Hi there! Great to see you again. If you've read the announcement, then you know that a massive break is near. If many of you are going to miss me, don't worry. I intend to finish the Kuzuri trilogy. It's just…going to take longer than I realized. But enough of this. Let's focus on more engaging matters. In this chapter, the X-Force become famous due to their role in the extermination of the kaiju (whose name will be revealed in said chapter). However, certain plans made in the shadows could mean the end of the team.
Chapter 10 – surgence; A rose by any other name…
Four months passed since the Skytree operation. Thanks in part of Ginshi Shirazu, the kaiju was finally given the name Jean Jacket. Although people that heard the name were initially confused, it soon stuck in the popular consciousness. The name Jean Jacket became synonymous with the Bureau, mostly the X-Force. Haise's team were on newspapers and a few magazines, with news interviews focusing on Haise and the Quinxes. Many personal facts about the Quinxes were carefully doled out by the Bureau's containment unit, which acted as the Force's PR team for a moment. However, their duties as Investigators of the Bureau never stopped. Operations against Aogiri Tree that extended beyond the jurisdiction of ghouls were given to the X-Force as their mark as a specialized squad that could tackle any crime operation, provided that they were connected to Aogiri. The X-Force exposed a large-scale money laundering network that Aogiri participating in, as well as ending a black market in Qingdao that sold stolen Shi'ar technology from the incident (with help from the Chinese branch). Such successes not just quieted the critics of the Japanese branch of the GCB, but it also restored public confidence in them as well. Behind the scenes was a different picture. Hisako left the team by orders higher than Director Washuu. Thankfully, she landed on her feet when Ui offered to join his squad, something that delighted Ihei. Not to mention that friction existed between the Quinxes and two of its members. Said two members started to increase distance between them and Haise. So much so that they met in Urie's room to discuss what to do about it.
"It's weird that this is what your room looks like."
Said Saiko, which prompted Mutsuki to say,
"Focus, Saiko. We're here because so far, Yukio and Harada haven't replanted any bug in Urie's room yet."
"They still haven't. I've honed my senses to the point that I could hear any slight hum of any electronic device within 20 feet. Not to mention I've teared my room apart and had to lie to Haise about it."
"Where is Mr. Yas, anyways?"
Asked Shirazu.
"It's his memory treatment today."
Said Mutsuki, to which Urie replied,
"Which is what we're talking about. I don't believe these treatments are doing what they say they're doing."
"What makes you say that?"
"…Remember when Hisako left the team?"
Mutsuki replied,
"Yeah. I thought she really got along with us."
"Well, I talked to Arima about it."
The Quinxes all listened to Urie.
"He told me that it was a decision above both him and the Director."
Shirazu replied,
"Whoa…"
"I didn't go further into it at the moment, but I later found out about the financial backers of the Bureau. Yashida Industries has a sizable contract with us."
"So you think that Haise's great-grandfather had something to do with the decision?"
Asked Mutsuki.
"Most likely. For now, what we need to do on our part is look into the company."
Saiko asked,
"But how can we without Harada and Yukio knowing?"
Mutsuki then had an idea.
"What if I can get Investigator Madou to help?"
"Would she?"
Asked Urie.
"I think so. The few times I see them together, they don't seem to be on the best of terms."
After taking a moment, Urie then says,
"Go with that. We have to find out as much as we can. While acting like we're the team the Bureau expects us to be."
"That sounds hard…"
Said Saiko.
"Deal with it. Whatever they're doing to Haise…it has to stop…"
xxxxxx
At the Tsukiyama estate, Kanae was by himself, watering some flowers. As he did so, he remembered when he first came to the estate.
flashback
Young Kanae finally made to the Tsukiyama estate, all by himself. The head of the family welcomed Young Kanae, and yet his staff talked about the child behind his back. Little did they know, Young Kanae heard everything they said about him.
"Is it true?"
"Yes. The Rosewalds have been wiped out by the GCB in Germany…"
"I hear that he's the grandchild of Hiroshi, the Tsukiyama that left the family…"
"Master is a kind man…but having that child here…is a large lapse of judgement…"
Young Kanae went to be by himself, sitting near a wall. He cried by himself as he thought to himself,
"Mother…why just me…?"
At that moment, the son of the head of the house encountered Kanae.
"Hi there."
Young Kanae looked up to see the son who, in Young Kanae's eyes, seemed stunning to look at.
"Are you Kanae Von Rosewald? I'm Shuu Tsukiyama."
Young Kanae felt mesmerized by Shuu's welcoming demeanor alone.
"I heard father welcomed a new servant to the house. Is it true that you came from Germany."
"…yes."
"Oh. And you seem fluent in Japanese. Wonderful!"
Young Kanae felt the weight of his sadness slowly becoming lighter just by being near to Shuu.
"Rosewald…that means Rose Forest, correct?"
Young Kanae felt unable to answer, much to Shuu's notice. He then snapped his fingers before saying,
"Follow me."
As Young Kanae did so, he felt Shuu became a guise to a kinder world than he ever knew. A world he believed that he would never see again. Shuu led Young Kanae to the estate's rose garden.
"Embrace it. This is the Tsukiyama Rose Garden."
Young Kanae felt overwhelmed by the sight of the garden. He did exactly as Shuu said, and embraced the total beauty of the sight before him.
"Take a look at this."
Said Shuu as he presented Young Kanae a rose.
"This is Duftwolke. It means Fragrant Cloud. Splendid, isn't it?"
He gives it to Young Kanae.
"It's a noble German rose."
Kanae instantly value the rose given to him.
"Kanae…no matter what, I will never think less of you. Always remember that before you feel that you don't belong here. Live with more pride and beauty than the rose on your chest. That is the family promise of the Tsukiyamas."
end
Kanae went to the master of the house to give the latest report of Shuu's health.
"Master Mirumo…"
Mirumo saw Kanae enter his study.
"Kanae…how is he?"
"…He's lost control of his kagune…at this point…"
"I see…"
He then opens the window of his study and gave a thunderous yell. One stained with despair for all the servants on the estate to hear. He then closed the window, looking disheveled in front of Kanae.
"Forgive me, Kanae…"
Struggling to contain his tears, Kanae bowed in front of Mirumo and said,
"No master…you did nothing wrong…"
xxxxxx
(GCB Main Office, 1st ward)
The Quinxes arrived early to the meeting room where they soon meet with Ui squad. For their latest assignment, the X-Force were to work with Ui squad to look into a possible link between Aogiri Tree and another ghoul faction that has recently struck a number of victims. Shirazu stood listening to Saiko about the latest game she played after work. While Urie and Mutsuki stood looking outside a window.
"Still worried about Haise?"
"Mostly. I also wanted to look into Yashida Industries because of other irregularities…"
"Like what?"
"I've looked into the digital records of Weapon X. They're missing."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I've notified the main office about it. They were confused by this as well. The last time that happened, it turned out to be Weapon X themselves."
"You don't think they're back, right?"
"Doubt it. With the exception of Kanou, all of the staff involved with Weapon X were apprehended or dead. Rules them out completely. But whoever erased all the Weapon X data, they got through the Bureau's cybersecurity with no problem."
"That sounds hard…"
"That's because it is."
As the two saw a car park in front of the main office, the two saw Haise being escorted by Yukio and Harada. Mutsuki then says,
"He's at the Chateau less and less now…"
"The old me would've embraced it with no problem."
"Well, you came a long way since then."
"So have you. You got a new eyepatch for starters."
Mutsuki lightly touched the black eyepatch.
"I'm grateful for what Haise gave me. He said it was my reward for helping to take down Jean Jacket."
"Can't believe that Shirazu got to name the thing."
"Last I heard, it was because the higher-ups came up with nothing."
"What's it say about them?"
"Zero imagination?"
Urie smiled a little as he contained his laughter.
"And…I learned a little more about you."
Mutsuki blushed a little as they remembered the moment.
flashback
Mutsuki was in makeup along with the rest of the X-Force for another interview.
"Anyone here feel like this is, like…distracting us from our real work?"
Haise replied,
"True. Ordinarily, bureau investigators are mostly prohibited from giving interviews to the press. But considering our part in taking down Jean Jacket, the higher-ups believe that…carefully disclosing how the operation went down could help us gain back the public's trust."
"We didn't have it before?"
Asked Shirazu, which Urie elaborated,
"Based on the Bureau's track record against Aogiri, it's strained. X-Force's extermination of Jean Jacket was a major boon for the higher-ups. I even heard that enrollment into the academy was up by 17 percent last month."
"Wow. We're really popular."
Said Saiko.
"Is that the whole reason?"
Asked Shirazu. Haise replied,
"Well, I'm sure our winning personalities play a part."
"Right. Cause we're paragons of heroism!"
Said Deadpool, who was getting his nails done in makeup. He says to the staff member doing his nails,
"Make them shine."
"Yes sir."
Haise sighed before saying,
"Don't go overboard, please."
"Oh, keep your pants on, boss man. Of course I'm gonna be nice to the staff. I mean, if I'm gonna have a future in show business, I have to be nice to the little people in it."
The staff member doing Deadpool's nails groaned a little. He heard this and says,
"Hey. None of that attitude. We're doing my feet next."
Just then, of the studio manager arrived to tell the team,
"You all are on in two minutes."
Haise then addresses the team.
"Okay, everyone. Be on your best behavior, and answer honestly."
"On anything they ask us?"
Asked Shirazu.
"If it's Aogiri, just say no comment."
"Got it."
"All of you are on."
Soon, the X-Force were on the interview segment of a news program. After Haise spoke a majority of the time, each of the X-Force talked a little about themselves. The last to say their part was Mutsuki. When Mutsuki was asked 'what's the most interesting thing about yourself,' they said,
"I think I'm…non-binary."
Both the audience and the team sat a little surprised that Mutsuki confessed such a personal detail. The interviewer asked,
"You think?"
"Well, I was thinking about it."
"Thinking about it?"
"The thought came to me when me and Deadpool here acted as a distraction for sensei, Hisako, and Shirazu to investigate. It was during the conversation that he mention the term non-binary."
Deadpool elaborated,
"True. I said specifically, 'On my best days, I'm pansexual. Off-days, non-binary' as part of my 'samurai' entrance."
The audience laughed a little due to how Deadpool used airquotes in a comedic fashion. Mutsuki then continued,
"Anyhow, I looked it up online…and the more I learned, the more it…resonated with me. Some of my friends and co-workers often spoke about my…mannerisms…I'm still learning about myself…but that's why…I want to go forward with being non-binary. It's the first time I want to go forward with anything about myself."
After a moment of silence, one audience member clapped. Soon, more applause followed. At that moment, Mutsuki did not feel punished about feeling vulnerable, and for them, the sensation presented itself as liberating.
end
Urie say to Mutsuki,
"When I smelled your blood, it smelled like it belonged to a girl…I'm guessing it's something you're still working out?"
"Yeah…"
"Okay. No pressure. I'll support anything that'll help you be a better person."
"Thanks, Urie."
"Anytime."
Mutsuki's opinion of Urie grew a little more positive at that moment. A little after, Haise arrived with Harada and Yukio and both his sides.
"Hi everyone."
"Maman."
Saiko wanted to hug him, but Harada stood in her way. This rubbed the wrong way for the rest of the team. Shirazu says,
"What's your problem, Harada?"
"She just wanted to hug him."
Said Urie. He noticed that Harada did not seem fazed by how he was acting. Moreso, he seemed to view everyone with a certain kind of disdain. Only when Haise intervened did his disdain seemed to become more apparent.
"Harada, I haven't seen them for days. Just let her."
Yukio intervened.
"In all honesty…that was pushing it."
"…Fine."
Harada stepped aside for Saiko to finally hug Haise. Both Urie and Mutsuki see how Harada look at the hug.
"He looks pissed…"
Whispered Mutsuki to Urie.
"Damn right…"
Whispered back Urie. It was then that Investigators Washuu, Madou, and Shimoguchi arrived that everyone got into a professional state. Investigator Washuu addressed everyone in the room.
"Good morning. Let's start the meeting."
As soon as everyone sat down, Washuu began the meeting.
"In the weeks before and after the Skytree Operation, there have been a number of abductions carried out by a ghoul group called Rosé. What makes these different is that these are mostly possibly connected to the Rosewald family."
Haise asked,
"The Rosewald family? The ones that you took down, sir?"
"Yes, Investigator Yashida. Investigators at the crime scenes took some photographs and sent them to my desk a little later. They showed certain kagune marks that matched one of the older cases connected to the Rosewalds."
Washuu passed around the photographs in question. Haise took a good look of the photographs in question before passing them on. Washuu continued his explanation as the photos were passed on.
"The one on the right shows the marks from the kidnappers, while the ones on the left are from the case mentioned earlier. When forensics compared the two, the tests showed a 27 percent match."
Akira added her thoughts on the matter.
"At best, it's a borderline match."
"I know that, Investigator Madou. I fully acknowledge that there are significant dissimilarities, indicating no close relations. However, the fact that the marks are a partial match indicates distant relations instead."
Urie began to realize what Investigator Washuu pieced together earlier.
"That means we're dealing with either survivors from the past operation or blood relatives right here in Japan."
"Exactly. I've order Investigator Ui to take the lead on discovery. X-Force, you're to assist. The Rosewalds were affluent before their extermination. If any of their assets were recovered along with the survivor, said assets were possibly used for…black-market acquisitions outside the bureau's purview."
"…Yes sir."
Said Haise in a lightly annoyed voice. When the meeting ended, the X-Force made their way to the meeting room where they will soon meet with Ui squad. Mutsuki went to Haise's side and asked a question.
"Sensei…"
"Mutsuki. What's on your mind?"
"It's about the case. If they were related, how come there wasn't a closer match?"
"There's a number of factors. Like the blood relation between parent and child, between siblings, or distant relations. But because a lot of the data can become missing, the results come back as inconclusive. It actually reminds me of the rabbit."
"Rabbit?"
Asked Shirazu.
"I heard that the matches of his most recent attacks and the ones from the past was a 64 percent match. Ruling out the possibility of twins, the lab concluded it was the same ghoul."
"There is another possibility to consider…"
Said Harada, which caught the attention of the team. Haise asked,
"What's that?"
"A ghoul hunting down its own kind."
"You're proposing a ghoul predator?"
"There's a special kind of kagune called a…kakuja, correct?"
"Yes…"
"They only exist when a ghoul eats other ghouls to the point that their kagunes mutates into another appendage class, correct?"
"Yes, Harada…but that's rarely considered, let alone recorded."
"I'm just saying…consider all possibilities."
A pause of silence filled the air between Harada and the rest of the team. Only when Yukio spoke did said pause finally broke.
"There's a difference between considering all options…and sounding like a lunatic."
Shirazu laughed a little, much to Harada's irritation.
"On that note, apologize to Saiko."
"Why?"
"Because you had the balls to treat her with no respect earlier. Apologize now."
Mutsuki stepped in.
"I agree with Yukio. All Saiko did was miss sensei, and you got in the way of that."
Harada carefully hid his anger toward Yukio into doing something that he did not want to do for an assignment he slowly came to dislike. Although he hid it well, he never came to respect any of the Quinxes. He saw them as children playing heroes. The only ones he tolerated were Urie and Shirazu. Nevertheless, he swallowed his pride and gave his apology.
"I'm sorry."
"…Thank you."
Replied Saiko in a semi-sarcastic voice. Haise sighed in relief and says to the team,
"Let's not keep Investigator Ui waiting."
xxxxxx
As soon as the X-Force were close to the meeting room, Mutsuki asked Haise another question about the case.
"Haise, Rosé is the name of the ghoul group Investigator Washuu mentioned right?"
"Yes."
"How long do you think they've been active?"
"Well, that's something that Ui squad has been looking into before we've been assigned to join with them. Before the Skytree operation, Ui squad had been looking into this ghoul group by looking into any that were connected to them."
"So why let us in on the operation?"
Asked Shirazu.
"Well, Investigator Washuu said that Rosé may have looking into Shi'ar technology for some unknown reason. Whatever it is, any ghouls having access to alien tech is always a red flag."
"And red flags are dead giveaways for a good reason…"
Said another voice. Haise turned around to see Investigator Kijima arriving alongside Furuta.
"Hello again."
"Investigator Kijima. Haven't seen you since the Skytree Operation."
"Well, an autopsy of a kaiju can take up a lot of time."
"What have you discovered?"
"…I can't say anything yet…but I am never…short of discoveries…"
"Are you here because of Rosé?"
"Correct. My squad and one more."
"Which one?"
"See for yourself."
Kijima and Furuta walked alongside the X-Force to discover Kuramoto and his squad waiting. Kuramoto sees Haise and says to him,
"Haise."
"Investigator Kuramoto?"
"So, Washuu assigned you as well?"
"Y-Yeah. I had no idea he had this many squads on this."
"Well between you and me…"
Hirako whispered in Haise's left ear.
"I think he's gunning for Special Investigator again."
"For real?"
Haise whispered back.
"Yeah. Still hasn't learned anything from that…seriously distasteful confrontation a long while back."
"Confrontation?"
"You don't remember?"
Yukio quickly pulled Haise aside before saying,
"Investigator Ui is almost here. We should be seated."
"R-Right. Another time, Kuramoto."
"Right…"
"How could he forget something that major done to him?"
The meeting soon started as Ui, alongside Ihei, Senior Investigator Taishi Fura, and 2nd class Investigator Hisako Ichiki, arrived at the designated meeting room.
"Good afternoon everyone. Assistant Special Investigator Washuu could not arrive due to an impromptu meeting with Special Investigator Marude. As such, I will start the briefing."
Furuta said to himself,
"Arima's latest protégé?"
Ui started the meeting by giving an overview of Rosé itself. Saiko was bouncing on her seat when she waved at Hisako. Hisako smiled as she waved back. Although he understood where Saiko came from doing this, Shirazu got her to stop said behavior.
"Saiko, chill."
Shirazu whispered with Saiko whispering back,
"But we haven't seen her…"
"I know, but that can wait later…"
Haise shushed the two from speaking further. He then turned his attention to Ui and says to him,
"Apologies."
"Thank you."
Ui cleared his voice before resuming.
"Rosé has presented itself as a very capable ghoul group. Although their numbers are small, their skills as individuals made them formidable enough to more than hold their own against a squad of Senior Investigators. Hence the necessity of this team-up. Most notably…"
"The X-Force."
Said Kuramoto. Ui continued.
"Exactly. S2 and S3 are tackling Aogiri on their end. We handle Rosé on ours. What makes this group so arduous to take on is the fact that they leave no trace of their crimes behind. What intel we were able to gain about Rosé are from second-hand accounts from other ghoul groups who base their actions on rumors."
"So not a lot to go on…"
Said Yukio. Ui replied,
"Exactly. This…is the challenge."
xxxxxx
As the meeting ended, the X-Force went their own way to start the Investigation. Although Shirazu said out loud the hard start dealt to them.
"Starting an Investigation with no leads…talk about doing the impossible…"
"It doesn't have to be."
Said Haise. Shirazu then asked,
"Any ideas, then?"
"Admittingly…that's gonna take some imagination…"
At that moment, Ihei met with the X-Force.
"Hi there, X-Force."
Shirazu stuttered when he met her.
"H-H-Hi…"
Mutsuki lightly made fun of Shirazu's behavior in front of Ihei.
"Nervous, Shirazu?"
"HELL NO!"
Saiko joined in.
"Pervy leader."
"Shut it, otaku!"
Ihei laughed a little before resuming.
"I haven't properly introduce myself to the rest of you last time…I'm Hairu Ihei, a part of Ui squad."
Urie spoke on behalf of the team that did not meet with her.
"Nice to meet you."
Saiko, Mutsuki, Shirazu, Yukio, and Harada lightly bowed to Ihei.
"I'm Koori's…rather I'm Investigator Ui's partner. I wanted to ask, you're all in your 20s, right?"
Mutsuki replied,
"I'm turning 21 this year."
"I'm the same age as you."
Shirazu commented on this fact Ihei shared.
"Partner to a Special Investigator at your age? Damn…"
Urie stayed silent, thinking to himself,
"Odd…I remember looking at the name of every graduate at one point. I don't recall somebody becoming a partner to a Special Investigator…"
Soon, somebody familiar to the X-Force arrived to call Ihei.
"Ihei!"
She turned around to see Hisako. As did the rest of the X-Force.
"Hisako!"
Exclaimed Ihei as she instantly went into a cheery mood and hug Hisako like they were old friends meeting after so long. Although she enjoyed it, Hisako had to push her away before saying,
"Senior Investigator Ihei, show some restraint."
The Quinxes all reacted when Hisako mentioned Ihei's rank. Saiko and Shirazu simultaneously exclaimed,
"Senior Investigator?!"
Haise explained.
"Ihei's case was a lot like Hisako's. She proved herself to be an extremely capable fighter, so her education was accelerated. So she's technically your senior. What's more, she's Investigator Ui's partner due to her part in the Shi'ar incident. And she was recently promoted to Senior Class after the Jean Jacket incident."
Ihei then started to act a little nervous as she replied,
"I couldn't believe at how I was surrounded by old guys back then…I mean, experienced…"
Urie felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach when he heard all this.
"Seriously?! I was part of an operation to take down a kaiju from space! SO WHERE THE FUCK IS MY PROMOTION?!"
Shirazu shyly asked Ihei,
"And here I was thinking I thought I could be friends with you…"
Hisako says to Shirazu,
"You still can. It's not like she's too good for you or anything."
"True. When I first saw Hisako, I knew I wanted to be besties with her!"
Ihei hugged Hisako again.
"And now we're on the same team!"
Although Ihei was happy, the rest of the X-Force felt a little sad that Hisako left the team. Why, however, still presented itself as a mystery to most of them.
xxxxxx
In another room, Marude spoke with Matsuri.
"You gave the Rosé to the X-Force?"
"Yes. But just to be safe, I've also assigned Kijima, Kuramoto, and Ui squads to help them."
"Being safe…that's a new one."
Matsuri took the insult in stride.
"What I'm doing…is applying what I learned from taking down the Rosewalds on this case."
"Not happening."
Replied Marude in a stern voice. Matsuri tried to argue back.
"Just listen. What I did before brought down one of the largest ghoul groups in Germany."
"What you did back in Germany was too damn much for one ghoul group."
Matsuri held back his anger due to still being an Assistant Special Investigator.
"You can criticize me all you want. You know that if I was promoted, I'd finish what I started."
"Yeah. And legions of our own people dead at your feet to finish the job. Fact it, Matsuri. They way you do things is justification enough to deny you of my rank, pal."
Matsuri felt his anger rise further.
"Deathlok did kill many of our Investigators, but the one thing I'll credit him for…exposing your callous ass…"
Marude shut the door behind him as he left the room. Now alone, Matsuri punched the nearest wall to him. In his mind, he thought of Haise in a most negative way.
"SWEAR TO GOD I'LL MAKE THAT MUTIE PAY! HIM AND THE REST OF THOSE EXPERIMENTAL SHITSTAINS!"
xxxxxx
(Tsukiyama Estate)
Kanae stood by herself at the gazebo in the outside garden. He then heard something rustle in the grass. Kanae instantly got on the offensive and exclaimed,
"Show yourself!"
The individual turned out to be Chie sneaking into the estate.
"Little mouse…?"
Chie dusted off some of the leaves on her as Kanae said to her,
"I was this close to using my kagune on you…"
"Well, I came through here for a good reason."
"Explain."
"You've been drawing a lot of attention. The Bureau is closing in on you. What's more…"
"What?"
"Rumor has it that the X-Force is now targeting your group."
This made Kanae slightly tense up when Chie mentioned the X-Force. He did not ignore their achievements since the Skytree incident (as told to the public by the Bureau). Nevertheless, he told Chie,
"It's none of your business. Leave now!"
"Maybe not mine…but even you have to know this will affect Shuu."
Kanae hid his guilt as he knew in the back of his head that his hunting sessions will lead back to his master. Chie sees Kanae knew this as well before asking,
"Is it that bad with Shuu?"
"Don't make me repeat myself…"
Chie then said something that made sure to get a more emotional reaction from Kanae.
"Why don't you just leave? You already have everything to survive on your own. And all your other skills makes you a capable servant to anyone else."
"IT HAS TO BE MASTER SHUU!"
Yelled Kanae in a passionate reply. He breathed hard for a little bit while Chie replied,
"I know…and I think Shuu feels the same way…about you…"
Kanae recomposed himself while Chie continued.
"For someone like Shuu, if you can anything at your fingertips bit don't want any of it…it'll all make you feel empty."
Kanae took Chie words to heart as he tried to feel what it is to be in his master's shoes. At that moment, Chie says,
"I have an idea on how to save Shuu…but…"
"But what?"
Asked Kanae with tears in his eyes.
"You'll have to take down the family in the process."
A pause of silence filled the air between them before Chie continued speaking.
"How much are you really willing to sacrifice…Kanae?"
xxxxxx
(later)
As Kanae continued his duties by bringing a bottle of wine to Mirumo, he thought back on Chie's words.
"How foolish of me…in the end, humans speak nothing but nonsense. I mean really! Master Mirumo took me in when I lost my family. All that I am, I owe to the Tsukiyamas. I'd never betray them, let alone leave them."
As Kanae made it to the wine cellar and searched for a bottle to Mirumo's liking, Kanae thought back to a memory of Shuu.
flashback
Young Kanae looks out the window to see the rain pouring outside.
"Master Mirumo, it's raining."
Mirumo checked the time on his watch.
"Shuu should be back from school soon. Kanae, bring out an umbrella for him. I don't want him getting wet."
"Yes sir."
Soon Young Kanae put on a raincoat before stepping outside to deliver an umbrella to Shuu. He spoke in German while running in the rain. Before long, he found Shuu dancing in the rain. Young Kanae stood entranced by such a sight.
"He's even more beautiful…dancing in the rain…"
Before Kanae could give the umbrella to Shuu, he noticed another person besides Shuu.
"Doesn't the rain feel nice, Chie?"
"Sure does."
"So why not capture such a moment?"
"I'm cool. Thank you."
Kanae sees the two having fun with each in the rain, which awakened a major dose of envy within Young Kanae.
"Master Shuu always had a big heart…he's not even above showing benevolence to lowly humans sometimes…but the way he smiles…does he really have to give them that as well?"
end
As Kanae finally picked out a bottle Mirumo would likely consume, one of the servants immediately entered the wine cellar for Kanae.
"Kanae!"
"Aliza?"
"M-M-Master Shuu is…"
Kanae dropped the bottle and immediately went for Shuu's room. While heading there, Aliza followed him. Kanae asked as the two briskly walked,
"Before you inform Master Mirumo, where is Matsumae?"
"The governess is out harvesting!"
"Very well. Inform Master Mirumo at once!"
"Right away!"
As Kanae finally made it, he sees a most unsettling sight. Shuu writhing in pain in his bed as his kagune became out of control. One of the servants in the room yells,
"KANAE! It's too much for us to handle!"
"Stay back!"
As Kanae summoned his kagune, Shuu's got further out of his control.
"Master Shuu…please forgive me!"
In his delirium, Shuu attacked Kanae. Kanae blocked Shuu's strike, although the impact made Kanae threw up a little blood. In a crazed state, Shuu yelled,
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM? I'M THE GOURMET! THIS FAILS TO SATISFY ME ON EVERY LEVEL! I DEMAND THE FINEST DELICACY!"
Kanae finds an opening and hits Shuu in vital spots that assured subduing her master. Kanae then yelled,
"THE POWDER! NOW!"
With all his strength, Kanae forced Shuu in an uncomfortable position as the rest of the servants administered a sort of sleeping powder to Shuu's mouth. As Shuu completely devoured the powder, he slowly went into a state of calm and laid on his bed. Before he went to sleep, with what little consciousness and sanity in his mind; he looked around to see Kanae, his father, and the rest of the servants.
"Kanae…what's everybody doing here?"
"We were cleaning your room…while you slept, sir."
"…Thank you then…"
Shuu raised his hand to caress Kanae's face.
"I'm sorry I'm like this…"
"Please…that's not necessary…"
"No…I mean it…"
Kanae kneeled amazed that even in his tired state, Shuu's kindness did not falter.
"You've been reliable for as long as I can remember…I recall the day you came here…"
Kanae tried his hardest to hold back the tears…
"I remember everybody saying that bringing you here was a mistake on my father's part…and yet, never have I regretted meeting you…"
A few tears drew from Kanae's eyes.
"Please…keep taking care of this family…"
Soon, more tears streamed from his face.
"…Yes, sir…"
xxxxxx
Moments later, Kanae ran like a madman across the estate's backyard. Unrelenting sorrow fueled his actions as one word repeated itself in Kanae's mind.
"HASS!" (HATE!)
Said word repeated itself within his mind until Kanae slammed into a tree. Although the word hate still repeated itself, Kanae thought about other things connected to the growing feeling of helplessness.
"That little mouse…Ken Kaneki…Haise Yashida…even my own damn loyalty…I HATE IT ALL!"
xxxxxx
At a nearby train station, a young man staggered along due to being drunk while grumbling to himself. Little did he know, a group of Rosé ghouls, led by Matsumae, looked at him as a target. As soon as they got close, the young man looked behind him. Instead of being scared, he acted casual with the ghouls.
"Hi there."
This alerted the ghouls to be on their guard. Soon, three Investigators, led by Kijima, arrived to surround the ghouls. The young man turned out to be Furuta as Kijima said to him,
"Playing the role of bait is perfect for you, Furuta."
"Somehow, I'm having a hard time of taking that as a complement…"
Matsumae says to the group,
"It's a trap."
Kijima replied,
"How observant. Even though you left no trace, actions like this…can help us predict where you'll attack…Rosé."
All of a sudden, some sort of thorny roots manifested between the Investigators and the Rosé ghouls. Another of the Rosé ghouls waited in the darkness of the train station halls in the case that the rest of his comrades got caught. Matsumae says to him,
"Good job. Let's get out of here."
(play Boss Battle – Final Fantasy XII OST)
Unfortunately, the ghouls became surrounded by more Investigators than the ones Kijima brought with him. Some led by Ihei, Fura, and Hisako arrived to take down the ones heading their way. Ihei says to the ghouls,
"You're not going anywhere."
Hisako says next,
"Go ahead and fight us. See where that gets you."
Matsumae says to her comrades,
"Scatter."
Her comrades did as she ordered, and went in different directions. Ihei met with one with his kagune out already. The ghouls swiped as fast as he could to get a hit on the Investigator, but Ihei proved herself faster as she dodged every attack with swift elegance. What attacks the ghoul almost achieved, Ihei blocked them with her quinque. While Hisako went against the ghouls who produced the kagune that created the thorn wall separating Kijima's team and the one she was in. The thorns proved itself too tough for Kijima's team to cut through. Thankfully, Hisako's mastery of her mutant abilities gave her the upper hand. Part of said mastery included manipulating parts of her psionic armor. She was able to manifest part of her armor on its corresponding body part associated with it. As such, he summoned part of her armor on her right arm, and manipulate it to resemble a bladed weapon. Said bladed weapon cut through the kagune thorns. As the ghoul seemed too busy being astounded by such a sight, Hisako took the opportunity to cut an opening for Kijima's team to come through the wall. Kijima says to Hisako,
"Well, Investigator Ichiki, I stand amazed at how the X-Force lost someone like you."
Although it stung her, Hisako hid by replying,
"Don't look at me for answers."
As Ihei fought against her opponent, she looked at Hisako and thought to herself,
"Ah! So cool~!"
The ghoul she fought against saw her looking spaced out and took the chance for a killing blow. However, Ihei proved herself less witless than she appeared as she dodged the death blow and continued beating the ghoul senseless. At that moment, Matsumae killed one the Investigators she battled with before seeing one of her comrades being in a one-sided fight with a dove.
"Yuma…"
Matsumae's kagune took the form of a spiral sword and a shield that also doubled as a mallet. She got in front of Yuma and blocked Ihei's strikes. Fura internally commented,
"Rosé is displaying quite the show of teamwork…almost on par with ours…"
Matsumae showed deftness with her sword strikes, but Ihei proved herself faster than Matsumae. She says to Yuma,
"Go!"
Yuma did as she said, but soon go captured by Kijima's kagune. It was a whip-like weapon with the ability to throw rope with hooks at both ends. The purpose of its design was capturing ghouls. Matsumae wanted to go for Yuma, but one of her comrades made an opening for the rest to escape.
"We have to go!"
"But Yuma…!"
"There's no time."
(end music)
Matsumae had no choice but to flee. The only one disappointed was Ihei as she expressed,
"Aw…I was finally getting warmed up."
Hisako went to her side and said,
"There'll be other chances."
"Okay…"
Kijima went to Yuma as he says,
"Well, well…we finally caught one of Rosé…"
xxxxxx
In an unmarked white truck used for moving furniture, both Kijima and Ui squads sat within. Alongside the Rosé ghoul they captured. Ihei sat in a corner, pouting at how Kijima was given the ghoul to him instead of her.
"Why does he get the prisoner? It was my collar."
Fura stood beside her, replying,
"That's enough complaining. Besides, it was Kijima's quinque that caught the ghoul. You acted too late…"
Ihei sighed before saying,
"I just wanted to take credit so that Arima could finally be proud of me."
Fura took a moment to think before asking,
"Does Arima ever compliment anybody?"
"Not once. That's why I wanna beat Koori or Haise before they get one."
Fura thought it odd when she referred Investigators Yashida and Ui by their first names.
"Wonder she'll do the same to me when she ranks higher than me."
At that moment, Hisako sat beside Ihei.
"Is it that important that Arima praises you?"
"Yeah it is."
"…You really look up to Arima, do you?"
"For as long as I can remember…"
The truck finally stopped. When some of Kijima's squadmates opened the truck door, they stopped at a certain facility that only Kijima squad seemed familiar with. Kijima then addresses Ui squad.
"Investigators Ihei, Fura, and Ichiki. I'll take it from here. From here on in, I'll handle the interrogation…my way…"
Hisako felt a little uneasy at how Kijima said his sentence.
"Just leave him to it. I'll call a cab."
Just as Fura finished calling for a cab, Hisako asked him,
"Investigator Fura, what did Kijima mean by he'll handle interrogation his way?"
"Oh right. I forgot you just joined. Before getting on the field, he used to be an interrogator in Cochlea. That's why he's known as Kijima the Slicer."
Hisako took one more look at Kijima before replying,
"Looks like he's been sliced himself…"
"Part of the job."
As the cab arrived, Hisako texted someone before joining her team for the ride.
xxxxxx
In the facility, Yuma was tied to a chair. Kijima approached the tied-up ghoul and spoke to him.
"I understand your loyalty…it's part of the reason why you won't talk…"
Yuma remained silent.
"No matter how much I interrogate you, I'm getting nothing…so instead…"
Kijima then brought a table before bringing out his knife set, all made of quinque steel, in front of Yuma.
"I'm gonna give your friends a gift."
Kijima brandished his quinque steel cleaver in front of Yuma.
"Which part do you think they'll like?"
xxxxxx
Later that night, Mirumo, alongside Kanae and Aliza, went to Matsumae's room as she laid on her bed recovering from the attack. She sees Mirumo looking over her. She says to him,
"I'm sorry…sir…it's my fault…"
"What matters is that you're back…Matsumae…"
"Wh-Where's Yuma?"
Asked Aliza. Matsumae possessed a little consciousness left to answer her question.
"…I'm sorry…"
Aliza worst fears were confirmed. She exited Matsumae's room and wept in the hallway. Mirumo then says,
"I'll handle Aliza."
"Yes sir."
Said Kanae before only he and Matsumae were alone.
"Like Hori said…the GCB are onto us…harvesting will be difficult now…but Master Shuu…"
Kanae asked,
"Does it hurt?"
"I just need to rest…"
"…Matsumae…"
"Hm?"
"If…and only what if…you were asked to choose between Master Shuu and the Tsukiyama family? What would you do?"
After a moment of silence, Matsumae asked Kanae,
"Who do you serve?"
Afterwards, Kanae left the room to witness Mirumo consoling Aliza about Yuma. Kanae still mulled over what Matsumae said to him.
"I serve the Tsukiyama family…and Master Shuu."
Soon, Kanae busied himself watering the Rose garden.
"Choosing between them is ludicrous…what I want most…is to save Shuu as a Tsukiyama family retainer. But even that presents itself as a difficult move as the Tsukiyama family is hampered by the GCB to do what is necessary to save Master Shuu…"
Soon, Kanae felt depressed once more.
"Can't believe I'm saying this…I want to hear what you say…little mouse…"
xxxxxx
(The next day)
Takeomi walked alongside Saiko, Shirazu, and Deadpool. Shirazu held the remote for Deadpool's ankle bracelet. Before he asked about the bracelet, Takeomi asked about the rest of the team.
"So, where are the rest of your teammates?"
"Mr. Yas is giving a lecture right now."
"Which I don't get. He's already got his hands full with this rose group."
Said Deadpool.
"Rosé."
Said Saiko, correcting Deadpool.
"Right. Sorry."
Replied Deadpool. Shirazu continued where he left off.
"Anyhow. Urie's at the gym. Tooru's with Suzuya squad reviewing the Auction operation. And both Yukio and Harada are always with Haise. A lot more than usual lately. What about your squad?"
"Not much luck on our front, I'm afraid. Mr. Ito is getting stressed about it."
Soon, Saiko's stomach growled very loudly.
"Shirazu, I'm hungry."
"We're in the middle of interviewing witnesses."
Deadpool interjected.
"Actually, I could use a bite to eat myself."
"Same here."
Said Takeomi. Shirazu sighed in defeat. Deadpool took out his smartphone to check for nearby restaurants.
"There's a bakery nearby."
"Bread!"
Exclaimed Saiko with her hand up. Both Takeomi and Shirazu shrugged in agreement to the plan. As soon as they made it to the bakery, Saiko's mouth shared the same traits as a waterfall when she saw all the fresh-baked bread in front of her.
"It all smells so good!"
Shirazu agreed with her.
"It does look good…"
"You're telling me. I wanna get lost in the smell forever."
Said Deadpool. The conversation caught the attention of one of the bakery's currently present employee.
"Welcome…"
The employee recognized one of the faces that entered the bakery. As did Takeomi when he saw her.
"Kuroiwa?"
Confused, Shirazu asked,
"You know her?"
Takeomi replied with two words.
"Yoriko Kosaka."
After a brief moment of silence, Deadpool asked the employee,
"Got a place where we can sit?"
"Oh! Yes. Please follow me."
Yoriko showed the group where the chairs and tables were. A little later, as the group were enjoying the bread she provided, she then brought three iced coffees and a raspberry iced tea.
"I have your iced coffees."
"Thanks."
Said Shirazu as he received his drink. She then paid attention to Deadpool.
"And your raspberry iced tea."
"Thank you kindly."
"You're welcome."
After taking a sip, Shirazu asked Yoriko,
"So you knew Kuroiwa?"
"Yeah. We knew each other since elementary school. To think you became an Investigator, Kuroiwa. Makes sense, considering your dad."
Deadpool then says,
"It's one hell of a coincidence to bump into someone you used to fingerpaint with."
Yoriko sheepishly replied,
"I wouldn't put it like that."
Kuroiwa added to the conversation.
"We were in the same class for a few years. Before I had to change schools because of my father."
Deadpool then asked,
"Was he always Captain Stoic when you went to school together?"
"Honestly…yes. He was quiet, but always stood out."
"In a good way?"
Asked Deadpool.
"You could say that. He stood out during P.E. Kuroiwa was really athletic back then."
Deadpool laughed in a sneering way before saying,
"If he was athletic back then, you wouldn't believe how he is now."
"Really? How?"
Shirazu got a little annoyed by Deadpool's behavior.
"Dude, you don't have to-"
"He's got what it takes to give Captain America a run for his money."
"Oh wow!"
Kuroiwa blushed a little when Deadpool said the compliment. Shirazu thought to himself,
"I thought he was gonna be gross…"
Yoriko continued,
"Makes sense, considering one time…"
"Please. Continue."
Said Deadpool. Yoriko then told a story about Kuroiwa in elementary school.
"One time, there was a student track meet."
flashback
Kuroiwa and I were relay partners in a relay race. I was one of the baton passers on out team. But…
Young Yoriko ran as fast as she could, but tripped during her run. Some of the students voiced either their distress or complaints at Young Yoriko.
"Great! We're in last place!"
"That sucks."
"Get up, Kosaka!"
Young Yoriko cried a little because of feeling like a failure.
Because of me, my class were going to be in last place…
"Kosaka!"
Yelled Young Takeomi as he stared at Young Yoriko with a stoic, yet understanding gaze.
But he didn't hold it against me. Instead, he kept on believing in me.
Young Yoriko got back up and ran to Young Takeomi. When she finally gave the baton to him, Young Takeomi ran instantly past the rest of the classes.
He ran past everybody and came in first. I just laughed afterwards…
end
Shirazu replied,
"So, Kuroiwa has always been Kuroiwa…"
"Pretty much."
Said Yoriko. Deadpool said next,
"Told ya. Japanese Steve Rogers here!"
"There's…really no need to exaggerate."
Said Kuroiwa as he blushed. Deadpool replied,
"Dude, you're a 1st class Investigator. Toot your own horn every once in a while."
"Is that good?"
Asked Yoriko. Shirazu replied,
"Better than good."
Yoriko then says to Kuroiwa,
"That's amazing, Kuroiwa."
"That's enough about me. I wanna hear more about how you've been doing since then. You're a baker now?"
"Yes. I wanted to learn how to be a chef, but I feel in love with baking bread."
Deadpool added,
"Well, a baker is a kind of chef, right? I mean, your specialty is carbs, but awesome smelling carbs."
Yoriko laughed a little at what Deadpool said.
"You're definitely not wrong. I'm honestly hoping that I can serve my bread to a café someday. But right now, I'm just trying to learn what I can. Like coming up with recipes and the like."
"I'm wishing the best for you, Kosaka."
Said Kuroiwa.
"Thanks."
Yoriko then sees her boss with a stern look on his face while holding a baguette.
"Sorry. That's my manager over there. I gotta get back."
"Yeah. So should we."
The rest of the group finished their lunch before leaving the bakery. Before exiting, Kuroiwa says to Yoriko,
"Kosaka…it was delicious."
Yoriko smiled as she replied,
"Stop by again."
As the group walked, Kuroiwa asked Deadpool,
"Deadpool?"
"Hm?"
"Why did you say all that stuff?"
"…I was trying to sell you up."
"Sell me up?"
"Yeah. You know, make you look good in front of the baker girl."
"Yoriko."
"Yeah, her. I could tell she wanted to get into you."
Kuroiwa blushed a little before saying,
"Let's get back to work."
xxxxxx
At the gym, Urie kept on pumping iron by himself.
"More…more…until my muscles scream in pain!"
Urie felt an adrenaline high the more he pumped.
"There it is…the muscles that were damaged from both Auction and Jean Jacket…repaired and strengthened through super-compensation. A process that uses the kakuhou's power within the frame."
The more he lifted the weightlifting bar, the more adrenaline coursed through his veins.
"I can feel the RC cells fusing with my muscles! Upgrading my frame level has given me great returns…"
As he kept on weightlifting, he remembered the conversation he had with Dr. Shiba.
flashback
Dr. Shiba just ended a follow-up check with Urie after the operation. Urie asked him,
"Before we started the operation, you mentioned that the cellular tube the RC cells go through extend from the kakuhou in order to form the kagune, right?"
"Yes. The more there are, the more your physical abilities improve. However, that aspect on Quinx bio-technology is still…somewhat developing…"
"Still?"
"You remember that this procedure was based on Dr. Kanou's research, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, that research was based on kakuhou implantation on mutants, not humans. It's part of the reason why that although Yashida is still a mutant, he still produces a kakugan everytime his aggression is formed. It's a sort of…genetic scar."
"I see…"
"Still, the fact that because of the Quinx procedure that a healing factor is part of your enhanced physical abilities. Since a lot of the Quinx strengths were based off of a certain mutant, the attributes associated with said mutant are part of your biological skillset."
"So, in summary…"
"The more you survive pain, the more you get stronger."
end
xxxxxx
(Main office, 1st ward)
Suzuya squad finished up their follow-up meeting with the auction operation.
"Let's call it a day."
Said Suzuya to his squad. They simultaneously answered,
"Yes sir."
As the meeting ended, Abara said to Suzuya,
"Like you sir, I find it disturbing that there's a connection between the clowns and Aogiri overseeing the venue from that night."
"Thanks. The clowns are never to be underestimated. No matter how many times the Bureau squashes them, they come back like roaches."
At that moment, Mutsuki remembered what one of them said to them during said night.
"Investigator Suzuya. There was one thing that I remembered from that night."
"Spill it."
"He told me 'No one's coming for you.'"
This concerned Juuzo, as well as the rest of the squad within earshot.
"They knew about our operation?"
"Possibly if No-Face said that to psych me out."
Replied Mutsuki. At that moment, one of Suzuya's subordinates, Keijin Nakarai, added to the conversation.
"If we can look into the clowns further, maybe we can find out just how far their intelligence-gathering capabilities are."
"Not a bad idea, Kei-chan."
Keijin felt a little elated when Juuzo called him Kei-chan.
"Thank you, sir."
Mutsuki asked Juuzo,
"Can I report to Sensei about what we discussed here?"
"Sure. By the way, Tooru…why do you call Haise 'Sensei'?"
After a brief pause, Mutsuki explained,
"It was about a year before I was chosen for the Quinx operation…"
flashback
Haise stood in front of the class that Mutsuki was a part of. He held a wooden katana in order to teach them about sword techniques.
"He was teaching us about how to properly use a bladed weapon. He told us to call him sensei during the whole lesson."
Mutsuki, at the time, felt a little enamored at Haise.
"I guess it just stuck…"
end
"That's why…"
"Pretty much."
Abara then asked,
"Do you do lectures, Suzuya?"
"I've never been asked."
Keijin slightly admonished Abara for his question.
"Abara, think twice before asking questions like that."
"It's okay, Kei-chan. I wasn't triggered or anything…"
"!...Yes sir."
Juuzo then asked Mutsuki,
"So, where is Haise then?"
"I think he's giving a lecture at the academy right now."
xxxxxx
(GCB Academy, 1st ward)
A few of the students Haise lectured to earlier saw him off.
"Sensei! Have a good one!"
"I'll see you all later."
"Get a girlfriend!"
"Now mind your own business!"
As Haise laughed off the last remark, both Yukio and Harada walked beside him. Yukio remarked,
"You certainly know how to keep their attention in school."
"I'll admit. A lot of these kids have a lot of energy with them."
"True. A lot of them show excellent spirit. Then again, it's to be expected at their age."
"Either way, the way Haise managed to make them respect him…makes me think you should become a teacher."
Haise laughed before saying,
"Right. Imagine me grading papers."
Both he and Yukio laughed. While Harada simply smiled. At that moment, Haise was approached by one of the academy's teachers.
"1st class Yashida…"
They all turned around to see a bald, short man with a slightly disfigured face talking to him.
"Apologies. Senior Class."
"Mr. Tokage?"
Harada asked,
"You know this man?"
"This is Instructor Gomasa Tokage. He's a teacher here before he retired from Investigation work."
"You used to be an Investigator?"
Asked Yukio.
"Yeah…work-related injury force me to retire."
"Apologies."
Said Harada.
"Ahh…don't let it get you down. Just wanted to catch up with one of my former students."
Yukio then says,
"Right. That I remember. Haise went here before going on the field for the Bureau."
Tokage replied,
"That's right. Form what my superior told me, Haise here received enough of a formal education to advance his placement as a Bureau Investigator. After giving him a series of physical tests, I could finally see why."
Haise blushed a little, which Yukio wryly notices.
"Real men don't blush…"
"You should listen to her, Yashida. Anyhow, I bet the kids were too much for you or your fellow teammates?"
"No, they're really great to be around."
Harada added,
"Haise has a way around children. Even some of the anti-social ones warmed up to him."
"Is that a fact? Don't suppose you can switch jobs, would you?"
"We were just talking about that!"
Said Yukio before laughing with Tokage. Harada saw how Haise felt a little uncomfortable.
"It's the little things…"
As soon as he was done laughing, Tokage then says,
"Well some of those anti-social ones are the ones with troubled pasts. A few of them even have criminal records."
That last fact surprised Yukio.
"I had no idea…"
"Yeah…of course a lot of these kids are troubled because of ghouls."
"In other words, a lot of those students are orphans who lost their family to ghouls?"
Asked Harada. Tokage answered,
"Yes they are. Tooru Mutsuki is one of them."
"I figured as such…"
Replied Harada. Tokage asked Haise,
"Speaking of, he's on your team right?"
"Yes, they are."
"Oh…he's one of those 'pronoun' people, am I right?"
"If you mean non-binary, then yes."
Answered Yukio.
"All I know is that he was a handful as well. A little bit more than the usual ones."
"From my experience, they've been hardworking and dedicated. Especially under Investigator Suzuya's guidance."
Replied Haise in a stern voice.
"Suzuya, eh?"
"Absolutely. He's becoming a true Investigator in his own right."
"All right…Well, I won't keep any of you…"
As Tokage left, Yukio asked Haise,
"What kind of Investigator work he did exactly before he retired?"
Haise gave a brief sigh before giving the full story.
"Tokage used to be an interrogator at Cochlea. And he was pretty brutal about it. A lot of the ghouls he tortured were pushed to the point of death. There was only one survivor reported by him, and…well you remember the scars on him?"
Yukio made a winching sound with her mouth as she remembered said scars.
"Because of his appearance and the way he teaches, a lot of the kids aren't that fond of him."
As they walked further close to the entrance of the academy, Haise remembered one last detail he did not say to Harada and Yukio.
"He also cracks his fingers in a way…that brings back bad memories…"
Just as the trio exited the academy, Haise found someone very familiar to him.
"Ito?"
Both Yukio and Harada looked at the direction that Haise spoke at.
"Haise. Done with your lecture?"
"Pretty much. Were you here waiting for me?"
"Well…I figured that we could have that drink we talked about before."
Haise almost hesitated to say that didn't remember making that promise, but he did not want Harada to act negatively on his Great-Grandfather's orders.
"Right…I remember that."
"How about it, then?"
"Sure."
"Haise…"
Said Harada as he tried to stop Haise from going out, but Yukio acted against such an instinct.
"It's…nothing. Have a drink. We'll catch up later."
"…Thanks."
As Haise walked with Kuramoto, he asked Haise,
"What's with them?"
"It's complicated…"
Harada gave a serious stare to Yukio, but she rebuffed by saying,
"There are worse things than alcohol."
"We will discuss it later…"
xxxxxx
(Nighttime)
In a bar in the 1st ward, Haise asked Kuramoto about why Hirako was not on his team.
"Investigator Hirako's been transferred?"
"It was a shock to me as well. I took over as squad leader, and it's been renamed after me."
Kuramoto took a sip of his drink before continuing.
"From what I could tell, he's been scouted by a lot of other squads for recruitment. My promotion may have…played a part."
Kuramoto took another sip.
"In all honesty…I don't think I have what it takes to be squad leader…"
Haise then asked,
"So where was Investigator Hirako transferred to?"
"Arima squad."
Haise took a gulp of his drink as a reaction to his disbelief before saying,
"Seriously?"
"Pretty much. I think that ever since Ui was given a squad command of his own, Arima squad was shorthanded so he was transferred there. No to mention that Hirako is one of the few Investigators that can catch up with the guy. It's been years since they were a team. The Bureau won't stop talking about it. Personally, I don't see what the big deal is."
Kuramoto then took a big gulp of his drink, finishing the cup. Haise felt a little worried for him, something Kuramoto noticed.
"Sorry if I seem like I'm drinking too much…it's the case we're saddled with…truth be told, sometimes i feel like I'm too underqualified for this one…Sorry if I'm acting like a drunk loser."
"Don't be. Sometimes pressure gets to all of us."
As Kuramoto order another drink, Haise thought to himself,
"At least I'm not the only one feeling nervous…but I do hope that if I do my part well, it can help him out of his uncertainty …"
xxxxxx
Haise was in his room at the Yashida estate, looking over his notes on the Rosé case. Or rather, the lack of notes. He had a pair of glasses on him as he thought to himself,
"Ui squad certainly outperforms the X-Force in certain respects…With Investigator Fura a part of his team, I believe that they'll be able to predict where Rosé will strike next…not to mention that I heard that Ui squad will launch a joint Investigation with Kijima squad…feels like they've already beat us to it…"
Haise felt a little headache coming to him.
"What can X-Force do that can get closer to Rosé…?"
At that moment, Haise heard a knock on the door of his room.
"Yes?"
Yukio stood at the door while holding two boxes in brown wrapping paper.
"This came for you."
"So late at night?"
"Guess it was a rush job or something."
Haise received the box from Yukio. Before he closed the door, Yukio asked,
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah…It was just a long day."
"I can imagine. That's why I didn't want Harada to get in the way of you having drinks with one of your workmates."
Haise chuckled a little before replying,
"Thank you for that. How did everyone react?"
"Master Ichiro was understanding. It was…Shingen to had to act like an asshole because…"
"He's one himself."
Replied Haise, which made both of them laugh a little. Yukio then says to him,
"Just don't overexert yourself with this…"
"Got it."
As Haise closed the door, Yukio went to hers. But not before Harada stood behind her.
"You should've done that."
"What? Let him wear himself down?"
"Anything to accelerate the fact that this is just a farce."
"Too fast for me. Besides, you can't deny that we've done a lot with these guys."
"I didn't sign up to be the good guy."
"No…you wanted to be her guy…"
Harada slammed his hand on a nearby wall.
"The sooner this ends…the sooner Mariko comes back to us…"
"She's ashes. Move on already."
"Master Ichiro has a plan for that…"
Harada walked away. Yukio then thought to herself,
"What the fuck is Ichiro been telling her?"
xxxxxx
In his room, Haise opened the boxes. What he found was a mask. The bottom of the mask possessed no covering, but the top had a cowl and two holes for the eyes. The mask seemed and felt very familiar to Haise.
"This mask…why does it feel…"
Haise felt his headache getting worse until it started to fade away. He then opened the second box, which contained a book written by Sen Takatsuki. Thankfully, this garnered no reaction.
"Well that's a relief…"
At that moment, Haise looked for the return address on both boxes. Once he found them, he took picture of their addresses and used the images to search for its point of origin. The GPS app showed the name of the location, which called itself the HySy Mask Art Studio.
"I'm gonna look into this myself…"
Haise carefully navigated through the estate as to avoid the rooms where his Great-grandfather, Yukio and Harada slept. Unfortunately, that meant walking in front of his grandfather's study. Haise certainly had no patience for his usual insults, but no better option presented itself. As he made his way out of the estate, he soon saw the study where his grandfather usually drank so much bourbon that he drank himself to sleep. Haise also saw that the door to the study looked partway open. As he got closer, he soon proved himself correct as the door to the study did not close all the way. He peeked inside to see his grandfather sleeping on his desk. At first, Haise felt relieved that he avoided the worst part of his stealth escape. However, a part of him felt compelled to cover him with his suit on the floor. He quietly entered, picked up the suit and placed it on his back shoulders. Shingen muttered something afterwards, not knowing Haise currently stood behind him.
"Mariko…"
Haise felt a little surprised that Shingen spoke his daughter's name. At first, Haise felt a little close to his grandfather. However, such tenderness was ruined by the next words Shingen muttered.
"You selfish little bitch…"
Haise instantly felt depressed when Shingen said those words.
"Why did I think this time will be any different?"
xxxxxx
Haise successfully left the estate, and called for a taxi when he was about two blocks away from the estate. After calling for a taxi, he waited at the spot until it arrived. As he entered, the cab driver asked,
"Where to?"
Haise showed the cab driver the address on his phone. The cab driver then said,
"Got it."
During the drive, the cab driver asked,
"I remember you from somewhere…"
"Really?"
"Can't pin it down yet…ah well."
The rest of the ride was silent. Soon, Haise made it to his destination. The entrance of the studio possessed a door that looked classical Japanese, but it had a sign that said open. He sees a knocker that he used in lieu of a doorbell. When he opened it, Haise asked,
"Are you open?"
"Come on in…"
Haise went inside, and sees the masks adorning the inside of the studio.
"So many masks…"
He then sees the owner of the studio. He seemed to be about Harada's age while having a gothic sense of fashion; complete with clothes such as a black robe-like sweater, white jeans, and black boots. His hairstyle was a chinese bun while the left side of his hairline seemed shaven off. But the most notable feature he possessed were his eyes. His eyes took the form of a ghoul's kakugan.
"Can I help you with something?"
"Well…I came here about this…"
Haise showed the mask he brought with him. The owner took the mask and examined it.
"…It definitely my craftsmanship. Seems to be a custom order, based on the fact that it's modeled after the mask the Wolverine wears."
"Well, it was delivered to me. Were you the one who sent it to me?"
"…Well, I did send it somewhere…but maybe I must've had the wrong address. It was a gift for an old customer. My apologies."
"I see…there was something else I received."
Haise then showed the book to the owner.
"Did you send this as well?"
"No it wasn't."
"Is see…sorry to have bothered you…"
Before he left, Haise had one more question.
"Before I leave, may I ask?"
"About what?"
"…Your eyes. If you don't mind?"
"…It's a tattoo."
"That's a tattoo?"
"It's a specific type. You inject ink into the whites of your eyes."
"Wow…isn't it painful?"
"They give you a cocktail of pain relievers during the operation. I have to do this every few years because the color fades…"
As Haise took one more look around the shop, he then had an idea.
"You do commissions, right?"
"Absolutely."
This is our stop. Thank you for reading. Thank goodness that this chapter was done before next week started. I have a family vacation for Florida next week, so no writing a new chapter for quite some time. We haven't reached the hiatus point…yet. Please leave a review and/or share this fan-fic with friends. Stay safe, have a unforgettable summer, and catch you later.