Chapter Text
“Good job everyone! That’s the end of the session, see you all next week!” Watching all of the teenagers leave the room, gather their belongings and head home I was left in the dance studio alone. Standing, I glanced into the mirror at myself. Pausing, I locked eyes with the mirror image of myself. I really have grown a lot since I started dancing; we keep saving the world, before that Enigma was formed, before that I got my teaching qualification which Ayato worked so hard to help me apply for, before even that Thoma moved in and before that… mum died…
“Are you going home or hanging around Ayaka?” Yun Jin asked as she appeared in the doorway, freeing me from my daydream.
“I’m heading home now. You’re doing the adult classes right?” I answer, smiling at my colleague.
“Yes, it’s just me tonight as Nilou is out of the country visiting family.” Yun Jin was the founder of the dance school which had been minor until the retired idol Barbara had agreed to come teach. The popularity of the academy rapidly rose from that point, attracting far more attention. I joined the team soon after, and Nilou was a performing dancer who taught part-time for the fun and extra money to aid her dance career that was already blossoming.
*bling*
A message from Thoma… both him and Ayato had come to pick me up… usual spot.
“Ok, I need to go now but it was nice talking! We should really catch up some time, the four of us. Bye!” I called as I left the building and made my way into the night.
Walking down the street, I pulled the hood of my jumper up and walked faster than the others around me. I didn’t like open spaces in general - the neon lights being too bright and the cars whipping past giving me a headache - but also because since the last Harbinger attack the police numbers had been upped considerably, and being recognised was too dangerous for me even if I could play it off with ease. Headphones on, I didn’t notice the mass of police cars in front of me until I rounded the corner and saw them all lined up.
Oh no.
Legendary rapper Hu Tao’s new song with elite musician Xinyan was so good that I hadn’t been aware of what was happening. Taking the first turning I came to, I moved down the alleyway with much more ease, dangerous situation dealt with. Following the maze, I saw an odd piece of graffiti on a tile, appearing to be a stack of coins, painted in a pale blue. Ignoring it, I continued down the path.
My first mistake.
Making it to the next junction I saw a similar graffiti, this time of a kitsune in pretty pink paint. Maybe someone had made a system so people get lost less in the maze of alleys that all looked alike. Continuing to ignore it, I headed down that marked alley.
My second mistake.
Turning a corner, I found myself facing a dead end. I had taken a wrong turn somewhere.
My third mistake.
Pulling my headphones off so I would actually focus for once, I heard footsteps behind me and—
“FREEZE. PUT YOUR HANDS UP.”
I froze in place. I put my hands up. This was bad. A hand pushed my firmly against the wall. Discretely, I pushed the side of my bracelet into the wall in the same movement, triggering my help alert. Hopefully Thoma and Ayato saw it and would come to help.
“Do you have her?” A woman’s voice asked, rounding the corner and joining us.
“Of course, just as promised. We actually make quite a good team. If your girlfriend is ever busy again we should work together again.” Answered my captor, a man with a voice as smooth as ice… Wait. Whoever my captor was, he definitely had some form of ice control. Oh no…
“Focus on the task Kaeya. Save the clever words for more appropriate uses.”
Gathering some courage, I let out a few words: “What is happening?” Silence reigned supreme, until the man spoke up.
“We are from the Naroa Intelligence Corporation. We have reasonable suspicion that you, young lady, are an agent for and undercover spy group. We can’t let that slide, however.” What?! I have just lead Ayato and Thoma straight into them!
“I saw what you did. Your little bracelet is good enough to fool most. Unfortunately for you, I am far superior to most officers. I am sure you understand what you have done.”
No.
“Kaeya, stop playing with her!”
“Why not Miko? I know you are desperate to.” Their stares were audible, Kaeya’s victory also declared with a laugh. Now I just had to play the waiting game until Ayato and Thoma showed up… oh I am not going to forgive myself for this any time soon.