Raito tucked the signed print into a protective sleeve and slid it carefully into his bag. No pause, no lingering thoughts about the exchange—just a smooth, efficient motion. The crowd buzzed around him in chaotic energy, but he moved through it like a stone in the river, untouched by the currents.
Emi gurgled from her snug position strapped against his chest, waving a tiny hand toward a plush booth. Raito glanced down at her and patted her head softly.
"You're more useful than your sister," he said, voice quiet and dry.
Emi cooed in response, utterly content.
He checked the checklist he'd drawn up earlier—figurines, three out of five acquired. Limited pins? Two sets. Posters? Rolled neatly in his bag. Special edition volume of Kawai Kitty's Magical Kitchen Adventures? In hand.
He was making good progress.
He approached the snack vendor next, a booth lined with pink-and-purple signage advertising "Kawai Kitty's Purrfect Treats." Most of the customers were kids, parents, or awkward teens trying to act like they weren't here for themselves. Raito stood calmly among them, unbothered.
"One Choco-Nyan bar," he said to the vendor. "And a bottle of warm formula if you have it."
The booth worker blinked, then smiled nervously at his stoic face and the baby strapped to him. "Y-Yeah, right away!"
Raito took both items and walked over to a quiet corner of the food court area. He sat on a bench, pulled a clean towel from his bag, and laid it across his lap. He cradled Emi in one arm, carefully feeding her the bottle while unwrapping his snack with the other.
For a brief moment, the chaos of the con faded into a soft lull.
He ate slowly. Emi drank happily. The two of them sat in peace, surrounded by pastel decorations, oversized plush mascots, and the hum of distant music.
Then—
"Raito?"
A voice, clear and familiar, cut through the air.
He paused.
He turned his head slightly.
Standing a few feet away in casual clothes, holding a bubble tea in one hand and a badge tucked into her waistband, was Detective Yumi Aikawa.
Her eyes were wide with a mixture of confusion and… was that amusement?
Raito blinked once, slowly.
Of all the people to run into here.
Yumi pointed at the baby carrier with a slightly incredulous look. "Is that—are you seriously at Kawai Kitty Con… with a baby?"
Raito stared at her for a moment, then calmly resumed feeding Emi.
"Yes," he said, unbothered.
Yumi just stood there, mouth slightly open, like her brain was short-circuiting trying to process what she was seeing.
And Raito? He didn't even flinch.
The peace was over.