"But, Akane, your psycho-pass...," Ginoza whispered.
"It won't cloud, trust me," she said, closing the closet door behind them.
"If we're discovered..."
"What's the worst that can happen?" she responded, resting her hands on his shoulders. He almost involuntarily placed his hands on her waist. Her big brown eyes gazed up at him with a hunger that made him afraid. It was similar to the look she had when she was chasing a criminal. And why not? He was, in fact, a criminal, according to Sybil.
Their lips met. She tasted sweet, as the taste of sugar cookies still lingered on her breath. He greedily sucked her tongue, and his hands made his way down her thigh. She wrapped her legs around him, and he fell back into the inspector coats hanging on the rack. She flung them aside. They laughed. "Jingle Bell Rock" was playing in the next room.
A terrible thought struck him. "They're going to notice we're gone," he said.
"So what if they find us?" she asked, digging her hand into his hair and nibbling his exposed ear. "Those drunk fucks don't give a damn," she whispered.
"We're drunk fucks too," he said.
"Happy Holidays, Nobuchika," she said, unbuttoning his shirt.
She always gets her way, he thought, drawing her mouth back to him.
They continued meeting like that, in the shadows, and no one ever suspected a thing. What a pity, they said, that Ginoza has a crush on Inspector Tsunemori. While his puppy-dog eyes followed her every step, and he started to tremble whenever she was near, she remained as stoic as ever.
Soon enough, although they couldn't be public about it, they began treating it as a relationship. He would bring her gifts; she would cook for him. They had toothbrushes at each others' apartments.
"Nobuchika, there's something I need to tell you," she said one night while they were laying in bed.
"Me too," he said. "Akane, I think I'm in love with you."
"I'm pregnant," she said at the same time.
He lifted his head off the pillow to look at her, his jet black hair falling over his face. "You're...pregnant."
"Mmm-hmmm," she said.
"You're sure?"
"Candy's tested me multiple times. She's got me on prenatal vitamins and everything."
Ginoza struggled with the right words to put to his thoughts. "So...weren't you...?"
"On birth control? Yes," she said. "I don't know what happened, but they say it's not always 100% effective. I guess I'm the 1%. Yay me...!" She laughed nervously.
He put his hand on her stomach and echoed her nervous laugh. "Yay us...," he said. "Unless...you're planning on...?"
"No," she said quickly. "I couldn't."
"Good," he said. "I've always wanted to be a father. I didn't think it would ever happen, especially after I became an Enforcer. I know, it's not ideal, but, I will be here for you, and for our baby, any time."
He kissed her, and kissed her stomach, tears leaking out of his eyes.
THREE MONTHS LATER
Division One gathered for a typical work day, scanning civilian psycho-passes and continuing ongoing investigations. Akane stood and commanded everyone's attention.
"Ahem," she said. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make." Seven faces turned to look at her. "I'm sure more than a few of you have noticed that I've put on some weight. Well, you can stop speculating. I am pregnant."
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend, Akane," said Yayoi.
"Well, I don't," said Akane, "but, you know, things happen."
"Wow, I never would have guessed that from her," Sho said to Ginoza, who had been trying to appear engrossed in the memo on his computer screen.
Ginoza blushed. "What people do on their own time is their own business," he muttered.
"Well, whoever he is, I hope he steps up to take care of the baby, at the very least with money," said Yayoi.
"That's the law, isn't it?" said Mika. "Do you know who the father is?"
"That's none of your business," said Akane. "Just know that when the baby is born, I will be on maternity leave for a while. Chief Kasei is already looking into a suitable substitute for when I'm gone."
"So do we know the father?" Mika pressed.
"No," said Akane, "and I'd appreciate no further questions about this, thanks."
"If we don't know him, what's the big deal?" asked Mika. "What's he do? Where'd you meet him? Do you even remember his name?"
"Inspector Shimosuki, enough," said Ginoza. "This is Inspector Tsunemori's personal business. If she wants to divulge details to you, she will, otherwise, you have no right to the knowledge."
"Enforcer Ginoza, remember your place," said Mika.
"It's fine," said Akane. "I met him at a bar. You know how it goes. There's not much else to say, really."
Yayoi corned Ginoza later that night in the lounge. "Congratulations," she whispered. A chill ran down his spine.
He took a big gulp of his beer and looked at her. "For what?" he asked.
"You don't have to play dumb with me," she said. "I saw the way you were glowing when Akane was talking about her baby. Also, you were the only one in the room who wasn't surprised by the news."
"That's because Akane had told me before," said Ginoza.
"And you're not angry?" she asked. "Or jealous?"
"It makes no difference," said Ginoza. "What Akane does on her own time is her own business. We couldn't be a couple even if she wanted me, so."
"I don't know about that," said Yayoi, helping herself to the alcohol in the fridge. "It's not a hard rule, more of a suggestion, really. I've been seeing Shion for years, and nobody cares."
"That's different," said Ginoza. "Shion isn't your superior; she's support staff. Akane is my boss. It would be a conflict of interest."
"So you get, what, transferred to another division?" asked Yayoi. "Seems like a small price to pay. Or is the thought of not working with us anymore just so unbearable?"
"Perhaps, but it's no use. She's not interested in me, clearly."
"But she told you about the pregnancy first," said Yayoi, "so she trusts you more than anyone else, clearly. Look, the truth will out, one way or another, you realize that, right? If she doesn't name a father, Sibyl will demand a DNA test of the baby. You can play dumb for all of us, but you can't play dumb for Sibyl." Ginoza stared into his drink. She laughed, "Hey, man, I meant what I said. I'm happy for you, truly. You both deserve to be happy. Whatever that takes."
"The others...are they saying what you're saying?" he asked. "About me and Akane?"
"Inspector Shimotsuki has it out for Tsunemori," said Yayoi. "Your secret, if there is one, is safe with me, but...you might want to figure this out before Mika does."
Ginoza nodded. "Thanks. You make a fine detective."