The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 84

Inside an upscale kimono shop nestled in a quiet Kyoto alley, the kind where the staff wears white gloves to handle fabric and the lighting is suspiciously flattering, Satoru held up a bolt of silk so obscenely expensive it had to be woven from clouds and regret.

“This one says ‘rich noble,’ right?” he asked, holding it up to his frame and spinning just enough to catch the light.

Suguru, leaning lazily against the wall with a tray of swatches like a sushi sampler in his lap, didn’t look up. “That one isn't regal enough, I think," he said with a flick of his hand, "It's too gentle.”

Satoru clicked his tongue. “Really? You think it's going to be that big of a deal?”

“We need to be as a believable as possible," Suguru said, holding up a crimson thread.

They both grinned and turned back to the selections.

Suguru paused with a length of bronze-gold fabric in his hands, then looked at Satoru. “So… she’s really going through with this?" he asked softly.

Satoru nodded, folding his chosen fabric with unusual care. “Yeah.” He paused, staring ahead at nothing, then added, "Yeah, she say's she's ready."

Suguru exhaled slowly, then turned to Satoru and asked, “Do you think she is?”

Satoru smiled, a crooked little grin. “Nope.”

With a sigh and a shake of his head, Suguru sat up. "We can still make a back up set of ashes before we go," he reminded him gently, "I know you're against the idea but—"

"I know," Satoru waved his hand, setting down the fabric and turning to face Suguru. He leaned back, balancing back on his palms and looking over his sunglasses. "I just— I just want to make sure we don't rely on it. But, yeah, I know this is the right time to do it." He shook his head, "I was actually going to tell her to just go ahead with it, but don't tell her yet."

"Why not?" Suguru asked.

Satoru snorted, "I don't want her to get all smug about it."

"She wouldn't, would she?" Suguru asked, covering his smile.

"She absolutely would," Satoru grunted, "You haven't seen it yet. She's got this new little… goblin side to her that is just kind of showing up lately? It's bizarre. Must be her real personality coming through."

Suguru raised his brow. "Do you like it?" he asked, trying not to smile.

"Of course I like it," Satoru sighed with a lopsided grin, "It's so much fun."

Suguru snickered and stood up, clapping his hand on Satoru's shoulder. "Let's get moving."

They left the shop, order forms in a folder tucked under Satoru's arm as they walked down the street together. New Years would be coming soon, which sounded good to everyone right about now. The trip to the Heian Era was a big risk, but it solved so many problems that it was just worth it. Still, no one really wanted to think about any of that right now.

Across town, Nanami sat at a polished conference table in the police precinct, the glare of fluorescent lights reflecting off the edge of polished wood. Across from him sat an Inspector and two other upper-rank officials — stern faces, well-tailored suits, and fatigue etched into the corners of their eyes.

“So,” one of them began, voice flat and clipped, “the Ministry isn’t thrilled about removing pieces of Heian–era history. But you say you’ll… replace them?”

Nanami nodded, folding his hands. “Yes. Artifacts of higher historical importance. We’ll return with items of greater cultural value, or at minimum, a deeper context that would make these coins’ absence more than worthwhile.”