In which Doujima gets an assignment, and Ken bangs his head
"The doujinshi circles must be dealt with." The dark haired woman tapped her pencil rhythmically on the conference table as she spoke. "They are flooding the balance of literary power, turning it in their favor. In some cases, this has reached the point where they are no longer affecting only their created doujin subworld, but are actually beginning to pull the original characters out of balance as well."
Someone halfway down the conference table waved a hand. "How is that possible? Unless it's endorsed by the creator, the doujin subworlds shouldn't have any impact on the canon, no matter how 'accurate' they try to be. Isn't that what we found in our research on the effects of hentai fanworks?"
"If I may, Noin…" interjected another woman, a brunette in a black bustier and red jacket. The dark haired woman nodded, and the speaker continued. "Since Mireille brought up the hentai research, I'd like to use it as an example. The situation in WK-1a is similar to the one from a few years ago, with NGE-FHa." There was a subdued murmur around the table. "In that case, NGE-FHa – which, as you recall, was a fan-created hentai work – was such a success that the holder of NGE-1a and its subsidiaries decided to begin producing such works of their own. Since these were technically canonical, the NGE-1a world was adversely affected. You all know the side effects of the mishandling of that world; two of them are incarcerated downstairs in this very building.
"However, the situation in WK-1a is potentially even more dangerous. As you pointed out, most doujinshi only affects its own subworld. However, in this case, the creator did endorse – and license – some of the doujinshi. This created a connection between the doujin worlds and the canon world, and the creator sacrificed his absolute control over the canon. The yaoi circle we're dealing with now is not related to the licensed anthology, but the barrier between the two worlds is weak enough that it has some gravitational – no pun intended – effect. And the sheer quantity of works is in the doujins' favor, though the creator is doing his best to keep up with them. WK-3a and WKB-1m were solely intended to tip the balance of power back in his favor, although I fear they may have made the problem worse."
Noin began twirling her pencil with her fingers. "Priss has explained the situation well. Right now, our primary concern is correcting the balance of power without completely demolishing the existing world or characters. This world is one that has always relied heavily on the story gods, and I think it's becoming fragile now that the gods are at war. I know this is also a classic case of multiple BA, but we're overtaxed as it is – angst is in season right now – and I don't think we have a prayer of relocating eight bishounen, or even the women."
"What options do we have?" asked the blonde next to Priss. "We've interfered once already, but we can't keep that up – too many outside influences, and we might drive the poor guys over the edge altogether."
Noin nodded. "I was thinking more along the lines of sending someone in," she said. "Not as a retriever – rather as a director."
The blonde let out a low whistle. "Can we do that? And more importantly, would it have any impact? Or would the doujinshi circle just work around our changes?"
"Yurika's right," added Mireille. "We need to take care of things on our side of the fence first, or the problem will never be resolved."
Doujima glanced back at the head of the table. "Noin? What are you thinking?"
Noin's eyes glittered in a way that would have put Watase Yuu to shame. "Two birds," she said, "one stone. Doujima… you have an assignment."
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"Weiss… you have a mission."
Birman herded the members of Weiss into the basement headquarters, where they took their various positions around the television. She started the tape, and Persia's silhouette appeared, greeting them with usual curtness and droning on about their next mission.
Ken's eyes wandered across the room to Aya, who stood stoically against the wall as usual. He gazed in wonder as the light from the screen illuminated the striking profile and auburn hair, flicking reflections into the intense eyes. Aya pushed the red fringe of his bangs away from his face and Ken found himself admiring the graceful way his hand moved, the way the hair fell perfectly over his forehead. He leaned forward, seeing nothing but the deep violet eyes shrouded with luxurious black lashes that even now brushed the delicate porcelain of Aya's cheek as he blinked…
"GYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"
All eyes swung to Ken, who ran to the wall and began pounding his head against the concrete blocks. Birman paused the tape, watching with the others in stunned silence. After a healthy scream and a few dozen thuds against the wall, Ken staggered back to his seat, a trickle of blood leaking from his hairline.
Birman was the first to recover. "Siberian?" she asked tentatively. "Is there something you'd like to share with us?"
Ken shook his head – more of a wobble – and tried to smile. "I'm fine," he said lightly. He could feel Aya's inquiring eyes on him, but he didn't dare return the glance. The bizarre attraction had taken control of him twice, now; he wouldn't allow it a third opportunity.
"Ken-kun… are you sure you're all right?" Omi was watching him closely, open concern on his face. "Your head is bleeding…"
"I said I'm fine. Go ahead."
Birman eyed him warily, but restarted the tape. Persia's computer-manipulated voice crackled through the speakers.
"…mission is to eliminate members of a nefarious ring who call themselves the 'ShounenAiee Circle.' These villains are responsible for the destruction of…"
Yohji snorted at the image of starry-eyed girls that appeared on the screen. "What do they do, glomp people to death? Although that does sound kinda fun…"
Birman gave him a withering look, and he was silent. Persia continued. "…will be receiving guidance from an outside source, who will guide you to your targets and give you further instruction. Hunters of light…"
Omi jumped to his feet, cutting off Persia's signature. "What does he mean, 'outside source'? Why do we need someone to show us where the target is?"
Birman gestured toward the stairs, where an attractive blonde waited with clipboard in hand. "This is Chartreux, from Kritiker headquarters. While you men of Weiss are ordinarily quite capable of handling missions on your own, Kritiker believes that eliminating this particular target may require the use of classified information. Therefore, you will be working on this case with Chartreux, who has the security clearance for such information as you may require." Birman did not look happy – or convinced – but she stood by the orders.
The blonde, dressed in a short green skirt and matching jacket, waved cheerily at them and handed out the basic mission information. "Are we all in?" she asked in a voice that was entirely too chipper, and was answered with four solemn – if a bit confused – nods. She nodded in return, businesslike. "Tonight, then. I will transport you to the place where you will find the target."
"Can't you just draw us a map?" Yohji muttered. The others chuckled, but a look from Birman silenced them again. Chartreux laughed as well, but didn't reply to the question.
"Tonight, then," she said, jogging up the stairs.
"Hey, wait a second!" Yohji called, and started after her – but she had vanished.