Half an hour later, Akira knocked on Akuto's door.
Then she realised she had a key, fished it out, let herself in.
For some reason her ears were burning.
A strange feeling squirmed in her chest.
Inside, she found Akuto hugging a controller, surrounded by crumpled bags and empty cans.
"You good-for-nothing NEET!"
She tossed her bag aside, grabbed the waste-basket and started collecting trash.
After wiping the coffee-table she finally handed him the appointment letter. "My father asked me to tell you…"
"Don't feel bad—CCG rewards merit. Even if some people resent you, you'll rise fast."
"This is only temporary."
With that her ears flamed scarlet; she sneaked a glance at him.
When Akuto saw [ Second Class Investigator ] his expression didn't flicker.
If anything, amusement glinted in his eyes.
"You… you're not angry?"
"Why would I be?"
The question crashed her brain; she stammered, "Don't you think the Higher-Ups are humiliating you?"
He snorted, kept playing, and said flatly, "If even you can spot the insult, how could it rile me?"
Akira nodded—then froze.
"What do you mean 'even I'? Are you insulting me?"
"Stop playing!"
She lunged for the controller; he dodged, pushed her away with his foot.
They froze in a stalemate.
"Explain yourself!"
"Jeez, I just joined and already workplace bullying?"
"So telling the truth is a crime in CCG?"
Her face darkened; she bared white teeth in a chilly smile.
"Then let me bully you properly."
"Agh!!"
Agony shot through his calf—Akira had sunk her teeth into it.
After the scuffle she stood to leave.
She'd only wanted to check he truly didn't care.
Seeing he was fine, she wouldn't stay. "Report tomorrow. I'm off."
—
Next morning.
"As expected—still asleep." She'd come early, certain he'd oversleep.
"Up."
She yanked the curtains open; the glare made him want to punch the sun.
"Quit it—doesn't it say three days…?" He rolled over.
"Three days is just talk. You report today. Get up."
Still no sign of movement, so she marched to the bathroom, filled a basin—and up-ended it.
At that instant Akuto raised a hand.
The water drenched Akira instead.
"Ahh!!"
Half an hour later.
Akuto watched the dryer tumble, resigned.
Akira wore his clothes again, sat on the sofa glaring at the TV.
Her eyes accused him every few seconds.
"Now I'll be late too."
"Two years on the job, never once late."
"Relax, we won't be." He yawned, headed to brush.
"You've never seen Tokyo rush hour; driving to HQ takes two hours now."
"Oh right, you're a NEET." She couldn't resist the jab.
Expecting a comeback, she only saw him grin, toothbrush flashing.
The white gleam set her on edge.
Soon he was done; her clothes were dry.
"So? How exactly won't we be late?"
She slipped into her heels, instantly the picture of poise.
"You'll see."
He grinned, scooped her up, and leapt through the window.
They were on the ninth floor!
Akira froze, limp in his arm.
"Nue." He signed; a huge bird shot up from below.
It caught them mid-air and soared.
Only when they pierced the clouds did she blink, staring at the cotton-candy sea beneath.
"So pretty…"
Wind roared past.
Through breaks in the clouds the city's towers glinted.
Her first time seeing it like this.
First time flying at all.
"Mr. Akuto…"
Her voice turned syrupy.
"Hm?"
He sat cross-legged on Nue's back, chin in hand, missing the murder in her eyes.
"So this is your new shikigami?"
"Tch, please."
"Child's play for me."
"Idiot—die!"
Without warning she kicked him off the bird.
She tasted sweet revenge—then panicked as he plummeted.
"Hey stupid bird! Your master fell—go catch him!"
Nue didn't even turn, just glided.
Akira lay at the edge, frantic: "He'll go splat—dive, you moron!"
"Oi, anything interesting down there?"
His teasing voice tickled her ear; she felt his breath.
"Die-die-die!!"
Flushing scarlet, she flailed at him in a frenzy.
"You rotten jerk…"
He dodged every swing; she panted,
"Last time you made me ride that wolf home—I nearly died of fright!"
Can't roast this one.
Absolutely true.
He smirked, guiding Nue downward.
When a bird with a ten-metre wingspan landed on CCG's roof, Investigators nearly triggered emergency defences.
Akira jumped off; behind her came Kuroiwa Iwao, Shinohara Yukinori, Yasuha Kiyoko and Mado Kureo, all holding quinque.
Both sides froze, shock mirrored in their eyes.
"Mr. Akuto, quite an entrance,"
Mado Kureo cackled, eyes different sizes.
"So you're the rookie—welcome, Akuto-kun."
Shinohara smiled and shook his hand.
"Amazing… can I learn that?"
Kuroiwa stared up, pressure crushing down on him.