Vol.3

Ch. 3

Breathe Me

Alu breathed hard, having run as far as she could from that insufferable building linked to the Armed Detective Agency. It was getting stuffy in there as it were. She just wanted out. She didn't want to stay there any longer than she had to. She didn't want to be followed, or traced or lectured by any of those adults.

Did she feel bad about hurting Ranpo's feelings? Sure, she felt terrible. But he was ridiculing her own feelings and she felt challenged. She groaned, her head in her hands. "I'm such an idiot," she said to no one in particular. She didn't know how she'd apologize when she next saw Ranpo. But, well, he was the one who had made her upset first. He'd also hurt her feelings. And those two, clearly coddled him.

Her eyes flickered.

She closed her eyes, and she said out loud, something that she used to chant to herself like a mantra: "You might not always be able to get your dreams to become reality, but you can still turn into reality the things that you work hard for"…

She opened her eyes again, feeling her lungs at least calming down from the fire in them before. She didn't recognize this part of Yokohama. She looked around. It was a shopping district she must have wandered into. It looked middle-class. Ah, she could see the Ferris wheel in the distance. So it was near the fairgrounds? Alu wondered how she'd missed it.

Whenever she was stressed, she would sometimes find herself wandering to outdoor malls like this one. She decided to walk around to calm down. Her stomach growled and she felt dizzy suddenly. Oh, that's right…she hadn't eaten and she had no money.

What a grand start to her day.

Alu whimpered inwardly.

Hey, since you're kinda shit when it comes to holding down a place to stay, does this mean I'll have to hunt again for us?

Ugh, Alu didn't want to rely on Wildkill a la Juubi. She had to deal with it enough this past year when she ran out of food as it was. Juubi really was the only reason she wasn't dead yet—in this world or any other. Alu grimaced. I'd rather not…

Well, you're starving and believe it or not, hey, I'm stuck with you so when you don't eat—I don't eat. Juubi was clearly Hanky. Alu could tell.

Alright, Mr. Hanky. We'll eat. Jeez. Let me just see if there's someplace I can just grab a sampler… Alu huffed, looking around.

Don't call me Hanky. I will bite you.

Mhm, sure. Alu knew Juubi hated when she called him all manner of things like Mr. Hungry + Cranky, Mr. Hungry + Angry, or Mr. Hungry + Annoying. Each had their own flair, she mused. Still, he had a point. If Alu didn't eat soon, she'd be forced to rely on Juubi's wildlife survival tactics and she can attest that she was not a fan of wildlife hunting. It wasn't that she couldn't do it, and to survive she totally would, but well, people food, you know? Kinda a no brainer which a normal person would prefer….

Alu's eyes fell on a small candy store near some big chain clothing stores. Ah, that would work! They'd definitely have one of those 'try 'em before you buy' kinda themed stuff in there. Alu trotted over, figuring she'd go for the obvious trail mix most of these places sold. M&M's, mixed with some nuts— just the way she liked her trail mix!

As she was about to slip inside, she heard the sound of a little girl complaining loudly. "I already told you, I'm not going with you!"

Alu blinked. Uh-oh, trouble in paradise? Okay, it's none of my business… Alu steeled herself against the urge she had of getting involved. She didn't know the context. She didn't want to just assume anything. Still, she glanced in the direction of the girl.

She had blonde hair, was short, looked like a kid, and was wearing a red frilly dress. Honestly, with her piercing blue eyes, she looked like a walking doll? Alu blinked. This little girl clearly had an attitude but the man with her was suspicious.

He was tall, with greasy black hair, stubble, simple clothing—nothing about him really stood out. But he was clearly bothering her. "Elise-Chan, please," he simpered, holding what looked to be a bag of clothes from the store they had just exited.

"Don't bother me! I'm not in a good mood!" The little girl huffed, crossing her arms, face in a massive pouting expression.

Alu and her made eye contact. Alu gasped, realizing she'd been staring. Crap, not her problem, not her problem. That weird old guy must be her dad, or….well..no if he was anything else that would just make it so much worse… But regardless, this was definitely not her problem. Alu quickly stepped into the candy shop, glad for the excuse to stop staring.

Looking at the food inside, Alu felt her stomach growl again. She was practically salivating. She was greeted by a store employee and she exchanged pleasantries before she slunk over to the sample bags. She went for the stuff she could reasonably portion. Save for later, she figured.

"I'll have what she's having," the little girl from before said loudly.

Alu flinched. Wait, that little girl followed her in here? Why? She looked over her shoulder, trying not to look as bewildered as she felt. The little girl trotted over, leaving the tall man's side and she looked up at Alu. "You were staring earlier. I just wanna know why?"

"Uh…" Alu found herself eloquently put out of her mouth.

"Elise-Chan, we shouldn't bother other people," the man said, flustering.

"Mmm, no, she was definitely staring at us, and it wasn't like how others stare at us," Elise said bluntly, putting her hands on her little frilly hips. "I wanna know what you were thinking!"

Alu felt self conscious. And Hungry. And tired. All at the same time. She just wanted to sneak in and out with this food and now her plans for a sneaky get away were totally ruined by this very loud and abrasive little girl. "Uh…I was thinking, if you were in trouble I wanted to help…" Alu found herself saying.

She didn't like how the aloof guy was gazing at her after she said that. Elise however tilted her head, puzzled. "I wasn't in trouble. That's how he always is," she said bluntly.

Alu was relieved to hear that. She smiled, embarrassed. She tried not to look at that man anymore than she could help it. She could feel Juubi growl. Okay, so something was off about him. But what? She focused on the little girl. At least Juubi didn't feel threatened by her. "Of course, yes, I'm so sorry for staring…I know he's your dad…."

"Oh, him? Nope." Elise hummed. "So, why did you think I was in trouble?"

Alu grimaced. Okay, so now she was concerned about the relationship this kid shared with that older man. The poor employee was also very concerned. However, the employee made eye-contact with Rintaro that sent a shiver down their spine…. it was clear that if they said anything—they would die.

Alu continued to stare at Elise. She really didn't want to say why. This girl clearly didn't feel threatened by being around this odd man. Alu could kinda tell that they were close…although how close…that was an entirely different can of worms Alu really didn't wanna get into. She shivered, though it wasn't actually that cold in here. Still, this little girl clearly wanted some sort of answer from her. Alu didn't want to have to be rude. However, if it would get this little girl and that guy out of her hair so she could eat her free sample of trail mix in peace… well, she was a natural at alienating people as it were. "Uh, because that old man looks like a pervert," she said deadpan. "The way he hovers around you looked kinda like a creepy person checking you out," she added, hoping if she was more alienating they'd just straight up leave her alone.

"Is that so?" Elise began to laugh. Alu was very confused. She actually looked to the man for clarification about Elise's reaction to her answer. However, he looked utterly depressed and she almost kinda sorta did feel bad about calling him a pervert…. But she needed these two to leave her alone so she could sneak away while they were paying for their own stuff here. "She has you down to a T, Rintaro!" She giggled, looking to be actually in a good mood.

The man, —Rintaro, Alu assumed— looked dejected. "Hey now, don't say that…" he sounded depressed.

Alu wanted to apologize but she wanted her trail mix more right now…. She took a bite of it, just starting to pretend like she was perusing again. Elise's laughter calmed down, and she grinned at Alu. "Hey, I like her, Rintaro, I want her to play with us today!"

Alu felt any dregs of hope that remained slowly ebbing towards the imaginary gutter of depression sucking them in. "Please…uh…I'm sure you're very busy," she said weakly, not wanting to impose at all.

"No, play with me!" Elise glommed onto Alu's arm, with a smile. "Play with me! Play with me!"

Alu had absolutely no doubt she was getting no peace today. "I…I don't want to impose," she said quickly, pulling herself free of Elise's hug. Elise blinked, and she looked to Rintaro, with her cheeks puffed out.

"It's because you're here, Rintaro!" She said accusatory. She pointed at him. "You need to disappear, okay?"

Alu flailed inwardly, seeing Rintaro's flustered expression. "Uh, no, no, no….you two should stay together—since you know…you're…uh…you know…" she really didn't want to end up babysitting some strange kid all day for a man she didn't even know.

"I wanna buy stuff with her instead!" Elise continued, brattily. "It's just for today!"

"Alright," Rintaro said with a sigh. He trotted over and he handed Elise a wallet. "You may spend as you like, but remember, you have to call me later so I can pick you up, okay?"

Alu stared at him along with the store employee. Both were thinking :Who lets their kid go off to play with a complete stranger…?

Elise however brightened up. "Thanks Rintaro~" she said, swiping the wallet from him. "This'll make up for the horrible day I've had so far with you!"

The way she said that so positively, made Alu honestly wonder who was the one in the dangerously unhealthy relationship here. But, well, this little girl was going to stick to her all day…. and…she had…money…Alu felt like a horrible person for taking advantage but…she had no money..and if she could earn a meal by hanging out with this girl, then that was a price she was willing to pay…to not have to eat a dead bird that Juubi would end up having to catch otherwise.

Yes, #Priorities.

"I'll…make sure not to let her get too crazy…" Alu found herself saying to Rintaro. She did feel bad. Other than craving a meal, she didn't want to actually abuse that trust he was apparently entrusting her with when taking care of this little girl for the day. She hoped at least that came across to him. She really didn't want to come across as someone who would use the little girl for some cash run. Which, she was already depressed about since she was … Alu thought she'd find a way to pay them back at least.

Rintaro, blinked. "If it makes her smile, do it." He sounded so serious and yet earnest about Elise being able to smile that Alu honestly had to wonder just what their relationship was. Talk about creeper whiplash…

She just nodded, looking at the little girl now picking out her own bag of trail mix, mimicking what Alu had already bagged for herself, Alu noted. Rintaro smiled bashfully, and just left the small store, leaving Alu with the little girl. Alu sighed. Well, this wasn't how she expected to spend her day, but this city was really a constant reminder that nothing normal really happened here. "I'm Alu…by the way," she said, introducing herself to Elise-Chan, formally. Elise-Chan just smiled hugely at her.

Alu didn't want anything else besides the trail mix—since everything else was mostly sugar anyhow and that wouldn't exactly help her out if she had a major sugar crash later. She went to the counter to pay. The little girl, Elise, followed her. Alu put her food on the counter. She held her hand out to take Elise's bag as well. Elise handed it to her. "We'd like to pay!" Elise said cheerfully to the woman in charge of the register.

The employee just nodded. As much as they wanted to call the cops—they valued their life over tipping the police off about the strange situation between that little girl and the older man.

Stepping outside of the shop, Alu handed the trail mix bag to the other girl. She shook her head, though. "I don't need it," she said a bit brattily.

"Huh?" Alu was confused. "But you bought it….so?"

"You can have it," Elise huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "I'm not hungry."

Alu sighed but she figured, well, more for me, I guess.

That man…I don't trust him.

I agree, but what can we do? Somehow we got stuck babysitting his….'not' kid…

Why does weird shit always happen when you're here…

Do you want to eat today?

Juubi smartly kept his mouth shut at Alu's tone of irritation. Alu huffed. She knew this entire situation was weird as hell, but it was only until this evening. She could last a few hours. It was alright high noon as it was.

"So, um, what do you want to do …?" She asked Elise, looking to her, nibbling on her own bag of trail mix.

"Dunno. What do you wanna do?" Elise shot back, evenly.

Alu sighed a mushroom cloud. She honestly didn't know. It wasn't like she planned for a trip here…although… she chewed thoughtfully. She looked at the little girl. "Hey, it's warm today…wanna find a fun way to cool off?"

Elise blinked. "A fun way to cool off? What? Is that a pick up line?"

Alu almost choked on her trail mix. "P-pick up line?" She coughed, looking at Elise with eyes as big as saucers. "Not at all! I promise you I am not ….flirting with you!"

Elise blinked. "Then what is this fun way to cool off?"

Alu was honestly concerned with how Elise could take her innocent question and somehow give it such a suggestive connotation. It must be that man. Alu was worried. She could hear Juubi's mantra of 'don't give a shit' but Alu just couldn't walk away from this. It wasn't in her nature to turn a blind eye to trouble. Probably why she got into it so often.

She just gestured to her to follow. They walked over to what looked like a small playground. It had some benches to one side and little fountains in the ground that would shoot up water. Some kids were already playing there. Alu pointed. "That's what I meant…wanna cool off by running through some sprinklers?"

Elise squinted at her with the expression of an unamused bulldog. "Why would I waste my time doing that?"

Alu sweat dropped. She was trying to think of well, kid things, to do with Elise. She sighed. "Well, if you're not, I'm gonna," she said, placing down the bag of food. "You're welcome to join—unless you think you're too grown up for some fun."

"I'm totally too mature," Elise said, crossing her arms with a huff. "And this dress is designer. I couldn't possibly get it dirty."

Alu shrugged. Ah, so she was a spoiled rich kid after all. That didn't explain her relationship with that man but who knows, maybe if he wasn't her father…he was just a really weird…uncle…yeah she'd go with that. "Suit yourself," she said, and she began to jump in the sprinklers, to cool off with the other kids there.

Alu was grateful outdoor malls had things like this when it was hot out. She always loved sprinklers ever since she was little. Running through them let her take her mind off, for just a moment, about all of her worries. She never wanted to be too old for sprinkler fun. That would be a sad existence. Letting out a giggle, Alu shook her wet hair as the water danced around her.

Elise continued to watch, completely perplexed at what was so great about running through water and getting wet. She really didn't understand. She wanted to get closer to this girl because she was a person of interest for Rintaro. Since that was the case, she knew when she had spotted her by luck, that getting close to her would be the best way to be useful to him. Rintaro had had his eyes on her for some time, after all, ever since a month ago when this girl first made a commotion in the city with her fox form being released. Yet here, there didn't seem to be particularly anything special about her. In fact, she was just really peculiar.

Alu finished up, coming over after a good few minutes. "That was refreshing!" She said, already feeling better and cooled off. Seeing Elise looking all grumpy, Alu thought to herself, well, it's just one day…right? She grabbed Elise by the hand.

Elise blinked, bewildered. "Huh?"

"Your turn!" Alu said, eyes glinting mischievously, grinning at Elise.

Before Elise could object, she found herself tugged amongst the fountains. With a confused expression, she just stood there, getting absolutely sprayed, hair, clothes, accessories and all. She looked to Alu who was looking at her with an amused and puzzled expression. "Are we done?" She sounded irritated.

Alu thought she looked rather funny. She pursed her lips, not wanting to laugh but Elise's surly attitude was actually kind of cute. "You're supposed to look like you're enjoying it," Alu teased.

"I'm not," Elise said, looking at Alu without blinking. "It's a pointless activity."

Alu quieted. It's true, she noted that Elise didn't seem to react to the water like a normal person. Most people would flinch right? Even if they didn't like it, they'd react accordingly. But Elise was standing there, unmoving, unblinking, not even reacting to the water that was hitting her.

"Well, that may be your opinion, but that doesn't mean you can't make it not pointless," Alu countered, putting her hands on her hips with a grin again. Well, whatever, to each their own, right?

Elise huffed. She would endure if it meant being useful to Rintaro. After all, he'd been the one to suggest she follow Alu around for the day. Elise's job was to get to know this girl and sway her from the Armed Detective Agency to work for him after all, instead.

"Elise!" Alu said, and she pulled Elise towards her as though they were spinning in a dance together.

Elise let out a noise of surprise, finding herself spinning without warning. Alu caught her however with a laugh. Elise looked up at Alu, eyes wide. "What was that?" She asked, bewildered.

"Oh, so you are capable of emotions!" Alu teased her, grinning, before letting her go. "You were worrying me for a second!"

Elise didn't know how to answer that. It's not that I feel emotions… I just mimic what Rintaro feels… and apply it to the situation… Elise liked anger. That was an emotion that kept her from feeling anything at all. "I wanna go shopping!" She complained, pulling away from Alu.

Alu blinked. "Alright, alright… you lead the way!" she said cheerfully.

Alu thought this girl was amusing in a good way. She may just be socially awkward, she mused. That's okay, she would have a good day today with this girl. Not think about Ranpo, the agency, or anything at all! Just a day at the mall! Keeping an eye on a complete stranger for some weird old guy she didn't know! Totally.

What could possibly go wrong with this?

Alu kept her smile on her face while her lower lip twitched slightly.

—-xxxxx—-xxxxx—xxxxx—-

Alu found herself dragged mostly window shopping. One thing she noted was that Elise really did like pretty dresses. They looked at a lot of shops with those on display in the windows. "You really like dresses, huh?" Alu commented, looking at Elise.

Elise gazed at a particularly nice yellow sundress on display with a small straw hat.

Alu couldn't help but note that Elise looked …sad?

"It's Rintaro's fault," Elise huffed. "He won't stop doting on me. It's so disgusting."

Alu felt herself sweat drop a little. "Uh…huh…" so this little girl hated being doted on by someone who clearly wanted to spoil her? Then again, Alu frowned. "I…I know I'm probably bounding into territory that isn't my business here…but what is your relationship with that man?"

Elise eyed her, unblinkingly. Then she smiled, and it looked empty and somewhat cold. It made Alu feel like her heart was being stabbed. "What do you think it is?"

Well, that question was definitely ominous. Alu felt like she was stepping on a landmine all of a sudden with this kid.