Raito moved with mechanical cheer through the bustling convention crowd, the massive pink Kawai Kitty head bobbing slightly with each step. To the world, he was still the same smiling feline idol, but beneath the foam and fabric, Raito was focused—tired, overheated, but focused.
The new voice box hummed steadily with every line he delivered. "Kawai Kitty loves all her fans, nya~!""Kawai Kitty believes in you, nya!"
He had the script down to muscle memory now.
"Just one more hour," he thought, adjusting his pace. "Then I can vanish quietly and go home."
"You're awfully committed to the bit," Kurai's voice echoed dryly in his mind. "Risked your life for a celebrity, wore that ridiculous outfit, and now you're still working? Who are you trying to impress?"
Raito rolled his eyes behind the suit's eyeholes. "Not doing it to impress anyone. Just cleaning up loose ends and besides I get to keep the costume."
"So noble," Kurai mused. "Or maybe you just don't want to admit you liked it. That voice… those laughs… being Kawai Kitty."
"You're reading too much into it and besides no one can truly be Kawai Kitty."
"I live in your head. I read just enough."
Raito was about to mentally shut the demon out when movement caught his attention—familiar movement.
His stride slowed.
Yumi.
She strolled through the crowd with her usual confident walk, sharp gaze glancing over cosplayers and merch booths. And in her arms, nestled securely, was little Emi—peaceful, dressed in an adorable Kitty-themed onesie.
But what froze Raito wasn't just her. It was who was walking beside her.
Akemi.
The voice behind Kawai Kitty herself. Wearing casual clothes, hair tied up loosely, and… smiling? Laughing softly at something Yumi said?
"Are you serious right now...," Raito thought. "Of course the universe would line this up now."
His instincts kicked in. Calmly but decisively, he pivoted to the left, ready to duck into the side aisle and slip away unnoticed. No sudden moves. He wasn't panicking and he of all people never panics. At least not yet.
"Oh come on," Kurai teased. "You fought ten men in that suit. Now you're running from two women and a baby?"
"Just being careful."
But it was too late.
A hand landed on his foam shoulder—gentle, but firm.
"Going somewhere, Kawai Kitty?" Akemi's voice chimed behind him, playful and knowing.
Raito paused. Slowly, he turned around. The exaggerated smile of the mascot stared down at her. He didn't speak. Not yet.
Akemi stood there, arms crossed, a sly smirk playing on her lips. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was something else in them—challenge.
Yumi was still nearby, but distracted by a vendor booth, Emi babbling softly in her arms.
"You've got some nerve walking around like nothing happened," Akemi said, her voice low enough that only he could hear. "You're lucky I didn't tell the detective everything already."
The pink foam ears twitched slightly. Still, Raito didn't panic. He tilted the mascot head ever so slightly, playing along with the character.
"Kawai Kitty's just spreading joy, nya~!" he replied in that high, innocent tone.
Akemi's eyes narrowed in mock suspicion. "Right. Let's talk about that joy."
And Raito knew—he wasn't getting out of this without a conversation.