The room smelled faintly of dust, an old, lingering scent that made it feel more like a forgotten memory than a space in a house. The walls were lined with shelves, each crammed with collectibles—dolls, action figures, plush toys—all centered around one thing: Kawai Kitty.
Bright, colorful figurines of the cartoon's iconic characters, the ones Raito had watched as a child, stared back at him with their exaggerated eyes and soft, smiling faces. Some were in pristine condition, carefully arranged in glass cases. Others were in less-than-perfect state, worn with age and handled with care, but still loved.
Kurai's laugh echoed in his mind, lighthearted and teasing. Seriously? This is where you've been hiding your… passion?
Raito didn't flinch at Kurai's laughter, his expression as serious as ever. His arms remained steady, holding Emi, who was obliviously cooing in his embrace. He had no time for frivolous reactions. This room—this space—was something he didn't need to explain. It was his.
"I've been watching Kawai Kitty since I was a kid," Raito said quietly, his tone controlled. "It was simple. It made sense. Everything else in my life—chaos, noise, trouble—never made sense. But Kawai Kitty… it was always clear. Straightforward."
Kurai's laughter softened into a low chuckle, still amused. I suppose everyone needs something to care about.
Raito remained unmoved, his gaze steady as he looked over the room. He wasn't going to justify his fandom, but the truth was, he'd spent so much time trying to suppress his likes and interests to maintain a quiet life that this was the only place where those things were allowed to breathe. He wasn't looking for approval or validation. He never had been.
"Anyway," he continued, his voice firm, "today's Kawai Kitty Con. I've been meaning to go for years, but I never did. I figured the attention would disrupt my life. People always look at you differently when you do something like that, but this time…" He glanced down at Emi, who smiled up at him with big eyes. "This time, I can take her. No one will care if I'm there with a baby."
Kurai remained silent for a moment, processing his words. So, you're not worried about how people see you. It's the disruption to your quiet life you're avoiding.
Raito's expression didn't change, but his gaze sharpened slightly. "Exactly. I don't care about how people see me. It's just… I don't need the noise. My life is quiet enough as it is."
Kurai hummed thoughtfully in his mind. I understand now. It's not about the show, or the fandom. It's about preserving your peace.
Raito nodded slightly, looking back at the shelves filled with his childhood memories. He wasn't ashamed of his interests. He simply knew the kind of life he wanted—quiet, undisturbed, and free of unwanted attention.
"I don't know why I'm even explaining this to you," he muttered, shaking his head slightly. "But I'm going, and I don't care what anyone thinks."
He turned to the door, closing it softly behind him.
"Time to get ready for the Con," Raito said to himself, a trace of calm anticipation in his voice. There was no hesitation now. He was going to enjoy this moment, without fear of the outside world.
He glanced at Emi in his arms, her small giggles filling the space, and for a brief moment, Raito allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to be in that crowd which only made him more excited.
He heads toward the living room, already planning his day. The world outside would stay where it was. For today, it was just him, Emi, and a day that had nothing to do with the chaos of his usual life.