'Alloisia Nicci Agilulf…'
The female warden gazed at her desk in deep thought. Ever since the request paper she was given, she couldn't help but think about the person. It was strange. Momoko remembers this prisoner well because of the strange occurrences that's happened with her. She could only call it strange.
'...Why would a request come from you of all people…?'
Knock knock.
"Come in." Instructed the warden as she lifted her head up.
The doors opened to reveal the intruders. The Supervisor of Building 4, Kenshirou Yozukura, was standing there with his hand firmly placed on the person in front of him.
"Excuse the intrusion, ma'am. I retrieved the person you asked for." Kenshirou said.
Momoko gazed at the person standing in front of Kenshirou. They looked very uncomfortable and never took their eyes off of his hand.
"...Could you… ease up on the grip…?" They asked softly.
"No." Instantly stated Kenshirou as he gazed down at them harshly.
"Good to know you're the same as always…" Mumbled the civilian.
The Warden couldn't help but examine the person she asked be brought in. Standing under Kenshirou's firm grip on their shoulder was a female. She was short compared to him. Her skin seemed tan as Momoko could spot the tan lines on her collar bone. She wore a green shirt that had the sleeves hang off of her shoulders. She wore beige pants that was rolled up, showing some stains of grass and dirt. On her feet was nothing but sandals.
Compared to how she used to look, she seemed a lot better. Her pale skin was tan now, most likely from being outside, and she didn't look as scrawny as she did as a teen. Her light brown hair was definitely shorter than last time, only going slightly past her shoulders. Her honey brown eyes were looking as calm as they always do. But Momoko frowned when she noticed that her hands were cuffed in front of her, making her look like an inmate. But, with a record like hers, it was to be expected.
"She isn't an inmate anymore, Kenshirou. The least you can do is release her shoulder." Momoko said, sharply eyeing the man.
Without argument, he took his hand off of the woman's shoulder. She seemed to relax as her eyes now gazed at the Warden. Momoko gestured for her to come forwards.
"Please come closer." Momoko asked her.
With her head slightly down, the woman walked over so she stood in front of Momoko's desk. Kenshirou, who kept his eye sharp on the woman's back, eyed her carefully in case she tries something. Momoko held a slight smirk as she recalled the woman's familiar face.
"It's been awhile since I've seen your face." Spoke the warden. "You haven't been causing any problems, have you?"
"I can't necessarily answer that…" Mumbled the woman.
The warden chuckled slightly, knowing quite well of what the answer is. Her eyes examined her again. "...Where did all that dirt get on you?"
"Oh, that…" The woman gazed down on the ground, wondering if she was leaving a mess. "I've been working on a local farm. Helping with all the heavy duty appliances and all. If it pays, it pays, I guess…"
"I see…" The warden's eyes stuck to her hands. "Did you get those scars from the farm as well?"
All over the woman's hands were multiple scars. It extended up to her wrist, but begin to spread out as they went up her arms. The woman frowned slightly and gazed at her hands and arms.
"...Maybe." She replied with a shrug. "Some of them came from fights, others from mishaps. I probably caused a few of them by accident…"
"I see…" Muttered the warden before looking towards her face. "It's been awhile since you've seen Nanba Prison, correct?"
"Not really…" Replied the woman as she gazed around the office. "I mean, from when I was around, things have definitely changed. I've noticed you created a few new centers as well…"
"Nanba Prison is always improving, after all." Replied the warden.
"When isn't it?" Said the woman as her eyes came back to the warden.
Momoko's lip twitched in amusement. "I see your emotionless sarcasm still remains."
"I…" The woman flinched, probably not expecting to hear that. "...didn't mean anything behind it, ma'am…"
"I know you didn't." Momoko said. She put her arms on her desk before placing her lips against her entwined fingers. "Now, let's get down to business… You sent in a job request to work here in Nanba Prison. Specifically, to be a guard… Why's that?"
"Nanba Prison is honestly a lot nicer than the outside." Replied the woman without hesitation. "The food is nice, making friends isn't that hard, the place is super clean compared to other prisons, and comparing my pay to here, this place is like a sanctuary. With the jobs I have now, I'm barely making enough to sustain a roof over my head, much less covering for my health insurance and having left over money for food. Nobody in a business industry wants some woman with a criminal record, especially when she has a genetic disorder…"
"Then why do you believe that we would take you in?" Sharply spoke Kenshirou. "You were our prisoner, after all. Why come back?"
"Because…" She turned and looked him in the eye. "This place is full of a variety of strange and unique individuals. Why pass down an opportunity of working in a place full of misfits when you're a misfit yourself…?"
"Why you…" Kenshirou growled at her before Momoko gave him a sharp glare.
"She means no harm, Kenshirou. There's no need to be on the offensive." Said Momoko.
"...Yes, ma'am." He muttered and stepped back, showing he was backing down.
"Now, why specifically a guard?" Asked Momoko as she looked back to the woman. "Why would you want that instead of an easier and safer job? Like working at the mall or even the theater?"
"Because… I know I can be of use as a guard." Replied the woman. "As a guard, I can gain the trust of the inmates easier. By doing that, I can gain information other guards usually can't. Plus, when it comes to stopping fights and taking down runners, I'm one of your best options. Even as an inmate here, I still did all those necessities for you guys, so..."
"You believe you can do it again…?" Finished Momoko.
The woman gave a curt now. Momoko held her gaze for a while, seeing a determined expression in her eyes. It was clear that this woman wants nothing more than to help. Momoko couldn't help but smirk at her.
"You honestly haven't changed a bit, huh?" Asked the warden.
The woman gazed to the side, almost in an embarrassed manner. "I… wouldn't exactly say that."
"Let me ask you this, Alloisia." Momoko spoke sternly, grabbing the woman's attention. "From your time here in Nanba Prison we had to specifically be careful of your identity of being a woman. Even though no one but us faculty found out about your gender, I can't accept you. You are a female after all, and with a criminal record. Yes, you have helped in multiple cases with befriending the inmates and handing us the intel, and you have stopped multiple fights, but I still can't accept you…"
The woman tilted her head down, gazing at the ground. A mix of emotions flooded her eyes as her face still remained calm.
"But…"
Hearing Momoko drag out the word, the woman picked her head up and gazed at the warden in curiousity.
"...The only thing stopping you is your gender." Said the guard as her lip twitched upwards. "But, you know how to manage with that well."
"So, does that mean…?" The woman's eyes widened in surprise.
"You can't be serious…?!" Exclaimed Kenshirou.
"You can be a guard of Nanba Prison, as long as you remain male." Stated Momoko as she smirked. "...Of course, with you being a former inmate, you have your own restrictions as well. You aren't an inmate here, but you aren't exactly a free citizen guarding the place. Do you understand where I'm getting at…?"
"Yes, ma'am…!" Nodded Alloisia.
Momoko kept her smirk as her eyes narrowed at her. "Welcome back to Nanba Prison, No. 7. I hope you get along with everyone…"
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