Chapter Text
“Hey sunshine, got your coffee.” Moonvine, the most ’golden retriever’ acting for a visibly dark and brooding agent NIS had walked in, calmly placing a large, caramel latte on the desk in front of her before leaning her back against it, white and black faded untied hair falling from her shoulders and down her back, hands clutching the edge as she silently observed the latter typing away.
Moonvine, otherwise Moony, was a crisis investigator, just as her partner – Sunsprite (Sunny) - was, both of which having the most opposite personalities to their alias’, much more reflective of one another.
Most people however, thought the opposite. They thought she was cold, critical and uncaring, yet they clearly didn't know her.
Not like Sunny did.
The two of them together formed a powerful team, both of which in some form of executive position, from dedication to the service leading to progressive raises in position and pay until they hit the point they were at now – that being, controlling and training the lower CIs, or even typical agents – field and office alike - in general, and were only really sent out themselves for the ”bigger” jobs, as people call it, given that they may as well call themselves executives rather than agents at this point in time.
Today though, they just found themselves in the office – a peaceful day, or so they hoped.
“Thanks.” Sunny hadn’t even looked up, she just kept persisting, typing, pausing, typing, sighing, before just dropping her head to her hands. They’d sent their new trainees off to do some written assessment-type work, which had left Sunny drowning in emails, questions, complaints and so on.
Yet, as Sunny's partner, Moonvine knew that this wasn’t an over-worked frustration, from the many years of experience of working together. Not when this was something they were both heavily used to over the years and had less trainees than usual. Sunny hadn’t even responded to the nickname that typically frustrated her. So, with a small sigh, Moonvine turned to face the other woman, a soft hand on her shoulder, “Hey, what's going on with you today? You seem off... and be smart about this, okay? I want the honest answer, not some bullshit excuse.”
By smart, they both knew she really meant don’t hide something important, or something that could impact multiple other factors within work. After all, within their line of work, be it sickness, stress, or otherwise, there had to be a high attention to self-care – otherwise managing the rest of the organisation's issues could be severely impacted. Being crisis investigators wasn’t for the weak hearted, nor for those who cannot handle their own stress accordingly - that was something they told every trainee that they had many times in short spans of time, meaning they both knew it even better.
“It’s about Cherry-” Sunny knew that mentality, and expectation, very well in fact – giving in without an ounce of hesitation.
Yet, of course, the discussion came with its issues. After all, it was about Cherry of all people - Kaoru Sakurayashiki - the kid they’d both gotten rather close to over years of training, working in the same building, and supporting him – prior to the transfer to Okinawa. The same kid that had called almost a week ago, panicked, and having a slight trauma response to many things within the agency down in Okinawa. The same kid that for months had been working on a field case that he technically hadn’t been permitted to at all.
If she was stressed about a specific agent, especially one with such recent concerns, there was always a bigger issue under the surface. Even just the smallest of earwigs could become its own nail-gun headache.
“What about him?”
This wasn’t a topic they’d just drop overnight. Not when there were already signs that they should be preparing for something to go wrong.
More than it already had.
“That call. I may sound stupid but- something feels wrong, y’know? Like I should be doing more- but technically we don’t have the evidence to do a raid, and people will freak out if they know we’re getting involved too early. I know I got him down from that whole thing the other day and he’s objectively fine- but something is telling me it’s not... over- y'know what I mean? That we’re just sitting ducks in the rain until the more than likely inevitable storm comes around, just because the higher ups wouldn’t permit us to act this early without enough proof that he’s in danger-” she let out a small sigh, taking a sip of the coffee and proceeding to talk over the rim, unable to stop rambling her concerns off, “Since if we act too soon it could make things worse- but like, it's just too calm for it to feel normal. We should have heard more by now regarding his status, mental health, or otherwise, yet that warning is still on his file, silently without any contact from NISO and he’s not contacted us again either. I’m getting worried that something happened to him- he's still just a kid-”
They’d brought up the call to their higher ups the very same day it happened. Yet, despite it’s obvious concerns to Cherry’s wellbeing, they’d been denied further action until there was proof that the NISO Handler was actually a threat to him, and it hadn’t been merely coincidental that Cherry had reacted badly to what may be an exaggerated situation. He was unstable at the best of times since his experiences with Nara’s ex-handler, so the concerns got waved off with that as the excuse.
What wonderful leadership. Something that would be very different if Sunny had her own way – Moony too for that matter, who just so happened to be related to the founders of this messed up organisation. Yet they still had to do exactly as instructed.
This organisation was about helping people, after all. Despite the illegality of the methods they used.
Moonvine, in her usual respectful manner, sat and listened quietly. Sunny had points, good ones. They hadn’t much proof, apart from maybe some minor misconduct, and NISO’s Handler right now, being connected to the ex-NIS's, could mean that if they were to confront him, the actions towards Cherry could worsen at a hastier rate. They had to stay put, and it was taking its toll. “Just do what you can and keep checking the files. I’m sure he’ll call again if-”
Ring
Oh.
“Is that-”
“His parents.”
Oh shit.
“Put it on speaker, we both need to hear this.”
...
“Sunny, have you or moony spoken with Cherry recently? Like, today I’m talking?” a woman's voice, panicked, a little hastier than the usual professionality came through before either of the other women had the chance to even greet her from the other end.
Kaoru’s mother – Codename: Apple Blossom.
“No- neither of us have spoken to him today at all, we just got into work within the last hour truthfully. Why? Has something happened?” any previous work had come to a halt. Whatever was going on here was much more important. Apple Blossom wasn’t just concerned, she was scared.
What a coincidence that they’d only just been discussion that something could be going on with Cherry.
What a horrible coincidence.
A small yet shaken breath came from the other end at that. One that both Sunny and Moonvine were accustomed to hearing even in the loudest of rooms. A signal of sorts - a subconscious one, though. “He’s not come back since school- and he told us he would be staying with the Nanjo’s overnight, and maybe even more days past that, but-”
“But?”
“We called them... and he’s not there, nor is there any intention of him being there today, or any day for that matter. He’s not been to their house, or even discussed the idea, at all since before him and Kojiro’s fall out-”
It was Moonvine’s turn to speak up now, gathering her thoughts with a calm breath before speaking up, returning the information in her own words to ensure they were understanding what was actually being said right now. “Are you suggesting that he has ran away with no intention to return for the foreseeable or even next few days, Apple Blossom? We need the specifics to be able to do anything, and trust me, we both want to help as much as possible.”
“Yes- I am. It may sound crazy, but yes that’s exactly what I’m suggesting. He’s not seemed himself at all recently, maybe for a week now? And now it’s been hours since he’s meant to be home, and he didn’t even text me until at least two hours after school ended, and now won’t respond to a single thing anymore-”
The two investigators immediately exchanged concerned looks at that. That wasn’t like Cherry at all to ignore people, especially his own mother after texting her moments sooner. The timeframe of a week immediately connecting more dots. Neither knew what to even say. Why would Cherry have any reason to run away right now? Sure, he hadn’t been in the best headspace but he’d never tried to actually run away for long periods of time before.
Yet, they also knew they had to do something, so quickly exchanged an understanding nod, the course of action apparent to them through their typical approach to work, before moving forward.
“Apple Blossom.” Moonvine spoke up once more, voice calm and steady as she took the reins on the call, allowing Sunny to go back to the computer and look back into the files to see if there were any hints at all to what could have happened. Anything she may have missed, whilst Moonvine worked on the information right here, right now. “I need you to do as I say, okay? Connect the call with one to whichever of the Nanjo’s that you typically speak with and ask to speak to their son – make sure the two of us can still hear you but the Nanjo’s stay unaware. From there you need to ask if Kojiro has spoken with Cherry at all today, but do not give away that he has gone missing. You can use any other excuse that you know is safe, if necessary. If he has spoken with him, it could shed some light on Cherry’s situation right now. This is all going to be recorded and transcripted for use as possible evidence, I’m sure you know the drill by now, and make sure to use Cherry’s actual name due to NIS confidentiality. Is that all clear and okay with you?”
“Understood, that’s all fine, thank you. Just give me the green light and I’ll do it. I’d rather find him than keep theorising after all.”
“Alright, recording and transcript is starting now, and we’re muting our end of the call until you’re finished. Go ahead, you’re good to go.” and with a small nod to Sunny, the call was muted and recorded, as well as both of them listening intently for even the slightest of hints. They weren’t investigators for nothing after all.
--
“Hey, what’s going on? We only just spoke about Kaoru, so I didn’t expect a call from you so soon? Has he come home yet?” A woman answered, curiosity and concern laced within her soft voice.
“No, he hasn’t, so I was wondering if I could speak with Kojiro for a moment? But- please don't tell him about Kaoru not coming home, I don’t want him to freak out yet. Kaoru might just be having one of his moments where he’ll be back in barely any time at all, after doing something he will probably regret. But I still just want to make sure of some things.”
It had happened before after all, where Kaoru had simply just tried to break some rules. However, that last time, when he was around 15, he hadn’t lied about where he was - rather, he was just incredibly late home, stinking of smoke and mixed alcohols, drunk out of his mind, and drenched from the rain due staying out in a petty rage stemming from anger of being too controlled as an NIS agent, which had been disguised as frustration with his parents for the Nanjo’s obliviousness.
“Of course, no problem at all. Let me call him over for you.” Without even a question she had called for her son.
That was one of the good things about the Nanjo’s - the way they seemed to hold a judgement free, no-questions-asked approach surrounding the Sakurayashiki’s family - and its drama.
“Uh- Hello? My mother said you wanted to talk to me?” Kojiro’s confused chuckles came through quickly and clearly. He’d always been rather a curious, and protective boy when it came to Kaoru.
“Kojiro, darling, hi. I was wondering if you’d spoken with Kaoru at all today?”
“Uh- yeah- after school, why? Is he okay?”
“He’s fine, just not acting himself, I’m sure it’s just one of his typical moods, but I wanted to ask if there had been anything up with him today?”
“Well, hopefully he’ll snap out of it, I know how he gets-” Kojiro chuckled slightly, “But now I think about it- he did seem to be quite sour faced when he got some random call earlier- then just did his thing and ran of without explanation, I thought perhaps it was family stuff?”
Bingo.
“Yeah- right, we have had some of his cousins come to visit, and he’s not all too pleased about it. So, it must have been from them, thanks, was there anything else?”
“No, we made up thankfully, but then that happened and we haven’t spoken since.”
“Okay- thanks hun- I'm sure he’ll come to in a little while. You go enjoy your day, you can hang up now, I don’t need anything else.”
“Alright, thanks Mrs Sakurayashiki. You have a good day too, and Kaoru, of course-”
Such a polite boy. So naive.
--
“You guys can unmute- I'm done-” the woman sighed, frustration laced within her broken voice. “But I think we all know who that random, unexplained call actually came from- obviously not the cousin as that was an excuse to keep Kojiro oblivious to the truth.”
“Take a breath, Apple Blossom. We need you to be rational about this.” Sunny’s cold, yet unusually compassionate voice was the first to speak back up, understanding what, and how she was saying what she was, whilst looking back through the transcript so it all went into her mind clearly. “We’ll figure out what’s happening with him. However, it is, more than likely, connected with NISO and the handler in charge based on what we can infer, so please do everything you can to avoid engaging with him until the issue is resolved. However, if you must speak with him, then do not bring up Cherry – or him being missing – unless he does first. It could, without trying to concern you any further, trigger a chain reaction that we won’t be able to control as easily once started. Since we don’t know the full scope of the situation we are dealing with quite yet.”
Not to mention that they couldn’t discuss with her what Cherry had only recently disclosed with them, given confidentiality surrounding the discussion, that just further emphasised the possible issue at hand. If he already had set Cherry off into a more unstable situation, the “inevitable storm” her and Moonvine had discussed only just prior could, in fact, have come much sooner than anticipated.
“Alright- thank you, both of you that is. You don’t know how much I appreciate this. It’s not like him to run off like this so any help is greatly appreciated.”
“We understand, Apple Blossom, and it’s no problem at all. You want to be there for your son in times of need. This is exactly what we’re here for. Yet now, you need to keep a low profile surrounding the issue, and do not discuss it with anyone else unless necessary. You did good with the excuses to the Nanjo’s, so if it happens that Kaoru doesn’t return in time for school, you will need to work with it and hide this from the school as well. Don’t drop the ball or confuse your stories, it could have a bigger impact than you think if people get suspicious. However, since you’re a field agent, these deceptions shouldn’t be too difficult for you, or for your husband. We trust you to keep us in the loop if anything else happens.”
“Of course, that’s no problem at all. I’ll call you back if anything changes.”
And just like that, the phone was hung up, and the menial, boring tasks that Sunsprite had been working on were entirely discarded. Her attention switched to a new task; one that served much more important and was much less ignorable now that the boy was actually missing. He’d gone completely MIA, without more than an attempt at deception before dropping contact with anyone and everyone.
“We have work to do, Moonvine, let’s get to planning.” and they had to do it fast, before it got any further out of hand. This calm period of uncertainty would only last so long before the impacts became catastrophical after all.