Sato walked straight to Takagi's desk with a slight smile on her face.
"Well? What did he do? Are you in trouble?" Takagi blurted; he was unable to contain his curiosity. He was terrified that he had gotten his crush into trouble. Even though it had been her idea he still felt responsible.
"Relax Takagi. He just docked my pay a bit is all. 3 days worth." Sato said with a sigh of relief. Takagi did visibly relax but he was still a bit on edge.
"I… I'm s-sorry Sato. This is all my fault." He mumbled.
"No it's not. Besides it was my idea." She said happily, "He's gonna be real mad though" Takagi propped his head up on his desk and sighed dejectedly. He knew she was right. Inspector Santos was going to chew him up and spit him out.
"He said he's gonna fire me. I don't think he can, at least not without Inspector Maguire agreeing to it." Takagi said nervously. He looked up at Detective Sato, who was perched on the corner of his desk, with his usual nervous expression. She smiled down at him and he felt his heart skip a beat.
"He won't fire you. He can't you're too good of a detective to fire." She reassured him.
"I will be easily replaced; there are a million others just like me"
"Takagi! Stop talking like that! You're not-" Sato was cut off by Inspector Santos appearing. He glared down at Takagi.
"Worthless fool." He hissed into Takagi's ear. Takagi tensed.
"…Sir?" Takagi said hesitantly.
Santos turned to Sato, "Excuse me while the Inspector and I speak with Mr. Takagi here."
"Yes sir!" Sato said promptly. She cast a sympathetic glance at Takagi and blushed.
"Wish me luck!" He called to her
"Good luck!" She called back. Santos glared down at the detective. Takagi felt his shoulders tremble slightly.
"Right." Takagi stood and started to walk towards Santos' office. The inspector in question placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him around.
"That way stupid, Inspector Maguire's office. If I have my way you'll be fired. If I don't you'll be miserable. I can't believe you almost killed Sato. She said it was her idea but I know it was your idea." Santos hissed.
"Sir… it was her idea. I… Are you really going to fire me?" Takagi's voice was almost a whisper.
"If I can. I don't know how you can possibly think have a chance with her. Sato needs a man not a mouse."
"Sir?"
"You love her. But she knows you're worthless, you're second born, not wealthy, and you have only a low level position in this unit. I'm not surprised she has feelings for me though." Santos said. The cruel edge in his voice was not well masked. Takagi felt his blood boil. 'Sato does not like him. She can't. She turned him down last time and then kind of asked me out, right?' he thought.
"I…" Takagi said dumbly. He briefly considered punching him, but gave up the idea as the pair neared Inspector Maguire's office. Suddenly he was falling face first to the ground. Thud.
"Oww… Wa'd I… Oh." Takagi looked over and saw what he'd tripped over. Santos' foot. Santos grabbed the back of the young detective's shirt and hauled him to his feet. He thrust Takagi forward; the younger man stumbled into Inspector Maguire's office and promptly fell flat on his face.
"S-sorry sirs! I-I didn't mean to-" Takagi stuttered. He started to pull himself up but once again Santos pulled him to his feet and shoved him. This time Takagi stumbled backwards and landed roughly in his chair. The chair took the weight rather awkwardly and tipped over backwards causing Takagi to smack his head on the ground. He groaned in pain and stood up again.
"Sorry Sirs," Takagi mumbled. He rubbed the back of his head gently. He grabbed the chair and stood it up again. The two inspectors were now sitting across from him.
"Sit," Maguire ordered. Takagi sat.
"Now we have some things to discuss"