A reunion

Despite her best efforts she’s pacing in front of the Junes store. Phone in hand, waiting waiting waiting waiting.
That text conversation is still fresh in her mind. It’s hee Akechi. Goro is here.
He’s here
He’s here
He’s here
He’s
He’s here and he’s looking for her and-

“Hannei!” Akechi’s familiar voice calls over and she turns. And it’s him, he has his attaché case and uniform and a look on his face like he doesn’t care if his expression is sour.
It’s real and she grins.
“Akechi-kun!” She doesn’t hesitate, dashing over to him and crushing Akechi in a hug.
He’s here and he’s real and solid in her arms. He’s real he’s real he’s real! She squeezes tighter and Akechi wheezes
“Hannei- you’re crushing me-“ he squeaks, and she can’t help but snort.
“Then hug me back or I’ll squeeze the air from your lungs!” She teases, she doesn’t care if anyone sees.
He’s here.
She doesn’t let go until she feels Akechi wrap his arms around her and give her a solid squeeze, and then pats her back in a silent order to let go already.
She does, stepping back, wiping her eyes.
“Sorry, I’m just- I knew you’d find me” he always does. Akechi sighs but shakes his head with a smile.
“Didn’t make it easy for me this time. But we have a lot to catch up” Akechi shifts his weight, resting a hand against his hip. “So, how long have you been here? From what Dove-San said you’ve been here a while”
She smiles at the mention of her friend, but nods. She’s been gathering information for a while now. They need to debrief.
“About a month I think, time’s a bit weird here.” She shrugs, digging around her pockets for her little notebook.
Akechi blinks “a month- how exactly did you manage that on your own?”
“Badly!” She thinks of creating mocktail monstrosities and graffitiing buildings around tokyo, “I think if you hadn’t shown up soon I’d have really lost it” but he did and he’s here and she’s not alone and-
Akechi puts a hand on her arm, cutting her thoughts off. He has an expression she can’t read for a moment, then pats her arm.
“Well, considering the circumstances, you did well. And I’m glad you’re safe”
He was worried about her.
Feels warm.
She isn’t sure how to respond to that so she doesn’t. “Well, I got a lot to tell you! Maybe in there, Junes has a food court!” A part of her is sure the Junes in reality isn’t nearly this expansive, but as long as it is she sure is going to take advantage of it.
Akechi looks at the store suspiciously then shrugs. “Very well, I’ll want all the details you’ve gathered. I’ll share what I have on my end, but I doubt it’ll be as expansive”
Hannei smiles then gives a mock salute. “Yes sir!” She giggles when Akechi rolls his eyes.
The routine is familiar, and she feels a tension in her stomach relax at it.
He’s here. He’s safe. He was worried about her.
She’s still unsure on how they’ll get home but she’s sure whatever happens she can handle it.
She has Akechi with her now. And he’s the smartest person she knows!