New Sound Chapter!

New Sound Chapter!

Title: Tokyo Sound
Fandom: Durarara
Characters/shipping: Mikado Ryuugamine/Anri Sonohara, Mikado Ryuugamine/OC, Mika Harima, Seiji Yarigi
Genre: Romance/Supernatural/Drama
Rating: M
Warning: Sexual content
Summary: Mikado and Momoki spend the day together in the city.

Link:https://archiveofourown.org/works/38027761/chapters/96363561

Sound Twenty-Six: Momoki:

Momoki greeted me outside of a shrine. She held her stuffed doll to her chest. She perked up when she saw me.

“Nii-san!” she said. Momoki ran over and hugged my legs. I reached down and patted her on the head.

“How have you been?” I asked. She looked up at me with a huge smile on her face.

“Great!” she said. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s good,” I said. Momoki broke into laughter. Her little face was like the sunshine through this endless nightmare. I gently patted her on the head.

“Did you come all of this way to see me?” I asked.

“Yeah!” Momoki shouted. I paused when I felt a pair of smaller eyes on me. I looked up to see that little golden pipe fox sitting on her head.

“Oh, you’re here too,” I said. The little creature stuck out his tongue at me. I don’t think he likes me. The pipe fox disappeared behind her back.

“So what are you doing out here?” I asked. She looked up at me with a huge smile on her face.

“I wanted to see you!” she said. Momoki giggled. It felt like having a little sister at my side. I reached down and patted her on the head. She broke into a little smile.

“So what are we doing today?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. I don’t know why Momoki and I meet up at shrines and temples. I don’t pick these places. She just appears here on her “days off”. (I don’t know how that works. There are still some things about Purgatory that I don’t understand.)

“So you want me to pick the place?” I asked.

“Uh-huh!” she said. How did I know? She always wants me to take the lead. Momoki sees me like an older brother. I think she might have a crush on me too. Come to it of it, she’s kind of weird in her existence. How exactly do I explain this? She looks and acts like a child, but she’s definitely not a little girl. In a way, Momoki-chan reminds me of Honoka-san. Both of them are older than they act.

“Have you eaten yet?” I asked. Momoki smiled as she shook her head. I patted her on the head.

“I’ll go take to you to go get some cake,” I said. There I go again. I am making promises without thinking. I could only smile and shake my head to myself. Meanwhile, Momoki perked up.

“Yay!” she shouted. Her laughter could make anyone smile.

“Okay,” I said. I held out my hand.

“Ready to go?” I asked.

“Yes!” Momoki cheered. She took me by the hand and I led her away from the shrine.

——–

I don’t really have a plan when it comes to Momoki. Everything just seems to happen on an impulse. Mostly when I see her in Purgatory, she and I are playing tea party in her room. Come to think of it, this was one of the few times that she’s come to see me in the living world. It’s just a reminder of how bad everything is getting.

“Nii-san,” Momoki said.

“Hm?” I asked.

“Is Anri-nee coming with us today?” she asked. I shook my head.

“Sorry,” I said. “Not today. It’s just going to be us today.” Momoki pouted at me. I patted her on the head.

“Maybe next time,” I said.

“You promise?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said. Momoki cuddled up to my side. She had a little smile on her face. Was it possible for a child to be this cute? It’s kind of weird to be back in the city in the living world after being in the between. There wasn’t traffic when I met up with her at the temple. Now, it’s a bit jarring to hear cars and people walking around. Momoki didn’t seem to mind it. On the surface, I looked like a guy walking around with his little sister.

“Mikado-kun?” I heard behind us. I turned to see Mika and Seiji walking down the street together. She still clinging to his arm. Their relationship is getting a little bit better, but he still doesn’t trust her. I turned with Momoki to face them.

“Hey, Mika, Seiji,” I said. “How have you been?”

“Good,” Mika said. Seiji kind of nodded at me. Mika looked down at my side.

“Oh, and who’s this little cutie?” she asked. Momoki’s breath caught in her throat as she hid behind me. I looked down at her.

“Oh,” I said. “This is Momoki.” Mika knelt down to eye level with her.

“Hello there,” she said. Momoki hid behind me again.

“She’s a bit shy,” I said.

“She’s like a living little doll,” Mika said.

“Are you out for the day?” Seiji asked.

“Uh-huh,” I said. Momoki tightened her grip on my hand.

“Seiji and I are out on a date,” Mika said. She cuddled up to her boyfriend and smiled. Seiji’s jaw tightened for a second before he went back to being stoic. I didn’t know if I should say anything or not. She probably knows that something is wrong. Knowing her, Mika doesn’t want to let go. In a way, I don’t blame her. Still, I know that she has to talk to Seiji about when he got possessed and she kept the truth from him. It reminds me of how I have to talk to Anri about many things.

Momoki nudged me on the leg. I looked down at her. She looked at me as if she was hinting something at me. Oh, right…

“I think she wants to go,” I said.

“Oh,” Mika said. “I guess we’ll let you go.”

“See you around,” I said.

“Bye,” Mika said. I took Momoki along with me down the street. We didn’t speak at first. Momoki just looked at all of the people walking by. Sometimes, I wonder what she’s really thinking.

“She’s not really happy, is she?” Momoki asked.

“Hm?” I asked. I noticed her looking up at me.

“No,” I said. I just left it there. She may be older than she really is, but Momoki is still like a child to me. She shouldn’t have to think about complicated issues. I started to think about Masaomi and Anri. I still needed to talk to them. Masaomi isn’t taking any of this as well as he’s pretending. Michiko won’t let anyone talk about Saki. Anri and I don’t know what to do. I don’t even want to think about the problems I have with Anri. How is she even taking all of this with the girls coming back into my life?

“What’s wrong, nii-san?” I heard.

“Huh?” I asked. I looked down to see Momoki looking up at me. Oh no. I’ve upset her.

“It’s nothing,” I was quick to say. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” She still looked up at me, worried. I knelt down and patted her on the head.

“I just have some problems right now,” I said. “You don’t have to worry. I will figure things out myself.” I pulled her into a hug.

“Everything is going to be fine,” I insisted. I don’t know why I keep telling that lie. If a child can see that I am lying then what hope do I have of keeping anything together? I let go of her and stood up.

“Let’s get you that ice cream, okay?” I asked. Momoki perked up.

“Okay!” she said. Well, that was fast.

“Okay,” I said. I took her hand and we went walking down the street.

———

We made it down to the ice cream shop.

“What would you like?” I asked.

“Chocolate!” she said. Did I need to ask?

“Alright,” I said. I walked up to the counter and ordered the two chocolate cones. We sat outside on the bench, eating them. Ice cream in October. Somehow, I am okay with this. (I have been okay with many things lately.) Momoki is taking her time with the cone. But she does enjoy it.

“You have some dipping on that side,” I said, pointing to the other side of her ice cream.

“Oh,” she said. Momoki turned the cone in her hand and licked that side. I am remembering the first time she tried ice cream in the living world. She took to it quickly. Momoki has quite the sweet tooth. You should see her with cotton candy or a candy apple.

“How are things in Purgatory?” I asked.

“Fine,” she said. Momoki doesn’t want to talk right now. She’s enjoying her ice cream too much. I have learned not to talk to her while she’s eating. Instead, I turned to the crowd of people walking by. Nobody seems to notice us. With me, either all eyes are on me or they just don’t look at me at all. I do better when it’s the latter. Gives me a better chance to think. It would be better if I talked to Anri first. She hasn’t been asking me any questions. Part of me wishes that she would. I haven’t had a chance to figure out what she’s really thinking.

I shook that thought from my head. I can’t let that ruin my ice cream. I looked down and saw the top of Momoki’s ice cream gone. I couldn’t help but smile. Just looking at Momoki can calm me down more sometimes. I took another lick of my ice cream. This just does good.

She doesn’t want to leave me just yet. I can’t keep her out too long, but she will plead with me to stay out.

“Where do you want to go now?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Momoki said. Looks like we’re just walking around the city again. I’m fine with that. There’s one thing that I have to do first.

I pulled out my phone and dialed her up. Her phone went to straight to voicemail. My stomach dropped. She must be at Erika’s place again. Lately, we haven’t had much time with each other. It’s mostly my fault. I just need to sit her down and try to talk to her. I’m going to have to suck it up and do it.

“Hello, Anri?” I asked. “I’m going to be out for a little while.” I looked over and saw Momoki looking into one of the store windows. I smiled as she stared intently inside. She’s still learning more about the living world.

“I’m out with Momoki for the day,” I said. “I guess I will see you tonight? Bye.” By the time I hung up, Momoki was looking up at me. I perked up.

 “Ready to go?” I asked.

“Yeah!” the little girl said. She giggled and twirled around. I took her by the hand and we started walking. Where were they going to go now?

I have to keep watching the time. She has to go back to Purgatory soon. Momoki takes a risk to see me in the living world.

“Hey, Momoki,” I said.

“Hm?” she asked.

“Why do you come all this way just to see me?” I asked. She leaned her head against my leg.

“I just wanted to see you,” she said.

“Even if you are putting Purgatory at risk?” I asked.

“Yes,” Momoki said. She clung to my jeans with her free hand. I don’t understand it with all of them. They could have any guy that they wanted. Instead, they chose me.

I shook my head to myself as we kept walking. I looked down at Momoki. Maybe I could get her a present. I think she might like another doll. Maybe a stuffed bear would be better. Yeah, a stuffed bear would be good. Meanwhile, she looked out at the traffic passing by us. She reached out to a car at one point. Oh, that’s right, I was going to take her on a train ride. I don’t think we can do it today. Maybe the next time she comes to see me, we’ll ride the train together.

“Hey, Momoki,” I said.

“Hm?” she asked again.

“When are you coming back to the living world?” I asked. She took a moment to think.

“Next month,” Momoki said. Somehow, hearing that made my heart sink a little. It all reminded me that time was running out for all of us.

“What’s wrong, Nii-san?” Momoki asked, bringing me back to reality. I quickly made myself perk up and smile for that little angel.

“Nothing,” I lied. “Next time, let’s just go on a train ride—just you and I, okay?” Momoki perked up.

“Can we go to the beach?” she asked. I couldn’t help but laugh. I patted her on the head.

“Sure,” I said. “Whatever you like.”

“Yay!” Momoki cheered, pumping her little fist in the air. I couldn’t help but laugh. We spent the right of the time together walking around the city.

———-

I had to take her back to the temple. There has to be a certain time that Momoki has to go back to Purgatory. Vanessa told me it would have to be at six in the evening.

“The veil between Purgatory and Hell become thin around that time,” she said. “Those souls will always try to break the barrier by then.” I walked Momoki back up to the temple. She looked up at me, pouting.

“Do I have to go?” she asked. I sighed.

“Yes,” I said. “You have to keep Purgatory safe.” Momoki clung to my leg.

“Come on,” I said. “You have to go home.”

“But I don’t want to,” Momoki complained. I patted her on the head. She looked up as I knelt down in front of her.

“Look,” I said. “You’ll get to see me again next month. I might get to see you before then.” She stared at me with wide eyes.

“Do you promise?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. I pulled her into a hug. She hugged me back. I’ve gotten better at putting her mind at ease. It took me a while to pry her off.

“I’ll see you soon,” I said.

“Bye-bye,” Momoki said. She turned and walked up the stone steps. I waved as she walked through the doors and disappeared. I always felt so cold when Momoki leaves. I don’t know how to explain it, but it doesn’t linger too long.

I turned and started walking home. I pulled out my phone and dialed Anri’s number again. To my dismay, it went straight to voice mail.

“Hey Anri, it’s me,” I said. “I’m coming back home now. Hey, can we talk? I guess I’ll see you tonight. Maybe? See you.” I hung up and shoved my phone back into my pocket. I glanced up at the sky. At least it didn’t look like it was going to rain tonight for a change.