[Time: 22:31. Location: Inside a Rental Car, Kansai International Airport. A couple days after the ordeal.]
"You have: two unread voicemails and 10 saved voicemails. Playing voicemail."
I groaned as I rubbed my face in fatigue. Why do I have to explain my actions a million times, and they still don't get it?
"Ryū, it's me, Jiro. I know you already said that you are leaving but.. Are you sure about this? Once you leave, I don't think you'll be able to come back to Japan for a while. You don't exist, so it'd just create a bunch of anomalies. You said you didn't want to come back.
I know you've heard this a thousand times, but me and Akane have a place for you and Tetsurou. Always. If you ever need anything, you know how to reach me. Take care, where ever you decide to go. We love you, Ryū." His voice distorted into something else entirely until it went back to normal in the middle of the message, making them scrunch their brow in confusion."Voicemail end. Playing next voicemail-"
"H.O.L.D.E.N, don't. Just save them all and store them in my private server. What's the earliest flight to anywhere?"
"I cannot give you a clear destination if you don't provide me with a target location."
"God, I don't know Egypt? Greece? I have access to the artefacts and ancient texts, but it would take me months to decipher them.... Even with your help." I complain, but I lower my voice as I turn to the back of the car to Tetsu in his baby seat, sleeping peacefully with a pacifier and a fuzzy panda teddy clutched in his chubby hands. I gently tuck his blankie beneath him, holding his little fingers with a smile.
'He's so precious.'
"I have booked you a flight from Osaka to Egypt, one way ticket in first class seating. It is an approximately an 19 hour flight scheduled to leave in three hours. I have notified the flight crew about both yours and Tetsurou's accommodation needs and I am awaiting a reply."
"Thanks..."
I admit my actions were made on impulse.
My only leads are based on the past missions I did protecting and retrieving Guardian Daemon Artefacts and texts. The main ones being held in both Egypt and Greece, and others scattered through Italy and other countries.
My soul is unable to heal especially after dying, then forcing myself alive and then falling back into coma disrupted the balance of my soul. I can't even perform standard spells, and I'm a 'Tier 0' Daemon.
The balance of my soul is all over the place, and it's only destroying me.
I'm useless.
"Sir, the flight crew has agreed to accommodate you and is getting ready to board early."
With a gentle hum, I turn off the car system and grab my black backpack on the passenger seat, digging through for my wallet, and most importantly, my cane.
'I haven't eaten yet, and I need to hopefully get some stuff for Tetsu before the flight.'
"Okay, let's do this. Good leg first, don't be a dumbass." I mutter under my breath, opening the door and holding to the side, cool metal under my hand before opening the back. My hand lingered on Tetsu's side before I gently shook him awake. I had decided against bringing my prosthetic, it'd only be a hinderance, especially through security.
"Hey bambino, it's time to go. Is that okay, baby?" I coo, watching him try to blink away remnants of sleep, looking around for my voice.
I wish I didn't have to wake him.
"Dada?"
"Do you want to come to me, Tetsu?"
He nodded, still clutching the panda in his arms as I unbuckled him, letting him crawl into my arms. I couldn't help but chuckle as he snuggled into my neck. Wrapping him with his blankie and securing him in the sling, I comfortably adjust him and close the door.
[3POV]
Luckily for the duo, the staff were incredibly helpful getting them past security and getting their luggage on ahead of time, even going as far to provide some goodies for Tetsu just from pure generosity, which Ryū kindly accepted.
Tetsu was munching on toast fingers with apricot jam, happily watching the giant screens full of departure notices. Meanwhile, Ryū was watching over him, whilst simultaneously putting tags on their luggage and occasionally stopping to take some bites from their udon instant noodles, tapping their knees in satisfaction at the salty taste. They'd been craving sodium the entire day, and that was perfect to settle their hungry stomach.
"Early boarding for Flight CAI, OSAKA TO CAIRO, EGYPT is now available. Please make your way to the booth in an orderly fashion."
"Orderly fashion..." Ryū spat with a mocking tone, shaking their head as they expertly tossed their trash into the bin.
It's as if Tetsu could read Ryū's mind, and started to crawl onto their lap, letting Ryū tighten the black carrier comfortably and handed him his teddy with a happy squeal. They briefly looked at their phone, a sad smile briefly appearing at the photo of them with Tsuki.
They grasp the cane in their right hand and lift themselves up, Tetsu letting a couple of happy giggles slip out, earning a tender smile from Ryū.
'I'm doing this for you, Tetsu.'
YOU ARE READING
Their New Future | BOOK 2 OF THE ANOMALY SAGA
De TodoTHE ENTIRE TIMELINE IS BEING REWORKED, AS ARE THE CHARACTERS! After the tragic death of Ryū Kuromiya, the nation faces a sudden escalation of deaths and mysterious incidents. As Japan mourns the loss of a dear celebrity, confusion occurs as their ot...