Chapter Forty-Seven

So I've started to have an interest in the furry fandom? And I really want a fursuit? *sweats loudly* I swear it started when I watched a video about Telephone. I swear. IT'S ADORABLE YOU CAN'T BLAME ME.

And... I have come to the realization that Osomatsu-san has become a very problematic favorite anime. It's so... CRINGE inducing. And yet I watch every new episode every Monday. AND I'VE BECOME SO DAMN ATTACHED TO THOSE LITTLE F****** NEETS.

(I found a recipe for Butterscotch cinnamon pie and I cannot WAIT to try it out! I'm gonna have a... fat time lololol)

ALL ABOARD THE ANGST TRAIN

Ruri watched the little birds hop from branch to branch in her grandmother's beloved garden.

It had been 2 weeks since that visit from KID in the hospital.

2 weeks since the phantom thief's last reported appearance (although according to some, his next heist was going to be BIG in exchange).

"Ruri-sama?" a voice made the girl turn. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, Azuma-san," she replied with a gentle smile.

Azuma was a tall and well-built man very suited to his job as the bodyguard of Ruri's grandmother, Yukihisa Miyabi.

"If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to tell me," the man told her.

"Please, you don't need to use keigo with me, Azuma-san," Ruri made a small frown.

It was always a little uncomfortable to be talked to with the polite language. Not to mention it was harder to grasp what he was saying.

"No, I must. You are the esteemed madam's granddaughter and it would be impolite to even give thought to not using it," Azuma replied.

The brunette sighed and gave up. She had learned a while back that Azuma's stubbornness was on par with an ox.

"But if you would not mind me asking..."

Ruri looked over at the older man.

"Where did Ruri-sama obtain that hair tie?"

The girl reached up to touch the blue ribbon KID had given her.

"It was a gift from a dear friend, who I am now afraid I have lost," she replied, her voice quiet.

"...if you will pardon me for saying so, but I do not believe that a lost friend of yours is a good friend," the bodyguard huffed.

Ruri smiled while fiddling with the ribbon. "Is that so?"

"Ruri?" a voice asked, making the girl look up at the owner.

"Yes, grandmother?"

"How are you feeling?" Miyabi asked, whisking a gray strand back in place.

"Much better, thank you, grandmother," Ruri smiled as she got to her feet.

She was so glad to be out of the seiza. Thankfully, she was used to it after years of having a traditional Japanese education forced onto her.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't able to meet with you sooner, I was in a meeting with all those executives," Miyabi drew Ruri in for a hug.

Despite being an older woman very much in tune with the more traditional ways of the Japanese culture, she wasn't afraid of showing affection to her kin. Which wasn't very traditional, but hey, she was a woman unafraid of many things.

"Would the esteemed madam care for some tea with her granddaughter?" Azuma suddenly cut in.

Miyabi pulled away from the girl and nodded. "Yes, that would be nice. Thank you, Azuma."

"So why are you here, Ruri?" Miyabi asked, setting down her tea cup without a sound.

Ruri gazed into the green liquid before replying, "I was involved in a kidnapping and they sent me here to relax and recuperate."

"Ruri," Miyabi began.

The girl looked up at her grandmother.

"What is truly the matter?"

Ruri shied away from the worried gaze.

"I am... afraid," she finally admitted.

"Of what?"

"That I have lost a dear friend."

"And why do you think you have lost them?"

"He-They... They promised to never bother me again. And I have not heard anything from them since this."

Miyabi didn't say anything, instead watching the tears stream down her granddaughter's cheeks.

Kaito clutched at his head, trying to focus on his heist plan.

He wasn't quite sure how long he had been working, but the headache that was beginning to form screeched at him to take a break.

Opting for some painkillers instead, Kaito went back to making his 126th escape plan.

Kaito had often found himself wondering if Ruri would like the magic tricks he had recently come up with and then reminding himself that she wasn't going to come to the heist.

It made his chest ache when he thought of never seeing Ruri's face again.

Well, I'm sure I'll see her again. Happy and... away from all this.

It's a difficult decision, but I'm going to end this chapter right here. The next one will come out soon, I promise!

NEXT TIME: CHRISTMAS TIME

DFTBA GUYS!