Title: Remembrance

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of the characters, plot or other assets of Matantei Loki/RAGNAROK/Gods of the New World. Please only credit me for the fanfic.

Author's Note: I'm back! Gah, I need a vacation from work to backlog some chapters, jeez. Well, let's get this show on the road! Thanks again for reading!

-START-

Impatient fingers danced along the plastic buttons of the vending machine. They hovered here and there over some selections, but never lingered long.

"Hm…" a deep voice mused, "Which drink do you want?"

"Do they have black coffee?"

"Um…no. They don't."

"Aw. Then cola is fine."

The fingers punched the buttons harshly and the machine rattled in response. Seconds later, two bottles of soda slide down the inside of the contraption and into the narrow compartment at the bottom. They clunked heavily like weights until the blond teen reached down to retrieve the cold beverages. He held one in each hand and extended the corresponding cola drink to his friend. The teen took the bottle with a 'thank you' so quiet that it was almost inaudible compared to the cracking of the soda lid and the hissing release of carbonation that followed.

Mayura took a long swig of soda before speaking. "Mmm, so good! Thank you, Kou."

"It's no problem," the teen said with a tiny smile, happy to see that the drink seemed to have lifted her spirits a bit. Plus, the extra kick of sugar would no doubt be helpful in conquering the lengthy day ahead.

"I feel more energized already," Mayura said, eyes brimming with excitement as she comically clenched her fist and held it up in the air. The powerful gesture was silhouetted against a perfect pink and lavender sunrise. "Like I'm powering up for a challenge!"

"Where are we, in a video game?" the blond teen asked with another laugh. "Jeez. You're too much sometimes."

He had it admit, it wasn't every day that he was up at dawn hanging around the city. Usually, he slept in when he could and only awoke early to get a jumpstart on particularly annoying, probably work-related tasks. To say the least, he wasn't a morning person.

Yet, when Mayura had called him at 3 a.m. wracked with nerves about meeting with Loki and his family about recent happenings in Asgard, he'd found it remarkably easy to get out of bed and pull on clothes. Speaking of his outfit, what he wore was quite different from his usual attire. Instead of pulling his school uniform or any of his other his other preppy ensembles, which usually consisted of polos and uncomfortable khakis, he decided to just wear loose and comfortable clothes instead.

His father would no doubt chew him out about 'family image' and other similar topics, but with Mayura, he didn't feel the need to force a posh image or extravagant coolness. Quit the opposite. The teen felt like he could be comfortable with her and not have to worry about issues he'd otherwise fret over with his family. He didn't have to be concerned about if the undertone of his perfectly pressed suit was appealing in harsh fluorescent lighting, if he was biting his lip too much or if his shoulders slouched and his stomach softened from the exhaustion of standing upright and poised without fail. He could be imperfect with her, and he was selfishly enjoying the feeling of it.

Apparently Mayura had the same idea. She had donned casual clothes for their rendezvous as well, including an oversized sweatshirt to fend off the morning chill. Her make-up was minimal, aside from a mauve lipstick he noticed she liked to wear.

"It's kind of different to not see you wearing your school uniform," Koutarou commented with a laugh, hoping some humor would prevent tension from earlier when she'd first called him from creeping back into the air. "You look weird without it."

He was crouching on the ground a few feet away from her, leaning against the drink machine while she remained standing upright. When he risked a look up at her, she was smirking down at him.

"Speak for yourself, Mr. Bigshot," she said in return, playfully reaching down to tug the hood of his jacket over his head. The surprise worked, and Koutarou lost his footing for a moment. He gave her an eyeroll as she laughed and returned to his original position. "I didn't even know you owned clothes that weren't tailored!"

"Mr. Bigshot?"

"Well, you always dress like a billionaire," she replied. "I'm shocked you didn't bring brandy or cigars with you this morning.

"Very funny," he commented while taking a sip of his favorite lemon soda.

Mayura snorted again, which due to the deadness of the street, seemed even louder than usual. Currently, the duo was standing on a semi-remote corner of the city's arcade district. Due to the early morning hours, the storefront shutters were still drawn, and the streetlights were still on even as the sun slowly inched over the skyline to warm the concrete alleyways inch by inch.

The man never thought the city could look so peaceful. Even with bright neon lights and the distant honking of cars starting to become louder and louder, everything around them seemed as still and tranquil as the ocean floor for the moment.

"I'm glad you called me," Koutarou said, breaking the silence again. "This is nice. I don't usually get up this early, but I kind of like it."

"Yeah?" Mayura asked as she stared at her drink absently. She'd already finished over half of the bottle. "I think you're right It really is. You know, you always see people doing this in movies. You know, hanging out early in the morning or late at night with their friends. I thought maybe I'd try it and maybe…I don't know, it would calm me down."

"Is it working?" he asked, blinking his eyes slowly as he watched her take another impressive gulp of soda and then smother a hiccup with her palm.

"I think so," she said, beaming at him. "I do feel a little calmer, but energized and happy at the same time."

"Really?" Koutarou inquired doubtfully. "After just one bottle of soda? It's still sunrise, you know. You're going to have a sugar crash before Enjaku even opens."

"Then you'll just have to buy me another soda," she posed with a shrug, and Koutarou could only sulk instead of managing a reply.

That was right. They would have to make their way over to the detective agency in a few hours. Although the small god had never given them a specific time to show up, Mayura just assumed regular business hours would apply and that they could show up around 9 a.m. If the gates were closed or if Loki was seeing a client, they could always come back later. Although somehow, Mayura knew deep down that Loki probably had a way to be ready at any hours of the day to see them.

"Well, would you feel even better if I bought you some breakfast too?" he replied, bending his knees and unfolding his body into an upright position. After rolling his shoulders, he reached into his pocket and took out his wallet again. Before he could flick the leather bifold open, his hand was filled by a crinkling wrapper. Inside the transparent package was a large pastry. Further inspection caused him to realize it was melon bread.

"No need for that, I came prepared," Mayura explained happily as she relished in the surprised look on his face. "You paid for the drinks, right? Well, let me treat you."

"Did you just buy this?" he asked in amazement.

"Nah, I picked them up on my way to meet you here," she replied simply, crossing her ankles as she leaned against the machine, hands pressed snugly between the glass and her spine. "Nothing was open, so I just got them from a machine, but now we're even."

The teen smiled at the gesture and unwrapped the pastry. It was such a simple act of kindness, but it made him feel so warm. Even though he'd been gifted finer items from wealthier individuals, including aged whiskeys and expensive caviars, something about the consideration and thoughtfulness behind Mayura's gift made it extra special.

"That's….really nice," he said softly. "Thanks."

"Ha! I rendered you practically speechless, huh?" she asked, striking a pose and fluffing her hair confidently.

The blond teen left the corner of his lip tug upward and had to force himself to not laugh while chewing on the bread. "You're getting better at that every day."

"Oh, so you're Mr. Smooth Botshot now, huh?" she asked playfully as she bit into her own treat, which appeared to be a crumbly pastry filled with deliciously-scented custard.

He nodded and swallowed the sweetened loaf with ease, enjoying the taste much more than his typical on-the-go breakfast of ice and fish leftovers from the kitchen fridge.

"Is that my new name, Ms. Bribing Friends with Food at Dawn?" he teased in return, which caused her chew her bottom lip in what he assumed was supposed to be a frown. Thank goodness was a better detective than actress.

It seemed that his mission was a success. Although she'd done most of the work herself, like always, Koutarou looked at the smile on her face and realized she was definitely happier and more confident than before. That was a mandatory part of helping her cope with what was ahead for them…for her, really.

As the sun continued to inch further over the horizon, the almost-giddy joy the two shared began to fade gradually to a calmer, more serene happiness. It wasn't until they heard the familiar metallic clang of the shops opening their shutters and lifting their gates. The sound of keys in locks and the dull roar of an approaching crowd was a signal that it was time to start walking.

"The stores are opening," she said with a sad smile. Truthfully, she was sad that they had to leave. While her curiosity burned to know what had happened with Loki up in Asgard and what divine agreement had been reached, she enjoyed the peace and quiet of relaxing with her one mortal friend. There was a sense of solace that she got from being with him that she hadn't felt with anyone else in quite a while.

"We should get going," she finally conceded as she tucked her hands into the pockets of her oversized sweatshirt. Thanks to the sun, things would keep warming up as they walked. The young woman could at least be thankful for that.

"I'll go with you," Koutarou offered as he took the empty wrappers from his hand walked a short distance to a nearby garbage can to pitch them. He continued, "I know you want to talk to them and I don't want to intrude, but I can at least walk you there. I might not be that entertaining, but…"

"I'd like that," she replied with a thankful bow. "Thanks so much! It would be a boring to walk alone anyway."

"You can even keep making fun of my clothes, if you'd like," he said with a smirk.

The teen laughed loudly and jogged a few steps ahead of Koutarou. It was easy to get ahead of him, and she couldn't resist throwing her hands behind her back and striking an easy pose she watched him fumble to catch up.

"As tempting as the offer is, I'd feel bad if I kept teasing you," she said as she looked back over her shoulder.

"Would you really?" Koutarou asked with forced incredulousness.

"Well, it wouldn't be special if I did it all the time, right?" she replied in a singsong, doing another twirl as Koutarou picked up the pace to walk alongside her.

"I wouldn't mind if you did it every day," he thought secretly.

"Heh, I guess you're right…" he admitted, feeling a tiny blush creep on his cheeks. Needless to say, Mayura didn't notice and paid his demure reply no mind as she rushed onto yet another topic to fill the void of silence during their stroll.

Other than their sporadic range of conversational topics, the rest of the walk was decently quiet thanks to how early it still was.

Also, with it being a Sunday, students were busy sleeping in and less employees than usual congested the roads and sidewalks during rush hour. It made the trip between the arcade district and the detective agency oddly quick. Time seemed to pass all too quickly, and she also suggested they take another loop around the block to prolong the inevitable as much as possible.

"I want to do this," Mayura told herself firmly, her heart thumping as their neared the agency's distinctly high stone fence, which shimmered like mica in the morning sun. "Why am I so nervous?"

The entire time, Koutarou made small talk and made it his personal mission to make sure she arrived at the agency in the best mood possible.

By the time the two arrived, the agency's gates were wide open and there was nobody waiting out front. Even if they weren't busy with customers, it was still evident there was at least someone home. After advancing another few feet closer to the towering building, Mayura overheard the distinct and familiar sound of a straw broom scraping the pavement. Upon peeking around the corner, she laid her eyes on Yamino sweeping leaves from the entryway like always.

As if sensing her presence, the young man turned to her.

"I'm here," she said, almost sounding shy all of a sudden as she revealed the rest of her body from around the corner and took a few timid steps forward.

"Of course," he said with a bow. "We were waiting for you. Oh, and thank you for coming as well, Mr. Kakinouchi."

The blond teen was caught off guard by the formal address, but didn't falter to reciprocate with a greeting. "Ah, it's…um, good to see you, Mr. Yamino."

It might have been silly, but her sudden modesty and lack of confidence unsettled Kakinouchi beyond words. It only added to the hurt of their betrayal, and how even though her forgiveness and willingness to listen, they had shattered her trust seemingly beyond repair. The old Mayura would have bounced right up and danced circles of excitement around him. Now, she seemed nervous and almost reflexively apprehensive. Not that he could blame her.

While the two were still clearly close, there was an additional layer of awkwardness Koutarou knew hadn't been there before. Truthfully, it was hard to watch.

"Master Loki is waiting for you if you'd like to go up," he prompted. The butler then sat the broom aside and stepped out of the doorway to allow her entry to the towering mansion. The young woman nodded kindly in return and approached the corridor. After a few steps inside, she paused briefly to exchange one last glance with the butler.

"Um, will you come up too?"

"I'll be up in a minute," he promised. "I just have to ask Koutarou something, and then I'll join you all in Master Loki's study. I promise I won't be long."

"Is…Fenrir there too?" Mayura asked hopefully.

Yamino's expression seemed to change somewhat, as if he was surprised by the comment. Then, he nodded and said to her delight, "Yes, we'll all join you. Including Big Brother as well."

The response seemed to bode well with Mayura as she gave one last look to Koutarou. He shot his best reaffirming smile, which probably looked more worried and awkward than anything. Apparently Mayura also saw through his nervous fa?ade, because one of her bubblegum brows lofted as she pursed her lips to prevent chuckling at the sight. Still, his gesture seemed to work to a degree, and she continued up the stairs with her head held high.

When he heard the clink of the door shut, Koutarou turned his attention to Yamino. He couldn't help but overhear that he'd said he wanted to ask him a question, and as weird as he felt hanging around with someone he knew was a demi-god that he also didn't know very well in the first place, he knew it was improper to just leave.

The teen cleared his throat and asked as politely as possible, "Um…you…had a question for me?"

"Indeed I did," Yamino replied, closing his eyes and pulling a strand of dark hair back from his face. He turned to the teen and smiled at him knowingly. "Tell me…was the champagne to you and Ms. Mayura's liking?"

He was completely dumbstruck for a split-second. Everything about the casual question countered all the possible scenarios that had flown through his head in the split-second between their interaction.

Then, an exclamation of mirth escaped his lips and one of his hands flew to his mouth to oppress the unrefined sound of his laughter.

"Well," he said honestly as his gaze drifted up the house to the window of Loki's study. Inside, he saw a tall man and the flash of a bright-red blazer on the other side of the glass. "To be honest, she liked it more than I did."

-END-

I don't know what it is, but something about synthwave music just makes the words flow when I write this fic. Sometimes I listen to other genres (vaporwave, lo-fi, chillhop, Witch House, darkwave) of music when I write, but they just don't mesh with me for this story. Maybe it's fake nostalgia for a time I wasn't even alive during, but anything related to synthwave, retrowave or retro electro really helps me write this story. Weird, because that's not the canon aesthetic for the series at all.

Do you guys have any situations like that?

Anyway, I had a ton of fun writing this chapter, so I hope you all enjoyed it! If you're binge reading this story, go get some water or soda and take a break. You deserve it for making it this far.

See you soon!