Chapter Text
“…it’s…time…” a voice spoke. “…now…get up…now.”
Shimomura stirred slightly as the last pieces of her dream faded away.
She was home in her bed, her ghost’s stilted speech gently encouraging her to awaken. She looked down at the otherworldly arm clasped around her waist, a wave of embarrassment and loneliness destroying any comfort that the outstretched arm was supposed to provide.
“…short…day today.”
“Thank you, Kuro-chan,” Shimomura said, rolling over to greet her ghost. “Merry Christmas.”
“Twenty-four…December…isn’t time…yet.”
Shimomura smiled, “Okay, fine. Christmas Eve, I know.” She yawned and sat up, reaching for her phone as she did.
“…don’t forget…gifts,” the ghost reminded her.
“Kuro-chan, I didn’t get you anything,” she laughed to herself as she browsed through her emails. “But it’s not too late. What do you want?”
She turned toward her ghost, the smile leaving her face as she watched its indifferent reaction. It moved slightly but made no attempt to respond to her humor. No matter how much she wanted it to be real, it simply wasn’t. It wasn’t a person and it never would be. Much like—
She sighed as her step-father’s words echoed in her mind. She wasn’t much of a person either, at least not to him. And it certainly wasn’t easy walking around a facility where a single secret was the only thing saving her from a torturous existence. Tosaki’s offer had saved her from the streets, and she was truly grateful for that. But she couldn’t help but wonder if everyone was ignorant.
There was certainly no way her neighbors would know, and the people on the morning train never paid any attention. The closer she got to the Ministry, the more she would wonder. Every conversation, every glance towards her—the thought was always at the back of her mind. She brushed off the feeling as she did every day and walked with purpose down the hall and into the offices.
The large room was empty except for Tosaki who sat hunched at his desk, furiously writing something, and managing only a “hey” as he maintained focus.
“So, what’s on the agenda today?” she ventured, hoping she wouldn’t distract him.
“We’re reanimating the dead,” someone responded and Shimomura looked up just as Ogura was walking through the door. “It’s easier said than done. Well, unless you can use magic.” He took a sip of coffee.
“Good morning, Mr. Ogura.” Shimomura greeted, purposefully ignoring his absurd statement. She could tolerate his sarcasm, but today wasn’t exactly one of her cheeriest.
“Who let you in here?” Tosaki asked. “I know I didn’t leave the door unlocked.”
“You gave me a key,” Ogura replied. “Or somebody did.”
“Somebody?” Tosaki finished whatever he was writing and turned to face Ogura. “Are you sure you didn’t steal it?”
“Easy now, Four Eyes. My five-finger discount is lacking a bit,” he wiggled a seriously injured hand at Tosaki. “But I’ll forgive you for that and wish you a Merry Christmas Eve anyway.”
Tosaki sighed with annoyance, “Thank you.”
Ogura nodded, “Now, what can I do to brighten your day?”
“Give this to Sokabe,” Tosaki stood up and handed him what looked like an envelope.
Ogura inspected it momentarily, “You know Valentine’s Day is still a few months away, right?”
Tosaki frowned at him, “It’s a Christmas card.”
“Good, good. Start early. ‘Cause see, by the time February rolls around…”
“Ogura, I swear to—”
“Okay, okay. I’ll give it to him,” Ogura raised his arms in defense. “Relax. Santa will deliver your presents.”
“Today, Ogura. As in right now.” Tosaki shooed him away, watching until he was sure that Ogura was out of earshot.
“What are the odds that card never reaches Sokabe?” he asked Shimomura with a slight smile.
She shrugged avoiding Tosaki’s eyes, “Hard to say.”
“Are you alright?” he asked, suddenly sounding much more concerned.
“I’m fine,” she lied, adding a smile to be more convincing. “I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”
Tosaki eyed her suspiciously, “You sure?”
The memories from her dream played through her mind again as she hesitated to answer, “This just…isn’t my favorite time of year.”
Tosaki sat back down at his desk and sighed heavily, “I know what you mean.” He rummaged through a stack of other cards before withdrawing one. “Maybe this will help some.” He handed Shimomura her Christmas card from the pile.
She smiled at it, “Mr. Tosaki, you shouldn’t be handing out Christmas cards to Ajin.”
He shrugged, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Should I open it now or later?”
“Whenever you’d like, but we’ve got a meeting in ten minutes. I’ll need you to log everything. Colonel Kouma is attending on behalf of the military.”
“Right.” Shimomura nodded. “Interesting day to hold a meeting like that.”
“They’re getting antsy about Anti-Ajin measures. Apparently they feel ‘ill-prepared’ should something come up.” Tosaki said. He tidied his workspace, then tossed a handful of mints into his mouth.
“What are they hoping for?” Shimomura asked even though she really didn’t want to know.
“It’s all about ethics,” Tosaki said, leading the way out of the office. “There’s always the issue of being humane.”
Shimomura followed him, noting the disapproval in his expression, “Do you think that’s a waste of time?” she asked.
“Of course it’s a waste of time,” he scoffed. “That concept doesn’t even make sense. They’re test subjects, experiments. The lab rats on the top floor have more rights than they do.”
Shimomura stopped walking, and Tosaki turned around to a pitiful expression. “Shimomura, that’s not—I didn’t mean it for you.”
Her face relaxed to indifference and she looked away, “I know what I am, Mr. Tosaki.”
“Look, I should’ve thought about what I’d said first. You know how it is. I can’t pretend like Ajin are friendly.” He walked over to her. “Shimomura, I’d be lost without you.”
“You’re going to be late to the meeting, Mr. Tosaki,” she said, unfazed by his consoling words.
“I know that not all Ajin are dangerous,” Tosaki smiled at her. “Some of them aren’t half bad.”
“Mr. Tosaki,” Shimomura glanced up and down the hallway to ensure they were alone. “This isn’t easy for me. I watch people just like myself every single day. They’re tortured like its nothing. These researchers sit around and figure out what type of pain to inflict next.” She batted a stream of tears out of her eyes. “And all I can see is myself. I don’t see Nakamura or Tanaka, I see me.”
She turned away, burying her face in her hands. “Just go. You’ll be late.”
“I don’t care,” he said, pulling her into a hug.
She pulled away immediately, wiping her eyes, “No, please. Don’t be late because of my stupidity.”
“It’s not stupidity, Shimomura. You’ve been through a lot and you deserve better than this.”
She hesitated only a moment longer before wrapping her arms around him, silently wishing she could stay in his embrace forever. It was so warm and real, full of an emotion that her ghost could never create. It was a sense of peace, a safety that wouldn’t fade away into smoky wisps. It was—
“Tragic.” Ogura seemed to have appeared out of thin air, a mixture of confusion and surprise on his face. He reached into his pocket and handed Shimomura a pack of tissues. “Merry Christmas.”
“Ogura, what are you doing here?” Tosaki scolded, secretly hoping the American would be just as dismissive about things as he usually was.
“Wouldn’t kill you to be sensitive, Four Eyes,” he laughed at Tosaki’s defensiveness. “We've still got a minute, give or take sixty seconds." He continued walking down the hallway, lighting a cigarette as he did.
The reminder sent both of them hurrying down the hallway. Shimomura had just enough time to compose herself before they both entered the darkened conference room. Several people were already seated at the oblong table, their expressions ranging from irritated to anxious.
Colonel Kouma sat at the back of the room, another military agent by his side, both of them in deep conversation about an unknown topic.
“Who’s the girl?” Dr. Futoi asked with a smirk as he took his seat at the long table.
“She’s a woman,” Tosaki corrected. “And she’s my highly talented secretary.”
“Does she get paid by the month or by the hour?” The question had barely left Futoi’s his mouth before hushed laughter arose around the table.
Tosaki scowled, but held his tongue.
“What’s so funny in here?” Ogura had entered, cigarette in hand, Sokabe and Dr. Kishi just behind him. “Come on, we all need a good laugh today.”
“Better place your bet on the ‘woman’ while there’s still time,” Dr. Watai chimed in.
“Ah,” Ogura said, realizing what the joke was about. “Sorry, I don’t place bets on respectable people.” He took a long drag of his cigarette. “Which is why I’d be honored to gamble on you, Dr. Watai.”
“Why is she even here? This is a restricted meeting,” Dr. Kishi frowned and shook his head.
“Lack of progress,” Tosaki said, earning highly offended looks from the researchers. “She’s run out of things to do.”
Ogura laughed and added, “You’d be surprised what you could get done if you try.”
“That’s hardly a way to talk to your superiors,” Sokabe glared at Ogura, but his eyes darted toward Tosaki.
“I didn’t realize anyone was superior to me,” Ogura replied, chuckling at his own arrogant statement and taking a seat at the table.
“Gentlemen, please. We’ve got a lot to discuss here without all this back and forth.” Kouma managed to reign in the conversation before an argument began. “Let’s keep this research oriented if you don’t mind.”
Kouma waited for everyone to settle into their seats before he continued, “We’ve reached an impass. The Department of Defense needs answers, but there’s always the question of ethics.”
Dr. Kishi waved his hand as if swatting an invisible insect, “Nonsense. Use whatever you need to.”
“We’ve discussed this with the ethics committee. It isn’t humane. Just because they can’t die doesn’t mean they’re not entitled to human rights,” Kouma argued, purposefully looking away from Dr. Kishi for the opinion of someone else.
“They’ve forfeited their rights,” Dr. Futoi said. “Simple as that. This is why we can’t get things done around here.”
“Forfeiting rights for something they have no control over?” Tosaki replied. “And it’s not just a question for Japan. The world stage holds us responsible as well.”
“That’s not how you felt last week,” Dr. Watai chided. “Something change your mind?”
“Yes,” Tosaki’s eyes shifted to Ogura. “I’ve come to see reason on the matter.”
“Reason?” Dr. Kishi mocked under his breath. “You call that poor excuse for a scientist your reasoning?”
“World renowned,” Ogura corrected. “That’s what Dr. Kishi meant to say.”
“Well, propose a solution then,” Kouma demanded. “This has to be resolved.”
“They’re identical to humans in every way except one,” Ogura stated simply. “There’s no illusion there. We may not have isolated the genes responsible for their immortality, but as far as the rest of us can tell they’re just people.”
“Just people?” Dr. Kishi laughed.
Ogura looked at him resentfully but stood his ground, “Yes. To put it another way—”
Tosaki spoke up before Ogura could finish, “They’re human.”