FORTY-SIX
She knows her job is one of the worst in the world for someone with family—for someone with family outside of the Second Division.
Up until now, however, she hasn't had to worry about that, since all of her (living) family is indeed in the Second Division. Plus, they're all adults who make their own choices. If someone dies in the line of duty, well… the survivors understand.
But when she and Tsubasa decided to start a family of their own, they knew from the very beginning that they would have to leave the field, the realm of active duty.
For the most part, she's okay with this decision. She doesn't burn with the need for adrenaline-pumping action, and saving the world doesn't have to be on the grand stakes they've been working with for years now. And, well, she used to dream about the quiet life, back when Serena still lived.
As for Tsubasa—Tsubasa has never known anything outside of duty. It makes her angry, angry at Tsubasa's father (both of them), but more than that it makes her want to show Tsubasa how good family is meant to be.
Last, but definitely not least, neither of them want to risk leaving Elfnein (their daughter, soon) behind. It's an all-too-real risk.
That's what she tells Genjuurou when he asks, "Are you certain?"
He's known for a while now that they planned on leaving the Second Division, both of them.
"I can't persuade you to take on support positions?" he asks nonetheless. He had already asked, months ago when they told him and Tsubasa's father that they were planning to adopt. Her answer hasn't changed, but he tries anyway.
She shakes her head, "No. Support positions aren't free from danger, you know. In fact, I'd say their job is even riskier, and I admire Ogawa, Tomosato, and Fujitaka for their brave work—but it's just not for Tsubasa and me."
"Then we're sad to see you go," Genjuurou sighs, "though I wish you happiness and peace with your family."
They rise, shake hands, and he walks her out.
Outside the compound, she takes the time to look around the Second Division's headquarters.
"You know, I'm glad you're leaving," Genjuurou says, crossing his arms and looking broodingly at the grounds. "None of you were meant for this. It's high time you left."
In response, she tells him, "When I married Tsubasa, she admitted that she had expected to be like you—forty-six years of service to her name and nothing else. Not in a bad way, of course. You're her role model, even now. But I was clear from the start that we were going to raise a family.
"Now… now she's finally ready, and I'm going to show her the world."
He smiles tenderly; she knows she sounds a little cliché, maybe too poetic, but it's true.
Genjuurou opens his arms, then, inviting her, "Give me a hug, Maria."
So she does.
Tomorrow she'll have the day free to be with Tsubasa and Elfnein for a trip around the city, and the day after she'll start her new job. It's all coming together.
a/n: fyi, there's a time skip in between this chap and the previous of a few days. I'm not very good with keeping timelines straight in my head, but let's say it's been like three or so weeks since they met Elfnein - that sounds about right...