Doctor? Doctor who? Doctor Sekimiya, that's who.

[acidhexagon]

Who: Minoru, Sekimiya
Where: Counselor office
What: Counseling
When: Tuesday, early morning.



Suzuki Minoru was a strange young man, or a moral example for all of Japan's youth to follow. By dawnbreak he had already done morning exercises, showered, secretly recited an oath of loyalty to the state, and made sure that his clothes were impeccable.

He was at the counselor's office right at the very first hour, before anyone else arrived. This was his idea, apparently, of a good start for his Golden Week's Tuesday.

Comments

[harmonizenpc]

This being Golden Week, Chitoku was operating with a smaller staff than usual, so there was no receptionist to greet Minoru -- but there was a convenient video intercom buzzer.

[acidhexagon]

He pressed the button and waited for the camera to boot up. With a slight bow, just small enough his head wouldn't fall out of camera range, he introduced himself, "Good morning. Sekimiya-sensei? Suzuki Minoru. Would it be alright for you go have me this morning?"

[harmonizenpc]

Sekimiya couldn't quite keep the surprise out of her voice, but to her credit, there was only a hint of it when she replied.

"Suzuki-kun? Of course. Please, go ahead to the back. Your ID will let you in."

[acidhexagon]

"Thank you kindly, sensei."

After that the camera went off, if briefly followed by the blip of a little light on the intercom indicating a door had opened for a moment. A while later Minoru made way to her office proper, knowing on the door. "Sensei?" he asked, his voice almost timid.

[harmonizenpc]

There was silence for several seconds after Minoru had knocked on the door--a heavy wooden thing that seemed quite soundproof--before it opened, though the person who had opened it was a few inches below Minoru's line of sight.

Once he looked down, he'd find (if he'd noticed her the first time around) that it was the small woman from the meeting, still impeccably dressed and looking up at him with eyebrows slightly arched.

"Come in, sit down." She backed away slightly to let him into the office, and waved toward the available chairs.

[acidhexagon]

He followed along... a small smile on his face upon recognition, but that was it. He waited until she sat before taking his seat, doing so with ramrod posture: perfectly straight, hands folded on his lap.

Then, abruptly, he spoke up. "I thought it would be good to seek some guidance given my role, sensei. All to serve my country better."

[harmonizenpc]

"Of course. I admire your dedication, Suzuki-kun. I'm sure most of your classmates are out enjoying their time off."

Sekimiya had taken a seat in her own chair -- same as the others, just positioned nearer to her desk -- and was now regarding Minoru with a blend of admiration and curiosity.

"Is there anything specific you're after? 'Guidance' is very broad."

[acidhexagon]

"Time spent in anything but our betterment for the nation is time wasted. I judge them for it," Minoru replied... and then, if at all possible, he seemed abashed. "Not to be irreverent, but if I were to point out what I need guidance with... it would be this, precisely."

He paused, if only to let the words settle and not prattle on too quickly. "I have been tasked with observing my classmates, but I have some... difficulty, I suppose, socializing. You see, I understand not everyone knows or accepts their role, and... in my experience, I know I cause friction by being the way I am."

[harmonizenpc]

"Yes, I see your difficulty." Sekimiya tapped a nail against her teeth thoughtfully. "In a more typical situation, I wouldn't for see many issues, but we have the ill fortune to be saddled with a very willful group. Some subtlety will be needed. Of course, you should still strive to set a good example, but a little less outward rigidity would serve you well here."

[acidhexagon]

"I'm a bit worried I will sound dishonest to them. Hm. Dishonest isn't the word? Uh, I think... unauthentic?" he said, thoughtfully. "I just... don't understand the way they think."

He eyed Sekimiya, and then, abruptly... laughed. Not like a bombastic guffaw, but a small, relieved giggle.

"I, I'm so happy to finally talk to someone who understands!" he exclaimed. "I've been faced with everyone telling me I'm wrong, for so long. And when things changed for the better, I still... I still didn't know who to talk with."

[harmonizenpc]

Sekimiya responded to the laugh with a smile of her own. "Certainly, it takes a certain type of person to appreciate loyalty like yours. And they're few and far between at your age, more's the pity. It'll be easier as you get older.

"But for now, I'd advise you that less is more. If you try to act like them, it will ring false, just as you said. Don't volunteer anything, keep your ears open, and try to resist showing your disapproval, no matter how justified. Remember: it's for a greater cause. Trust is the most important thing for now."

[acidhexagon]

"I sure hope it gets easier," he replied, glee still in his voice as he added, without missing a beat: "I would hope that they have been fixed by the time we're older. Or taken care of. But in any case, thanks, sensei. That is advice I will follow."