Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 310: Arc 5, - 4: Midnight Train

The chugging slowed till- "SHRIEEEEK! Chf..." The train came to a rumbling stop. The view for the past several hours was of nothing but pitch black darkness out the window.

By the time they realized city lights tried to get past the shut curtains, they had already arrived at Dolpool Station. "Firefly," a voice hushed.

Her eyes barely waxed open, "Hm...?" She felt a finger against her cheek as she lifted her head off the wall. Lights overhead entered her vision first, making her wince, "Are we here?" Hotaru yawned.

"Mhm! Everyone’s leaving," Asobi replied standing to the side.

Hotaru got up and saw Jotou right next to her; she took Jotou’s finger away with a smile. "I already got your bags down. Let’s go," Jotou’s ears flickered.

"Hey wolfy, you’re wearing your adventuring gear under the illusion, right?" Fumeko glanced over.

"Mmm, no? My clothes aren’t even illusioned right now." Hotaru said as she noticed her breath form in front of her.

"Then you better get changed... You too Jotou."

_

"Ding...! Ding...! Ding...!" The final train of the day had arrived in Dolpool Station. "End of the line!" a man shouted as passengers alighted from the train.

Steam fogged up to the rafters and the sound of rolling trollies and luggage echoed throughout the midnight. The scent of fresh coffees and teas as well as hot chocolate permeated the air from a nearby shop still open.

Onto Platform Four they walked. A sweeper on the night shift swept the dust and ash. Asobi took a pause and looked under her shoe, "Ooo, gum!"

"Don’t," Fumeko shivered slightly.

"There’s not a lot of people out here," Jotou glanced around.

"Well obviously, it’s past midnight."

"I mean we can drop the illusion and give Asobi a rest detective. I doubt many people’ll recognize us immediately in Burnetrout anyway, but I could be wrong."

"I’m okay!" Asobi replied. "But if we d-don’t need it anymore," the elf dispelled their disguises. Her pointy ears had gone red, "Brrr... It’s chilly."

"Our adventuring gear’s only gonna help so much," Hotaru’s ears were folded down as her tail curled around her hip for warmth. "I’ll go clear our passports with customs; Sobi, you can sort your gum situation in the bathrooms."

"Aye, aye," Asobi rubbed her palms together and went forward along with Hotaru.

Fumeko scanned the area; a lot of people wore warmer clothing as they departed the station, "No ss-sign of dad. He’s probably outside."

A grey jacket fell onto her form and covered her. Fumeko held onto it and twisted her head to the blonde who tossed the jacket onto her, "Thanks..." She fitted herself into it, though it was much too big. "You’re not cold?"

She kept her hands in the pockets of her coat, "I love the cold," she made her voice huskier. Though the air turned her nose and ears red, and the cold nipped at her lips, she seemed unbothered—in fact, she seemed delighted. "Does it snow here?"

"Probably further south, but not in Dolpool."

"Hmm, nice~" Jotou took in a deep breath and let it out in little puffs, "I know everyone experiences temperature differently, but shouldn’t you be used to this cold?" she stretched her legs.

"I’m used to being inside with a radiator. I forgot it was winter here," she hugged herself and rubbed her shoulders. Jotou tugged the hood of the jacket over the brunette’s head and pushed her along; Fumeko flinched, but took steps forward.

"C’mon, let’s get something to drink," Jotou pulled along her luggage alongside the other two’s. The large archway in the middle was where Hotaru went; on either sides along the platform were multiple small shops with their shutters closed.

However, like beacons within the structure of greys and browns, a couple of shops were open, shining warming yellow lights. Fumeko took a packet of salted peanuts off the display hook.

From above, a pair of dark purple earmuffs was pushed onto her head, to which Fumeko shrunk before swivelling around, "Stop putting things on me!"

Jotou smirked, "Sorry, just trying to keep you from freezing." She wore black earmuffs herself—some black gloves she wore. She handed a pair to the brunette, "Should be your size."

Fumeko put them on, "Thanks," she walked over to the counter of the shop. "Coffee?"

"Makes my head feel fuzzy. I’ll take a hot chocolate," the blonde replied.

"One coffee, two hot chocolates and one tea, extra sugar."

"Coming right up," the cashier looked past the brunette and squinted to the blonde behind her, "Have I seen you somewhere before?" the woman asked.

"Probably not; I get that a lot though."

"Fair enough, my mistake. One advice; you might not wanna prance about the streets with that pokin’ out. Or else the pigs might catch ya," she pointed to the hilt of Jotou’s sword.

"Noted. Though, I am an adventurer."

"Oh, so heading to South End then?"

"Not at the moment," Jotou batted an eye. ’How did I get into small talk, ugh...’

"Hey, can we get our drinks, we’re freezing here," Fumeko interrupted with a glare.

"Oh, sorry," the woman prepared their drinks and they soon headed out the shop.

Jotou held two more pairs of gloves in her hands, as well as another pair of earmuffs and a blue beanie; she took the hot chocolate from the cardboard tray Fumeko carried.

"Fumeko."

She took a sip of her coffee, "What?"

Her eyes kept ahead, "You’ve done some pretty amazing things and there’s no denying that, no matter what else you may be thinking. I know there’s a lot of pressure for you to face him right now after everything, no doubt.

But you’re you no matter what. So chin up—no need to worry so much; you’re still the best detective I know Fumeko Namora and that’s not gonna change anytime soon.

I’ll be right beside you through this and till the end—whatever happens." She took a sip of her hot chocolate and pouted, "Too much milk..."

Fumeko, took a deep breath and brought her chin up. She pulled up her slumped shoulders and walked in stride, despite being in a jacket too big for her. "Thanks."

_

Down the steps outside the station she descended. "There’s a lot of milk in this," Hotaru took a sip of the tea; her hands gloved and a blue beanie with a fluffy pompom at the tip went over her head to cover her ears.

"It’s really creamy though!" Asobi slurped her drink—white earmuffs around her ears with a bunny face on each with carrots.

"Some marshmallows would make this better," Jotou remarked before tossing the cup in to a nearby trash can.

Asobi gasped at the prospect. The icy mist trailed along the pavement and roads; the pavements were dark grey and the road was made up of black bricks.

Despite the hour, the streets were lit up by streetlamps of bright yellows; the poles themselves were black and the metal curled in gothic patterns, each streetlamp complete with a finial on top with a small phoenix shaped in between.

The station behind them had a flag unable to be seen in the dark by the side. However, the large clock made of black metal and exposed gears above the entrance was lit up, telling them it was half past twelve.

Carriages awaited some passengers with lanterns held up and the tall buildings had shut the curtains and turned off the lights. That’s when Fumeko came to a halt... her eyes fixated on something in front of her.

The other three paused and glanced ahead. In a black winter coat with silver fur, he held a lantern alongside another coat of purple hue.

His brown eyes that shone in the light had already spotted the four approaching and awaited. He sensed he was already discovered and sighed, letting his breath cloud his visage.

He walked over step-by-step in his black boots as Fumeko stood frozen and kept a deadpan gaze. The brunette stood atop the steps with her friends behind her and her father brought a light in between them...

Even so, Fumeko tilted her head up to meet his gaze; he easily towered over all of them there. He glanced down to his daughter, in a jacket and hood clearly too big for her—even her hands didn’t poke out the sleeves.

"...Hey kiddo," tender was his tone for his crisp and warm voice.

...

"Hi dad..." her eyes averted.

The wind howled slowly. "That jacket’s a little big, I brought you one of yours if you’d like," he handed.

She crossed her arms, "I’ll keep this for now thanks."

"Okay," he muttered solemnly and met the gazes of the other three behind her. Now with a slightly better view, his five o’clock shadow was apparent along his chiselled jawline. "Jotou Howllett, Hotaru Kinoshita and Asobi," he gave them each a nod.

Asobi’s eyes glittered, "He guessed us all right!"

"Nice to meet you Mr Namora," Hotaru gave a polite smile.

"It’s Detective," both father and daughter said at the same time... Fumeko turned her head away completely and sealed her lips tighter. He paused, but then reciprocated her smile, "Nice to meet you too."

"Sorry about that..."

"It’s alright, it’s just a habit," he shook his head.

"Fan of the cold?" the blonde uttered.

"Not particularly," he checked his surroundings. "Night’s getting late. Ready to go?"

They all glanced down to the brunette... "Meko?" Asobi spoke.

"Yeah," Fumeko looked up to him, "Let’s all go home..."

He gave a nod, "Follow me then," he pointed to stairs leading onto another road with the lantern and waited for everyone to go ahead. "Kid-"

"It’s fine, I can carry my own luggage," Fumeko replied. "Thud! Thump! Thud!" She rolled the luggage down the stairs.

Jotou grabbed the handle of the luggage by the fourth step and lifted it for her with her eyes half-closed. Fumeko pouted and leered, but followed along without a word.

A carriage awaited them on the road below. Their luggage was loaded and they all got in. The carriage departed from the station and went under a few overpasses before the road climbed out; and southeast they went, towards Fleur Boulevard.

_

Not much conversation took place in their short trip. Fumeko kept averting her father gaze, Asobi didn’t really want to bud in and Jotou stared out the window till she spaced out—not really acknowledging anything that passed her by.

All the while, Hotaru had fallen asleep onto Jotou’s shoulder, though the redhead tried her best to stay awake. Half an hour went by before the carriage came to a halt and the driver announced their stop.

"Come on in; warm yourselves up," he opened the doors of the carriage.

"Huh!? Oh, I’m awake, I’m awake..." the wolf-girl drowsily murmured. She shook her head, "Rejuvenate," she sprinkled onto her face, causing her eyes to pop and awaken.

Kazuo Namora waited till they lowered their luggage and paid the driver. Fumeko looked up to the three-storey building, squeezed in between multiple same buildings along the left and right.

Her gaze trailed up to the window on the third floor with shut curtains... It sure was a hassle to descend from there... She walked up the four concrete steps, covered by an overhang above and reached for the golden doorknob.

The knob didn’t turn. She looked behind her and her father raised the key in his hand. She reached her hand out and purplish-black shadows formed in her palms; the key in his hand was grabbed in shadow and swiped away into her grasp.

He wrinkled his brows to his hand and then looked to Fumeko, who was already unlocking the door with a click. But she furrowed her brows... Were there footsteps approaching?

She backed herself against the black metal railing as someone else opened the door. Slender and with a bald spot, the man yawned slightly.

He tucked his hands into his brown cardigan, "You were out for long," he looked to Kazuo. He glanced to the other faces, "Brought some company too."

Fumeko narrowed her gaze even more, "Mr Lampard?"

He chuckled, "Long time no see Fumeko. You’ve grown quite a bit."

"Well obviously," she sassed. "What’s my old babysitter even doing here?" she turned to her father. "Wait, did he move in or something? Are you two... ew!" her face crumpled glancing back and forth.

"It’s not what you’re thinking kid..." Kazuo replied.

Mr Lampard carried his bag out the door, "Wait, you haven’t told her yet detective?"

"Haven’t had the chance to fully tell."

"What are you two talking about!?"

"Meko, it’s one in the morning," Hotaru winced.

"I’ll be off then," Mr Lampard yawned and gave them a wave before walking down the street.

Kazuo gave a wave back and walked up the steps. Fumeko looked to her friends in worry and rolled her luggage into the house. Her father followed behind, followed shortly by her friends.

A wave of warmth washed over as they entered and the white lights were all turned on. Before they could take in their surroundings, the pitter-patter of feet against the wooden floorboards got their attention first.

From around the sofa, came running a little girl no taller than Fumeko’s leg. Fumeko came to a sudden stop and her eyes ejected in shock before the little girl hugged her side, "Big sis Fumeko!"

Her arms recoiled away and she tried to step back... "HAH!?"