When the Red Thread Unwinds (Act V)

It has been a week since you returned to Narukami island, and everyday you would wait for the detective's return. You haven't received any news about them from the Tenryou Commission nor from the Adventurer's Guild. You can't help but feel anxious everyday and prayed to the electro archon for their safe return.

Although, considering that the Traveler is with them, they should be fine... right?

You decided to take a stroll to distract yourself from your worries. Overthinking about the situation will only stress yourself out and it would be terrible to get another attack right now.

You took a deep breath while enjoying the serenity and peaceful atmosphere of the city. You figured that you should stop by at Yae Publishing House to find new books to entertain yourself with.

"Kuroda!"

"Hm? Oh! Good morning y/n!" Your good old friend of the publishing house, Kuroda noticed your presence and greeted back with a smile. "Need another book recommendation?"

"Mhm, maybe something quite lengthy this time?"

"Or maybe something that the both of us can enjoy reading?" A familiar voice suddenly interrupted behind you, which made you flinch and your heart began to pound harshly.

Recognizing the soothing voice behind you, you quickly turned around and gazed up upon a certain redhead. You had the urge to cry out due to how worried you were but since you're in public, you didn't want to embarrass yourself.

The redhead detective lightly chuckled at your reaction with a hand on his hip. "Missed me that much, y/n?"

You could feel your eyes getting all watery then you immediately hit his chest.

"You idiot!! Do you have any idea how worried I was!? You didn't even bother sending me a letter and you... you..!"

As you were on the verge of tears and breaking down, the detective then cupped both of your cheeks and leaned in for a sudden kiss.

"-!?" You were too surprised to react, neither can you immediately process what just happened but in the very least, you somehow felt calm now.

Heizou then slowly pulled away and let go of your cheeks, he then had a light smirk on his face.

"Will that compensate for all your worries, Miss l/n~?"

"I-" You were still too stunned to speak and your face was completely red all over. "Hmph!" You then immediately walked away from him.

"Ah.. y/n, wait up!" The redhead detective ran up after you.

Meanwhile poor Kuroda was rather left dumbfounded at the events he had witnessed right in front of him as he watched the two lovebirds leave.

***

"y/n, please forgive meeee" Heizou childishly whined while clasping his hands together and bowed his head as he followed behind you.

You had your arms crossed and pouted while you kept walking ahead. You were worried for him over a week because you haven't heard of any news about him at all, not even a single letter.

"How can I make it up to you??" He huffed as he paced up and went in front of you with both hands gently holding your shoulders.

"Then give me back my worries, you fox!" You pouted more and glanced away.

Before you knew it, you felt a warm kiss planted on your forehead.

"Allow me to compensate for those worries, a hundred fold. Sorry to keep you waiting, y/n" He whispered so sincerely that it made your heart melt.

"I was really... worried that something might've happened..." You mumbled.

"You didn't think that I was gonna get beaten by a bunch of thugs, did you? And besides, with the Traveler's help, everything went well in the end" He softly smiled as he slowly let go of you.

"Although, I do admit that the operation dragged on for quite a while... There were complications after you had left so we had to do something about it. I didn't think it would take a whole week to get it done" He scratched the back of his head.

You tilted your head curiously. "What kind of complications?"

The detective then gave you a serious look. "The camp was ambushed from behind. The back of the camp was left defenseless after half of the troops were sent to the frontlines. Luckily, we managed to pursue the attackers but the unfortunate part is that the victims of the attack ended up getting poisoned... The very same one that is in your system"

You lightly furrowed your eyebrows. "Are those attackers... from the Fatui..?"

"No, they were just a group of Nobushis, but the fact that they possess the very same poison means that they collaborated with the Fatui, no doubt" He placed a hand on his chin. "No lives were lost, but a lot were inflicted... if we keep letting this happen, then the military of Inazuma will be in jeopardy. We'll be a completely defenseless nation" He added.

You can't imagine how it will be for this nation if the whole military will be inflicted with the poison. Especially that there's no known cure for it yet and only a relieving treatment, which won't be much of help if you're always out in the battlefield.

"I already reported things to Madame Kujou. Though, I'm still waiting for her orders"

"I see.."

There was a moment of silence as the atmosphere tensed up. Heizou then held your hand and brought it to his lips, which made you slightly taken aback.

"Let's not ruin our reunion with something heavy and make up for lost time, shall we?" He softly smiled then you nodded as a response with a light blush on your face.

***

For the rest of the day, you and the detective decided to spend your time roaming around the city together while chatting about the things you both have missed for the past few months. It's one of the happiest days of your life. You finally got to be with the person you love and even made up for all the time you both lost. You didn't want this moment to last but you know very well that it's just wishful thinking so you treasured this moment, not only in your memories but in your heart as well.

The both of you arrived at the beach, hands held and intertwined. You stared off into the sunset with admiration in your eyes. The redhead detective turned to gaze at you and noticed the expression on your face. "Are you fond of sunsets, y/n?"

"Hm?" You broke your train of thoughts and looked at him.

He lightly chuckled. "I'm asking if you're a sunset person"

"Ah.. Not really" You sheepishly chuckled. "I'm actually more fond of sunrise"

"Is that why you're always up so early?"

"Ahaha more or less..."

The both of you then turned to look at the setting sun as you both sat down on the sand and leaned on each other.

"What do you think awaits us in the future..?" You mumbled while looking over the horizon.

"Who knows? But as long as it's a future where the both of us can be happy then it's the kind of future I'm willing to work hard for" His gaze on the view softened as he gave his answer.

You felt warm and fuzzy upon hearing his response, it makes you realize that his charms weren't just his smarts but also his dedication to his ambition and his sincerity. It's what you love about him.

"Hey, Heizou..."

"Yeah?"

"...I love you too"