HELLLLLOOOOO! Welcome back to Chapter 51! I am so sorry for the wait but (as most of you may have guessed) uni has started back up, hence why this was so delayed. As always, thank you for reading! Enjoy!

A grunt of pain ripped out of me as flesh connected with flesh and I was sent reeling into the opposite wall. A glance over my shoulder showed Mizuka brandishing a dagger.

"Bastard." I swore and pushed off the wall just as the dagger embedded itself into the wood. I crossed my arms, still holding onto my right sword, rolling my jaw from the punch.

"Stop embarrassing yourself, Mizuka. I just want the ledger."

"They'll kill me if I give it to you so I might as well get killed by someone who will at least make it quick and painless." He yanked the dagger out and faced me again.

"Give me the ledger." I repeated. "I don't have time for your games."

"I have no idea what you're on about."

I scoffed. "I should have known when you received that money package to keep Levi busy. You were hiding under the radar and yet Hardt knew where to send your money. You've been involved this entire time, hiding something that could have cleared my case weeks ago!"

I lunged at him before he could react and pinned Mizuka against the wall, my blade pressed up against his neck.

"The ledger." I hissed. "Or your neck."

His eyes widened and instinctively darted to some point behind me. I pushed him to the side and turned, facing a bookshelf.

"Talk about hiding it in plain sight." I mused. "Which one is it?"

Mizuka coughed, slightly gagging from my previous action. "History of Sir Geo Metros."

I made a face at the name and promptly pulled out the thick green book.

"No wonder no one ever found it."

Opening it up, I was surprised to discover a hollow interior, housing a thinner brown leather notebook. Taking the smaller book out, I flipped to the first page and grinned.

Black market – weapons. Members and associates.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay here in the MP? We certainly could use someone like you here."

I grinned up at Commander Jefferson as he prepared to leave for the final trial of the corruption case. With the ledger and other pieces of hard evidence in hand, Jefferson and Fuji had a solid case and I trusted them 100% to make sure a worthy punishment was handed down. The ledger had also listed the names of the Toria gang, which had been employed to take care of Levi and the Special Ops squad. Fuji and I had a great time taking them down.

Revenge really is sweet.

Anyway, with 2 of the 3 trials over, it was looking good so far.

"I appreciate the offer Commander Jefferson but I think I've had enough politics to last me a lifetime." I smiled wryly.

"Too bad. You were getting quite good at working around the rules here." Fuji added, leaning in from outside the office door. I turned to him and made a face.

"Please don't ever say that again."

"No promises. Don't die out there."

I grinned, mentally noting Fuji's wistful face. "No promises."

After bidding Commander Jefferson farewell one last time, Fuji and I headed to the Mess Hall where the MP were currently having lunch. I decided to bid farewell to Vincent, who was essentially my first friend here in the MP

"Feel free to keep your MP uniform. Don't forget about us."

I chuckled and pat Fuji on his back. "I will and I won't."

"I heard you were leaving." A voice called out. I took in a breath and turned, facing the one-and-only Vincent. His eyebrows were raised and his arms crossed over his chest. I guess he knew that I hadn't told him everything yet. I smiled lightly.

"That I am. Do you have a minute?"

"So?"

Vincent and I were now on some random section of Wall Sina, overlooking towards the direction of the Survey Corps HQ. I leaned back against the raised bricks, my own arms crossed over my chest, pondering on where to start. Vincent paced slowly in front of me, avoiding my gaze.

"Judging by your uncomfortable posture and your tone of voice, I'm assuming you already know that I wasn't just a lucky ex-survey corps put into the rank of an investigator."

I waited patiently as Vincent answered with silence before muttering out a 'yes'. After that though, he continued.

"What else was a lie?"

I blinked. "Nothing. I haven't told you any lies. In fact, I actually haven't told you much at all. You didn't ask-"

"-so you didn't tell." Vincent nodded at the harsh but true realisation. "So? What are you exactly?"

I smiled wryly. "I am part of the elite Survey Corps, sent in as a Military Investigator to help in a corruption case found within the Military Police department. They needed an objective set of eyes so I was sent in."

"So all the taunts from others and the bucket of water on your head weren't just covers to make you fit in?"

My face went expressionless. "I wish they were. Thanks for reminding me about those."

"I guess even elite Survey Corps officers aren't exempt from bullying."

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "If you're going to continue being an ass, I can leave."

At this, Vincent chuckled and stepped forward, giving me a brief hug.

"As brief as this was, I'm glad I made a friend like you Hazura. Take care out there."

I grinned and gave him a quick squeeze back. "I expect you to be a full fledged Investigator by the next time I see you here."

"Yes sir." Vincent stepped back and saluted, fist on his heart. I nodded and saluted back.

With my goodbyes done, I packed my scarce belongings and began making my way back to Wall Sina, towards the Rose area. As I reached the gate separating the two worlds, I glanced back to the brick city.

A tinge of sadness reminded me of Vincent and Fuji but there was no regret.

I was going home.