// Companion(s) Equipped //

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"Come on, wake up- WAKE UP!!!!"

Your eyes widened before looking at Alban in confusion.

"Wha- What happened..."

"You have fainted, duh....???" Your beloved thief answers with a concerned look, trying his best to make the pain from your fall go away as he massages your shoulders a bit. "You okay??? I was able to catch you, but I also fell that your back ended up landing on my boots..." He explains as he sweat drops from remembering what happened. You just found yourself laying your head on his lap- Aw...

At first, you just thought it was just a dream until you see the same attractive demon from few minutes ago kneeling in front of you, you were about to faint once again before Vox decided to finally catch you from it.

"Now, Now... Don't fall on me so soon just yet, little darling..." Vox half-heartedly suggested as he helps you maintain your balance from falling once again.

"Right- Right...." You agree as you rub your head away from numbness, trying to think what else to say.

"Now that you're awake, we would like to explain you something!" Alban goes back to sitting in a chair with the usual reverse position as he leans on its border., which was never in the room before, probably Vox knew where the chairs are and helped Alban have somewhere to sit.

Vox, as a man with a gentleman character, guides you to a chair next to Alban, being aware that you recently just woke up and will clearly not thinking orderly for the first few seconds. You mutter a "thank you" in return.

"I just happened to pass by this museum- so I pretty much not the one who works here."

"Really...?" You say to Vox.

"Yes... I was spending some time with a friend of mine- until some hole took me away and brought me into a timeline that happen to be 1984...?"

"Huh...?"

"Yes, and then I got teleported by the same hole back to here. This timeline is where I belong actually."

"Wow... When did that happened...?

"It was two days ago." Vox confirmed as he drank his cup of green tea that he suddenly made it appear.

"Wow... That's like few days after Yin and I got here- I don't why the hole didn't come to us and brought us back to our home though."

Not gonna lie, it's been like a week since you and Alban got trapped in the timeline-

"To be honest, I don't know exactly how... I just pretty much did the same thing you both are doing right now; wondering around the places, find some source to look at the dates of the timeline- and I happen to pass by and first met another friend from that timeline- his name is Oni Giri, by the way."

Vox explains more before showing a little oni doll that was hanged on one side of his hip.

"He turns out to be the leader of a group of yokais that were working for a mob in Miami."

The doll's little arm moves on his own to say hi as his head was facing you. Finding it unusual but with no commentary, you gladly greet the little Oni in return. Not going to lie, At least Vox made cute friends like you did.

Then, you start to make a reflection of what you just heard from Vox's explanation, looking at the floor with a focused yet solemn look.

"I never knew my doings would be this big... Or having a great impact on more than one person" You reply.

"Oh yes.... Alban explained to me before, about your time traveling machine situation and how it pulled him to a hole as well." Vox added along with a nod calmly. He may seem like a chill gentleman surprisingly despite of the situation he is in, but you still feel a pang of guilt on your chest.

"I honestly... Have no idea how my work did that... But I just knew this is a mess I must clean up somehow." You determine as you show a sincere, apologetic look at both Alban and Vox.

Alban softly pats you by the shoulder before pulling you into a tiny embrace. Vox gives you head pats, as his effort to comfort you from your guilt.

"I know you don't mean to give harm to anyone- anyone who is a genius like you would love to try and build a machine that can connect with time..." Alban assures. Vox nods along with a light smile.

You cannot help but sniff a little and showing small tears from the sudden insecurity in your heart, nonetheless, you give the boys a big smile by heading and feeling their thoughtful, sincere comfort. "Thank you, guys...."

After calming each other down, you all continue to have more discussions, getting to know each other at least and share ideas on how would you find the materials to build another machine.

"Lucky us, I actually can remember blueprints as if my brain is a memory computer- so the only thing we need to worry about is some missing materials Alban and I haven't obtained and kept on his small garage.

"Mmm... I know a friend who can help us with that... He is the same friend who was with me before I got transported."

"Oh, great,,,! Oh, and yeah- Now that I think about it- if I can ask, how did you meet your friend for the first time? Being a hidden demon must be tough when trying to mix in a society of mortals..." You admit as you twiddle your thumbs shyly, hoping that it doesn't sound wrong or misleading.

"He... He is actually another gangster let's just say... He is a Mafia boss by the name of the Kaneshiro family. He turns out to be very familiar with the Akuma Clan's stories and my existence through them, which is how he openly approached me and we got to know one another." Vox describes as he lightly sips his tea for a moment. He offers you both tea as well. Alban declined in a friendly manner whole you gladly accepted.

"And please, do not fret. He's actually wouldn't hurt a fly or a even a harmless creature, a nice gentleman indeed- although, he may be pretty violent, but it can be either for showing off or to protect the weak. So I'm sure you'll get along with him. I'll gladly introduce you to him tomorrow if you guys like."

"A-Ah, sure thing..." You agree despite of sweating at the fact that is a Mafia boss Vox is good friends with. Alban pretty much looks nervous, already imagining an intimidatingly, buff man who is tall enough to tower over him and crush him easily-

"I wouldn't like to unfortunately to be honest." Alban stresses, trembling a little by the idea.

___

You three end up leaving together the museum after noticing that the sun is about to set.

Vox was very generous enough to offer you and Alban stay at his place for the night. Alban pretty much tried to decline but was insisted, if only the Voice Demon didn't disapprove of the idea of sleeping in a messy garage....-

Vox's house was well decorated with a red and white, japanese-themed atmosphere. It is decently organized along with a decent amount of space for more people to stay in as temporary guests.

After finishing setting up on Vox's guest rooms, you and the boys end up having a sweet, short night walk together before dinner. You and Alban got to the habit of staying a bit late together. Vox decided to join in as well, as he doesn't have a great sleeping schedule either hehe-

You turned to Alban to see that he is in a state of raining thoughts, mindlessly looking at something you tried to follow but can't decipher to know what exactly is it....

"Hey Y/N, I'm gonna have to go off somewhere for a bit, I forgot something- And no need to follow me, it'll be quick. You can keep company with Vox for a moment if you want."

"Ah, oki?" You nodded understandingly despite of feeling slightly skeptical. Why can't you come with him...?

"Vox."

Vox's gaze at a picture of his monkey friend, Baba, was pulled away to place it on Alban as an acknowledgment, humming in response.

"Look after Yin while I'm away for a bit, Okay? She's a jewel to me."

"The statement is mutual, buddy." Vox replied, but nonetheless nodded solemnly.

Alban smiled at Vox, before giving you a big, heartwarming embrace. You didn't hesitate to hug back before waving goodbye once he starts running off, his figure slowly disappearing from sign.

It's rare for you to get separated from him for just a bit, but if it's an important object, it's understandable for you.

"Come on, little Yin... I'll show you a short route back to the house." Vox offers his arm for you to link on with his signature smile.

"...Oki." You obliged with a tiny nod, slightly looking behind to the direction where Alban ran off hesitantly.

___

You both find yourselves in Vox's kitchen, he was preparing the ingredients, washing vegetables, and doing all the cooking for now. You tried to offer a hand before, but Vox insisted for you, as the guest, to not lift a finger during your stay. So you ended up drawing on a spare notebook you brought with your handbag, as you watch Vox cook professionally. The radio can be heard playing jazz music in the background- giving you some more nostalgia of how 1920's actually was like despite the days you've stayed in.

So far, he's actually showing signs of a cracked chef.

"What are you drawing, little Yin, if I may ask?" Vox curiously asks while cutting some carrots swiftly, then dropping them all into a huge frying pan.

"I'm drawing you and Alban..." You quietly respond, pretty much very focused capturing Vox's features. You remembered Alban's appearance so well as you often tend to gaze at his cute, squishy face and his cool, cat thief outfit.

Vox hums, low key wondering if he can take a look at your work later- but then sometimes, some artists prefer to demonstrate their work to people if they are pleased to. So he respects your privacy.

He has in mind to entertain you for a bit while cooking. So he lights the frying pan on fire, but only at a low level, before smoothly moving the pan to cook the fried rice with a straight look-

You stopped your pencil for a moment so you could only sit across the kitchen table and look at his cooking with eyes shaped like white plates. Wow, you haven't seen this much fire displaying before-

The fire stops once Vox turns off the stove, he whistles as he splits the fried rice in 2 bowls and 1 container, the container is for Alban so Vox place the container's cap on it and placed it on the fridge.

"It's funny how I just realized people used like those closets and placed a big bag of ice underneath it as a fridge before electric fridges were invented." You commented, remembering something you learned from the history books you read back in your home.

"Yes... The world around you changes very fast before you know it... It seems someone did their history homework." Vox chuckled softly. Turning around to look at you as he places the two bowls in the kitchen table.

"But remember... When the world changes, you learn to adapt it... Not change yourself." Vox explains wisely, the words made you start to think of them carefully.

You thank for the food before enjoying it, taking your time in one bite per bite.