Chapter Text
“Oh, it’s you” Mado Akira commented as she entered the room. She spared a bow to the Officer Marude as a sign of courtesy before turning back to the nostalgic face framed by short blond hair. “I take it the 1st Ward treated you well?”
“Yo! First Class Investigator Mado. Maaan it’s been a while~” the young man greeted, a sunny grin on his face. “Yep, they’ve been… ah… very friendly…”
This response elicited a hum left from the older’s lips eyes scanning him up and down. She noted a number of differences from the last time she’d seen him. That determined young man, half-dead, broken, and bloodied after that faithful night seemed to have grown quite a lot -decidedly a foot taller physically, with strength evident in his shoulders and his already intelligent gaze gaining a bit more wisdom, perhaps a shadow as well...
“Akira-saan, I know how handsome I am, but please do show some restraint.”
A smile crossed Akira’s lips. At least that part of him didn’t change, still as bright as she’d remembered. “I heard you were promoted. Congratulations” She continued, ignoring the man’s previous statement completely. “To think that you would go from an Outsider to a Rank 1 Investigator in 3 years, that’s quite a feat”
“Aw shucks~” the man made a show of looking embarrassed, but his prideful smile gave all away, a twinkle to his gaze as he struck a pose. “It was a piece of cake!”
“EHEM!!” Inspector Marude cleared his throat, brows twitching as he tried to catch two’s attention. He turned to Akira, extending a manila envelope to her, to which she accepted, opening the flap and scanning the contents. “First Class Investigator Mado, just take the guy and go” Marude grumbled out.
“This is…” the woman trailed off, reading through a single file. “A formal request granted permission by Special Class Investigator Arima…” she turned to the newcomer again. “You formally asked Arima to join my squad?” she asked, a brow raised.
She only received a smile in response, but somehow she was able to understand. “I see… it’s a miracle he actually gave his consent”
“Che! Why anyone would volunteer to be among that bunch, I’ll never know” the 20th ward’s leading investigator grumbled out. “Such a talented youth wasted on the likes of those freaks! Must be out of your mind… Anyways, you’re dismissed.”
Tucking the papers back into the envelope, Akira joined her new subordinate for a bow to their superior before leaving the room.
“…I heard he doesn’t remember anything” the blond began, stopping just as they entered the elevator. He rubbed the back of his neck, smile becoming just a little sad.
Akira spared him a glance. “I’m sorry, but it can’t be helped. …will you be alright?”
“…yeah. I guess I’m just glad he’s alright. Still, it’s really lonely without him around”
“You really like him huh?” the First Class Investigator smiled, hearing the other’s whole-hearted consent. She couldn’t help but remember the first time she’d met the youth and all his zeal. True she didn’t trust him fully at first, but indeed… going so so far just to find a missing friend, even after suffering a traumatic event in the midst of it. “How is Special Class Arima?”
“Same as always. I still can’t thank him enough for saving my life, but I still want to punch him at least once for everything else” the other pouted, before mumbling out an “...though I’d probably get killed then… damn mixed feelings”
The elevator opened, and the two got off, continuing down the hallway to a particular door near the very end.
Akira let out a soft sigh, already hearing a racket from that far away. Beside her, the man let out a low whistle. “Well aren’t they a roudy bunch” he grinned. Akira merely rolled her eyes, turning the door handle.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the blond stiffen just a bit, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation flashing in his normally guarded face. She smiled.
“Oh, hey Mom.” A familiar voice greeted as she entered the room, and silence followed afterwards. She regarded her subordinate with a raised brow.
“Rank 1 Investigator Sasaki, just who are you calling Mom?”
“You’re a MOM???” beside her, the newcomer gasped, only making her roll her eyes.
Completely ignoring the conspicuous mess of furniture and coffee of the Quinx’s meeting room as well as the ragged looks of her squad, she announced in a powerful voice. “Everyone, meet your new subordinate” she introduced, coxing the newcomer in. “Just to be clear, he is not a Quinx, but he has Special Class Investigator Arima’s recommendation, and thus you are to treat him as your equal… or is that not acceptable?”
The man only grinned, eyes sparkling as he regarded everyone in the room with a polite bow. When he stretched up, his eyes landed not-inconspicuously on a certain white-black-haired man and his smile softened. “Rank 1 Investigator, Nagachika Hideyoshi! Just call me Hide ok?” his sunny grin returned, before taking the other’s hand. “Sasaki Haise, please take care of me~!”