Hiroshi Midorikawa's desk flying through the door.

That wasn't how Erika expected her day to have something like that happen. After a surprisingly calm day of classes and no missions, she decided to make her daily visits to the Midorikawas although this time she had a small request to ask of them. Unfortunately for her, the general calm day decided to become a chaotic nightmare.

The young Janome managed to sidestep it as the desk shattered onto the ground. The Lycoris looked in confusion at the desk, remembering a small tidbit from Ruriko that it was nearly 200 pounds. Who could've thrown it?

However, the question of the flying desk went into the back of her mind. The girl cringed as she saw other doctors poke their heads out of their offices and cringed even harder as she saw some doctors pick up their phones. Erika quickly waved them off as she pulled rank, "I'm a 2nd rank Lycoris! I'll take care…of…uh…this."

But soon the situation became worse.

No…not worse.

Confusing.

"Choose someone else!"

"Is…Ruriko shouting?" Erika questioned as she peeked into Room 1971. Ruriko was never one to raise her voice or be emotional. Erika's face reddened as she realized something. In the three years of being friends with Ruriko…. did she really know her? Ruriko always listened to Erika and accepted the food and books she gave her but…but she never really seemed to talk about herself. Ruriko never told her interests, her life, or anything really. Erika never judged her for that, but this train of thought didn't end as she realized something else.

Did she even know Doctor Midorikawa? He talked to Erika a lot more than Ruriko, but he would just talk about Erika and never himself or about his daughter.

Huh. Erika shook off those thoughts, thinking that she was just overthinking things. Of course, she knew the Midorikawas!

Right?

"Ruriko, calm down."

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down!"

"Ruriko, you're making a scene. They are watching."

"Choose someone else!"

"I can't. There is no more time."

"There is time!"

"There isn't!"

"Oh, shove it you dementia-ridden old fart!"

"Was…. Ruriko just snarky?"

"God knows we've tried our best to stall it out and find the best moment, but that woman is going to make her move soon. The best moment is never going to come. We are going to have to act now."

"Pick someone else!"

"They are strong-willed and have a strong hea-"

"Don't you dare try to justify this! You pick someone else right now!"

"This is out of the question. The gear has already been fine-tuned to her genetic structure. The choice has been made…. regardless of your opinion on the matter. I started us on this path all the way then and thus my choice supersedes any other choices. That is final."

"You sack of-!" The two quickly stopped talking as they saw Erika, standing in the doorway confused. Erika could understand if Doctor Midorikawa was expressing volatile emotions, she'd seen it before.

But Ruriko?

"I…um…sorry for interrupting but you are causing a scene," Erika responded meekly as she stepped in and shut the door. While she was curious about what exactly they were arguing, she needed to get a handle on this somehow, "Can...I…uh…help mediate the situation from becoming more…uh…violent?"

"This is not a good time, Miss Janome," Ruriko snapped as she glared at her father. If looks could kill, Ruriko's look would've reduced the man to molecules, "Leave."

Hiroshi simply sat down as he rubbed his temples, "No, this is a fine time. How are you doing, Erika? I heard you had a mission yesterday. How did it go?"

"Uh…."

Ruriko snapped once more at her father, her eyes filled with unyielding rage, "Don't change the subject, Midorikawa!"

"Ruriko, we have a guest," Hiroshi said firmly and with a sense of finality, his eyes glaring back with cold fury and what looked like to be…fear, "Be. Polite. People are watching."

The two stared daggers at each other leaving Erika awkwardly standing there.

"So…uh….do you two want to go to Café LycoReco tonight. Around…. seven-ish? No, sorry! It was at seven-thirty."

The stares of anger at each other turned to stares of confusion at Erika.

"All right, now that I've gotten your attention, let me explain."

Fuki slammed her head into the wall.

"God."

Fuki slammed her head into the wall.

"Damn."

Fuki slammed her head into the wall.

"It."

The group of girls hung out silently within a nearby alleyway, watching the DA cleaners carefully dispose of the bodies and guns. Fuki quietly slammed her head over and over into a brick wall, Sakura making sure that she didn't give herself too much brain damage. Erika and Hibana awkwardly sat next to each other right across from Chisato and Takina who were sitting on a large trash container.

"Come on, Fuki," Chisato gleefully sneered as Fuki continued to slam her head into the wall, "I won't bring it up all the time. Just most of the time. Okay, maybe all of it. I do have a year's worth of teasing to make up."

Chisato was cut off as she quickly dodged a flurry of bullets, strands of cut-off hair slowly falling to the ground. Erika squeaked as she looked at Hibana, the barrel of her gun smoking, "So….it is true. You can dodge bullets up close. Guess the infamous Radio Tower Lycoris has good reason to be infamous."

"Holy crap, Hibana Did you really need to try and shoot her though?" Erika commented with horror causing Hibana to roll her eyes a bit. Takina looked like she wanted to throw Hibana into the Sun, but Chisato gently put an arm around her.

"Yup, these eyes of mine are the coolest in the universe! I'm like a grand superbeing of unlimited eye power!" Chisato said as she let loose a joking evil laugh. Erika giggled as Takina let loose a small smile.

Hibana wasn't amused, "Why are you such a womanchild?"

Chisato simply laughed as she quickly leaped up and gave a mock bow. Takina rolled her eyes a bit causing Erika to giggle some more, "Kagari…. it's been a while."

A spider crawled up Hibana's shoulder and she picked it up. The girl closed her fist, crushing it, "Shove it, Takina. You should've stayed in the States, you friggin psycho."

"You've gotten more…. verbose."

"It's been a really shit year, you psychopath."

Chisato's goofy smile turned neutral frown, "Hey…none of that. That was what- a year and a half ago? What's done is done. No one got hurt and everyone got out alive. We should be thankful for that."

"You almost shot Erika with a freaking machine gun! You are all kinds of unstable!"

"Now, you care about me…." Erika snorted causing Hibana to glare at her. Erika squeaked again as she stepped back a bit in fear. Tension temporarily filled up with air with the only noise being Fuki slamming her head against the wall.

"Erika, it's really good to see you again," Takina responded as she got up from the trash can, breaking the tension and ending the conversation with Hibana. The girl placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "I'm glad you still are alive."

Erika's heart raced as she and Takina made eye contact.

Her normally cold eyes were much warmer, and Erika felt she could get lost in them forever.

"Uh….um…. uh…um…. uh….um."

Her midnight hair was braided back although a few strands still made it across her face. Erika really wanted to push it back for her.

"Uh….um…uh…um."

And she could've sworn to God that Takina was wearing some kind of perfume. She was the last person to think that would have perfume.

"Uh….um…. uh….um. So…uh…. Why were you guys here anyway? Miss Nishikigi, if I'm right: you're eighteen, and Takina, you're eighteen as well. Not Lycoris anymore. Takina, we loved the help-."

"I didn't!" Fuki yelled, "God…I can't believe I'm gonna be eighteen in a couple of days and retire….ugh…that means I might have to see you more. I hate my life so much."

"HA, LOSER! Mika says hi by the way."

"Oh, how's he doing?"

"Pretty good."

"Good."

Erika quickly drove the conversation back on course, "But you guys shouldn't need to be here anyway."

"Well, we were making our way back to my apartment for some r and r after the long ass flight when my Takina here heard some gunfire and screaming. While she was about to call Kusunoki to inform DA, I was desperate to stretch a bit. And lo and behold, we found you," Chisato let loose a small giggle, "And while I would nothing more to retire and watch movies all day, we kick so much ass that Kusunoki needed us back. So much for retirement, huh?"

"Uh…"

"With the increased crime rates here in Japan, Kusunoki is desperate for more professionals. With a small compensation of cash along with a personal request, she asked us to come back," Takina cleared up as she sat back next to Chisato.

The blonde-haired Lycoris put her head on the girl's shoulder causing Erika to be confused for a bit, "Officially, we are retired. But we are DA consultants within the Direct Attack structure. We filled out the paperwork a couple of days ago, but we did just interfere without permission, so Kusunoki is gonna chew me out. Meh, it's me. I'll weasel out of it."

"Huh. So basically, you guys are still Lycoris. Just adult Lycoris."

"Yeah, but we still do the odd jobs at LycoReco still," Chisato clarified, not wanting to be fully associated with DA, "it's good to continue helping people! It's my third life's purpose at this point."

"That ain't the only reason huh," Hibana snorted. Chisato laughed as she nervously rubbed her head.

"Well, helping people will always be the priority but we kinda need the DA pay," Chisato continued, "If we want to start Café LycoReco back up and start supplying up for missions, we're gonna need a lot more cash. We do still have cash from some jobs we took in the States, but it got wasted a lot on the ridiculous rent prices and general overpriced nature of North America."

Chisato looked to the cleaners haul away the large crates of guns, "I'm not DA's number one fan but with everything going on thanks to Majima…..you need all the help you guys can get."

"Oh, that reminds me!" Erika pipped up as the memory of LycoReco popped into her mind, specifically the other staff, "Are Mister Kurama, Miss Nakahara, and Miss Kurumi back as well? I'm pretty sure they went with you to the States."

"Yup! The entire cast of LycoReco is back in action! We're having a reopening party using some leftover funds we still managed to keep. You should come! We're even bringing back the Crap Parfaits!"

"No, we aren't. We…uh…we have to save on money."

"Come on, Takina! I'd be so cool!"

"No."

"Yeas!"

"No."

"Yeassss!"

"No."

"Yeassssssssss!"

"Chisato, Commander Kusunoki wants to speak with you," Fuki despondently spoke up as she walked up to the group, pulling out her earbud. Chisato let loose an exaggerated sigh as she reached for the earbud.

"Looks like I'm going to the principal's office," Chisato joked as she placed the earbud on. However, she gave a little yelp of pain as she quickly took it off, "Really Fuki? Placing the thing on full volume?"

"And it looks like someone accidentally destroyed audio control," Fuki smirked with Chisato sticking her tongue out in response, "Looks like we'll be hearing you getting chewed out. What a shame."

"Don't ignore me, Chisato," the stern voice of Kusunoki called out, "You impeded a DA operation without proper authority. You are indeed consultants, but you still act on my orders. What were you thinking about jumping into an operation like that?

"Does nobody understand how cramped the plane ride back home was?"

"Chisato, don't joke around."

"Look, I messed up and I call myself out for that. But I don't regret saving them in the slightest."

"If they die, then they die. That's the job. They are tools to be used. Nothing more. Nothing less."

"Ouch, Kusunoki. That's cold."

"But most importantly, DA can't afford any unsanctioned actions like that."

"You mean, you can't afford any unsanctioned actions like that," Takina cut in, "From what I heard, you're on thin ice with the Yatagarasu Council. If any unsanctioned actions occur under your control, you'll get fired. From experience, a career change like that is very…rough."

"Don't change the subject, Takina. We both know that a change of power right now would absolutely cause more harm than good."

"And we both know that you don't care about the good of society. Just your own career," Takina retorted. While Erika did respect Kusunoki, it was no secret that there were only two things Kusunoki only cared about: her haircut and her career. She could care less about the safety of Lycoris or people in general. The only Lycoris and person she ever cared about was Chisato and that's because she was freaking Chisato.

Kusunoki was cold on the inside from day to night.

It made her good at her job, able to separate the personal and professional, but it made her just an unpleasant person to be around. Erika was pretty sure that if she wasn't head of DA, Kusunoki would be a cold-blooded psycho that would use and abandon people for her own personal gain.

"When did you become so disrespectful of my authority?" Kusunoki retorted, "I see Nishikigi has made you just like her. How unfortunate. You had such potential and now you are like Nishikigi: an idiot."

"I had time to think over everything that happened. I realized that you were a terrible boss. You care nothing for the lives of those under you. You lack any sort of general remorse for any of your actions. The fact that DA has been functioning as long as it has under you is proof that miracles are real."

"I clearly underestimated how disrespectful you've become, Inoue. You are clearly more…. verbose."

"I have to thank you for that, Commander. If you hadn't covered your failures and sent me to Café LycoReco, I might have been just another cog in the machine with no thoughts of my own but the ones you put in my head. But not anymore."

"The what council?" Chisato whispered to Erika with the young Janome just shrugging in response. She had been at DA for years never heard of any council. Sakura, however, cut in as she whispered to the two. Erika and Chisato stood there in shock at what Sakura had said.

"Kusunoki's boss?" Erika whispered back, "I'd didn't even know she had a boss. I know about stuff like LilyBell and HollyHock but what's the Council?"

"Yeah, they keep on the down low. From what one of my exes told me and from my own studying on the topic for my promotion, the general gist goes as follows. Sorry if this going to sound textbooky in advance. I really had to study this hard. Promotional tests are super detailed."

"Come on, Sakura!" Chisato encouraged as she leaned in with Erika leaning in as well, "Spill those deets. I wanna know."

"So: there's Direct Attack for Lycoris, Forward Attack for LilyBell, and Straight Attack for HollyHock. They all are separate branches of our parent organization, the Yatagarasu Organization, and are under the control of the Yatagarasu Council, a council dedicated to the peace of Japan," Sakura explained as Takina and Kusunoki argued with each other, "Word around the grapevine says they're made of the biggest political powers in Japan."

"Who?"

"Not sure about that," Sakura continued, "They keep their identities secret. Generally, they don't really do much as the head of each branch is supposed to pull their weight. They're essentially there to give Kusunoki advice on DA matters when she needs it but can override any decision she makes."

"Dang, no wonder she's so grumpy. Her bosses are politicians!" Chisato giggled causing Erika to giggle a bit as well. There was something about her positivity that was infectious.

Sakura continued, a bit annoyed at Chisato's interruption, "The point is, with the Majima Incident and the whole weapons fiasco, looks like they're pulling their heads out of the sand for once in their life to give Kusunoki shit. From what I heard; they've also been on the other Yatagarasu heads' asses too but I'm not too sure. All I know is that since DA is mainly in charge of domestic matters unlike the other two, she's been getting the brunt of their shit."

"Do you think she's gonna get fired?" Erika continued to ask.

"For this? Probably not. Chisato's…. cheekiness is well known throughout the DA structure, so they most likely know that a good chunk of this was out of the Commander's control. Overall, Kusunoki's been on thin ice, but she still has been getting the job done. It would take something as big as the Majima Incident to get her fired."

The three's conversation finally cut short as Takina smashed the earpiece against the wall, "Chisato, it's late and you four should be heading back."

Chisato let loose a big yawn as she wrapped her arm around Takina, "Yeah. Saving Fuki's butt makes a girl tired."

"I hate you. So much."

"Poking fun at Fuki aside, you guys should stop by LycoReco tomorrow for the re-opening party! Try and invite others too! There'll be drinks and food and music and me!" Chisato said as she waved goodbye, "Night guys! Try not to hurt yourself, Fuki."

"I hate you!"

"Gonna take that as no on your RSVP. Hibana, Sakura, and…. Erika, right? Oh hey, you're the girl Takina saved!" Chisato exclaimed with Erika blushing in response, "It's nice to meet you!"

"Beat it," Hibana scoffed as she walked away, "I've got homework, and the more time I spend around the psycho girl and Chisato Junior, the more brain cells I lose."

"I thought she was nicer…and you, Sakura?"

"As much as I would love to party, especially if Erika would be there," Sakura winked at Erika, causing the girl to blush a bit, "I've got training to do. Tell the others I said hey though."

"Cool. What about you, Erika?"

"Totally! I'll head over there on my bike."

"Cool, well see you tomorrow night!"

"Wait, Miss Nishikigi!" Erika called out causing the girl to stop in her tracks, "Can…can I bring a plus one or something?"

"Yeah totally! The more, the merrier! Just make sure you get there at seven-thirty and get ready to stay awake! We're gonna be partying all night, baby!"

Takina perked up, "Yes, Chisato?"

"No, I was using an expression."

"Oh."

"So, uh…yeah! You guys always seemed couped up in the lab here and thought it'd be cool for you guys to get out," Erika responded as the two still looked at the girl in a bit of confusion, "Café LycoReco is more than just some DA outpost. It's got really good food and drinks and Takina!"

"Yeah, let's go," Ruriko snapped as she grabbed Erika's hand and began to walk out, "I want cake immediately."

"Wait, Ruriko!" Doctor Midorikawa called out, but Ruriko slammed the door in his face, "Don't do anything rash!"

"What? DON'T DO ANYTHING RASH?"

"Ruriko, this is no time to be cheeky!"

"CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"RURIKO!"

"CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"Um…. Ruriko?" Erika managed to squeak out as she was dragged along by her friend. However, she managed to swipe a bottle of Kitoakase that rolled onto the floor, kicking it into her pocket, "The party isn't till seven-thirty."

"No time like the present," she snapped, and Erika shut up. There wasn't any arguing with her. As Ruriko dragged her, a security guard went up to them. Erika rolled her eyes as she saw the name tag: Asakura.

"You've been making a commotion, Midorikawa."

"Asakura, go talk to the Doctor. He probably needs to talk to you about something or whatever. I could care less."

"Shove it, brat. Where are you going?"

"I'm a teenage girl with a free afternoon. I'm gonna go hang with a friend," she sarcastically responded as she continued to drag Erika. Asakura rolled his eyes as he let loose a rude gesture that Ruriko promptly ignored. The two eventually got to the main DA hub area as they headed to the DA Garage Entrance, "Erika, I need to tell you something right no-."

"Hey, Ruri-Ruri!" a Lycoris called out as she quickly grabbed Ruriko and Erika, her arms wrapping around the two. She was just your average first-rank Lycoris, but Erika could've sworn her eyes were glowing. She quickly rubbed her eyes. Erika must be seeing things, "You're a lot more expressive than usual! Tell her what? Come on, spill those deets!"

"Hiromi, not now!" Ruriko growled as she pushed the Lycoris away. She grabbed Erika's arm, and pulled her more, "Come on. Come on! There's gotta be somewhere she isn't looking…"

"Uh…Ruriko? Let's just relax. If you want to get away from your dad, that's cool. I won't judge. Just please stop pulling," Erika sputtered as she looked around. They got to the door of the DA garage only for another Lycoris to quickly hug the two. Erika craned her neck to this time see a First Rank hug them.

"Hey, Ruri-Ruri!" she cooed almost sounding similar to the first rank from earlier, "What's wrong? Is it something to do with your lady friend?"

"Hiromi, literally not the time!" Ruriko snapped as she pushed the First Rank off of them, "Damn it! She's everywhere."

"Uh…. okay?" Erika sputtered, not sure what was happening.

"Come on," Ruriko muttered as she hit the button to the DA Garage over and over. Finally, the doors opened as she pushed the Lycoris off them. Erika was both confused and worried. Was what happened with her dad that bad?

Ruriko quickly pulled Erika in…

Only to run into DA Garage Worker, Yui Kanzaki.

"Miss Kanzaki!" Erika responded, despite her confusion, was still happy to see her friend. The doors closed and Erika thought she could hear Ruriko squeak, "Uh…how's it going?"

"Hello, Erika. Hello Ruriko," Yui Kanzaki responded enthusiastically smiling at the two girls, "I actually want to talk to you, Erika. I made upgrades to your bike. It's pretty neato. It's a camera to help when you back up."

Erika laughed, still somewhat confused at what was happening, "Oh thanks! I mean I think I can still back up just by turning my head."

"Yeah, but that'll be safer, don't you think, Ruriko?" Yui Kanzaki smiled at Ruriko as the girl avoided eye contact with her. The elevator stopped as Yui stepped out, "Well, I've got to be heading back to work."

"Thanks for watching out for me, Miss Kanzaki," Erika responded as she waved goodbye. She looked at Ruriko and saw that she had returned to her neutral expression although her shoulders were sagging with exhaustion.

"Oh honey, we're always watching. Later Ruriko. Don't do anything stupid all right?" Yui laughed as she waved to the two. Erika grabbed two metal bars out of her pocket and pressed them. The two bars unfolded and expanded into two motorcycle helmets.

"So…you wanna go, I guess?" Erika asked, "You seem like you really want to."

"Hm."

"Should…. Should I pretend what happened never happened?" Erika responded as she led Ruriko to her motorcycle. She looked and found a tiny camera on the front and back of her motorcycle. She made a mental note to buy Yui some food later, "Or something?"

"Yes. Just…. Yes. Just…don't say anything about it.

First up, I won't be able to post until the 19th so heads up there.

No matter where she goes, they'll always be watching.

Always watching.

Next Chapter: August 19th.