Raidou tried to focus on getting back to their world, pulling out the Amatsu Kamagi, attempting to use it when the light inside lulls in and out before dying completely.
“Ngh… I used all the energy stored within to stop the fortieth.” Raidou grunted.
“Then we have no other choice than to travel to another time.” Gouto stated, just in time for Raidou’s thoughts to pull them into Harumi-Cho, both hissing as they collided with the ground suddenly beneath them.
“Raidou are you alright?” Gouto inquired, the smallest hint of concern in his tone.
“Yep…” the young man groaned as he stood up, needing a few stretches before continuing.
“Careful… it might look akin to our Harumi-Cho, but we might be in the same predicament we found ourselves in before, let us proceed with caution and intent.” He warned, watching from below as Raidou nodded and began walking through the small town.
The two walking around endlessly, without anything out of the ordinary, could it be that Rasputin’s magic failed? But before they could confidently say so they turned around to meet the gates before the Navy HQ, seeing what looked to be… Narumi?!
But no… it couldn’t be, surely!
He was way too young looking! No wrinkles… no eye bags… no nothing! Just an awful scornful look on his face.
“Is that…?” Gouto said, clearly surprised by the fact.
Raidou didn’t respond, attempting to hear the conversation he was sure was about to transpire.
“What’s with the long face? You just exposed Munakata’s plan!” Another Navy officer asked, wrapping his arm around Narumi’s shoulder and nudging him playfully.
“Would you get out of my space-“ Narumi wriggled out of the older officer’s grasp.
“Alright alright… I’ll let you go.” The officer grinned, rubbing the back of his neck out of habit.
“I appreciate the sentiment though… I’m simply thinking as of now.” Narumi shook his head.
“Well best find some other time, I’ve heard that the paparazzi is coming, and out for your image.”
“Great…” he scoffed, though couldn’t help the small grin on his face, one Raidou had seen plenty of times over the span of their acquaintance.
“Oh look here some of them come.” The officer announced, pointing discreetly, causing Raidou to look in the direction of his finger.
“Gah! No way! It’s that queasy journalist!” Gouto half-whispered and half-yelled to Raidou.
As if the situation could get any more incredulous.
“Kichou Asakura here! A journalist from The Capital Newspaper sent me… ehe.” She muttered nervously, fiddling with the settings on her camera.
“My… I was expecting someone older and… experienced… hey!” Narumi grit his teeth as the older officer slapped his shoulder softly.
“Ah! Well… you know… I’m hoping to get into The Capital Newspaper one day. I can only assume this is my first step towards that goal.” Kichou smiled sweetly, positioning her camera towards Narumi. “Anyway… do you mind if I get a few photos?” She peeked out from the camera with an adorable expression.
“Yeah yeah… make it quick, eh?” Narumi grinned, before his expression turned into a polite smile, carefully softening all his features. It’d be good for the papers if he looked as if he had a heart of gold after all…
“And there! Thank you!” Kichou nodded eagerly, rushing back towards the train, most probably to wherever The Capital Newspaper was located to show her good work, dropping a few of the many photos as she ran past Raidou.
Quickly, Raidou picked them up, almost yelling out for the young journalist when Gouto stopped him in his tracks.
“Remember that interacting with some people might break the carefully crafted lines of the universe.”
“Right… should I take these with me then?” Raidou asked.
“I suppose it would be nice to tease our favorite detective.”
“As soon as we get b- huh? The Amatsu Kamagi is shining.” Raidou observed out loud.
“Ah… this must mean we can perform the chant and go back to our timeline… once again.” Gouto added, giving Raidou the space to do so… and within a flash they were back in Tsukudo-Cho.
“Well… that didn’t take much, thankfully so.”
Raidou nodded in response, already making his way towards the Narumi Detective Agency with the widest smug grin on his face, bursting through the door and placing the pictures on his desk.
“Raidou this isn’t the time for distraction.” Narumi waved his cigarette, causing Raidou to cough from breathing in the fumes, yet he persisted, bringing the photo closer.
“Didn’t I- what? How did you find this?” Narumi raised a brow, a soft chuckle escaping his lips at the sight. “You got this from Tae didn’t you?”
“Can’t say.” Raidou shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest as Gouto stifled a few laughs.
“Fine then. Be like that.” The older man rolled his eyes, taking a quick drag from his cigarette. “These were taken in Harumi-Cho. After Munakata was found out. I forget exactly what I was doing after I arrived back at the Navy’s headquarters but I know that Tae arrived in place of some other journalist. They were quick to find out if I say so myself. But… that’s the story of my life.” Narumi explained, shrugging even as the smallest blush of embarrassment passed over his face at the sight of his younger self, and the knowledge that Raidou knew that part of him now.
“Anyway…” Narumi said, picking the pictures off his desk and hiding them away in the drawer. “You have cases to solve… and I need to talk to a certain journalist to talk to. So if you would kindly return, I’ll be glad to give you a little extra something this upcoming paycheck…” he said, hoping to convince the demon summoner, a sigh of relief releasing itself as Raidou nodded, calling Gouto to follow after him.
“That kid…” Narumi chuckled as Raidou shut the door behind him, glancing back at the photos in his drawer. “My… I didn’t look so bad in my youth.”