Aaaaaaaa author, thank you so much for writing this!! There is just so much in this fic that is right up my alley - casefic/missionfic, hurt/comfort, Natori literally taking a hit meant for Matoba, bitter ex vibes... it is all very <3 <3 <3
I like how the fic starts out portraying Natori in his "day job", but immediately also includes references and descriptions to his dual involvement in the exorcist scene, with the lizard on his body and his shiki standing guard. Over the top of her head, Natori saw a piece of paper fluttering in front of Hiiragi's face. She grabbed it before it could drift over to him, holding it between her fingers as if it were a piece of litter. - this part especially set the tone for me, with the exorcist communication taking place in public with everyone else none the wiser.
First, there was no reason to send details on exorcist jobs through the regular mail. Secondly, and more importantly, he didn't need any exorcists knowing where he lived. Getting enchanted letters or scrolls hand-delivered by shiki was annoying enough. - this was a cute moment as well, and I like how Natori's disdain and slight bitterness towards the exorcist community at large is shown casually through the fic even in little details like this.
The worldbuilding is fantastic as well! I love the concept you chose to go with for the Parade of a Hundred Demons, with how it's so huge and potentially dangerous that it is not something preventable by humans, and the exorcist community's role in it here to essentially have to be crowd control and damage control instead of the more aggressive/radical kind of stuff we sometimes see from them in canon. I generally have a huge weakness for this kind of guard/containment on a regular basis, barrier-setting for protection kind of jobs, and am super enthused to see it in put into action here. And the politics that come with it - how even prestigious exorcist clans have to fight to get the "honour" of being invited to an even more exclusive exorcist "clique" set up specifically for this major event - are also *chef's kiss*
Special mention also that my competence kink is also extremely well fed by how it is first said that "Natori had done well for himself picking up stray jobs that had to be handed off because the Night Parade took priority", only to it to be immediately followed up by the mention that Natori has received an invitation every year and has just. Snubbed them every time. Is just SO GOOD.
The soft spot that Natori has for Natsume is very in keeping with canon as well, and I like how the fic shows the way Natori's character had developed since the beginning of canon, from more heartlessly pragmatic to being affected by Natsume and becoming somehow... kinder, in a way? His memories of him generally not enjoying his own class trip as a teenager - which tbh makes so much sense because Natori would absolutely be the edgy, "no one understands me" teenager who consciously distances himself from other people his age - now instead becoming a soft spot, with him wanting for Natsume what he didn't have for himself, is really sweet. <3
"I did," Natori said, and never considered sharing how little it improved his feelings towards the rest of his class. That wasn't what Natsume needed to hear. "And I'm glad I did. I think you should go too." - this bit especially - the white lie is somehow in keeping with the rest of him, because it just strikes me as so unnecessary even if it comes from good intentions. And the shock Natori has when Natsume mentions that his trip is in Kyoto, because of course.
And the exorcists' pre-departure orientation! There is just something so fun about it even happening at all, showing a glimpse into the bureaucratic human side to the exorcists towards which Natori turns up his nose. But then he also has to acknowledge that playing along so that he can get the support of the wider exorcist community will be useful, and then this -So: a predeparture orientation. Fine. - Such a short line which has somehow managed to pack so much disdain into it. I am living for this.
And of course, Matoba and Natori finally meeting! The tension between them becoming obvious from Matoba's very first line, and which only worsens with how Matoba keeps singling Natori out during the meeting, especially here - "All of you should practice this casting beforehand-- except for you, Natori-san. We understand that this is old hat for the Natori clan." And surely Matoba didn't have to keep calling him out during the meeting? It's just so good - and tbh despite Natori's skewed, biased POV, I'm choosing to read it also as Matoba subtly flirting with Natori the moment he has the chance. It's also just cute that what Matoba said could be construed as a compliment, but also a backhanded one - and how Natori hears it as something more negative/irritating when I feel like Matoba didn't actually intend it that way. Losers, the both of them. <3
Matoba certainly kept looking at him the entire time as if he were a second away from smirking. - maybe he's just attracted to you, Natori, have you ever thought about that? (though I certainly do accept that he probably was on the verge of smirking smugly the entire time too.)
Natori zeroed in on how Matoba was standing, looking for any signs of injuries. He had no idea when the monster after the clanhead's right eye was due, but he wouldn't be surprised if Matoba and the others had purposefully lured it early, on home turf and where they could fully control the interaction, rather than risk it showing up in Kyoto in front of all of those potential business partners. Or worse, at the Night Parade itself. But Matoba wasn't showing any tells; he never did, really, and Natori couldn't expect to be privy to such sensitive information. - I really liked this bit as well, and how Natori's concern for Matoba (and trying to subtly check for injuries) just naturally entered his thoughts.
And the entire sequence of Natori having to travel constantly between Tokyo and Kyoto and getting no sleep whatsoever? Perfect hurt/comfort fuel! I appreciate how hints of it are being slipped in even before the proper work is underway, with Natori's rehearsal scene with his shiki (also a cute thing, him using his shiki to practise his lines :P).
He was careful pushing himself to his feet; he felt lightheaded, a brief surge of vertigo from charging up all the spell materials around him. - yesss, hurt/comfort I see you and I like it, thank you author for feeding me!! Especially vertigo/dizziness too, MY FAVOURITE AAAAA
"Surely it can wait until tomorrow, master," Sasago said, tying off her end of the rope. "You should rest." The vertigo was back when Natori shook his head, which was probably a sign that she was correct. Even still. - and more h/c hints, BLESS!!
By the time Natori arrived at the meeting point-- another indistinguishable conference room in a business hotel, except that it was inhabited by humans and shiki in masks and traditional clothing like any exorcist assembly back home-- the third shift had already received their assignments and went out into the city to begin their work. - NGL I just like how all of this is portrayed as so boringly businesslike lmao, with the business hotel conference rooms being used for their exorcist prep meetings and work. It's somehow just such a fun image in my mind within the casefic, with the blend of mundane facilities and supernatural objectives.
"It's an... interesting path for an exorcist, isn't it?" Kagami continued, as if he were just making light conversation and not methodically prodding along for a reaction. "It must be hard, juggling this work with your... other activities. I do hope this won't be too strenuous a request of you." - and more politicking! It's no wonder that Natori kind of hates this. The bit with Matoba speaking up to defend Natori, in a way, was cute too. <3
Natori didn't recognize any of them, whether human or shiki, but he did recognize the spell array they were casting. He'd never seen it assembled at so wide a scale before. Of course he'd known that they'd have to cover the entire city, but it would require an immense amount of precision and concentration to maintain like this. - Loving the worldbuilding bits here with the wide-scale barrier, too!
Momentarily, Natori wondered if it still stung-- having your name synonymous with 'oath-breaker,' your power itself tied up in the critical fact that you would not be able to fulfill a key promise. For every dig that he got about being a coward, he wondered how many smiling jabs Matoba faced, in this town full of exorcists who could afford to talk down to him instead of having to play nice. Then he wondered why it mattered. - and oooo, a hint of feelings!!
The scene with Natori working together with the other exorcists was also fun, especially this- Natori signed an autograph for a member of an exorcist clan from Hokkaido in a state of half-disbelief. The man thanked him and walked off to get his next assignment. "You have fans all over the country," Sasago said with a hint of approval. "The daughter likes the movies, and the father appreciates your spellcasting techniques." - a hint that not the entire exorcist community is as bad as how Natori sees them, and also generally the nod towards Natori's skills as well <3 and generally, Natori being held up for a few seconds to sign an autograph for an exorcist is just so. FUN.
He felt a growing headache as he watched Hiiragi disappear into the streets. - HURT/COMFORT HINTS I SEE YOU (yes I will reproduce every single line of h/c in here!! It is very important to me and I appreciate it very much!!)
"Go to sleep, master," Urihime said, and he didn't argue. For one, he was so unaware of his own surroundings that he didn't want to risk responding to her out loud in case anyone could hear. Instead he nodded and piled up his jacket against the headrest-- he should make a note to buy a travel pillow at the station on the way out, if he had time-- and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. - yesyesyes exhausted Natori, this is all very good and very relevant to my interests tyvm author
He woke up two hours later feeling no better rested than before - <3<3<3<3<3
"You don't look well, Natori-san," - THIS IS SO GOOD this whole scene is great
He shook his head slightly-- he was more tired than he thought-- and went on. - I said I would reproduce every line to show my appreciation and I am not sorry
As if to prove it, Natori spent the next twenty minutes laying down as much protection as he could around the small inn. And Kagami-san could come find him directly if he had a problem with how Natori chose to use his abilities. - and him overworking himself even more on top of that!!
"Are you really going back and forth between Tokyo and Kyoto?" he heard all of a sudden from behind his head. He was crouching over his work on the street, the lanterns outside the bars casting everything in a reddish glow. "That's foolish even for you, Natori." - see Natori, even Matoba is concerned!! And here too - Matoba was smiling, in that same detached way he smiled at everything. He might have just been fishing for information, waiting to see how-- if-- Natori responded - I really am absolutely reading all this as Matoba's extremely awkward attempt at extending an overture of concern/worry towards Natori, even if Natori is mostly oblivious.
They'd had their first kiss in Kyoto. - and then this!! THIS LINE. I love the reference to their past relationship, Natori remembering their first kiss. It's all just so cute and a little sad, with the description of how awkward but sweet (not literally) it was - He remembered that Seiji had flour on his lip, because he hadn't bothered to wipe it off. He couldn't remember what flavor it had been. Seiji didn't taste sweet or like mochi. Seiji didn't taste like anything at all, but maybe that was just because Shuuichi had been so focused on not bumping their noses together that he didn't have time to dwell on it..
Natori wouldn't ever be able to recreate that moment when it had mattered, when he'd been bad at it. When it had been just the two of them, Seiji with his hair whipping around in the breeze off the water, Shuuichi with his school jacket slung around his waist in the hopes that no one would recognize him or what he was doing. Shuuichi had instinctively closed his eyes when their lips touched, but he was sure that Seiji had kept his open. - and generally the entire description of their first kiss - Natori closing his eyes, and the wistfulness that he would never be able to recreate that moment again and the implications of those feelings back then. And then the bittersweet ending before it ever really started T_T
He woke up with a start to Sasago shaking his shoulder and urging him off the train before the conductor came to check in on him. He gave himself permission to be a few extra minutes late to set in order to buy a coffee from a vending machine. He barely remembered drinking it; it took everything he had to present himself as a normal human being who did normal human being things, like sleep a normal amount in the same city where he'd spent the day. - and then back to the present with more exhaustion!! <3
Matoba was still recognizable, even in his mask. His stupid hair was like a calling card just begging for something to grab it in a fight. But that was none of Natori's business. - hahaha this was such a cute moment in an otherwise serious scene, and I like how Natori's general irritation that is reserved specially for Matoba even extends to a description of his hair :P AND THEN!! This!! Natori didn't think. He launched himself at Matoba to get his body in between him and the attacker, ignoring the sudden start of his shiki as he did so. The thing's outstretched claws snagged gently against a few strands of Matoba's ponytail before digging deep into Natori's shoulder. The second it pierced his skin, it was clear that something was wrong. The crowd around him was suddenly muffled and distorted, as if his head had been shoved underwater. Poisoned, Natori thought, or something like it. He opened his mouth to try to say something along those lines, but he couldn't find the air to make his voice heard. He tried reaching out one shaking hand, but found he was already collapsed on the ground. The last thing he remembered was Matoba's face as he lifted the kitsune mask before he blacked out. YESSS Natori taking the hit for Matoba!! And not just injury, but POISON. And then Natori fainting - probably from the poison but I'm betting also the exhaustion that had been building up through the fic didn't help. I love this I love this ty author
He sensed a presence alongside him more than saw it, a comforting blackness that chased the violent pandemonium to the edges of his awareness and gave him a moment to rest. - and this!! I'm absolutely reading that as Matoba's presence, and I love that it calms Natori enough to let him finally give into his exhaustion and rest.
And then Matoba's bedside vigil!! Natori finally waking up and being so confused at Matoba being there, the mention of Matoba having watched all(?) of Natori's movies. And Natori maybe finally realising that there's still something between them here - Matoba was-- serious, Natori realized. Or maybe Natori had hit his head when he fainted, and his judgment was off? Rather than pursue the image of Matoba Seiji and his posse of faceless shiki sitting in a regular movie theater surrounded by young girls watching Natori flirt on screen, he turned his head to puzzle over the windows. The light was bright enough to make his eyes hurt. Too bright for early morning.
..And then being distracted by work. I enjoy this workaholic Natori very much <3. And also this: Natori sat up in a sudden rush of adrenaline, ignoring the way the room swayed around him in vertigo. - <3<3<3<3
There were things the head of the Matoba couldn't do, and that included driving across half the country for... for no reason. To support the head of another clan doing something completely unrelated to exorcisms, and not extracting any benefit from it. - aaaaaa finally he's getting it!! and asking Matoba out to dinner! These two idiots T_T finally getting somewhere after their hopeless attempts at (mis)communication throughout. I would have loved to see something more overtly romantic between these two in the present day as well, but I suppose that may have taken another century with how emotionally constipated they are T_T But I'm glad that they're finally (very, very slowly) starting to open up to each other again!!
Thank you so much for this, author!! It was a great ride with such a cool concept/mission, Natori and Matoba being idiots who refuse to admit that they're probably already more than halfway in love, and of course, the hurt/comfort :P
Thank you for such a detailed and lovely comment(s)!
Natori throughout this fic: I am an ADULT who has PUT AWAY childish things like ROMANCE WITH MY CRUSH and SLEEPING NORMALLY Matoba, flirting with him the entire time: yeah you tell em, Shuuichi-san
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