Tae Takemi took a sip of her coffee. It had grown cold about an hour ago, but she didn't care to waste it. Freshly brewed at Leblanc, she knew that even cold, it was better than whatever instant she could cook up.

The clock softly ticked along the wall as she flipped through the pages of a medical publication. 'Histotripsy: A new Cancer Cure?' was the title, an interesting if dry read about the usage of soundwaves to eliminate cancerous growths. No incisions, no medicines, no scar tissue, and no radiation.

"Neat." She muttered as she flipped the page. Glancing up, she noticed that it was ten minutes till closing time. Plenty of time to kick back and relax as the smooth jazz played through the radio, overriding the sound of the small box tv that hung in the corner of the waiting room. Lifting a spoonful of curry to her lips, she let out a soft groan at the taste of the blissful beef and buttery rice. Sojiro may have been a bit of a sketchy old man, but Tae would admit that he could whip up some good food.

"And on tonight's news, a confession by the CEO of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Mr. Haruki Yanagita, has spread across the nation like wildfire." Tae listened in as the news came on over the radio. "A Little over an hour ago, Mr. Haruki went on live television, confessing to multiple instances of healthcare fraud, along with covering up dozens of instances of modifying medical records, drug diversion, and issuing counterfeit medications to people in need. With such deeply criminal acts, it's a wonder he'd even confess! But his sudden change of heart has been, if the rumors are be believed, caused by the Phantom Thief that has been making the rounds again. If that's the case, then hat's off to you, Phantom Thief. You're doing good work."

A small smile spread across her face. Some big pharma crook getting what was coming to him? Could her day get any better? No, she didn't think it could. As the clock finally reached eight, she stood up from her chair and made her way towards the door.

"Hello?" The front door opened a little as a head with a curly mop of black hair peeked through. "Are you still open?"

There was a temptation to tell him that she was closed, but she saw splotchy bruises on his forehead and cheeks and had to hold back a wince. She wouldn't turn someone down who looked like they got knocked around by a couple guys. Considering the teen was the delinquent that Sojiro took in, he probably had been.

"No, you came just in time." Tae said, moving out of the way as he shuffled inside. The first thing she noticed was just how tall he was. If it wasn't for the five inch heels she wore, he'd have towered over her.

The second was that…well, he looked barely anything like a delinquent. In his school uniform, Tae might have been able to imagine it. But in a black turtleneck, black pants, and black dress shoes with a white cross dangling from his neck, he looked like one of those annoying Christians that hung around the Kanda Catholic Church.

And was that a Bible in his hand? Seriously? Did he pray not to get jumped or…Tae stopped that train of thought. Maybe she was being a little too harsh on the delinquent.

"Thank you." The teen said. "There weren't many places open nearby, and I don't want my guardian to worry about me anymore than he has to."

"Uh huh." Tae kept her mirth down. Sojiro? Worry about this kid? He may worry about his adopted daughter, but the delinquent? She'd be surprised if he'd even noticed the brat vanish. "You look like you got jumped."

"I…may have run into some tough customers." He rubbed the back of his head, letting off a little wince as his fingers probably hit a bruise. Hopefully. She really didn't need him to pass out from a concussion or a brain injury. "But I gave as good as I got!"

"Yeah, I can tell." Tae said. "Well, what do you need? I don't run a charity, but I can get you some Aspirin to help with the swelling, or some Tylenol if you're more worried about the pain. Both would be better, though you'd need to take them eight hours after each other or you risk kidney damage. Arnica gels should help with the bruising and…you don't really know what I'm talking about, do you?"

"…I got the Aspirin and Tylenol part, but what's Arnica gel?" The teen asked. "And how much money is that going to cost? Not that I can't pay for it, but it's good to be aware of how much money I'm spending. After all, precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them." He paused for a moment as she looked at him like he'd grown a second head. "Proverbs 21:20."

Tae wondered if perhaps there was something in the curry she ate, because she couldn't possibly believe this brat really existed. But she blinked, then blinked again, and he was still there.

Lovely.

Tae wondered if she should make a cup of instant coffee to tie her over, but she thew that idea in the trashbin. That would take more time, and what came between her and her laz-y-boy back at her apartment needed to be over and done with as soon as possible.

"My name is Akira Kurusu by the way." The brat said. "What's yours?"

"Tae Takemi." She replied. "Follow me into the back, and I'll get you fixed up."

xXx

"Gah!" Akira flinched as she padded his back with a cloth ball dripping with isopropyl alcohol. After the brat had taken his shirt off in the exam room, Tae noticed that he was more banged up than she thought. A couple cuts on his back, a laceration on his right arm, and even more bruises. Did he decide to fist fight a bear or something? "Gah!"

"Stop squirming. It'll only burn for a moment." Dipping her cloth into the brown bottle again, she watched as the cuts bubbled as they were cleansed. Tossing the cotton ball into the trashcan, she grabbed some bag balm from her cabinet, popped the tin lid off, and lathered his cuts with the sticky yellow substance. After giving him a generous amount, she took her gloves off and threw them away, before grabbing the balm and putting it in his hands. "Take this and apply it everyday before you go to sleep. It should help your cuts heal."

"Thank you!" Akira rubbed the back of his head. "I really should have been more careful, but y'know how it is." She heard him mutter something beneath his breath about "grabbing more beads". What did beads have to do with anything? Did he think some rosary bracelet would save him?

"No, I've never had the lovely experience of being jumped." Tae said dryly. "But I'll take your word for it."

"Really?" Akira looked at her as if she'd grown a second head. "I'd have thought with the whole punk appearance that you have going on that you would have gotten into a few scraps."

Tae shook her head. "I was a straight A student all throughout Highschool and into College. Didn't really have time to waste getting into fights when I the only thing I was hitting was the books. How about you? You doing good in school?"

Probably not, judging by the way he looked, but it was only polite to ask.

"Oh yes! Shujin is proving to be a wonderful experience, even after the whole Kamoshida scandal." Akira grinned. "I've even managed to start a Bible Study Club! We meet on Friday afternoons and, if they accept my invitation, we'll also meet after the Sunday sermons at the Kanda Catholic Church!"

"Sounds lovely." Tae drawled but Akira didn't seem to notice.

"Isn't it?" Akira replied. "We're only at five students right now, but we're slowly growing! And even if you can't join our club, you can always join us at the Sunday sermon too! We'd love to have you!"

"I'm busy." Tae hoped he'd take the hint.

"They've Wednesday prayer meetings too!" Akira replied. "And, I mean, you looked kind of lonely when I walked in-"

"I'm busy on Wednesday's too." She made a show of looking at her phone. "And would you look at the time. It's getting a little late, so we'll talk about how you'll pay me back and-"

"With cash." Pulling his wallet from his pants, Tae's eyes bulged as she saw how stuff the leather wallet was. How did he get all that money?! Was he some sort of drug dealer?! Was that why he was all beat up?! So in shock, she barely noticed as he placed a thick wad of yen in her hands. "And a little tip for putting up with me. It means a lot to me that you stuck with me, even so long after closing time."

"…Don't mention it." Tae quickly pocketed the cash. Sojiro would be seeing her again tomorrow, and she would order as much curry as she wanted.

"Oh, and I almost forgot!" He pulled a pocket bible from his pocket, and placed it into her right hand. "That's for you. Money shouldn't be the only thing you enrich yourself with, as the Written Word is just as important. After all, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4."

"Thanks." Tae's patience was wearing thin. "Now, please head home. I've got to lock this place down, and it's already late."

"Ah, sorry about that!" Akira stood up from the examination table, stretching his back as several small pops rang out through the room. "I'll see you later doc! And thanks for the help, you're a real lifesaver! I'll make sure to pray for you at the next Prayer Meeting!"

She followed him, watching him leave the room and head out the entrance. Glancing down at the pocket bible, there was a heavy temptation to throw the little book into the trash…but if that brat came back later, he'd see it and he'd probably give her some lecture.

"Ugh." Sliding it into her coat pocket, Tae locked up the clinic and began her nightly trek back to her apartment.

Tae didn't believe in God, but she prayed that it would be a long time until she saw Akira Kurusu again.

AN: A redo of my previous fic, this one'll feature some fun stepfordization, and obviously Christian Trad-Wife-ication! Hope y'all enjoy it, and be blessed with the awesome power of YHVH! 'Hint Hint'.

This will be slow burn of course, but there will be plenty of spiciness to come along later, so I hope you enjoy it!