強い人と弱い人
The Strong and The Weak
Chapter 20 : Nothing Leftー
"A transfer to the combat division, sir?"
"Yes, I received a recommendation from both Akiyama-kun and the vice captain."
This was why Haruna was called into Munakata's office. A division transfer from the captain himself.
She shook her head and smiled bitterly,"I've told you before, I'm not cut out for that."
Munakata smiled politely as if to say 'nonsense'. The fear coursed through her veins yesterday returned. She finally understood what set her off running last evening. Moving to the sword division meant a committment to Munakata. A committment as a clansman serving under a king. Despite her hesitation, her mouth ran off uncontrollably. She would wield a blue aura and most likely become distant with her friends in HOMRA.
"However, I will do my best to meet your expectations."
What has she done. Haruna internally bashed her head into the floor beneath her. Her tone of voice sounded sincere to her ears.
"I'm very glad to hear that. Your initiation will begin next week."
No, no, no! She was mentally beating herself now. Haruna knew she still had a chance to turn things around. A simple wave of a hand and an 'I apologize, but truthfully I'm not ready' would do the trick.
"Yes, captain."
Then she unintentionally screwed herself over with two words. Shit. Very smooth.
"Excellent." Munakata nodded his head in appreciation,"You would be a great asset to us, Aigasa-kun."
Haruna bowed and felt her face anxiously contort. Luckily, her hair had created a long, black curtain that obscured her uneasyness. Quietly she straightened herself back up and stepped out of the office. Upon her exit she bumped into Fushimi who stared down at her questioningly.
"You look miserable."
Her head snapped up in surprise. He stared down at her expectantly. Fushimi couldn't be asking out of concern and she didn't entertain that thought. Haruna didn't reply and her attention dropped down to the saber strapped to his left hip. The fish seemed to notice this and sighed.
"What are you thinking?" She bit out in annoyance.
"About how you make yourself easy to read."
"Is it that obvious?"
"The sooner you get this over with, the better."
She turned her head away and mumbled enough for him to hear. He must've known what happened beforehand.
"I'm just scared. What if this isn't what I want..."
"Oi..."
She heaved a breath and pushed him out of the way, heart pounding as she walked back to the control room for duty. Haruna awkwardly waved at fellow co-workers Hidaka and Fuse before returning to her desk. She waited for her heart to settle back to its original pace before working. After a few minutes of filing strain reports within the city, her PDA began to rumble on her table. Picking it up, she read the new message from HOMRA's bartender.
Haruna-chan, can you do me a favor?
The girl replied, curious as to what she could do for Kusanagi-san.
Sure! I'll do my best. ╭( ･ㅂ･)و
The reply came back almost immediately.
Thanks! Could you check on Mikoto's health? I just want to know if he's eating properly. I appreciate your help! (＞人＜)
Haruna stood up from her seat and waved her hand at Akiyama who worked beside her as diligently as always.
Catching his attention she approached the seaweed head,"I'm sorry to bother you, Akiyama-san, but I still don't know where everything is at headquarters."
As if he understood what she was getting at, he politely offered to her,"If you'd like, I can show you around. Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"
"This is the jailhouse."
It was no different than any jailhouse from the looks of it. However looks are deceiving. This is Scepter 4. These cells don't hold normal civillians, but rather strains. These normal looking cells opened in a technical manner despite looking so simple.
"Do you mind if I stay here for a bit? I'll be fine from here."
Haruna didn't want to take away from his work time. Akiyama nodded his head, but seemed curious as to what would entice her stay longer. Haruna remembered he doesn't know of her real business and she didn't think the truth would settle too well with him either.
"The structure is fascinating to me." She smiled at him assuringly,"Being based off western styles, I'd like to explore a little more."
The clansman took that answer and gave her directions back to the main building before returning first. Finally alone, she walked down the row of cells. Her idea of a prison was dirty, unkempt, and filled with sounds of despair from captives. The jailhouse was quiet and not in an ominous manner. Strangely, she found it comforting. Haruna knew she wasn't the only one that felt that way when she spotted a certain red head sleeping in the corner behind one of the barred doors.
Haruna walked up to the cell and upon close contact it had opened. The door had miraculously dematerialized into the side of the walls. She was astonished by how easy her entry was, but her attention switched to the sleeping king. The girl took one cautious step forward, her heels reverberating throughout the cell. She heard a small click behind her and whirled around. Her heart came back to a normal rhythm upon realizing that the door just shut behind her. She wouldn't want to let an imprisoned king of all people on the loose.
Haruna stepped closer to his sleeping form until she stood above him. Then she heard a voice rumble.
"So noisy."
She bit her lip and apologized through her teeth,"I'm sorry, Suoh-san."
He grunted in reply without turning himself away from the wall.
"Are you eating well?"
"I hate rice porridge."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"I eat it."
"Okay..."
Haruna drew her PDA from her pocket and texted Kusanagi back.
Your king said he eats. (｢･ω･)｢
After sending the message, she spoke up again,"Kusanagi-san was concerned about your health, so he sent me down to check on you."
The talk of his friend seemed to catch his attention. Suoh turned so he was on his back and sat up from the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at her with an unreadable expression.
"Why are you here?"
His question caught her off guard. Did the king not hear what she said?
"To check up on you?" Haruna said the second time.
Suoh let out a frustrated sigh and eyed her intensely. He repeated himself as well,"Why are you here?"
This time she had to think.
Here.
Ah. Scepter 4.
"I don't have anything left." She said simply.
A silence filled the cell again and she felt that it was her cue to leave. Haruna turned her back towards him. She could almost feel his intense gaze at the back of her head. The girl asked with honest curiosity.
"Why don't you bust out of here, Suoh-san?"
"Beats me."
Haruna knew a shrug was all she would be getting out of the man. The red king had his own reasoning that he was not willing to share. Kusanagi had told her once before that he accepted his detainment in order to keep his aura under control. If Suoh were to escape, he would hinder the investigation of Totsuka Tatara's murder and place Shizume City in danger with his crumbling Sword of Damocles. If he were to stay, his clan would lose direction and ultimately plan to come for him. The cell door opened up to her again and she stepped out. Before the door had closed, Haruna told him without turning to him,
"Think about it a little more."
A/N: If you haven't already, please complete the poll in my profile! It's regarding the rating of this story! Thank you!
This was difficult for me. I dunno, ahahaha. It took a little longer to write than I expected. From the information I have collected from your reviews and such, most of you read on your cellphones/iPod Touches and other portable devices! Me too, guys! Ohohohoho-
Guests: Ahaha, no Yata in this chapter, but I'm glad you enjoyed the last one! More Yata-chan coming soon! Also thank you very much to the reader who gave me feedback on whether you used mobile or PC! I'm also glad you enjoyed the previous chapter!
Usagi-chan: うわぁぁ！ありがとうございます、うさぎちゃん。はいはい、伏見くんはいじわるです。。。キモイ人だぁ（笑）Your Japanese was 完璧！Ohohoho, I did my best to get my creative juices flowing! Thank you again!
PurePrincess: Here it is! Thank you so much!
withinadream: No Yata this chapter! I can promise you he will be back in the next chapter! Also, thank you for the feedback!
See you guys agaaaaain soon! Thank you so much for your feedback!