A third point of view.
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It was a warm day outside. The three girls were walking down the street toward the branch building.
"Why do they always put the meetings on the nicest days" Neco cried out, her hands spread apart while walking on a thin block line.
"It's a shame they don't give us vacations, like other jobs. Why can't we have a summer vacation? It sounds so cool. We work so much," She whined.
"When protecting people, you can't have a vacation, Neco chan. You always need to be available, just in case." Willow lectured, "And besides, if anything, I would request to at least put operations on days with nice weather. I hate fighting in the rain. If you build a raid a month before the invention - you can look at the forecast. It's so easy. Do you remember that man who fell from the building because he slipped? I bet that wouldn't happen if it weren't raining."
"He wouldn't die if he were observant. That could easily be a blood puddle in the way as well. His weakness has nothing to do with the weather." Y/n remarked.
The two investigators looked at her peaceful face and nodded.
"Unfortunate mistakes happen, Major." Willow winked at her.
The three walked into the building to find out the meeting had already begun.
A strange-looking young man was wandering the corridors, looking... suspicious.
"Oi" Willow snapped, noticing Y/n eyes on his figure, "Who are you? Are you lost?"
The man turned around to reveal his interesting appearance.
White soft hair. Huge ruby eyes, pale skin. Stitches?
"I am Shinohara's san partner Juuzou Suzuya~" He announced to the trio, "You see, I lost my way to the meeting office~," He said while playing with his lower lip stitches.
"We were on our way there. You may tackle along." Neco smiled at the young investigator.
Willow and Neco both send a look to Y/n, who doesn't change her expression at all.
"So you are Shinohara's san partner? That's amazing!" Neco exclaimed with an admiring tone.
"Indeed. Shinohara san is a good man," Willow agreed. "Come to think about this, weren't you supposed to be assigned with him years ago, Major?" Willow fixed her eyes on the quiet woman who was walking behind.
Juuzou tilted his head to the word Major.
"It didn't work out," Y/n said without any emotion shown.
"Years ago? When did you start working here?" Juuzou asked, confused.
"When we were 16?" Neco answered with a smile.
"Wowww. I didn't know you could do that" his tone was too radiant for Y/n's taste.
"You can't," Y/n snapped, "And you shouldn't. Let's go."
Willow opened the door wide open, and all four of them walked into the packed room. They all stare at them with judging eyes.
But Juuzou noticed that the looks on those dumb faces differed from those he used to receive alone. Could he sense a hint of... respect?
"Sorry for being late" Willow bowed mockingly at Marude, walking inside.
"And you are...?" Marude pointed at Juuzou with peeved eyes.
"I am Juuzou Suzuya, Shinohara's partner! Please accept my sincerest apologies for being late~" Juuzou happily clapped his hands together.
In the corner of her eyes, Y/n noticed Shinohara's worried look.
That's the new one, huh?
Flashback
"I have a young partner joining me. He's your age," Shinohara's words spoke in her mind.
"Congrats," Y/n replied.
"Look, he is a... troubled child. It would be nice if all of you could hang out sometime. I would appreciate it." Shinohara said, uncomfortably moving his tie.
"It's not a part of my job" Y/n put the straw in her juice box and took a sip.
"Why did you take him under you if you can't handle him?"
"I didn't say I can't handle him."
"You said he was a troubled child."
"Yes. A victim, perhaps. He was... raised by a ghoul. Big madam."
That must've hurt.
"I want to help him," Shinohara insisted.
Y/n respects Shinohara for his kindness, but she can't stand this foolish sense of heroism in him. As if he would spare him if the one were a ghoul.
"Good luck," Y/n whispered, getting up.
She never wanted to involve with others. Growing up following orders, she learned to detach herself from everything and everyone if not necessary. People take too much energy.
"You can't do it all on your own," Shinohara murmured, loud enough for the young girl to hear.
end of flashback
"Major," Neco waved her hand before the girl's eyes.
"Are you listening? We are assigned to the 11th ward" Neco looked excited.
"Assigned?" Y/n asked.
"That's right. The 11th ward branch has been hit; I want everyone there." Marude explained, walking down the stairs towards the three girls.
"Nice seeing you again, Project 22," He greeted them after sending Juuzou a disgusted look.
"Why do you want us to fight with you? Our orders are usually solitariness. Working on a large scale is not for our squad."
Marude hated this attitude. He used to call her - an ungrateful child. She didn't mind.
"Well, there is a first time for everything, right?" He smiled at her and put his hand on her shoulder.
A slight frown was seen on Y/n forehead. Juuzou could notice it, and he found it pleasing.
YOU ARE READING
Fine line
Fanfiction'He used to tell me I should keep you close. He said you are like me, that there is a fine line between us. I never understood him, but I'm trying.' Shinohara's message to Juuzou before the owl attack was that you need each other. You could not be a...
