2008, March 18; 1:32 PM
[Aiko, spending all your time sleeping won't get you a promotion, y’know? Anyways, Miss Miyako is calling for you at the office, and I personally would not wanna upset her. Toodles! Beep.]
…
“Right…Right…I’m up…” Aiko mutters, barely rolling out of bed. The sky outside is a dull grey, reflecting his mood. After a quick shower, he dresses in the standard-issue B.S.A. suit and heads out, the overcast sky blending seamlessly with the Tokyo skyline.
His nerves build as he approaches the B.S.A. Tokyo Branch. Why would Miyako summon him? His mind spirals with possibilities, each one worse than the last. After a tense elevator ride to the tenth floor, he finds himself at her door. He takes a breath and knocks.
“Come in.” Miyako’s voice is calm, but it sends a chill through him. He steps in, finding her seated, shuffling through papers. Her office is much larger than his apartment, filled with warm light that seems to contrast the day outside.
“Miss Miyako,” he says, bowing slightly, trying to hide the anxiety gnawing at him.
“Aiko,” she replies, her smile as unreadable as ever. For a moment, he considers reading into it but decides against it. “Why did you call me here, Miss Miyako?” he asks, cutting straight to the point.
Miyako raises an eyebrow. “I’ve been thinking. Division 3 hasn’t been the best fit for you lately, has it? How would you feel about moving to a different squad?” She gestures toward a chair, and Aiko sits, trying to process her words.
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“A different squad?” he repeats, his brow furrowing.
Miyako nods. “Yes. I’ve been keeping an eye on you, ever since Kyoto last year. Quite the sole survivor story, isn’t it?”
Aiko shifts uncomfortably in his seat, unsure how to respond. “I... I guess.”
She pulls out a folder from her desk and slides it toward him. “I’ve received permission from the Board to form a new division. And I’m considering you to be its senior. I assume you’re capable, right?”
Aiko’s eyes widen. “Me…?” His mind reels—of all the things he expected, this wasn’t one of them. “You’re sure?”
Miyako’s eyes meet his, sharp and direct. “Yes. I don’t make offers lightly, Aiko. I believe you’re the right fit. So, what do you say?”
There’s a brief pause as Aiko considers the weight of her words. “I—Yes. Of course,” he stammers, nodding quickly. “I’ll do it.”
Miyako smiles, this time more genuine. “Good. Read through that folder; it contains details about a possible squad member. You can leave when you’re ready.”
Aiko stands, bowing deeply. “Thank you, Miss Miyako,” he says, his heart racing as he steps out of the room, the weight of the opportunity settling in.
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2008, March 16; 9:32 PM
[Miyako, you said you found someone? Good. We found something the Board wants you to head towards immediately. We deem it suitable for this squad you plan on building.]
…
“Is that so?” Miyako says before hanging up the call and leaning on the rooftop rails. She looks at her flip phone and sees that the Board sent her a message containing an address. She looks out to the night skyline of Tokyo; the buildings light up the throbbing black skies. She thinks briefly before heading back inside the B.S.A. Headquarters to prepare for departure.
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