Raito stared down at Detective Yumi Aikawa with a blank expression as she finished explaining the situation.
"The suspect… was just an unwell mascot?" he repeated, his tone flat.
Yumi nodded, looking equal parts embarrassed and exasperated. "Heat exhaustion, actually. The poor guy inside the suit passed out backstage. EMS took him out the back without causing a scene, but now—well, we have a big problem."
Raito arched an eyebrow. "And what does this have to do with me?"
Yumi crossed her arms, lowering her voice. "The city assigned officers to make sure this year's Kawai Kitty Con went smoothly. It's a big PR event, especially with all the kids here. Losing the mascot halfway through the day is not ideal. We need someone to step in."
His stare didn't waver. "No."
Yumi blinked. "What?"
"No," Raito said again, turning to walk away.
But he stopped.
Kurai's voice echoed in his mind, amused. "Come on, Raito. You've worn worse for less noble reasons."
He looked down at Emi, who had fallen asleep again in his arms, a small Kawai Kitty rattle clutched between her fingers.
The thought of being able to wear the official mascot costume… an authentic one from the event… It would absolutely qualify as a collector's item. Rare. Limited. Exclusive.
He sighed.
"If I do it," Raito said, turning back to Yumi, "I want to keep the costume afterward."
Yumi blinked. "You—what?"
"And I'm not standing in line anymore," he continued. "You'll take care of Emi while I'm working, and you'll get everything else on my merchandise list."
He pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
Yumi opened it and immediately looked horrified.
"This… this is three pages long," she whispered. "Does Emi really need all of this?"
Raito didn't even blink. "Yes."
There was a silence between them. She stared at him. He stared back.
"…This is for you, isn't it?" she asked slowly.
"Yes."
She sighed hard enough that her bangs blew upward.
"You're serious," she muttered, scanning the list again. "Do you even know how long the line is for the limited-edition Kitty-chan transformation wand?"
"I marked it as priority."
Yumi pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm starting to think Emi might be the least spoiled member of your household."
"She hasn't earned her place yet," Raito said, adjusting the strap on the baby carrier.
Yumi muttered something under her breath but finally handed him a folded Kawai Kitty mascot costume. The pastel colors shimmered slightly under the overhead lighting.
"Fine. Go backstage and suit up. I'll hold onto Emi and try to survive your shopping list," she said, reaching out to gently lift the sleeping baby from Raito's chest. Emi stirred but settled quickly in Yumi's arms.
Raito looked at the costume for a moment, then turned away, his footsteps echoing as he made his way toward the staff entrance.
Behind him, Yumi stared down at the child now in her arms and then at the list again.
"Kawai Kitty sticker tattoos, plushie backpack, rainbow sparkle figure, collector's mug, rare acrylic stand… Who is this guy?"
And with that thought, she disappeared into the crowd, while Raito disappeared into a different kind of role.