Chapter 3: A scientists talk.

She first saw Kaneda on Friday, during the midday break for lunch. He looked exactly like the photo Gin had showed her – his hair was a few inches shorter, but that was all the change Sherry could notice.

She waited for the next conference to end before she talked to him. She approached him as he was preparing to leave the room.

-Mr. Kaneda? –she asked.

The man raised his head and then an unfriendly eyebrow. It would take Sherry about twenty minutes of talk to get the second back down.

Gin's prediction turned out to be true – Kaneda adored her. It wasn't immediate, of course. However, the more that scientist learnt about her, the more he liked her. She could read it in his eyes, in his face – he liked her. Not in a romantic or sexual way, but in some other way. He had no partner, for what he casually told her ('Spouses aren't my thing – science is').

She first mentioned the Organization on Saturday afternoon, trying to introduce her true aim in the subtlest way possible.

-I am currently conducting a very bold research –she said while they got themselves some coffee from a vending machine of the few that could be found in the building where the convention was being held-. Not all laboratories would take the risk to even fund it…

-Why? –he inquired-. What is it on?

-Many things – she answered as she reached for her cup. It was nicely warm-. Mostly on cellular life and reproduction. I am the head of a full team consisting on over ten other scientists and their assistants.

-What a lucky girl –Kaneda replied with a joking smile.

She could have pushed further, but she didn't – for what she knew about that man, it was wiser to act carefully.

On Sunday evening, as she walked into his hotel room, Sherry kept repeating that on her mind. Be careful. Be very careful.

-So? –he asked after he had closed the door-. What is it?

The girl turned to him. It all was going to go well. He adored her, just like Gin had foreseen, and, thanks to the few hints and insinuations she had been dropping during the weekend, she had for sure that he would agree on joining the Organization.

And, even if she had to face the worst of scenarios, Gin was waiting only a few rooms away from Kaneda's, ready and willing to help her in any way she could need. He had just charged his Beretta when she left him.

-Remember – there is a wiretap attached to the collar of your dress –he had told her-. If you need my help, say it out loud. I will communicate with you through the headphone in your left ear. There is knife in your purse in case you need it. Alright?

-Alright –she whispered.

-It will go well –he added, seeing how nervous she was-. Trust yourself. You have nothing to worry about. And, even if you had, I'm here.

-Thank you –she answered-. Wish me luck.

-You don't need it –he replied-. See you later.

And now Kaneda stood right before her, waiting for the girl to speak. Come on, she said to herself. Come on.

-Could we take a seat? –she started.

Kaneda nodded and grabbed a chair. Sherry looked around and luckily found a nice wooden stool – she took it and sat on it.

-So? –Kaneda repeated-. You said you wanted to have a word with me.

-I do –Sherry agreed-. It's a very delicate issue that of which I'd like to talk, and thus I needed us to be in a private place.

-And what is it?

The girl took a deep breath. Come on, Shiho. Come on.

-The laboratories I work for are, as I have told you, very interested in the matter of cellular reproduction. They're currently looking for an expert to conduct a research on it…

-And they want me.

Shiho felt as if a great weight had hit her chest. Great. Now, he would reject her. Great. However, Kaneda didn't say a single word. Instead, he stared at the girl, as if asking her to keep on talking.

-That's right –she continued, still not very sure of what was going to happen-. Of course, they can't simply hire the first candidate they find – only the best. And you are the best on this subject.

Kaneda suddenly smiled.

-Miss Miyano, I know you –he spoke, making an unpleasant tickling run down her spine-. I know who you work for. You're conducting a research, of course you are, but not for any regular laboratories – you work for those people in black, don't you?

Shiho discreetly clenched her teeth out of unease. He knew. Too many failed contacts, too many hints left to an incredibly intelligent man – of course he knew. And still he hadn't been killed. Still she had been sent to convince him. Yet another try. Her mind started working, considering what to say or do, when Gin's soft voice startled her:

-Go on, Shiho. Don't worry and go on. It's alright.

The girl closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Finally, she gave Kaneda a sharp look and answered:

-Yes, I do. So, why have you never accepted our offer?

-I don't think it would suit me –he explained in a casual tone-. I want to do things – great things. I have the talent. But it's too often wasted or undervalued.

-We wouldn't do so –she argued-. Our organization's head scientists, including myself, are given freedom to work the way they want. You would discuss your goals first, and they would be set taking into consideration both what you are capable of and what you want to achieve.

-But I hardly know anything of that organization you work for –he said-. You all are very secretive…

-There are things regarding it which I myself don't know. But, after all, one single human being can never know it all, don't you think? –she replied-. Anyway, you don't need to know everything about our organization. There are some things which you may not like if you knew them. Or which would get you in a more dangerous position.

-The secrets – they're also part of it, isn't it?

-They are –she confessed-. But why should you care? You are a quite secretive person yourself, Mr. Kaneda.

-I am –he agreed-. There are things I don't want others to know.

-And so do we –she replied-. What I'm asking you is – in spite of the secrecy, in spite of everything, will you accept our offer and work for us?

Kaneda didn't answer immediately. Instead, he folded his arms and stared at the girl. Shiho held his stare, trying her best not to let out a curse – things were not going well.

-You have surely caught my attention, Miss Miyano –he spoke after a while-. That organization you work for, as you call it, sounds pretty interesting. Is it?

-Depending on what you define as 'interesting' –she answered.

-Then, it is.

-Depending on what you define as 'interesting'.

Kaneda smiled – he was clearly enjoying himself. As she realized, Shiho couldn't take it anymore.

-Look, -she started, finally putting an end to the control she had had over her words- this is your choice. Whatever you choose, you may regret it as much as you may not. You have been given reasons to join us, and I'm sure you are also aware of some of the reasons why you shouldn't. But now it is time for action – it is time for you to decide. So do whatever you want, but do not blame it on me or anyone else. Make your choice, and to make it yourself.

And after giving Kaneda a final, eloquent look, Shiho stood up so as to get out of that room. However, as she reached the door, Kaneda's voice stopped her:

-One last question…

-What? –she inquired, turning to look at the man.

-If I don't join you, -he started- will that long-haired man in room 110 kill me or something?

Shiho couldn't help a smile. An incredibly intelligent man he was.

-He won't -she answered-. But others may.

Much to Shiho's surprise, Kaneda let out a laugh at her words.

-Anyway, it's been nice to meet you –she confessed as she turned back to the door-. Goodbye, Mr. Kaneda…

-I'm joining.

Shiho stopped once more, now with her hand on the doorknob. Nevertheless, she didn't turn.

-Is it out of fear? –she inquired.

-No, it isn't –he answered-. You know, you've been trying to get me for so long you have caught my attention. It may be interesting, after all.

-You'll get a phone call tomorrow morning, then –Shiho explained, turning at last-. You will be told what to do from now on.

-So is this all for now, Miss Miyano? –he inquired, looking utterly amused.

-It is –she answered.

As he heard her, Kaneda stood up and lowered his head in a polite bow.

-Nice to meet you, then –he added as he looked back up at her-. And have a good night.

-Good night, Mr. Kaneda –she responded-. And nice to meet you, too.


Author's notes:

¡Hola! Hello! Hallo! こんにちは! Salut! Here comes Sherry Furude, ready for attack!

Here is the third chapter – only two left! Did you like this one? I hope so!

I considered various approaches to the events in this chapter, especially the final conversation between Sherry and Kaneda. One of the main questions was where their meeting would take place. They surely needed privacy due to the matters discussed, and so Kaneda's room sounded pretty good – Sherry's wasn't actually an option, as Kaneda would only meet her either in a public place or in his own room. I admit that I briefly considered having Gin accompanying Sherry as some kind of bodyguard, but I soon discarded that idea – Kaneda, as I had created him, wouldn't even talk to Sherry if a stranger such as Gin was there. Consequently, they had to be completely alone. However, I decided to have Gin keep an eye (even if not literally) on the meeting in case anything happened.

And yes, as you may have noticed, Kaneda is asexual and aromantic! He subtly admitted it to Sherry when he told her 'Spouses aren't my thing – science is.' Asexuals and aromantics are little-known by the mainstream society and media, and I thought that Kaneda could help getting them some visibility. Also, by making him both asexual and aromantic, I prevented him from developing any romantic or sexual attraction to Sherry. I must confess that, before I made him asexual, I feared that Kaneda could try to molest her during their meeting in his room! Call me paranoid. But once I made him asexual my fears disappeared.

Thank you so much for reading the fic this far. It makes me very happy to feel that my works matter to you that much. You all are lovely! I will be very glad to read your reviews and know your opinions on this chapter.

Lots of love and see you next week!

Sherry F.