Written for Shinkane Week 2024, Day 1: Urban or Rural.

The city was as she remembered it. She could map out the familiar roads and buildings, the dizzying carousels of advertisements, the skyscrapers soaring into the firmament. Two years wasn't a long time for a place.

The car ride was fine, a little awkward but far less than would be expected after everything that happened. Even lunch, at the hole-in-the-wall restaurant that Kogami had taken her to, was a pleasant affair.

But then she stepped out into the city proper, into the public, and she couldn't. Walking amidst the bustling crowds and the speeding vehicles, she was just another person out on a Saturday, and yet her skin pricked like she was under a microscope. The enigmatic or, less charitably, insane murderer of the Bureau Chief… how easy was she to remember? Or was that to forget?

She never imagined this freedom would come without judgement. Yet Sybil had released her despite her wishes, refusing to have her stand trial and face human justice. The truth of her crime remained shrouded. What were those years for, then?

"We can leave the shopping for tomorrow and go somewhere else," Kogami said, stopping and looking at her. "Your quarters should be fine for one night."

"Don't you have to return to Dejima?"

"I'm here till Monday," he said casually. "You'll be a point of contact for Foreign Affairs when we cooperate with the PSB so I've been given a break to help you settle in."

That sounded like too much consideration for someone who'd still solely be a member of the PSB. She was about to reply, when she felt a sudden chill on her cheek. A drop of water. She looked up. Another one hit her forehead.

The skies opened and let loose a rapid drizzle.

"It's raining…" She remained as she was, face turned up.

The smell of petrichor slowly infused into the air as people dashed off to take shelter. The bright streetlights softened under the mist of the rain, becoming more like twinkling stars. The holo decorations flickered, once, twice, and underneath, the true shape of the city appeared in flashes.

In two years, the only "weather" she had experienced was the air conditioning. The raindrops were cold and she had to blink rapidly as a few got into her eyes, but it reminded her what it was like to simply feel.

She inhaled deeply and focused on the fresh air that filled her lungs.

…she had really been drowning in her thoughts, hadn't she? She had been doing that since her imprisonment, having nothing else to occupy her days. But that wasn't the case anymore.

Everyone had worked hard in all this time, believing in her. Now it was her turn to carry it forward, to forge ahead the way she always did.

It wouldn't be easy, but when was it ever?

"—Tsunemori." A light slap to the back of her head startled her out of her musings and into the reality that she was entirely wet and shivering.

And that Kogami had stood here with her the entire time.

"We should find somewhere to wait this out," he continued.

She turned to face him… and promptly broke into giggles. His ever-spiky hair had become bedraggled, the strands pitifully flopping into his face.

His concern melted into surprise and relief, then he narrowed his eyes and reached out to muss up her hair.

"Kogami-san!" she cried, batting at his hand with her own. He caught it and started to stride forward. She kept up with him, finally regaining her calm, though a smile still lingered on her lips.

In between her belief in her companions and in the allies she had chosen, her hopes for the society of the future— here in this moment, she thought she could hope a little for herself as well.

Forgot to crosspost my latest Psycho-Pass fics here until now :p. The title is inspired by the lyrics of the song Daydream Sky Train by Orangestar.

Hope you enjoyed and feel free to point out errors!