I woke up one day and chose violence + wrote this out of spite + enslaved by the fic idea = recipe for this- whatever this is :")

May isang umaga
Na tayo'y magsasama
Hanggang gumulong ang luha
Hanggang mahulog ang tala

~Alapaap, Eraserheads

Act 1: As Seen Through Different Eyes

o0o

It's one thing to do something and have regrets over simply doing it.

It's another thing when you don't and regret having not done anything at all.

One, Eva Rosalene believes that their job encompasses both types of regrets. But as of the moment, she wonders which of the two would be the lesser kind of embarrassment. She took a glance ahead and observes the other passengers on their commercial plane. There was a mix of irritation, pity, disappointment, and unimpressed looks on their faces.

She turned to her side and easily decided.

"…so the Greatest Detectives embark on a journey to the Land of the Rising Sun. What challenges awaits them? Will they gain new friends? Enemies to de-"

Slap

"Oww, Evaa," Neil rubbed his sore arm as he glared at the woman beside him.

"People are staring," the aforementioned woman flatly answered, "Cut it out."

The brown-haired man dramatically reasoned, "But Eva, it's Japan! How can you not be excited?!"

"Japan is quite a beautiful country…"

The pair's heads swiveled to the seat near the aisle where they were met with a stranger with green hair, "…although I might be a bit biased since it is my home."

Eva watched as Neil's eyes grew metaphorical sparkles before he smugly turned back to her, "Seeeee. This man, here, understands me. Unlike the sour puss sitting by the window in her lonesome."

The black-haired woman rolled her eyes as she tried to ignore her coworker's incessant screeching to the stranger that occupied the other seat on their row. Finding it hard to block out their loud conversation, she grabbed hold of the headphones and pushed them over her ears. Pressing a few buttons on her armrest, she flips through the available frequency to find a relatively good station to listen to. It was until she found a station for the instrumentals, that she settled down.

As the sound of the peaceful ocean waves overtook the noise, she let her mind wander to the blue-orange skies outside the window pane. For a while, she remembers falling and hitching a ride on a two-seater plane. It was with one of their previous clients and his…airborne friend.

Maybe, she should be a bit more understanding of Neil.

This might be him acting up due to his agoraphobia, after all.

"Did you defeat the monkeys on the-"

'Or not,' she thought as she upped the volume a bit more.

She peers upward from her window and quirks a smile seeing a fully white moon above. It had also reminded her of another client they worked with. Personally, she found it easier despite the blocking mechanism they had to bypass before they had to rebuild forwards. Unlike the more recent one, there was no sentient interference to be at odds with. Luck or not, she was grateful they got out of that with their heads still attached to their shoulders, literally and figuratively. Nonetheless, it was truthfully a good job – fulfilling a person's ultimate wish or dream.

However

Sometimes, she wonders if it was truly alright.

Leaving behind what is in exchange for imagined hopes and aspirations.

The painful truth or the fulfillment of a lie.

Or was there really any difference in the weights they each carry.

She shook her head in hopes to clear her previous thoughts. This was one of the reasons why she tries to keep her work and personal life away from each other. The difference between the job mission and personal opinions is too great. She won't be able to do her job efficiently and sensibly if she constantly put them at the forefront of her brain.

The other thing they have to be wary of was the mentality and morality of their clients. It was truly detrimental for any of them in this line of work to dwell in their patient's memories. This was the reason why they had that protocol to be debriefed as soon as they finished their work. There was also a regulatory vacation of sorts, which was optional, that was set up for all the employees.

She was going to take it, actually.

But this trip overseas took precedence over that.

To be frank, she never did expect to get sent to another country. She wasn't even aware that the Sigmund Corporation accepted requests from abroad. Heck, she didn't even know that it was possible for the nearest kin to approve the use of their machine on a dying patient. She had talked to her colleagues about it and they had never encountered such a case before. She also tried to talk to her boss out of it but even then, the patient's proxy paid far more than what they could offer.

It's business on their side and desperation on the other.

She had no argument left in that aspect.

Even so, in her honest opinion, their boss should've sent one of their 'elder' seniors instead, based on more experience alone. If they were talking about overpayment of services, then at the very least, they should send someone with enough qualifications to receive that pay. But then again, no one else was bilingual or trilingual enough to get sent. And while she did take that Japanese elective back in college years ago and was probably rusty, she was the only one who had enough background in the language to get around that country.

And much to her 'luck', Neil also took the same elective back then.

Amazing, really.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she raised the volume of the music.

With nothing else to sort in her thoughts, she decides to grab one of the magazines in the pocket of the seat in front of her. She immediately scoffs at the front-page headline. Now, she isn't one bit invested in any entertainment news. She doesn't hound information on who's dating who or what dog this artist owns but even she knows how much of a playboy that new Usui CEO is. If she did her math right, this was probably the tenth or so scandal he was featured in.

And again, this is coming from someone who doesn't care about these things.

Who knows how much more she hasn't seen?

That's how infamous the guy was.

She flipped through the pages and found some articles she tried to read. And it didn't take long for her to stop. After a short while of concentrating to piece the letters and words into coherent concepts, she felt like her head wanted to split wide open. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she fully leans to the backrest. Glancing at her companion, who was looking more like an impressionable kid by the minute, she sighed. Whatever they, Neil and the guy with rounded glasses, were talking about would just make her brain even more metaphorically dead than it already is so she just focused hard on the tune that was playing on her headphones.

'If they ask, I am not related to this man beside me,' she said to herself before she drifted off to sleep.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at the Zahra International Airport"

"And here's my stop," the green-haired man said, cutting off their current conversation about tea houses.

"You're not going back yet?" Neil asked as the man got up and took his bag overhead.

"Not yet, I'm afraid," the man threw him a service smile, "I still have…some business to finish."

As the not-stranger-anymore, Chikage, filed himself along with the other passengers getting off of the airplane, Neil saw a picture slip through the book he was holding. Whether it was out of reflex or stupidity, which Eva would insist it was, he dove down to the floor and snatched it before it got crumpled over multiple feet. Ignoring the protests and sneers sent his way, he went back to his seat while smoothening the creases the photograph had and stared at the image.

There were three figures sitting over a white brick fence. He easily picked out the man he just talked to. The younger, perhaps around eighteen years old, version of him was sitting on the left side. He was frowning at a white-haired guy eating marshmallows. The only one not candid was the one in the middle. Turning it over, he notes the neat writing of the months, December, August, and April.

He doesn't understand why there were three months listed but he figured it must've been a code for something else. And usually, if something is written in code, that would mean that it was important. So, like an impulsive man he is, he shook Eva awake.

"Wha- We're there already?"

"No. We just stopped over Za-something. Now come on," Neil took Eva's hand and pulled her up to stand.

Now fully awake, the dark-skinned woman asked in confusion, "What? Why?"

"I have to return this," the brown-haired man shook the picture in front of her as he took both of their hand carries.

"Cucumbers, Neil. Just give it to the lost and found," she reasoned as she pulled back to remain in her seat.

"Come on Eva, the plane won't take off for another two to three hours," Neil whined as some of the other passengers that remained began looking their way.

"Fine!" Eva hissed as the two of them walked out to the plane's entrance, "But if the plane leaves us, you're taking all the blame."

The black-haired woman's warning fell to deaf ears as her coworker dashed onwards to the immigration. Upon reaching the station, Eva had to explain much more clearly as to why they were getting off early despite not having any clearance to stay in Zahra. Several apologies and warnings later, it was decided that a Zahran guard will be deployed with them as they looked for the man with green hair and light purple eyes.

It was for safety, they said.

Getting cramped into a taxi wasn't exactly what Eva and Neil had planned after almost being chewed off by the local police. And despite the initial irritation over the strictness of their policies, they were absolutely glad it didn't escalate to more despairing matters and that the Zahran language was nearly similar to Eva's mother tongue. It was almost worth it after their taxi had reached the bustling main city of the country. Sadly, they didn't have enough time to sightsee any stalls and performances as their 'babysitter' kept them in line towards the location of Neil's acquaintance.

That is until their guard began shouting over his communication link.

"He said something like 'what do you mean you lost sight of him'," Eva translated to Neil.

"Dagnabbit, it's such a small country and they can't track him-" Neil scoffed before he saw a flash of green from the corner of his eyes, "There! It's him!"

The gesture was enough to be universally understood and the three of them began their chase. To be truthful, Eva was skeptical that Neil truly saw this Japanese businessman. For all she could care, it might've been just a green burka or an evergreen turban. And after much running in circles, as she was sure she had seen that same fruit stall for the fifth time, she began slowing down to catch her breath.

"Mother of mangoes," she huffed as she leaned on the wall for support, "And he said he was getting too old to run."

"Is something the problem?"

The dark-skinned woman looked up and saw an older man with similar skin to her and hair of very light blonde. He had his head and neck covered with white cloth. His other clothing garments consisted of splashes of apple green, black, white, and gold. She took the man's outstretched hand and steadied herself. If she wasn't so fed up with everything that was happening right now, she would've bowed to this man for being so considerate.

"Eva!" she heard Neil call as she straightened up to face him.

"Ah, your Hi-"

Neil cuts off their guard, whose face had mysteriously soured, and asked the light blonde guy, "Have you seen a man with green hair and about this tall?"

As Eva was about to scramble to translate, the native man replied in a very accented English, "Gray suit and striped blue tie?"

"Yes!" Eva exclaimed before realizing how desperate she looked, "I... uh."

"Citron," the man introduced himself and gestured for the tall man with dark brown hair behind him to come forward, "I believe Guy and I saw this person."

"He was heading to sixth street, near the spice stands, about thirty minutes ago, your Hi-" Citron coughs before Guy continued, "Sir. Shall I send for him?"

With Citron nodding, the poker-faced man immediately directed the guard that came with the two foreigners to some other location. It didn't take long for the two foreigners to realize that this light blonde was an important figure. However, as it was too awkward to even ask about it, they didn't bother and continued to act normally as possible. And seeing how the taller guy positioned himself, they also figured that the shorter amiable man didn't want his identity to be revealed.

A few minutes later, they finally met again with the elusive man who had a tight look on his face. However, when he saw the two foreigners he met on the plane, his face morphed into confusion and suspicion. When Neil had given back the photograph, Eva notes the understanding and pensive look he gave it. It had been so abrupt that she questioned whether or not she actually saw it.

After the business man gave them both a rabbit's foot as thanks, Neil smirked at his new friend, "So I guess this is officially farewell?"

"Who knows?" the greenette good-naturedly shrugged, "I may need your services one day."

As their taxi back to the airport rolled away from the main city, Eva could only ponder whether Neil mentioned to that guy what their job is.

Thankfully enough, they got back in time before the plane doors closed.

The rest of the flight was uneventful and Eva was glad for that. She had recovered all her energy that was wasted because of her partner's whimsical nature. Unfortunately, it also meant that his energy reserves have been replenished in the worst way possible.

After gathering their luggage and getting cleared to leave the airport, they hailed a taxi to their hotel. Thankfully, the man-child settled down to stare in awe at the various colorful billboards showing some cartoons in them. On her side of the car, she respectfully observes the passing cars, buildings, and people walking or crossing the street.

Talking to a few Japanese people at the airport already had jogged her memory a bit for conversational Japanese. And she found that she was not that incredibly worse off, at least not as much as Neil. So, for the rest of the ride to Tokyo, she coerced her coworker to practice translating some phrases and try to comprehend the written characters from the posters and signs.

"To star in a…historical? Drama," Neil squints at the poster before it disappears from view, "…and I didn't see the rest of it."

"I think I saw a character that could be read as Tenma but I could be wrong," Eva sighed as she moved to the next sign, "What was the boss thinking accepting a client from the other side of the world?"

"What, indeed," Neil excitedly smiled, "But look at the bright side, Eva. We get free vacation! In the land of anime, no less!"

Choosing to ignore, once again, the ramblings of a 'weeb' as he had proudly declared himself to be, she continues to reconnect those dormant neurons for language. She diligently practiced her character pronunciations inside her head so that at the very least, one of them could actually hold a decent conversation using the common language.

After they arrived and checked in to their hotel, they left their luggage and proceeded to hunt for some late breakfast. And much to Neil's pleading, they took a train to a place the stranger in the plane talked about. After a series of unfortunate events like getting sardined due to the morning rush, and getting too up close and personal with a blonde, magenta-eyed employee, they arrived at a teahouse that turned out to be a bathhouse instead of an eatery.

With a slap to Neil's head, Eva took the lead to get them some semblance of affordable food.

On their way around the neighborhood they had gotten off to, they met up with a line of preschool kids wearing yellow hats. Eva smiled to herself as she remembered her own nephew, Jaime, who just started school. Suddenly getting an idea, she walked towards their pink-haired teacher, who had an alarmed look on his face with the boldness of her approach.

"C-can I help y-you?" he asked.

Neil's snicker from behind went over Eva's head as she asked as nicely as she could, "We're just newly arrived tourists and I was wondering if there are any cafés in the area?"

"Oh, um," the teacher took a moment to collect himself before answering, "If it's not a bother, my cousin operates a family bakery."

"At this point," Neil said as his stomach rumbled loudly eliciting giggles from the little kids, "I'm okay with anything."

After getting detailed directions from the kind-looking guy, they waved goodbye to the walking children then crossed the street.

"Please don't judge him too badly!"

The teacher shouted to them as they walked on the opposite road. Both of them were confuddled on why the kindergarten teacher said that but assumed that they might've mistranslated instead. After asking other people they met in the area about the Hyodo café, to make sure they didn't make any wrong turns, they finally arrived at the previously-mentioned establishment.

"Good morning," said the purple-haired man in an ocean-deep growl.

It was only then that they understood what the pink-haired guy said.

The two of them eyed the other before Eva sighed and greeted the man similarly. The hoodlum-looking person behind the counter nodded in her direction as she began looking over the pastries on display. After asking Neil, who chose the table near the window, for what he wanted, the two foreigners munched on their late brunch. Normally, Eva would not indulge in sweet things for breakfast but the pastries she got were so detailed and cute that she just had to get them. She always appreciated the precision and intricacies of such delights.

And because she wanted more of the buns shaped like a bird, she went back to the cash register to ask and get more.

Although she wanted to catch the guy's attention, she couldn't ignore the proud smile he had while watching Sports News. She lets him finish the portion of the show where the reporter, who sported the same violet hair as the man in front of her, was talking. Profusely apologizing for not paying attention to her, the man gave extra buns free of charge. Even when she refused, he still insisted she and Neil took a few more bird buns.

With a bag of snacks at hand, the two happily left the place physically and heartily full.

On the trip back to the station, they passed by a crowd watching a street act. They couldn't see what was happening up front due to the thickness of the people but from what they heard it sounded cool. However, not wanting to get Neil distracted by any more spontaneity, Eva grabbed a flier from the red-haired guy and pushed her companion in the direction of the train station. Once again, they had to rush to get tickets to catch the train before it left. As the train doors closed, Eva heaved a big sigh as she leaned comfortably on her seat.

"Let me see that," Neil grabbed the flier and read, "God Troupe…presents Harrison Porter and the Wardrobe to MysticLand?"

"That," Eva mocked, "is the most obnoxious title I've ever heard. Did you even read that right?"

"Well, at least, it did its purpose," Neil said as Eva took the flier from him to read for herself, "Is this a theatrical play?"

"Yes."

Startled, the two foreigners' faced a blue-haired man beside Eva. Realization dawned on his face and he began to bow at the dark-skinned woman apologizing for interrupting their conversation. Clearly unsettled by the bowing, Eva glared at the tittering Neil and pleaded for the other man to stop.

"So…" Eva starts, "Neil, will you shut up!"

She tightly pinched the brown-haired man before she asked, "Anyway…the God Troupe?"

The man subtly glanced at the poster.

Eva saw how his cerulean eyes seemed focused on the contents of the paper but were actually not. It was the kind of soft look one takes when reminiscing about something from long ago – a look of past longing. This type of look she had seen a fair share of when she met up with potential clients before signing off their lives on a piece of paper for them to change. She immediately inferred that perhaps this guy had a history with the troupe or at least knew someone who worked there. The pause was long and she almost considered declining the offer of an explanation when he finally spoke again.

"They're a famous theater group here. They won quite a few Fleur Awards- ah, those are awards for the best theater companies around here. If you're looking to get entertained, I recommend catching one of their plays," he softly smiled, "Well, if it fits into your itinerary."

"We'll ke-"

"Oh, sure. We have time," Neil interjected, "Our job doesn't even take two days to finish."

Eva could only sigh and tightly smile at the blue-headed stranger.

June 8, XX98

There will come a day when we'll meet each other again. I won't stop reaching for you, through all these tears and even when the stars fall.

I promise.

o0o

Comment below an A3 character you recognize in the chapter (I think there's more than 10?) and I'll reply more about that character in this AU.

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