[txt] Hey, Naoto. Hope all is going well on your case. I know things are busy and you may not catch this message, but if you do... we love you here, and we can't wait until you're able to come home and see us. Make sure to get some rest if you haven't lately, eat something substantial (treat yourself, we sent you some money! <3) and the like. You can do it, Naoto. See you later. -Kanji and Rise
The case was taking a turn for the worse. It started simple with a robbery, but now the web had spun to a criminal network, money launderingand drug mulls. And that’s only what they had found so far. Needless to say, Naoto’s trip has been extended for quite some time from her original plan.
So it was with a degree of shame to admit that she had skipped to check her phone’s personal messages system for a few days, and by the time she reached Kanji’s messages, it had almost been a week. She read it while in public, as she was crossing a local park on a snowy winter afternoon. The snow made a crunch as she walks, the path winds to the other side, where it would only take a few more minutes to reach her hotel. It was far too cold for her liking here, a bitter, numbing sort of chill that doesn’t exist in Inaba.
Her breath comes in puffy white, and despite having gloves and scarf and jacket on, she still couldn’t feel much of her hands. The day of work had ended, and there’s a small hot drink stand by the entrance of the park. She got a coffee, and walked. It was somewhere between entering and exiting she finally found the messages, buried under so many more from others of her acquaintances.
It’s a simple message, and so very much Kanji and Rise. It warms her in ways her jacket and the coffee in her hand can’t. She doesn’t really need the money. God knows, they probably can live off what they already made if they retire right now, but it was the thought that counts, right? And the thought that they, all the way back in Inaba, remember and trust in her in ways her coworkers refuse to, was all that matters.
Her reply was simple. Away from work, why bother to hide?
[TXT] I miss you both dearly. I hope you’re doing well. I’ll do my best. Let’s celebrate when we all get together again.
There was a notable cheer in her step. Perhaps the hotel room will feel less lonely tonight.