Chapter Text
I took a deep breath in as I stood face to face to the Director's door. It wasn't like this was the first time I was called here, but every time I came, I knew it never bared good news. I hesitantly knocked on the door to signal I was there, slowing opening it after. I was greeted with the solemn face of the director sitting at his desk, resting his chin on his hands as if he was about to drop some big news.
"You called for me Director?" I asked,
"Yes investigator Katou, it was brought up to my attention of how your recent cases have been handled, as well as your normal duties" he paused momentarily, "I'm sure your well aware that your performance have not been meeting the MPD's protocol and regulations,"
"Sir, I-"
The director's voice was harsh and condescending, "I haven't finished yet. I don't care on your explanation for this, you know just as well as I that the MPD doesn't tolerate this kinda of behavior from our employee's. You may have a good amount of cases under your belt, but your just as responsible for those as well, you can't go around going against the protocol if it means solving case's. Things in the MPD don't run like that, you've been given warnings on multiple occasions,"
I stood there just taking it all in, I didn't the authority to deny any of it. But still, the words still weighed me down. But to my dismay, he had one more thing left to say.
The Director continued, "I'm afraid to say Inspector Katou, but please hand in your badge tomorrow,"
As soon as those words hit my ears, my eyes shot open in disbelief. I looked up at the Director, maybe I misheard what he just said. But the face he had on said it all, I wasn't hearing things. That was it for me. Those 7 words, and it was over. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I just bowed my head as I tried to keep a straight face. As I was heading to the door to leave, the Director called out,
"We'll contact you further notice Inspector, with the details."
I could feel a mass build up in my throat, "Right, yes... Thank you." I forced out before closing the door behind me. I didn't know if I should be laughing or cursing myself right now, everything felt too surreal. Up until now, I got away with the a few misconducts I did, since it'd take an idiot to turn a blind eye to what I have achieved. Even so, most of those misconducts were small petty one's, but yeah, a small misconduct is still a misconduct.
However, with this case, I was somewhat confused as to what lead me to this moment, as he mentioned normal duties I had. But I guess I was too caught up on me giving up my badge that I didn't think much more of it. As I approached the MDC's office, I had this weird lingering feeling sitting not to well in me. While reaching my hand out to the door's handle, I herd something that answered what I should've picked up on sooner.
"It's just that, some of the missing reports or files I kinda... blamed on Katou..." Kamei's voice murmered through the door,
"Oh." Saeki mewed.
What the fuck? Just Oh?
"Well hearing you say that, I kinda am worried now." She paused, "I might've also used Katou-san as an excuse sometimes just to get out of somethings,"
I took a step back away from the door, no longer listening to their conversation. Was I still hearing things? There's no way this took a part in why I was suspended, right? Did everyone blame me for their mistakes? How long has this been happening for? I didn't even partner with anyone there other than Kambe, how did they even get away with this? Was the MPD looking for reasons to let me off after the incident?
Trying to wrap my mind around everything just made me question everything more, was this our justice system? I felt my hands get clammy and my heartbeat pick up as I clutched the badge in my pocket. Was this really how everyone acted in the department? I openly left first division to join Modern Crimes thinking that would change things. But instead I'm slapped in the face by my own people again.
Did they openly acts friendly to me so I'd never suspect something? First, First Division ; now Modern Crimes? Is this the type of people, who when I was younger, looked up to in admiration, not knowing the facade behind their smiling faces towards some child they found looking at them?
Well the only person in there I knew didn't throw me under the bus was Kambe, but he really had no need to, he gets away with anything just by wiring some cash into someone's account. Yet again, he's probably just sitting there listening to them, not even trying to tell them off. After 2 months of working with Kambe, you'd think he'd back me up, but I guess that all meant nothing. I just put all my eggs in the wrong basket. I only have myself to blame for my demise, what an idiot I am.
I let out a heavy sigh as I turned the door knob slowly, peaking my head through the crack,
"Katou-san! How did everything go?" Saeki softly asked. All eye's were on me as I took a good look at everyone's face. They all looked concerned and worried, but none of that mattered, they each had a hand in this. If I hadn't heard their conversation before hand, I'd be really touched right now, but instead I didn't say anything and just walked pass them and towards Kiyomizu desk.
"Katou-san?" Saeki asked again.
By now- the nonchalant atmosphere in the room dissipated as the face I wore wasn't the most reassuring.
I stood in front of Kiyomizu desk, my fingers fidgeting around the badge in my pocket.
"Katou-san?" Kiyomizu said baffled.
You know, I forgot the feeling of standing right in front of your division's chief having to muster up the courage to tell them your leaving on your bias. Or in this case, from the Director himself. What was going through my mind when I gave up my position on First Division?
Cause right now in the moment, I really didn't want to give up my badge. I really didn't want to see the look in everyone's eye's while walking out. I really didn't want to come back tomorrow to clean my desk up. I didn't want to leave the office I considered my 2nd home. I didn't want to cut ties off with all of them even after hearing what they did. I didn't want to walk away from my dream, my passion, my paradise.
But in that moment, while contemplating all of this is my mind, the bitter taste of betrayal resonating in the back of my throat never went away from the moment I walked in.
I loved my job. I loved every aspect of it, even the times I pulled all-nighters. The thought that me putting my blood, sweat, and tears into this, was protecting the smile on that one kids face, that they'd didn't have to go to sleep worried about all the things that could go wrong the next day.
I was willing to give up my happiness/health for that one kids smile. But even if I didn't set my badge down today, I'd have to tomorrow. I want to believe everything for a reason, but at the same time I don't want to walk away. This already happened once- the fact it's happening again... if I don't change my mindset now, will this happen again?
In one swift motion, I pulled my badge out of my pocket and set it down in front of Kiyomizu.
"K-Katou-san, I don't undertsand," Kiyomizu stuttered,
Everyone was shocked at the scene playing out in front of them, even Daisuke was caught by surprise as he straighten in his seat and his eyes widen. Maybe thinking it was a joke.
I let out a sigh, "By order of the Director, as of today, I will be suspended from all active duty for the Modern Crimes Division for an undetermined amount of time."
Before the wave of silence disappeared, I bowed and thanked them as walked out the room, avoiding everyone's gaze as I felt it bore holes in my skull.
//
Haru walked towards the elevator at the end of the hall, pausing as he passed by the door to the emergency exit.
How nostalgic, he thought.
He shifted and instead pulled the door open, opting to walk up the stairs from the basement. While taking a few steps up, he heard the door open and close from behind him, making him turn around to spot Daisuke at the foot of the stairwell. The 2 shared a moment of silence.
"Hah- isn't this funny," Haru let out exhausted.
Daisuke said nothing, only looking at Haru in the eye, Haru could never tell what was going through his mind.
"What are you going to do know Inspector Katou?"
Katou sighed once again, "It's just Katou now, Kambe. But to answer your question... I really don't know. You can't really tell, but I'm kinda in mixed emotions here,"
"I'm presuming you heard everything?"
"Not everything, but I know enough,"
Again- everything went silent, Daisuke was never good at carrying conversations.
"Take care Kambe, hope you find a new partner soon," Haru said bitterly.
"Har-... Take care Katou, come back soon."
"Hah." Haru chuckled to himself before walking away from Daisuke.
For a moment there, Daisuke couldn't shake the feeling that what Haru said wasn't just a "farewell",
Like fresh dew of spring disappearing right before his eyes.
//
Haru found himself walking down the poorly light sidewalk as the sun set behind hi,. He didn't feel like going home, in fact, he really didn't know where to go or what to do next. A part of him was hoping Daisuke would pull up beside him and tell him they got a new case, while Haru would jump into the car immediately hearing that. But shocker~ Daisuke never came.
Honestly, Haru knew he should be more upset right now, actually fuming. But for some odd reason, he wasn't all that surprised with his new predicament, for all his life he always was kinda a push over. Even if he did make a scene or get frustrated, at the end of the day, he always gave in. He never really found it a problem, at least, not until today.
Haru was kinda sick of just kicking rocks and moping around, he thought of what he did right after he left First Division. It was kinda funny how Haru was comparing his circumstances right now to when he left First Division, yet again between the 2 times, the only thing that changed was his setting. Not him at all.
The bright light of a small local pub caught his attention, remembering that finding the nearest bar was the first thing he did when he left First Division. He took a sharp turn to the left and opened the door to find the place rather empty. Just a few other customers were there, mostly pairs. He situated himself by the bar- near the rear end of the facility. The bartender walked over to Haru with a smile on his face,
"What can I get for you today sir?"
Haru looked over at the bartender, something about him was quiet familiar, he couldn't put his finger on it though.
"What would you recommend to someone who just got laid off?" Haru hummed,
"2 shots of shoju coming right up," the bartender chimed.
"I might need a little more than 2 my friend," Haru joked,
The bartender grinned, "Of course,"
As the bartender placed down the 2 shots in front of Haru, Haru snatched one and threw his head back, drinking it in one go. He was never good at handling his drinks, often just 2 shots was all it took for Haru to take a 180.
The bartender glanced at Haru's attire, "Mind telling me how today went sir?"
"You wouldn't believe me, it sounds like something out of a novel," Haru laughed,
"Try me?" The bartender said, lowering his gaze while maintaining eye contact.
Haru felt a little disturbed by how the bartender was behaving, but as a man who just took one to many blows to their trust, and him getting suspended for an undetermined amount of time. He didn't care how sketchy it was, he didn't care that he was spilling all his deepest regrets to someone who probably had no clue what he was going on about, he didn't care what was would happen next. The overthinking, overbearing, workaholic Haru didn't care anymore.
All he wants now, is HIS justice.
// 3 Months Later //
The MCD's office was quiet as usual, it's been 3 months since anyone there last seen or heard from Haru. No one spoke of his suspension, some feeling a hint of guilt after that brief sharing that some of them threw Haru under the bus to save their own necks.
Daisuke was still doing case's on his own and trying to solve his own personal business, but for the 3 months that Haru was gone, he couldn't help but add that to his own business. You see, a week after Haru got suspended, Daisuke dropped by his house out of curiosity to see how he was holding up. But upon knocking on his door numerous time, there was no response. Daisuke panicked and kicked the door off it's hinges to find the Haru's cozy apartment, empty.
All traces of Haru disappeared. He wasn't on any of the street camera, inside local business, or even the park he used to drop by often. But Daisuke didn't believe Haru moved out on his own accord, he couldn't accept it. He was expecting to find Haru's corpse of a body, husking away as he sat by his table eating or something. He was expecting to see Haru to grow agitated by his presence, but still ask how everything was going at work. He was expecting Haru to be there.
But Haru was gone.
Daisuke never brought this up to anyone at the Division, a part of him was frustrated with the team for pointing the blame on Haru who, 1) did most of the heavy lifting regards to the work load 2) was innocent of all those claims 3) Haru thought of them as his close friends who WOULDN'T do that. (and cause he wasn't really on normal speaking terms with any them, especially without Haru around) Daisuke kept to himself, sure he did he share of work, but he never attend group outings like he use to "begrudging" do. He was also more uptight, and not one to come to a compromises.
He never intended on joining the MCD to fool around and have fun, but a part of him wishes Haru was there while he got to solve his own vendettas in the background. On some cases by himself, he'd imagine Haru standing next to him, telling him off for how reckless he was being. Or how it isn't doing anyone justice by throwing his money around. But even so, at the end of the day when the case was solved, Haru would give him a small smile and say "Nice work today Kambe, although it might've not been done entirely correctly." he'd laugh as he patted Daisuke on the shoulder while walking off. Only for Daisuke to say, "Right," in response following after him to the office for Haru to write up a report, and Daisuke siting there watching him do so.
But most of all, Daisuke wanted to see Haru's face when they caught the perp and Haru took a good look at what they've accomplish as a team. The satisfaction on Haru's face, Daisuke could never get out of Haru, no matter what he gave him.
That's what Daisuke found so refreshing about Haru when he worked at the MPD. Haru found value in people- there morals and beliefs, not what they could offer him. You couldn't flash some money in Haru's face and expect him to go along with you. However that to, also made Daisuke want to find the breaking point of Haru so badly since he couldn't seem to find it.
And he was Daisuke Kambe, THE Daisuke Kambe of the Kambe Group.
When Daisuke heard the door slide open, much to everyone surprise, it was almost like God heard his wishes.
There at the door way stood a 5'10" man, taupe hair with some strands sticking out, and golden eyes that flickered in the light. There in the flesh was the man that Daisuke couldn't find even after dedicating a whole weekend too when he first disappeared. Daisuke blinked subconsciously, wondering if he was just his imagination.
It wasn't (Thankfully)
Everyone's head turned, some mouths dropping in the process, "Hey, it's been awhile," Haru said through a toothy grin.
Yes Haru, yes it has been awhile ; Daisuke thought to himself.
Everyone was too caught up in the moment to notice anything, but for a moment there, the smile on Haru's face looked almost malicious. Only for a split second though, but when did Haru learn how to make a face like that?
Even better, where had Haru gone in those 3 months?