The view at the top of the mountain was, admittedly, breathtaking.
The wide horizon stretched out beneath the pale blue sky, clusters of trees rolling in every direction like a sea of green waves. The air was thinner, crisper, and birds circled in lazy arcs overhead. Most of the hiking group was still far behind—but Raito, with Emi snugly asleep against his chest, stood quietly at the overlook, arms folded.
And then his expression immediately darkened.
Standing just a few steps ahead of him, leaning casually against the wooden railing, was a figure he had not expected to see so soon.
"Fancy seeing you here," said Akemi, in her signature too-sweet tone, flipping her hair back over one shoulder.
She was already dressed for the perfect photo op—windbreaker slightly zipped down for style, a pastel beanie perched on her head, and a smug little smile playing on her lips as if she'd been waiting for hours.
Raito blinked once.
Then promptly turned around.
"Nope."
Akemi's boots scuffed on the wood as she stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with victory. "You're not escaping from me, Raito."
"I'm not escaping," he muttered, adjusting Emi's carrier and beginning his descent. "I'm… re-routing."
Behind him, Raika and Yumi had finally caught up, both panting slightly from the steep climb.
"Finally," Raika groaned, doubling over. "I swear, if you left us behind on purpose again, I'm going to—"
She stopped when she saw Akemi.
Yumi slowed her pace and squinted at the girl blocking Raito's escape path. "…Wait, is that—Akemi Inoue?"
Akemi, who had now physically stepped in front of Raito with her hands on her hips, beamed like a pop idol greeting fans. "Hi, Detective Yumi! Long time no see!"
Yumi blinked. "You know Raito?"
"Of course I do. We met at Kawai Kitty Con" Akemi said cheerfully, then motioned to Raito. We've bumped into each other a few times."
Yumi turned slowly to Raito, brows raised.
Raito kept his face blank while replying. "Yes."
Akemi quickly added, "And he tutored me for a bit too. Super strict, though."
That earned a double take from Raika, who looked like her mental gears had just screeched to a halt.
"Tutored you?" Raika asked flatly, squinting. "But you told me before..."
Akemi's smile flickered for a fraction of a second. Then she gave a breezy laugh. "Oh, that story? Just joking around. Raito's full of surprises, you know? Like how he moonlights as a babysitter apparently."
She peeked over at the peacefully snoozing Emi and gave a dramatic pout. "Ugh, she's so cute in real life. That's not fair."
Yumi furrowed her brows. "So… you two really do know each other?"
"I mean," Akemi said, batting her lashes, "you could say we have history."
Raito closed his eyes. "Please don't."
Raika watched Akemi with narrowed eyes, arms crossed. "Your stories don't match up."
"I never said I was consistent," Akemi shot back with a grin.
"I can tell."
Yumi, still trying to process everything, pointed between them. "So, hold on. You were tutoring her so what is your actual job?"
"I sell insurance," Raito said simply.
"Still?"
"Yes."
"And yet you somehow know a famous voice actress, and somewhat helped me with dealing with criminals"
"I multitask."
Raika and Yumi stared at him.
Akemi folded her arms with a pleased hum. "Maybe Raito's is as boring as he pretends to be though."
"I never pretended," Raito replied dryly.
"Lies," Akemi said sweetly. "You're just emotionally repressed."
"I'll repress you next."
Yumi covered her mouth to hide her snort, but Raika was less amused. She stepped up beside Raito and put her hands on her hips in that "older sibling" posture she'd perfected.
"Okay, but seriously. What is going on here? Why is she here before everyone else?"
Akemi just smirked and pulled out her phone, flashing the screen. "I had my agent send me the itinerary in advance. I knew the group would come up here, so I decided to wait for my favorite mysterious fan."
"That's… kind of stalker behavior," Yumi muttered.
"Thanks, I try."
"tch," Raito said flatly.
Akemi leaned closer, eyes playful. "Because you're fun to mess with."
Just as Raito took a slow breath to pretend this moment didn't exist, Emi stirred softly against him and let out a sleepy coo. All three women immediately turned toward her.
"Awwww let me hold her," Akemi gushed.
"Let me hold her instead Raito," Raika said quickly.
"You were wheezing halfway up the mountain!"
"I still made it here!"
Raito stepped back with Emi in tow, holding up one hand. "She's sleeping."
All three paused. Raika and Akemi reluctantly backed off but she only grinned wider, clearly enjoying the chaos.
"This is going to be a very interesting trip," she said smugly.
Raito remained silent as he turned to walk toward the benches near the cliff edge.
And despite the tension, the banter, and the secrets hovering like thin mist in the mountain air—Emi slept on, peaceful and unaware of the ridiculous triangle of confusion her mere presence had created.