Yag isn't a main char here. He pops up a few times. Gonna give him a bit of a break.

It'd been six months since Rock Howard returned from that absolute disaster Iori called 'The Pacific Tour', and things were still busy.

Catching up on four weeks of schoolwork was no joke, especially since he had chosen to pursue electrical engineering at the beginning of that school year. He was damn lucky Adam was taking the same classes he was this semester, and since Adam was a physics whiz - he was more than willing to teach Rock everything he needed to know to score A's in his classes. All it cost was many, many late nights studying with his best friend... and it also pissed off his boss.

But then again, Iori Yagami was always pissed off. He'd be pissed off regardless if Rock fell asleep during practice or not. It wasn't as if Iori was going to fire him (although he threatened to constantly) so his nagging was ultimately inconsequential.

That's what Rock thought before Iori caught him snoring in the 'office' for the umpteenth time and decided the best course of action was to squeeze wasabi paste up his nostrils. That was the first time Iori had actually carried out a threat against him, and it left him on the floor, sneezing and coughing for about an hour afterwards. Honestly, he deserved it - but that didn't make Rock feel any better.

It'd happened a while ago, but Terry was still mad about it. The evening Rock came home red in the face and wheezing like he had asthma, his father hopped on the phone and threatened to shatter Iori's kneecaps. Rock wasn't sure how his employer responded, but was pretty certain that they just exchanged increasingly dire threats which ultimately resulted in nothing but hurt feelings.

Today, Mary had come over, and was venting to Terry about the stresses of her work. Rock was busy checking his innovative vegan pot roast, but heard snippets of their conversation from the kitchen. Mary was investigating some murder, and Terry (still sore over the wasabi thing) immediately suggested she investigate Iori.

("That bastard has been looking pretty unhinged lately. Honestly, it's only been a bit since the FreeMan incident, and I wouldn't be sur-")

("... Gunshots, Terry. And in what we've suspected was Geese's primary warehouse. I know you've got a bone to pick with Yagami, but it's not him. I'm just worried that Geese might be going on the offensive again… you know what the means, right? I've gotta be sure before I make a call… imagine we falsely accuse Howard Connection?")

("... right… don't you have that relative you can call up for info? Y'know, the one who tipped you on the Murphy case. Someone as big as Geese definitely has a team assigned to him, right? I bet the higher ups are flush with intel.")

With a grunt, Rock pulled his pot out of the oven and tested the sauce. Hm. Needs salt.

("I can't contact him, Terry… I've called him five - six times today, but no answer. I called his wife and his sister, and they haven't seen him since last night. I even managed to get in touch with his boss in the CIA. They have no news for me, but told me they're trying to re-establish connection. Very strange.")

("Come on now, he's CIA. Probably the last person we need to worry about… But what does your gut tell you, Mary? Do you think Geese killed somebody? If you do - then I'll march up Geese's tower and beat the truth out of him.")

Rock finished adding salt to his dish, and placed it on the stovetop. He stirred at it, just so the conservants at the table thought he was occupied enough to continue talking. Obviously Rock wasn't really supposed to be privy to details of an active police investigation (technically Terry wasn't either, but he had become something of a consultant to the local police force), but as a lover of crime dramas - Rock really couldn't help himself. He eavesdropped with both excitement and a guilt in his heart.

("Geese?... hm. Well all the evidence points in that direction… but I know Geese - and Terry, you know Geese. It's been years since he just slaughtered somebody like this. It just hasn't been his style... ")

Oh, 'That Bastard' was involved? Now Rock was interested. He sidled up against the divider between the kitchen and the dining room, and peeked around the corner. Dad was holding his chin in his hand. Mary was collapsed in the chair opposite him. She looked exhausted - not just physically, but mentally as well.

"So… you think it's him?"

"Nothing certain yet. Don't do anything rash… I need to get in contact with Kevin to confirm. We don't even know the victims, those goons threw ammonia all ov- ...Ah, Rock? Is dinner ready?"

It took everything in him not to jump out of his skin as he was caught red-handed, eavesdropping. Mary gave him stinkeye. Terry chuckled, patted her arm and motioned him over.

"C'mon Rocky, don't you get enough crime drama from the TV you watch? Let Mary do her job, you don't wanna get her in trouble, okay? Lets eat."

Rock got caught lmao

Also, Iori is both the best and worst boss at the same time. u get paid a ton for doing nothing, but he also makes u snort Wasabi

gg

Needed to edit for Vegan Brocky