And... This is my Workplace

The morning passed by quickly after the events that lead up to breakfast. My personal assistant had come to assist me and in the middle of it, my girlfriend showed up while I was in the shower. A misunderstanding seemed to be quelled, but then some other things happened and now I was a bit worried about Shiori and her family situation. Aside from that, there seemed to be something wrong with Izumi as well. I made a mental note to ask her if she was feeling well a bit later. After getting ready in the house and leaving, it was decided that Shiori would follow along to the Precinct in the City Metro. The walk is made downstairs where the cars were and then the drive was made to the Division 12 headquarters. The building itself would rival that of the corporations in the area, since any building in the City Metro was impressive by stature. I would park in the parking garage that rests to the side of the building. After parking, I would exit and lead the way into the building. I didn’t know if Shiori would be following to my office, or if she knew where she was going. After exiting the car and walking towards the service elevator in the parking garage, I inquire Shiori “is this your first time here? Do you know where you’re going?” 232

“Okay,” I respond to Shiori’s playfulness appreciating it and thinking her cuter for it, but unintentionally contrasting it with my calmness, “but it will have to be dinner.” I didn’t get up until 10:02 a.m. and we spent a couple of hours at my apartment with me getting ready and eating breakfast then the drive to this side of town in lunch time traffic was horrible, so technically it would be past the lunch window. I hoped to have the paper work done by the early evening. “It shouldn’t take longer than a couple hours to get Izumi squared away,” I assure her, “but I’ll text you when I’m ready.” I remember that after I finish with Izumi, I would have the Gamma patrols to supervise and be on call for. Still, I decide to make some time for her in between there since I wouldn’t be getting home until late after the patrol.

Making it to the service elevator, I press the down button since human resources and clerical things were on the lower floors. The officer offices would be a bit higher up. The office front for Division 12 would be just like any normal police precinct since much of the training and R&D occurred in hidden or restricted access areas about the Metro. I wait for the elevator to come down and glance towards Izumi who seemed a bit spaced out. I lift a hand and wave it in front of me to see if her eyes would follow it. There is a ding and I look up to notice the elevator was here. The doors slide open and in being a gentlemen, I allow the ladies to get on first, unless Shiori was heading upstairs. 289

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“Um…” my attention is on Izumi’s reaction to the nose touch. There is an awkward moment where I wonder if she were an assassin of some type who’s been shell shocked one too many times. She seems to snap out of it and fix herself while explaining that she was a bit out of it. I could tell. I continue to hold the door as I turn my attention to and speak to Shiori, since she would be going upstairs now and we would be parting.

There is a bit of a pause as I remember her explaining that she was going to see an old man named Mac. I can only assume that she is speaking about McGrady. She quickly says that it’s to have tea with him and I frown lightly. “You will have to page him at the fifth floor lobby,” I inform in a cold tone in referencing the man, “but unless he’s expecting you, he’s probably in a car somewhere in the slums asleep.” I lean forward and kiss Shiori on the cheek and then step back into the elevator saying, “try not to get too close to that man.” There wasn’t a particular reason I didn’t like him; he just rubbed me the wrong way, and I felt he did it on purpose to tease me. 222

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I frump at the command from Shiori for me to be nice to the old man. The she waves and walks off and I allow the elevator doors to close stepping back and leaning standing with my back inches from the back of the elevator thanking Izumi for keeping it open. My gaze is up to the area above the elevator door. From the corner of my eye, I look at my assistant who seemed to be brooding about something up until now. Speaking I attempt to alleviate her stress as I inform, “the paperwork process should go by quickly. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about.” Hoping that a compliment would lift her spirits, I attempt, “breakfast hit the spot this morning.” Girls like compliments, right? 127

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“One,” I answer. At the parking garage, we had parked half on the third floor, so we only had to go down two floors in order to get to the lobby. Something was definitely off with her. She didn’t seem her cheerful self. I didn’t think anything was said that would have her in low spirits. There was that thing between her and Shiori, but Shiori seemed happy enough. It was odd for her to take stance all of a sudden, however. I figure that Izumi might have been embarrassed by what happened, but unfortunately I wasn’t good with words to attempt to make her feel better. In order to rule out the possibility that she wasn’t feeling well, I simply inquire, “are you feeling okay? Is something the matter?” 130

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