Through Fire and Water

Chapter 26 - Emperor and Empress

Izumi pov:

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Juri san asked warily while eying the water around us. "It's dangerous enough that you're jumping into the ocean but I feel even worse because you've left your injury open....I know you have to look natural when you turn up there but is this really necessary??"

"Of course it is necessary to act natural." I said while inhaling deeply. "We can't let anyone suspect anything about the portal and the cruise boat's blast will serve as good cover up. And yes, this has to work. I doubt there's any other way to get to Yokobu Shore. This is our best bet and even though it's risky, we have to try."

"I really hate this reckless side of yours, you know that?" Juri san deadpanned making me grin mischievously.

"I know. Anyway, don't forget to keep people on the lookout for a while after we've returned. I plan on sending those people caught by Taheji back to the modern era where they belong. I'm sure their waiting to come home to where everything makes sense to them. But considering how I turned up just a few moments after the time I actually disappeared, I'm guessing the others will return to their respective times too."

"Your logic probably holds true but we will be on the lookout for a day or two just in case." Juri san responded with a stiff nod.

Two days had passed since we had come to the modern era. Just as I had suggested, we had gone to the PDST's Headquarters to have a look at the pictures I had taken while in Sei'an. There weren't many pictures that I had taken since missions in the Edo Period weren't like the ones here but whatever pictures I did have were good enough to prove that we had, in fact, traveled from the past. The people, the places and the very appearance of everything convinced everyone that I had been telling them the truth and not some fairy tale all long.

We had set out for lunch soon after and to an Italian restaurant as I had requested. Ryuusei, Haji san and Kiyori were blown off their feet even more when we stepped out of the car and walked through the busy streets of modern Tokyo City and despite me telling them beforehand, they were very surprised and disbelieving of our fashion sense. They weren't the only ones gaping though – while the three of them were looking at our surroundings in awe, lots of girls and women passing by us kept ogling at Ryuusei and Haji san. There were a few guys who looked over Kiyori too but she didn't stand out much because of the baggy clothes she was wearing.

At one point, when we were waiting to cross the street, two girls had approached Ryuusei and Haji san to ask for their names, where they lived and whether they were interested in going out on a date. They didn't quite know how to respond to the girls' forward behavior so I had stepped in and spoken instead. Of course, I received glares from the girls, probably because they weren't happy that I was butting in and ruining a possible chance of getting boyfriends, but they looked quite shocked and walked away embarrassed when I said that Ryuusei was my boyfriend and we were going to be married soon.

Both Ryuusei and Haji san were impressed and mildly surprised by what I had said. But Ryuusei was happy and smirked while asking me when we should schedule the wedding. Embarrassed and at a loss for words, I had just told him to shut up.

After finishing up with lunch, which I was glad all of us enjoyed, we headed back to my house. Juri san and I had sat down to get important work done. Since I had firmly decided to go to the Edo Period, all the money I had been saving up for my world tour was donated to three different charity homes though online banking. I was a little sad to see all that money go because it was hard earned from the various missions I had gone on for the past eight years but the thought of being with Ryuusei and having a more rewarding life in Sei'an put my mind at ease. We also took care of a few more things before retiring for the night.