"My phone's acting weird…" she began, trailing off as the power button received yet another annoyed press to restart.
"How so?" He queried, peering out the corner of his eye with growing concern.
"Don't worry, I downloaded the directions, it's just weird my service is so spotty here. It's no bustling metropolis, but I can literally see the cell towers from here."
"There are probably signal jammers installed around this town. How many bars of service do you have?"
"… All five." Came the knowing response as she sighed, leaning her head back against the seat. That confirms it then. What the hell are we walking into…Her thoughts raced in time with her pulse as the realization that they had been expected dawned. They were not only being watched, but were most likely expected, but by whom was anyone's guess. Fear quickly evolved into anger though by her own account it felt like a devolution. Her fists clenched in unison with her jaw, the tense muscles seemingly holding more rage than she could bear. "This is fucking ridiculous. I'm tired of being messed with. I'm mapping out the way to this Twin Peaks wannabe's town hall and getting some answers."
"You know that won't work. If they have the ability to mess with us in the first place, confronting them head on will do little but further expose us."
"Then what do you suggest we do? Turn back around? Hide like cowards?"
"What's gotten into you?"
"Nothing's gotten into me!"
"You seem very angry."
"I'm not! I'm just tired of people thinking they can intimidate us into cooperating. Into going along with what they want. Like we're some kind of pawns."
"I understand that, but why are you yelling at me?"
At this, Nanami paused as a wave of embarrassment then guilt washed over her. They were on the same team, experiencing the same unfairness and yet here she was, raging on at him, her partner. It was childish and she had little excuse. Perhaps yelling at one another was commonplace for some, but she couldn't allow that for herself. She had a responsibility to know better—to be better, and she found herself failing yet again; letting old demons get the better of her. "I'm sorry. I'm such a hypocrite... I lecture people—you included, about getting therapy and healing but I haven't even managed to do it myself. I apologize for taking this frustration out on you. I don't want us to be that way."
"So, you withdraw your professional opinion that I need therapy?"
"Oh hell no, you absolutely still need it."
A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth at her candor, and she couldn't help but return it, snorting a bit as she rolled her eyes. Even now, he found himself in admiration of her accountability. The lack of excuses he found so refreshing after a lifetime of deceit and scheming. It was in moments like this where she thought so little of herself—saw so much, yet still thought so little of herself—that he was convinced he wasn't devoid of feeling. Devoid of worth. After all, if someone he thought so much of thought of him, what right did he have to deny them? It wouldn't be a stretch of the twisted imagination to think his own sadistic tendencies found pleasure in seeing her low, but the more time spent in her presence the surer he became of what it actually was; he was humbled. Witnessing someone so ready to admit fault, to grow, to improve— it was humbling. He hadn't had such a feeling since Pops apologized to him that day, many years ago. It was the first time anyone thought him worth consideration in that way. To see someone so great, in his eyes, humble themselves before him hadn't had the effect he thought it would. He didn't feel the need for domination, to predate, in fact quite the opposite. So, this is what he meant. He thought to himself, though only a low hum could be heard.
He had been sitting in silence now for what felt like eons, staring at her, an unreadable expression in his features. She couldn't verbalize what she thought he was feeling in that moment, only certain that it made her warm. Too warm. Looking away in impending embarrassment, her eyes found the road and a man who'd seemingly materialized out of nowhere as she was sure it had been devoid of people before," Watch out!"
The brakes were slammed, and the tires let out a small screech as Overhaul brought the car to a halt inches before it made impact with the pedestrian. The man simply waved, smiling as he tipped his hat to them, walking off to the other side of the street and out of view. They both took deep breaths, surprised not one but both of them hadn't seen where or when this man had come from. They exchanged knowing looks, acknowledging the idea of it being an accident was markedly absurd considering everything else that happened up to that point, and decided to make a b-line towards the hotel.
Pulling up to the place almost made her forget why they were there. It was no ordinary hotel, but a rather majestic ryokan nestled in this small mountainside town. Though she was determined not to be caught slipping, it was certainly disarming as its grand entrance and naturally manicured garden seemed to pull them in. The man at the valet donned a familiar, unsettling smile as he promptly took the keys to the car in exchange for a ticket. The bell boy was already at the backside of the car to unload their bags, Overhaul grimacing behind his mask as he was reminded he'd need to disinfect their luggage. Again.
Upon entering, they found themselves bathed in the warm light of lanterns, trading their shoes for the new slippers provided by the inn as the smell of subtle incense and fresh tatami filled their senses. Gazing upward, Nanami found herself mesmerized by the height of the ceilings and the thick wooden beams that had obviously been well-maintained, the rivets holding them together still glistening despite their age. The sprawling double staircases leading towards the rooms felt almost too grand for such a small town's ryokan. On second thought, the grandeur rang off-putting in its similarity to where they'd attended the world's most uncomfortable brunch with Dr. F. And with that name, she deflated a bit, hardening her resolve instead. They coolly walked through the lobby, stopping at the conciergerie desk where the attendant seemed all too happy to see them. As captivating as the setting was, this was no vacation.
"Hello, welcome to the Hiho Grand Hotel. What can I do for you today?"
"Hello, we'd like to check in." He replied politely, the ability to change so quickly and be so cordial still managing to give Nanami whiplash.
"Of course, under which name?"
"Takeshi Sato and Sachiko Suzuki are the names."
"Ah yes, I have your rooms' booking confirmations here. Right this way, Ms. Suzuki. I'll have our other attendant show you your room as well Mr. Sato."
"'Rooms'? No thank you, that won't be necessary I only booked one room for us to stay. It should be the suite."
"Oh, my apologies, were you not informed of our policy?" The attendant piped, a bit too eagerly.
"No, I don't believe I was." He replied simply, though Nanami could see him tense slightly.
"We are a very… conservative little town here in Hiho. So, only married couples are permitted to room together during their time here to mitigate any unsavory behavior. You understand, yes?" She replied, still trying to make her way from behind the desk to escort Nanami.
"How very regressive of you…" Nanami said under her breath.
"Excuse me?"
"Impressive. I said it was very impressive of you to uphold such traditional values in this day and age." She smiled hollowly.
"Well, I'm glad you understand, it's not often we get like-minded folks coming from out of town."
"Oh yes, we agree completely. Traditional family values have been under attack for far too long if you ask me." The attendant's eyes lit up in response as she stopped trying to move from behind the desk, now deciding to engage in conversation with Nanami, however one-sided it was. As much as the discourse made Nanami want to roll her eyes, she continued, noticing Overhaul scratch each of his ears with bare hands. An odd move as he rarely fidgeted in such a way. As the attendant rambled on, Nanami felt his hand slip into her left one, intertwining their fingers, a cool sensation she couldn't pinpoint wrapping her finger. Before she could look down, Overhaul interrupted.
"I see, my apologies for not being clear. I didn't think twice about such a policy as we are indeed married."
Nanami choked in shock, but recovered, pretending to have a mild coughing fit. "Are you ok ma'am?" the attendant asked, taken off guard and slightly concerned.
"Oh yes, just clearing my throat." She affirmed, gulping, waiting for him to continue explaining whatever he was planning with this.
"That's good to hear, but you say you're married? I'm sorry but I'll have to see some proof, you understand."
"Of course," he complied, raising his left hand which now donned a simple gold band before raising her left hand to show a matching one. Nanami trying her best to hide her surprise.
"Oh! Well, that is… wonderful. But could you explain the difference in surnames? Just want to be sure, of course." She smiled though it seemed more strained this time.
"This slightly embarrassing, but my wife and I were very eager to start our lives together, so we actually eloped, just yesterday. We haven't told our families yet and wanted to enjoy our honeymoon before going back home. Isn't that right, honey?" He explained, Nanami herself almost convinced by the tender way he uttered "my wife". Gross. Get a hold of yourself.
"It's as my… husband says. We just wanted to get away for a bit and spend some time to ourselves in these beautiful mountains before going back to reality." She smiled, shimmying closer to him.
It was apparent the attendant wanted to protest further, but had little to rebut their claims. A stalemate had been reached and she put away the keys, grabbing the appropriate one to their shared suite instead. Wearing a smile that was as authentic as Prada Crocs, she stepped from behind the desk, "Very well, right this way please."
Breathing a sigh of relief, they followed the attendant up the grand staircase and down a long hall, the right side of which faced an immaculate courtyard with ponds shaded by maples adorned in smaller lanterns. It felt as though they had been transported back in time by the traditional air and décor, save for the fact that it seemed eerily quiet. The lack of other guests was alarming at first until they saw a few other couples who they had to assume were in on whatever they had walked into. Nervousness began to well up and she tried to fidget, only to be met with a firm squeeze of reassurance, realizing he had never let go of her hand. Softy.
"And here is your room, someone should be here to deliver your bags shortly, enjoy your stay." The attendant uttered before disappearing without another word.
They closed the door behind them, thankful that at least the doors had been upgraded to modernity and could be locked. Walking down a short hallway into the room she inspected and passed the full bathroom before entering what looked like a sitting room with traditional tatami seating and soft, warm lighting she was sure to bask in after relaxing in the bath. To the right was another doorway leading into the bedroom, her heart racing as she anticipated what it contained, "Wait, there's two beds?" She said half to herself, finding it a bit surprising at first.
His head tilted a bit before responding, "You sound disappointed."
"Am not!" she quickly rebutted though she could feel her cheeks warm. "I was just surprised since this looks like a honeymoon suite."
"Would you like it to be one?"
"I literally never said that."
"I could call the front desk and ask them to send a more honeymoon-appropriate option if you'd like."
His mask was still on, but she could see the smirk forming behind it a mile away. "Is this how you treat your wife? Teasing her? "She ribbed, resolved to win their banter.
"Depends on if she likes it." He replied evenly as Nanami noticed the absence of his smirk.
Suddenly feeling the need to take a deep breath, she fiddled with the ring on her finger, remembering it. Something had been missing about his appearance, but she hadn't connected the dots until now, "Good thinking on the rings by the way. That was pretty smooth." She said, genuinely complimenting him.
A bit taken back, he responded more meekly than before, far from being accustomed to praise, "… Thank you. The time you bought talking her up was helpful as well."
She smiled warmly at his reciprocation before continuing," Sorry about your earrings though, I can turn them back or replace them when we leave here."
"There's no rush," he responded a bit too abruptly before continuing more calmly this time, "I think we should leave them as they are and on our persons for the time being."
"Yeah, makes sense, gotta keep up appearances." She concurred, though her eyes found focus on nearly every other place in the room but his.
A knock at their door came just in time to cut the unacknowledged, but still-growing tension in the non-honeymoon honeymoon suite. After checking the peephole for the umpteenth time, Overhaul opened it, moving their bags inside. "The sun is setting, but the library should be open for another two hours or so. I think it would be wise to check out the place and get started on our search."
"Hard agree. Though I feel like we'll definitely have to be discreet about this. I'm sure you noticed too, but that whole 'traditional values' spiel the attendant was babbling on about was mostly lip service. They just want us separated. But for what, I'm not sure…"
"Correct. My assumption is that this town in related or possibly controlled by Faust—"
"So we're just dropping the Dr.F and going straight to the folklore nomenclature huh?"
"Naturally. There's no purpose in giving prestigious titles to people foolish enough to make the kind of deal he's presumably made."
Petty. "Alright, well I think we should start exploring the town instead of making a straight-shoot to the library."
"Agreed. By the way they've been watching us and the bugs I found,"
"You found bugs in here? When?"
"When you were daydreaming about the beds being conjoined."
"You never miss a beat, do you?" She deadpanned.
"Never. However, there were a total of five bugs hidden around, so it's safe to say that they don't know what we've come here to do yet, but they are wary."
"Let's go get dinner—outside of this inn—and get a feel for the rest of the town. There's not way everyone here can be in on this weird surveillance scheme, right?"
"Nanami, the entire Shei Hassakai compound is an innocuous-looking neighborhood." He reminded and she sighed, massaging her temples, feeling a familiar headache coming on, "Expect anything."