Chapter Text
Anya Forger has made a decision. A very, very dangerous decision.
She was going to convince Mama and Papa to go to Seasoning City.
The fate of the world depends on it! (Well, the fate of a kid with a weirdly bowl-shaped haircut.) Anya is not exaggerating. She even saw it in Bond’s head! She knows Bond is never wrong.
Her chance comes when Papa says at the dinner table, “I have to do a job in a distant city; it’s very important. The client says he’s having hallucinations.”
Very important indeed. Someone is supplying ‘weapons’ to a secret organization in Ostania. This, in turn, might fuel the war. A quick in-and-out mission. His mind then goes to a bunch of files he read. Anya does not attempt to understand the words; her brain might just explode.
Mama glances up from her food, curiosity lining her delicate features. “Which city might that be?”
If it’s the same place I have a mission in, that would be perfect, she thinks.
“Seasoning City. Well, I say distant, but it’s only a train ride away.” Papa takes a sip of his beverage.
Yor perks up. “Oh, what a coincidence. I also have to do a job there. Something about controlling a cult that was slowly taking over the city, plus neighboring towns. I’m just a small spokesperson; I’ll be traveling separately from the other, more important people.”
A human trafficker. I have to assassinate him, quick and easy. Shouldn’t be too hard.
Anya blinks, slightly horrified. Mama’s mind fills with different ways on how to… you know what, Anya is going to focus on her food.
“Coincidence indeed. Do you need to go right away?” Papa asks.
Mama shakes her head. “In about five day’s time. How about you?”
“Likewise.”
Hm. I feel like this is too coincidental, Mama and Papa’s thoughts chime simultaneously.
“I dunno what co-en-sea-dense is,” Anya says. It’s true. It was a very long word. Anya figured the word was for grown-ups.
Mama chuckles fondly. “Well, Miss Anya, it means that things happen simply by chance. Events that happen with no connection.”
“Ah,” says Anya. She does not understand.
“Well, anyway,” Papa injects, “there’s the issue of packing, correct?” He looks over at Anya. “Will Anya be coming?”
“Yes! I want to go!” She raises her hand excitedly, almost knocking over her drink.
As Papa tsks about her potential spill, the telepath thinks, This is so cool! Mama, Papa, and Anya all have secret missions! Just like Bondman!
Anya couldn’t wait; it left her restless the whole night. She doesn’t get a wink of slumber and is nearly late to school the very next day.
>>>
Kusuo Saiki was not exactly thrilled at the sight of bright blonde locks bouncing their way towards him. Especially when the owner of said hair is all but screaming his name. Why did she have to go and do that? The school hallways aren’t exactly the most private place.
“ Saiki! ” Aiura Mikoto stumbles over her feet and trips, crashing to the floor. Kusuo does not attempt to help, opting to stand there and glare at her instead.
‘ What do you want? ’ He deadpans, completely uninterested. God, he hopes he doesn’t need to prevent some world-obliterating event again. Aiura struggles to her feet, breathing heavily.
“I was looking at my crystal ball, right? Just trying to see if anything intriguing happens.” (Saiki figures she wanted to catch up on the gossip.) “Then a vision hits me, full force! You were there, as well as two others. Didn’t get a good look at them, but there was a young girl with pink hair and an older boy with a weird ass haircut. Haircut-boy was unconscious; looked like you were saving him or something,” Aiura rushes out, breathless. She eyes him meaningfully. “The vision came with a real sense of urgency. I feel like something big happens if you don’t save the kid.”
Kusuo blinks. Well, this certainly was a waterfall of information. Sigh . Didn’t he already have enough on his plate?
He starts to turn away in silence, but is stopped by a manicured hand.
“ Wait, Saiki. I think this is an actual serious problem, here.” Aiura’s tone is the most grave he's ever heard it. “This chain of events– if it’s changed, things won’t end well.”
‘ You’re saying a kid is the key to world destruction? ’ Kusuo asks. He was only half-joking. Heck, his existence was proof of this; he shouldn’t be joking at all.
“Actually, yes. He might be. As for the girl…” Aiura trails off, lifting her hand from Saiki’s shoulder. “She has tons of potential. I think she can reach heights you never did. Not like I’m saying you’re not powerful as shit, you could literally snap your fingers and kill everyone in the universe.” Thankfully, she says this part lower in volume, realizing that in fact, yes, the hallways are not always the perfect place to have a secret conversation.
Kusuo heaves a long-suffering sigh, making up his mind. ‘ If these two kids are really that strong, I may well have to interfere. Are they psychic? Or something else entirely? ’
Aiura ponders for a moment, then answers, “Pretty sure they’re psychic.”
Saiki raises a brow. ‘ There’s even more nuisances? ’
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?!” She places her hands on her hips, glaring at him.
Kusuo waves it off. ‘ Anyway. Is it really that urgent? I don’t know how prophecy works or whatever. Do I have to be there in a specific amount of time? ’
Aiura shrugs helplessly. “I guess just go when I tell you to? Usually these things have a time limit.”
Dragging a hand over his face, the pink-haired boy groans. Now, how the hell was he supposed to prevent this apparently serious issue if the one person who foretold it didn’t know when to get there ?
“Just give it some time, I don’t know!” Mikoto panics, raising her palms. “I only understand that this is extremely urgent and the world might end if the haircut guy is in this type of situation for any longer than he’s supposed to be!”
I don’t want to die early, you know! Her mind screams.
Sighing again, Saiki turns away. ‘ Fine. If you don’t tell me anything, though, I won’t do it. I’m too tired for this crap. ’
“I know, I know. Oh, great, now I’m stressed. How the heck am I supposed to find out when it freaking happens?”
‘ Use those prediction abilities of yours that you very much know how to use. ’
“Fuck you, too.”
>>>
Shigeo Kageyama was having a normal day.
Quite literally the most normal day ever, he’d like to add. No ambushes. No Claw. No snot-colored evil spirit trying to take over the world. There wasn’t even any drama. Not that Mob would know, anyway.
So why did he feel like he was waiting for something to happen? Waiting for the other shoe to drop?
It was a strange sense. Maybe it was a side effect of his psychic abilities. Maybe it was just human nature. But either way, something felt off.
Mob reluctantly chose to ignore it and not tell anyone else; he doesn’t want to burden them with his problems. He was certain it was nothing, anyway.
Yes. That must be it. Nothing to worry about.
There would be no issues.
-
While he was walking home from school, Dimple chose to float alongside him in uncharacteristic silence.
After a while, the spirit speaks. “Hey, kid. Somethin’ bothering you?”
Shigeo simply glances at him. “Not that I know of.” It wasn’t really a lie. He didn’t know what exactly was bothering him.
“Alright, then.” Dimple looks sideways at the boy. “...Just be sure to tell me or Reigen about anythin’ y’know? I can tell something is off with ya. Don’t know how, so don’t ask.”
“Oh. Okay.” Shigeo casts his impassive gaze to the ground in front of him. It’s nice that Dimple cared about him enough to notice something was wrong. However, he shouldn’t worry. Nobody should. Mob was completely fine. But…
He can’t shake off the feeling something was about to happen.
What could it be?
>>>
Five days later
-
Anya is so excited!
Mama, Papa, and herself were going on a super-fast train this Thursday afternoon! Straight into the city where she was going to have her ultimate secret mission!!
“Is everything ready?” Papa calls from the doorframe leading out. He’s holding a single leather briefcase; probably full of spy stuff.
“Yes, everything is ready,” Mama answers, hand on her rolley-suitcase. “Right, Miss Anya?”
“Right!” Anya exclaims, saluting. She had her own small suitcase with wheels, like Mama’s. And it was pink! Her most favorite color!
Anya looks back at Bond. The white doggy stares back. No more helpful cool visions, huh?
The telepath sighs. At least she got a super epic mission, though!
“Let’s go! Let’s go!” Anya chants, squeezing past Papa and marching down the hallways of the apartment.
She’s certainly eager, thinks Papa. Could she have any reason to be in Seasoning?
You bet! Anya huffs mentally. I’ll be just like you!
Aw, Anya is so happy to go to Seasoning City. I wonder if I can get any souvenirs for her. Images of several keychains and trinkets flash through Mama’s mind.
Ooooh, Anya definitely would like a souvenir! Then she shakes her head; secret spies don’t think about gifts!
“Franky’s going to watch Bond in the meantime, like he usually does. I’m sure Bond can handle himself until he gets here,” Papa says to Mama. She nods in understanding, smiling lightly.
“Well, then, shall we go?” Mama holds out her hand to Anya, who cheerily takes it.
“Yeah!”
-
The train was not as peaceful as Anya thought it would be today.
There were so many people! According to Mama, a biiiiig broccoli had grown in Seasoning City, and even though it’s gone now, people still wanted to see the remains or hear the story. To add on, there were lots of weird things that happened there, and still do. It was like a magnet for tourists.
Also, they went to a different train station this time. It was a lot more stuffy and hot.
Not that Anya was complaining! She was plenty ecstatic to go there! Except, uh. Crowds. Anya hated crowds.
Lost in her thoughts, the little girl bumped into a very very tall person, and her grip on Mama’s hand slips away. Anya momentarily panics.
Oh no!! Without Mama or Papa, someone might take me! I gotta find them!!
There were too much people on that train. Anya easily led herself astray, trying to dart around people’s legs to get to Mama and Papa. She could faintly hear them calling her name. Anya only got farther and farther away from them. The thoughts were starting to get to her; her breathing became uneven and erratic.
Ugh, this train is so crowded. Body heat is bad for my make-up.
Damn, I’m hungry. I gotta wait ‘til I get to Seasoning to eat?! Man, I’m stupid.
Remember the calming strategies your therapist told you… What was it, five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, one thing you can taste…
Ah, shit! Where’s my keys?!
I can’t wait to see my brother again…
Hm? Is that girl okay? She looks overwhelmed. Kind of like…
“Hey, uh, little lady with strangely pink hair? Do you happen to be lost?”
Anya whips around with her tiny suitcase and accidentally hits a man with brown-blond hair in the shins.
“ Mother- ” He clamps a hand over his mouth and squeezes his eyes shut in pain.
I can’t swear in front of a child! I can’t even swear in front of the kid, his brother would kill me if he ever uttered a curse, the man thinks.
“Oh, I’m sorry, mister sir. I got scared,” she says, feeling genuinely bad for him. That must’ve hurt.
The man crouches to her level, sighing. Anya notices the color of his tie; it’s pink! “It’s alright. Well, anyway, you look lost. Do you need help?”
Anya brings a finger to her chin. “Yes! I need help finding Mama and Papa. Or else, a bad man might take me away!”
The man blinks at her extra comment. “I suppose that’s a normally used excuse to stop children from running off,” he mutters to himself. “Not that it ever works.”
If it worked on literally any child, life would be perfect.
He clears his throat, holding his fist against his chest. “Nevermind that. Let’s introduce each other so we’re familiar. I’m Reigen Arataka, the- er, the guy that lives in Seasoning City, I guess.” He holds out his hand.
Perhaps I should shorten my usual title, Reigen thinks. It’s too long anyway.
Anya takes it and shakes excitedly. She wonders what his original title was. Maybe ‘The Guy Who Wore a Pink Tie’! Anya hasn’t seen anyone wear a pink tie before. Why don’t people do it more often?
“My name is Anya! Anya Forger. Will you help me find Mama and Papa?” she eagerly asks.
“Of course. Can you describe what they look like?” Reigen takes out a notebook and pen out of the inside of his gray suit. Woah, where did that come from?
“Hmmm. Mama has black hair and a pink headband. Papa has hair like you, but more light and yellow. He also wears clothes like you! But greener, I guess. Mama wears red and black all the time.” Anya raises a finger for every description, looking to the roof of the train in thought.
After Reigen jots things in the notebook, he snaps it close dramatically and stands up. “Okay, thanks, Anya. We’ll find your parents.”
“Yay!” She raises her hands in the air. “What do we do first?”
“Uh. How about I give you a lift? Maybe you can spot your mom and dad that way,” Reigen suggests.
Oh, that was a good idea! Anya nods vigorously.
“Alright, then.” He scoops her up and carries her on his arm. “Can you see them?”
Anya squints, trying to see through the many heads on the train. She also searches mentally for her parents’ thoughts, reaching out for the most worried ones. It takes a toll on her strength, and she became more tired by the minute. Eventually, her nose starts to bleed, which startles Reigen immensely. He whips out a handkerchief and gives it to the girl, who places it against her nose. She searches harder; Papa and Mama are here somewhere.
How did we lose Anya?! If she’s absolutely lost, the entire mission is doomed to fail! I can’t let that happen.
There! Papa! She closes her eyes for a moment, trying to figure out which direction the thought came from. She could sense it; Papa’s thought was surprisingly far away, almost at the other end of the train.
“Anya sees Papa! I think he’s near the end of the train.” Anya pokes Reigen in the side and points.
He squints. I don’t see blond hair. Maybe I need glasses. A bead of sweat trickles down Anya’s temple. Will he get suspicious?
“Great job, Anya. Let’s go, then.” He marches forward (surprisingly) with zero hesitation, pushing through the crowd and yelling, “Move! There is a child in need of finding her parents! And probably medical attention! Pardon me, but I am in a hurry!!”
Anya respects Reigen’s… what was it called? Spunk? He was cool! He was so cool, Anya needed a nickname for him. What about, hm, Reirei?
“Mister, can I call you Reirei-san?” Anya pokes Reigen again.
He seems startled at the question. “Er, well, sure. I don’t mind.”
“Hooray!”
Reirei-san continued to push through people, occasionally apologizing (but not often).
Damn, there’s a lot of people. Who knew Seasoning could attract this much attention?
Anya could now clearly see Papa and Mama, swerving their heads left and right and glancing at the floor. Oh, right. Anya was short. Annoyingly so. But now, with the help of Reirei-san, she’s taller!
Papa finally spotted the strange duo and his eyes widened.
“ Anya! Are you okay?” He rushes over, along with Mama, who looks very, very worried.
Reirei-san sets Anya down, huffing a breath. “Anya here hit me in the shins, then asked me to help find you two. Then her nose started bleeding. Doesn’t matter, though. I’m glad she found you.”
Papa eyes Reirei-san skeptically. “And who might this man be, Anya?”
Anya grins. “He’s Reirei-san! He’s nice. Also very loud.”
“I don’t know if that’s supposed to be a compliment or an insult, young lady,” Reirei-san chides, pinching the bridge of his nose. He brings a hand out. “What she means is that I’m Reigen Arataka. I live in Seasoning City. Nice to meet you.”
Papa shakes Reirei-san’s hand stoically. “I’m Loid Forger. This is my wife, Yor Forger. I believe you’ve already met my daughter, Anya.”
This Reigen holds himself with such confidence. I bet he’s a good talker. He seems laid-back. Maybe more casual answers will remove any suspicions about me and my family. He’s wearing a business suit; a businessman or an important official? Papa then takes notice of Reigen's tie. Scratch that, the color of that tie is too… erratic for an important official.
Whaaaaaaaaat? Anya loves the tie! Important officials should wear pink ties all the time.
Jeez, this guy is so serious. He needs to loosen up or something. Is that why he’s going to Seasoning? To be honest, he looks scary. Wouldn’t wanna get on his bad side. Reirei-san glances at Mama. She’s pretty, but I have a strange sense of unease about her. Eh, it’s probably nothing; she looks like she cares a lot about Anya. That's what counts.
Anya concludes that Reirei-san is very observant. Almost as observant as Papa! He would make a great spy.
Dropping his hand from Reirei-san’s, Papa says, “Thank you for helping Anya. We appreciate it.”
Reirei-san scoffs, crossing his arms. “It’s obviously no biggie. I have experience with children, so why wouldn’t I notice she looked lost?”
“I see.” So he’s a father, then? Why is he out here, in Berlint? Business trip, perhaps?
“Anyway, what’re you three going to Seasoning City for? Not in a rude way, of course. Just curious. I’m going home, running a business, y’know.” Anya saw that Reirei-san used his hands to talk. A lot. They waved around so fast they came out like blurs.
I wonder how Mob’s been holding up without me there. Oh no, I completely forgot about Serizawa! I’m not very enthusiastic to find out what kind of trouble they’ve gotten themselves into without me there.
“Oh, me and my wife have jobs to do there. It’s a business trip. You get it,” says Papa.
“I’ve also seen news articles that reached even here about the ‘Divine Tree’ incident. Me and several co-workers are going to Seasoning to converse about it,” Mama chimes in. I’ve always been curious about that. How in the world is it possible for a big ‘broccoli’ to just suddenly sprout in the middle of a city? Also, who in their right mind would follow a cult based on it?
“Oh, yeah,” Reirei-san mutters bitterly. God, I hate what Dimple did during that time. Taking advantage of it; what an idiot. Seriously, brainwash isn’t nice. Although it’s kinda sorta partially my fault that it happened.
Anya blinks in confusion. Who was Dimple? And brainwash? And it was partially his fault??? Obviously, Anya would need some extra context.
“I’m thrilled to be able to visit Seasoning City. I bet you’re proud to call it your home,” Papa says, clasping his hands together.
Not at all thrilled. God, these side missions are a pain.
What a liar, Anya thinks.
“Of course! Seasoning is a great place to live. The people there are… unique.” Reirei-san nods his head almost uncertainly.
Wouldn’t call it ‘great’, but… I have enjoyed some of my life there. Keyword, some. And by unique, I mean pretty fucking weird. In a nice way.
Wow. Both Reirei-san and Papa were liars! At this rate, Reirei-san could become an amazing spy, like Papa.
“Welp, uh, it was nice meeting you three! Your daughter is very nice, by the way. Reminds me of one of the kids I know. I have to make a call, so–” Reirei-san is interrupted by a ringtone, high and maddening. He takes out a flip phone and flicks it open, eyebrows raised in amusement.
“What a coincidence.” He looks up at the family. “I have to take this, if you don’t mind. Well, of course you don’t, you barely know me. I’ll uh… I can’t really move, it’s super crowded, so…” Reirei-san turns around, answering the call and covering one ear.
Papa looks sideways at Anya. “He’s a bit… peculiar, wouldn’t you say, Anya?”
“Yeah. Reirei-san’s kinda weird. He talks a lot,” Anya responds.
“Now, now. No need to be rude, you two.” Mama tries to make a mock-intimidating expression, but it was too intense and sent shivers down Anya’s spine.
“We weren’t being rude, Mama. We were telling the truth,” Anya says matter-of-factly (albeit nervously). Mama smiles and shakes her head affectionately.
“ What?! ” Reirei-san’s exclamation gets the attention of many nearby passengers, their heads swiveling towards him. Anya jumps slightly and turns to him. So do Mama and Papa.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit this is bad what how could this happen? No this isn’t happening. This is very not good. Oh god. I have to get back as soon as possible. I didn’t imagine Mob could get into this much trouble. Reirei-san’s thoughts ran at two hundred miles per hour, panicky and wild.
“Mama, Papa, I think Reirei-san is upset,” Anya notes, becoming a little stressed herself.
Mama sets her lips in a thin, determined line. I’ll try to comfort him. It’s like what I did with Yuri. Minus the crushing hugs.
“Mr. Reigen, are you okay?” Mama asks politely, stepping forward. Reirei-san whips around, a wobbly grin plastered on his face, poorly masking his panic.
“Of course! Everything’s fine,” he says smoothly, covering the speaker. “Uh, something came up at home, that’s all. I can fix it.”
Uh, NO I CANNOT. WHAT THE FUCK? Okay, okay, calm down Reigen, you can solve this. The student you’re supposed to be partially responsible for is only missing, nothing you can’t fix, Reirei-san thinks hysterically. Anya’s a little concerned for his scrambled brain.
Anya walks up and tugs his sleeve. “Reirei-san, you sound like…,” she says, face scrunched up as she tries to find the words to explain, “...like some important files are lost and can cause world destruction if they fall into the wrong hands.” Reirei-san stills.
Am I that obvious? Well, shit. I can’t tell them; that’ll make things worse. Also, where did Anya learn that vocabulary?
“Haha, don’t worry ‘bout a thing, Anya. Just… gotta talk to this person. Oh, and you can keep the handkerchief.” He turns away, hissing things into the speaker. “ What information do you have on it? We have to find him ASAP.”
Papa glances at Mama. “Should we… help him out? Based on his reactions…” Something is definitely wrong.
Mama nods shortly. “Yes, he looks quite distressed. Maybe something bad happened.”
Anya bobs her head certainly. “Did you hear his whisper into the phone? Someone’s missing, I think.”
Papa glances down at Anya. So she did hear that. “It’s safe to say someone he knows has disappeared. We should… probably help.” Though I’d feel bad to invade his private life.
“Alright. Yeah… I should be back in about two hours; trains suck ass. Hey, respect your elders, Ritsu. You too, Suzuki. …Hah?! Fine, I’m leaving.” Reirei-san snaps his phone closed, still radiating waves of nervousness the size of tsunamis.
He heaves a long sigh. Stress is definitely not the best feeling in the world, right now. Add that with the body heat here, and you have an overall horrible Reigen Arataka.
He turns swiftly on his heel to face the Forger family, smiling the best he could. “Well, folks. That was… not the best phone call I’ve received. But, everything is very okay.”
Mama hums skeptically. “You don’t look too good. You’re sweating buckets. Did you contract a fever?”
“Ha! Haha. No, it’s fine.” Reirei-san was kind of a bad liar.
Papa sighs. “Look, we might be able to help with your current predicament. Someone is missing, right?”
Reirei-san’s grin becomes strained. “...Yes. Right on the money, there.”
How’d they realize?! The entire goal was to not let people see through me like frickin’ glass!
“Whoever’s missing is in Seasoning, right? Well, obviously, you live there…” Mama smiles, but it’s wobbly and anxious.
Oh no! I just made it awkward! I can’t just kill him to stop it… Augh, he might remember me as that one strange woman on the train! Why did I have to go and say something he clearly finds personal?!
Reirei-san blows out a breath in a small stream of air, like he was focusing air through a flute. They have me all figured out. I don’t know if this is a good omen or a bad one.
“It won’t hurt to let you guys help… You don’t have to, though. Y’know, I’m perfectly capable by myself. Maybe.” I do need actual adults helping me out, not a few angsty teen psychics who don’t know what they’re doing.
Anya goes completely still. Psychics? There are more of her out there? How cool!!! Anya can’t wait to go to Seasoning City! Can they read minds, too?
“Of course we’ll help you. A close friend that’s missing is a… terrible thing to go through,” Papa responds, slight sadness lacing his voice.
Reirei-san narrows his eyes. I dunno if Forger-san is being genuine right now; I’d feel bad if I dragged an unsuspecting family into my situation. On the other hand, I need all the help I can get…
If Mob actually is kidnapped, who knows what catastrophe might happen.