Chapter Text
It was during one of Yui’s returns to Japan. Shinji had been having dinner with his parents when Fuyutsuki arrived. He would typically come for tea and chat with Gendo and Yui. That had been the way of things before Yui had started working overseas a decade prior. With him, Fuyutsuki had a book on the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.
“Still interested in Ancient Egypt, Professor?” inquired Yui.
“Everyone is to some extent.” Fuyutsuki replied, looking at the book in his hand for a moment. “Whenever the treasures of Tutankhamun go on exhibition, does it not attract everyone? Back in 1965, the treasures were hosted by the Tokyo National Museum and as part of a school trip I went to see them. I was nine and completely amazed by what I saw. I’ve become a bit of an armchair archaeologist I must confess, but I do wish I could become more. Yet, here I am: fifty-nine. How many years do you think I have left?”
“You’re a healthy man.” Gendo observed. “Ramesses II lived to be ninety, did he not? I’d say with your health and the miracles of modern medicine you could live to be even longer!”
“Maybe.” Fuyutsuki said, looking away for a moment. “You know my father only lived to be sixty. What if next year, I end up dying at the same age?”
“Professor Fuyutsuki, come on.” Yui uttered with a calm tone. “You once told me your father was a chain smoker; it is a miracle he even lived to be that old. You’ll see Egypt someday.”
Shinji kept his eyes on Fuyutsuki, a stoic expression upon his face, yet a look of uncertainty in his eyes. The fear that fell sergeant may swiftly arrest him next year was strong, yet the fact was he was much healthier than his father had been. Hope mixed with pessimism perhaps?
As Fuyutsuki nodded, Shinji asked: “Professor Fuyutsuki, if you were to go to Egypt, which place would you want to see first?”
“That is a big question, Shinji.” Fuyutsuki replied, his stoic mask breaking. A smile upon his countenance, he turned his gaze towards the ceiling. “There are so many places to see: the Pyramids, the Sphinx, Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, Amarna… I suppose it would make most sense to start from the Nile up, but I have not looked at a map of Egypt in some time. I suppose that needs to be rectified.”