Chapter Twenty-Four
Heather's POV
I waited patiently for the captain to arrive. Love seemed to have gotten offended that I wanted to leave and sent my request to the Eleventh Division. He must be getting a lot of laughs now. Whatever, it did not really matter. Now the thought occurred to me: who the hell was this guy?! I never heard of him save for his name nor have I seen him in the manga or anime. I heard according to the complaints from Shinji and the other captains that he was a lazy good-for-nothing. Rose did not like getting into messy topics like this, but he certainly was not happy when I told him where I was going. I do not know whether to believe that statement or not, just because he did not like to do a lot of things that went into the fine print of being a captain. I really do not envy a captain's responsibilities. Just then, he walked in. He was a monster of a man and I felt really intimidated by his size. He stopped in front of me and I almost took a step back. My head screamed, 'To the vent! Retreat to the vent! Evasive maneuvers!' But I stayed still. Bravery was the farthest thing from my mind, I was scared stiff.
He looked down and gave me an annoyed expression. "Relax, woman. I'm not going to hurt you." he told me and then I realized how ridiculous I was being. I blushed slightly and looked to my feet. "So you're what the Seventh Division sent me?" he asked as if he were expecting someone else. "Sorry to disappoint you, sir." I apologized in a monotone. "You're not disappointing, I simply did not expect a woman." he stated and I picked up my head in interest. "You should be fine here, though. If the captain sent you here, he must think you're tough." Captain Kiganjō stated as if trying to hear the response he wanted. "No, Love's just out to kill me." I replied tossing my shoulders in a shrug. "You must have done something to piss that guy off. I like that kind of spunk." Kiganjō replied. "I was born with it, sir." I explained to him. He smirked at me and retorted bluntly, "We'll see." I looked at him not knowing what to think about this man. He turned away and called, "Come on. I might as well show you around." "Yes, Captain." I replied and followed him.
Half way out of the building he asked, "What do they call you?" I was taken aback by the question. How did he know I was coming and not know such a basic fact? "I'm Heather, sir." I introduced myself in confusion. "Hmm. I seen your transfer file and didn't know if I was reading it correctly. Your name's foreign." he replied and I immediately understood. He was not there at the meeting and this was probably the first time he heard a name other than Japanese. "It's English, sir." I informed him and he tossed his shoulders, not really caring. "I don't suppose you know that Aikawa recommended you a seated position?" he questioned me and I almost stopped in my tracks. That dirty rat! How could he?! "N—No, sir. I didn't." I replied to his question with surprise. "Obviously." he retorted and informed, "He wanted to make you a Tenth Seat, apparently he thinks you're cut out for such a responsibility." Oh my God! Love really is out to kill me, isn't he?! "Sir, I was only there for five months." I explained, pleading for leniency. He turned to me and stated firmly, "I only took you because I needed a Tenth Seat." I could not believe what I was hearing! This was not right! Makizō Aramaki was supposed to be the Tenth Seat, not me! It was not even my choice and already I am involuntarily screwing things up! "So I'm screwed then?!" I half-demanded.
The captain gave me a look like he did not know what to think of me. "You're strange for a woman, most of them want to prove themselves." he stated and thought for a moment before informing me, "I will give you smaller tasks than what your rank requires but I will put them back on you eventually." I was startled that he would do that for me. I generally thought that he was going to be a lazy asshole about this. "Thank you, Captain. You have no idea what this means to me." I thanked him whole-heartedly. He looked at me and nodded before warning, "You're going to have to develop a thick skin in the meantime. You're the only woman here, not a lot of the men will take kindly to you." I thanked him one last time, this time leaning forward in the slightest which caught me by surprise. I guess I finally know why a bow was seen as respectful around here. I followed his lead and promised myself that I would do what I had to in order to keep myself afloat in this place.