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"A civil servant position with full benefits, medical coverage, and a housing fund? If it were me, I'd definitely sign up."
Kenji nodded as he spoke. In truth, he had joined the Public Security Bureau precisely because he valued the stability of a government job. Otherwise, with his abilities, he could have played the mercenary game with any number of organizations, drifting in and out of Hollows as a freelancer.
"Pfft, it's not that simple," Qingyi said, unable to stifle a laugh. "You have to realize that the big players from the Hollow Investigation Bureau start their recruitment offers by throwing tens of millions of Dennies at people. Do you still think the PSB's benefits package is that competitive?"
She pointed out that while the PSB was the gold standard for ordinary citizens, its draw for those with "unique" talents was relatively low. If the wealthy Hollow Investigation Bureau found out there was a combatant of that caliber available for recruitment, they would unleash a flood of resources that no ordinary department could match.
"That... well, that depends on the work atmosphere," Kenji argued. He had to admit the thought of tens of millions of Dennies was tempting, but then he considered his current life. He had a bike, a roof over his head, and no family to support. Becoming a multimillionaire seemed hollow if he was just going to be another corporate asset. Besides, did the Hollow Investigation Bureau have a beautiful superior who would peel apples for him? Highly unlikely. "Personally, I find working under Officer Zhu Yuan to be an excellent experience."
"Here."
Zhu Yuan had finished peeling the apple. She sliced it into perfect, uniform pieces, arranged them on a small plate, and handed it to Kenji.
Kenji felt truly flattered. Although he knew Zhu Yuan's actions were born of professional courtesy and a genuine care for her team, it didn't stop his mind from wandering into dangerous territory. Our first child will be named Kenji Jr., he decided internally, already half-convinced by the domesticity of the moment.
"Kenji, do you not have any family in the city?" Qingyi asked suddenly.
She had noticed that throughout his stay in the hospital, there hadn't been a single visitor or phone call. Coupled with his earlier crack about a "survivor's pension," the realization was starting to sink in.
"No, I'm actually an orphan," Kenji said calmly. Whether in his past life or this one, he had always walked a solitary path. It was a reality he had accepted long ago.
"Then you should take even better care of yourself," Zhu Yuan said, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. She had both parents, though her demanding schedule meant she rarely saw them. It pained her to think that Kenji, at his age, had no one waiting for him to come home. No wonder he was so willing to throw himself into the vanguard.
"Wait, 'younger'? Aren't we the same age?" Kenji asked. He wasn't particularly bothered by his lack of relatives, but he was very concerned about the age gap. He had operated under the assumption that they were peers.
"I'm twenty-four," Zhu Yuan said with a small smile. "That makes me a year older than you."
She still remembered his overly-confident self-introduction from the interview where he had proudly stated his age.
"I really thought we were the same age... Big Sister Zhu Yuan," Kenji teased. A one-year difference meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, but he couldn't resist the opportunity to poke a bit of fun at her. Her protective nature truly did feel like that of an older sister.
"Don't call me that. It's weird," Zhu Yuan replied, though her lips curved into a slight smile. She had already told him he could use her name in private, but now the kid was getting "overly familiar." She wasn't looking for a younger brother.
After chatting for a while, Kenji finished the discharge paperwork. His "Legendary Tank" stats had pulled through once again; the bruises were already fading, and there was no sense in wasting a hospital bed. Zhu Yuan and Qingyi walked him to the exit to say their goodbyes.
As Zhu Yuan climbed into her private car and moved to pull away, she saw Kenji tapping on her window.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, rolling down the glass.
"My bike is still back at the Bureau parking lot," Kenji said, looking a bit embarrassed. "The hospital is a long walk from Sixth Street. Since you're heading that way, do you think I could hitch a ride?"
"Get in. It's on the way," Zhu Yuan readily agreed. It was a simple request from a junior, and she genuinely enjoyed his company.
"Do you live alone, Zhu Yuan?" Kenji asked as they pulled into traffic. He lived on Sixth Street, one of the many hubs that made up the sprawling New Eridu grid.
"I do. I have a small place near the Bureau," she nodded. "My parents live further out in the suburbs, so I only see them occasionally when the caseload is light."
She realized she was revealing quite a bit about her personal life, but Kenji was part of her squad now. There was no reason to be guarded.
"If I can say something a bit... out of turn," Kenji hesitated, then decided to go for it. "You should be careful out there. Unlike me, you actually have people waiting for you. Don't take too many risks."
It was a sentiment that crossed the line from subordinate to friend, and for a second, the car was silent.
"That's not out of turn at all," Zhu Yuan said softly, giving him a kind smile. "You're concerned about me, just as I'm concerned about you. I know when to push and when to retreat, Kenji. You don't have to worry."
"I mean it, Zhu Yuan," Kenji said, his voice dropping into a rare moment of absolute sincerity. "I will protect you."
"Alright, alright," she chuckled, nodding along. "That is the duty of a heavy combatant, after all."
She took it as the bravado of a hot-blooded junior, but Kenji meant it. When he was standing on that battlefield as a Rider, he would make sure she never had to face a threat alone.
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