Something inside me shattered, and I have felt trapped inside my mind since then. Occasionally I feel meaningless like it wouldn't matter to anyone if I were to disappear one day.
Those thoughts weaken me. My dominant personality was replaced with a constant sense of fear and anxiety. The memory was a continual torment, playing over and over in my mind like a broken record.
And somehow, even Juuzou entered my nightmares. He would sew me up, like his victims, and take over my mind. He was in control of me.
I entered the conference room. Everyone peeked at me, and I knew I was being judged. My skin was paler than usual, and my eyes were tired. It felt like I was living in a fog lately.
"Good morning~" I hear Juuzou's cheerful voice.
"Good morning," I smile back, taking my seat next to him. He was always sitting on the same chair with the same blue pillow. He would have an endless amount of candy in his pockets.
Arima entered the room, together with Haise and Akira as well. They sat on the other side of the table.
The room was silent, save for the sound of shuffling papers and the occasional cough. Clearly, this was going to be a high-stakes meeting.
Marude was the one who was in charge of this brainstorming.
"It looks like we found some interesting information on the black market thanks to Suzuya's squad. You can share your conclusions." Marude waved his hand in our direction.
Hanbee stood up.
"Of course," He bowed before he began.
"The ghouls we came across were many by number, but their fighting skills were leaking. We can suppose that their job was only to transfer humans or organs. The places they used were mostly abandoned structures. We have a date and place for the next major shipment."
The picture of the figure Juuzou was holding the other day surfaced in my mind.
"Good work, Suzuya" Marude mattered and moved his gaze back to the others.
"Looks like they have control over some sort of transport. I remember investigator Sasaki raised speculation about the Torso case. Am I right?"
Akira stood up, fixing her suit.
"After checking for shreds of evidence, it's safe to say that Torso is an impersonator disguised as a taxi driver. There might be a connection to him and the black market Suzuya's squad invest."
Akira sat down.
The atmosphere was charged with an almost palpable energy, as if a spark could set off an explosion at any moment.
I glanced at Juuzou, who was shamelessly staring at Haise. His blank stare stressed me.
"It looks like we have to assemble an operation."
After what seemed like hours, the meeting drew to a close. The attendees slowly rose from their seats, their faces etched with exhaustion and tension.
But not Juuzou. He was in a good mood.
"Looks like we have a lot of work~!" He announced when we got into the office. "That means we have to go to get some treats! Hanbee~~ You know what you must do".
Hanbee bowed, putting on his hat.
"May I join Hanbee?" I asked.
The two looked at me with surprised eyes.
"Why?" Juuzou asked.
"I wanted to visit the cemetery today if you don't mind. I'll make it quick."
Again, that deadpan stare.
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...
