Raito moved quickly through the back streets, walking through narrow alleyways and side roads to avoid unnecessary attention. His clothes were torn in certain places and smudged with dirt from the fall. His usual pristine appearance was ruined. That wouldn't do.
You're really going all the way back home just because of a little dirt? Kurai's voice echoed in his mind, amused. You humans and your obsession with appearances.
"I have a standard to maintain and people are gonna ask more questions if I go work to like this," Raito muttered under his breath, keeping his pace swift but controlled. The last thing he needed was to draw suspicion by sprinting through the streets.
Sure, sure. But you do realize you're going to be late, right?
Raito checked his watch. 7:45 AM. His usual arrival time was 7:30 sharp. He clicked his tongue in irritation.
"This is your fault."
Oh? Kurai feigned innocence. I don't remember being the one who was walking carelessly.
Raito ignored her like usual as he reached his villa, unlocking the door and stepping inside. Without hesitation, he stripped off his damaged clothes and made his way to the wardrobe, selecting a another black suit, white dress shirt, and a deep gray tie this time.
As he was changing he could notice some slight differences as his movements were becoming more precise and efficient as his body finished adjusting to its new normal and just like that he was still moving within his routine which was just facing a minor delay.
By 7:55, he was out the door again rushing to work.
The walk to his workplace wasn't long, but it felt lighter than usual. The city had already started its morning rush, streets bustling with workers and students alike. Raito moved through them with practiced ease, slipping past crowds as he approached the office building.
When he stepped inside, the receptionist at the front desk blinked in surprise. "Mr. Raito… You're late?"
Raito barely reacted, offering only a curt nod as he continued toward the elevator.
Ohhh, I see. You're one of those 'perfect attendance' types, Kurai teased. I bet they're all freaking out inside, wondering if the world is ending.
Raito stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for his floor. The doors slid shut, sealing him in quiet solitude.
He sighed. "You're getting too comfortable talking," he muttered.
And you're getting too comfortable ignoring me.
The doors opened, and Raito stepped out. Despite his composed expression, he could already sense the shift in the air and his colleagues who were stealing glances at him and murmuring. This was out of character for him.
As he approached his desk, He felt some of his colleagues surround him.
"Raito? You're… late?" One of them, a man named Jin, raised his eyebrow. "That's a first."
"Did something happen?" another chimed in, concern laced in her tone.
Raito put on an easy, friendly smile, the kind that made people drop their guard. "Nothing serious. Just overslept." He gave a light chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Guess all those late nights finally caught up to me."
His colleagues exchanged surprised glances before letting out their own amused laughs.
"Wow, you Raito Yakamura? Sleeping in? Never thought I'd see the day," Jin joked. "Maybe you're finally turning into one of us normal people."
"Just because I show up to work on time usually doesn't mean I am different from you all" Raito waved a hand dismissively, still keeping his relaxed expression. "But It won't happen again."
They seemed satisfied with the answer, the tension in the room easing as everyone returned to their work.
That was smooth, Kurai mused. You're a decent liar alright, I'll give you that.
Raito's smile faded the moment he turned to his computer, his expression returning to its usual unreadable state. He knew he hadn't lied because he just gave his coworkers the truth they wanted to hear.
And with that, he got to work, pretending as if this morning had been just another ordinary day.