Warning: Spoilers for Water 7 ?
Shift
She knows where her duty is. That has never been in question, ever since she entered the service of the World Government. There is no way she would forget, even if she was alone, even after all the time spent here, and she knows that when the time come -sooner rather than later, now- she will do what she has to. But beyond the notion of duty, she is aware that things have blurred.She sees at least one of them every day, in the course of work or rare relaxation, and while they are all too professional to let such things as meaningful glances or silent conversations happen, it reminds her.
Of being picked up in the dirty street where she was bound to live and die, because she had potential. Of the long years of harsh training, with nothing to encourage her but the thought of being allowed to work next to the man who had saved her. Of the day she was accepted in CP9, and the only time she saw him smile.
She is reminded, but it doesn't make her heart flutter anymore.
And sometimes, when she hears the secretaries giggling and gossiping and trying to predict when and if Paulie is finally going to confess to Iceburg-san, she stops and listens for a moment before she steps in and chastises them for not being hard at work.
Sometimes, when she has to cancel an appointment, her voice holds something like fondness as she makes up excuses and apologises.
Sometimes, when she stays up late at night doing the actual mayoring work and he brings her a cup of tea and a grateful smile, it's hard to remember where is justice, and who is the man she pledged her loyalty to.