2008, April 5; 11:00 AM

[Miss Miyako, we’d like you to attend this bi-annual meeting of each Division Head. It is quite unfortunate to inform you that your attendance is mandatory.]

Shiro stepped into the conference room, his gaze drifting over the curtain wall that filled the space with warm natural light. Around the long table, a few familiar faces glanced up as he entered, with only two chairs left vacant—one for him and another for someone he couldn’t quite be bothered to place.

He slid into his seat, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it casually.

"You do know you can’t smoke in here, right?" a voice chimed in from across the table.

"Pssh, let the old guy smoke. He’ll be dead next year anyway," sneered Riku, seated next to him with a smirk.

"Quiet, Riku," someone else muttered, but Riku just leaned in closer, giving Shiro a hard pat on the back, knocking the cigarette from his mouth. Shiro shot him an irritated glare, jaw clenched.

On the wall across from them, a large screen flickered to life, displaying the B.S.A. Board of Directors on an audio call. A series of voices began to speak in measured tones.

"We’ve heard quite a bit about the Divisions these past six months."

"There are rumors in the air we aim to clarify."

"But first, let’s start with attendance."

A director began to read names, each person at the table lifting a hand as they were called. "Captain Takeda Riku." Riku lifted a hand, looking smug. "Captain Shiro Sasaki." Shiro nodded, clearly unamused. "Captain Tsukishiro Ayaka," a woman at the far end of the table raised her hand, cool and poised. "Captain Sakuraba Rei." Rei, who had been observing silently, gave a sharp nod. "Doctor Mizuno Hana," the one who’d called out Shiro earlier, raised her hand politely.

"And finally—" a Director started, only to be cut off.

"Don’t bother, she’s not here," Rei interjected, adjusting her glasses.

"Unfortunate," one of the Directors murmured. Silence thickened the air, heavy as the glances exchanged across the table. The hum of the air conditioning filled the room, the only sound breaking the quiet.

The Board resumed, their voices calm but unyielding.

"We’ll get right to it now. Captain Takeda Riku, Division 1. Pros, skilled; cons, your attitude—"

"Is shit," another Director finished bluntly.

Riku rolled his eyes, muttering, "What else is new?"

"Captain Shiro Sasaki, Division 2. Pros, experienced; cons, your recent work ethic—"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Also shit," a voice chimed in, earning Shiro a few pitying glances. "You're past your due date, Sasaki."

"Don’t get me started on Division 3, Captain Tsukishiro Ayaka. Pros: smart, calculating, level-headed. Cons—"

"Soft and weak," one of the Directors interjected sharply. "If a prisoner escapes on your watch, it’s our problem. Get it together."

They moved on, the tension in the room almost visible.

"And finally—”

"Let me guess—me?" Rei said dryly.

"You," a Director replied. "Frankly, I don’t like you."

"Doesn’t sound like my problem," Rei responded with a sharp edge, ready to reveal a little more than she probably should, "does it, Director A—"

Before she could finish, the conference room door swung open.

"Sorry I’m late," a voice cut in from the doorway. Miyako stood there, her overcoat draped casually over her shoulder.

"Took you long enough," Riku muttered, though a few around the table looked more relieved than irritated.

Miyako casually walked into the conference room, her steps measured and confident, as the Board of Directors immediately erupted into a flurry of questions. "What took you so long?" one barked. "Where have you been?" another added, clearly annoyed by her tardiness.

Without a hint of urgency in her demeanour, Miyako walked to her seat, her eyes sweeping over the room as she assessed the tension in the air. The whispers died down as she settled into her chair, resting her folded coat on the back of it. After a brief moment of silence, she spoke.

"I stopped to get ramen."

The room fell into an uneasy quiet, the Board members immediately ceasing their murmurs. Miyako didn’t break eye contact with any of them, her presence commanding and calm, like she had all the time in the world.

One of the Directors, his voice laced with frustration, finally broke the stillness. "Do you not know of respect?"

Another added, "We understand you are important, but do you really think the Bureau is relying on you alone?"

Miyako's gaze was sharp, and when she spoke, her voice carried an edge of quiet authority. "No, but I know you are."

Her response left the room feeling colder, the Directors momentarily thrown off by her bluntness. They exchanged glances as if trying to process the challenge, but Miyako wasn’t finished.

"Defend your argument," she continued, her eyes now narrowing slightly as she looked down the table.

One of the Directors, caught off guard, hesitated before replying, "Well-"

Miyako didn’t let him finish. "Of the nearly 22 Operations the Board directly assigned, how many of which I offered to oversee and cover for?"

The Director faltered, his tone showing signs of frustration, but he remained silent. Miyako pressed on.

"And tell me," she said coolly, "how much would the B.S.A. have to pay in terms of damage and manpower if I hadn't intervened in the Justice Incident?"

The question hung in the air like a weight, and the room fell into complete silence. The Directors, who were so quick to question her moments ago, now had nothing to say. Miyako had not only countered their criticism but had also laid bare her influence and value within the Bureau.

"Now," she said, her tone shifting, "let us proceed with a more... objective view, shall we?"

Her eyes briefly scanned the room as the Division heads exchanged subtle glances. One by one, they nodded in silent agreement, seemingly acknowledging the quiet power she held over the situation.

"Lovely," Miyako said, her lips curving into a faint smile as she gave a small clap, signalling the next phase of the meeting.

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