Chapter Text
The day started… much too early and not so well to be honest. But a panic attack sure is a good substitute for coffee I guess, just not as enjoyable. These fit of terrors were nothing new to Atsushi, but the buildup anxiety over the past couple weeks has made the one right now a hell lot worse.
You see, today was his and Junichiro's first day on the real job as police rookies, after their year of police academy. And as much as Atsushi tried to ignore the nearing of this morning, the day has come, and Atsushi didn’t feel ready. At all.
So what do you do when you are having the worst panic of your life right now and feel like the world is ending before you even did anything? You go wake your friend who is a couple blocks away up, what else?
Junichiro and he agreed on meeting up at 7, leaving them enough time to get to the station, get dressed in their uniforms, introduce themselves to the captain, and maybe meet the other officers. He was very, very thankful to the universe for letting him and his friend both get accepted at the same station, so he has at least someone he knows there who is going through the same thing. Sadly the plan for this morning was now disregarded in his mind, as he practically ran to Junichiro's apartment at the ungodly hour of 4:16 am.
The main door is broken since forever, so all he needs to do now is just run up to the 4 floor and hope his friend didn’t fall asleep with his noise canceling headphones again. Luckily after his frantic knocking, he soon gets greeted with the sight his half awake, concerned friend in his duck pyjamas (which Atsuchi would tease him about like always if not for his current situation).
“Atsu, what the heck are you doing here so early.” the boy standing in the doorway murmured, even though he already knew the answer only by looking at the disheveled Atsushi hyperventilating before him.
“JUNICHIRO—„ Atsushi began as soon as he was given the chance to speak- „I can’t do it. I’m NOT READY. They will hate me and- and I will get someone killed because I will be too nervous and- OH GOD what if I accidentally let my-my training officer be killed because I didn’t cover their blind spot and the-“
“Atsus-“
“And then I will be fired on my first day and I will never forgive myself for-for letting somebody die again and-“
“Atsushi let me ta-“
“And then the other cops will hunt me down because they will hate me because their friend got killed because o-“
“ATSUSHI NAKAJIMA WILL YOU LET ME TALK.” he finally blurted out. Well at least that finally got him to hear him out. “Just- breathe, okay? You won’t get anybody killed, and nobody will hate you. The chance of us having to handle such dangerous missions on our first day is unlikely. And even if,you know everything and ten times more than needed, and you. Will. Be. Okay. Understood?” he assured the, now sobbing mess in front of him.
Atsushi, now breaking completely down like a small child, just nods as a response, not being in a state to respond with words. Junichiro sighed.
“Come on, let’s make us some coffee and go over the code book once more.” he gestured him to enter while looking at the clock, mourning the loss of the couple hours he could have slept in. But he is a good friend after all, so he helps him calm down like he always does. By this point he could have as well pursued a career in therapy, with how good he has become with handling these anxiety outbursts.
A quiz, lots of caffeine and a pep talk later, Atsushi gained enough confidence for this anticipated day.
„Again- I’m so sorry I just showed up at your place so early without warning.“ he apologized for the thousandth time.
„I already told you, it’s okay. You know you can always come to me if you need help buddy, even if it’s four in the morning.“ he responded with a playful push to the shoulder. „Well, we’re here“ he declared, with a slight nervous laugh. Even though he was the one to give confident talk to his friends, Junichiro himself was a pretty nervous person too.
So now, two trembling bodies are standing before the pretty small police stations. Around them people started flowing in. A brunette boy looking roughly their age (but somehow behaving younger),was skipping next to a dark haired, very intimidating woman. A tall bandaged man was calling loudly after a blonde man, who was very clearly trying to ignore him. Another boy cheerily walked in, looking like he had no care in the world and humming a cheerful tune. This truly was…. an interesting assemble of people from a first impression. The station they chose to apply at was the smallest one in Yokohama, which Atsushi personally prefers over the gigantic ones in the middle of the city. He had a feeling the team he will meet here, he will get to know very well.
„Fuck it, we are going in, now or never.“ he grabbed Junichiros wrist and pulled him into the building with the most forced confidence ever. Fake it till you make it by its clearest definition.
After getting awkwardly checked in at the reception, they were given directions to the locker room. The room is the size of a closet and the lockers themselves look like they seen some history. At least the benches look very new in contrast to its surroundings, and thus weirdly out of place. They quickly found their own lockers (since there weren’t many to begin with) and got dressed in their new uniforms. Has he forgotten anything? He always has the feeling he’s forgotten something. Flashlight, baton, taser, badge- yep, anything that’s in the textbook is on him,the gun he will get later after the roll call. Then why doesn’t he feel ready yet? Why doesn’t even the real gear make him feel like he belongs to this position? Is he really made for this, if he doesn’t even feel comfortable going out to the public with more preparation than 95% of the general public?
„Oh, look Kunikida! The benches finally got replaced after that incident with you and Dazai last week.“ the boy who hopped beside that woman exclaimed loudly to the blonde man, now identified as Kunikida. „Let’s hope these ones will hold up to your next anger attack on Dazai.“ he grinned mischievously, at the sighing man. Attack??? What kind of police station is this where the police attacks each other??? Should he be scared???
It’s 7:44, so they should probably go and meet the chief commander. His office was at the other side of the small building, and after knocking they were called in. The office was stunning. The desk had intricate engravings on its sides, the walls were covered with neatly arranged books and folders, occasionally interrupted with decoration like Daruma Dolls or Beckoning Cats (which he found quite a few of). Two neatly cut bonsai trees were standing next to two huge vases on each side of the room and kō (japanese incense) filled their anticipated breath. The man at the desk proved just by appearance that this office belonged to him.He wore an grass-colored yukata, a black haori jacket with a golden zigzag pattern over it, white tabi socks, and traditional zori sandals on his feet. Right now he was standing beside the window, gazing outside. Should they be the ones to speak first or-
„Please, sit down.“ the man gestured gently, finally turning around to look at the two of them. Chief commander Fukuzawa had quite a good but feared reputation. He was once one of the best soldiers in the entire nation, but later settled down and opened up this very station they are standing in. The way he looked at them was overwhelmingly intimidating, somehow neutral and even a bit…. fatherly (?) all at the same time. They obliged the command without hesitation.
„I believe you are our two new officers in training, am I correct?“ both of them nodded simultaneously. „ Then I am officially welcoming you to the Advanced Detective and Analytical Police Station. As you know, we are specialized in investigation in particular, but are still of course on regular patrol daily. Each of you will be assigned a training officer who will guide and teach you for the next two years.“ he took a pause to take a sip of his scolding hot tea (how high is his heat tolerance??) „Your training officers will evaluate your performance weekly, and by the end of the first year they will decide if they see you suitable for this job. How everything else works here, will be told to you by your training officers.“ he finished at last, his tone gentle yet very disciplined.
„Understood sir, thank you very much for this opportunity. We are very excited to get to be part of this station.“ Junichiro responded quickly, both him and Atsushi bowing deeply.
„I am too, delighted, to finally get a new generation of trainees to this station. The last time was quite a while ago. Well, I wish you luck on your first day, you are dismissed.“
They nodded, and closed the door carefully behind them. Wow, that was intimidating they both thought. There was nothing intimidating the commander said, no he was actually very friendly and nice to them, but everything else about him was intimidating as hell. He is the perfect person for a chief commander I suppose.
With about 5 minutes left until roll call, they moved towards the meeting room. When they arrived, most seats (which they were not many of. Was this station really that small?) were already filled with chatting and laughing people. Everyone seemed comfortable and friendly with everyone, and somehow, that observation made Atsushi breathe a bit easier. The only places left were in the first left row, where one of the three seats was already occupied by the happy-go-lucky boy from earlier, who was now smiling and waving to them.
„Hiiiiiiii, you must be the new rookies right? I’m Kenji it’s so nice to meet you both! You know, I completed my rookie time just a couple months ago, if you ever need help or tips just come to me and I will be happy to help you, Atsushi and Junichiro! You know, a close team makes a close family they say!“
„Thank you very much Kenji, but say, how do you know our names? We haven’t introduced ourselves to anyone but the chief commander yet.“ Atsushi asked, a bit astonished.
„Well, because I was the one who did the background checks on you! I know everything about you now!!“ Kenji said with the same happy and cheery tone as before, which made the last part sound even more creepy than it already is.
Before he had found the words to reply, chief Fukuzawa walked in to start roll call. The whole room instantly went silent, so they are not the only ones to be intimidated by him as it seems.
„Good morning everyone. We will start the roll call with an introduction. As everyone already has noticed, we have two new officers in training from today on. Would you two please stand up and identify yourselves.“ the chief spoke.
Junichiro glanced over at Atsushi, not wanting to go first. Atsushi returned that look with the same intensity. The silence was about to start becoming awkward, so Junichiro gave in and stood up first.
„Hello everyone, I’m Tanizaki Junichiro and my badge number is AD146“ he spoke uncertainly. It was now his own turn
„Hello, I’m uh- Nakajima Atsushi, and my- my identification number is AD147“ he stuttered through the words, his eyes meeting the table beneath him as he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to be looking at the chief commander or everyone else in the room who were observing him closely. God, he hated speaking before crowds so much.
„We are happy to have you here in training officer Nakajima and Tanizaki. You will now be assigned to your training officers. Officer Nakajima, your training officer will be Officer Dazai“. A snort and sounds of suppressed laughter came from the boy who spoke earlier with Kunikida, that was quickly shushed by their neighbor. Atsushi turned around to find a tall brunette whose every part of skin except the face was covered with white bandages, waving at him with a cheerful smile. Has he been injured recently? Atsushi thought to himself while returning a small wave back.
„Officer Tanizaki, you are assigned to Officer Kunikida.“ the chief continued. The blond man just gave his friend a quick nod. He looked a lot more strict and serious.
„That is all for today’s meeting. You are dismissed.“
Something tells Atsushi this will get more interesting than he thought.