harmonize_rpg | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Sekimiya and Mirai.
Where: Counselor's Office, Medical Building.
When: Thursday, April 20th.
What: Calling in.

Mirai stood outside the room, looking at the art print perfectly aligned on the wall. Then he approached the picture, tilting it to the right first, and then lifting it a little up on the wall. He had moved it only a little, hardly noticeable. This pleased him. He stood there admiring it at every angle he could think of, and towards the office made no move of any kind.

He kept his arms folded and tapped his foot. It was both boring and nerve-inducing. The receptionist who had directed him to wait was mousy and utterly forgettable, but the suspicion he was here for a private talk was the opposite of that - it was unsettling, not to mention conspiratorial. Had anybody else been called?

His head turned and he stared hard at the door, but still it would not open. Annoying! But what did he care? He went back to admiring his work.

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"As expected." But Sekimiya moved on--perhaps she'd satisfied herself? She seemed self-satisfied, to be sure, but there'd been a faint hint of that ever since the meeting had begun.

"You are aware, I hope, that doing your job poorly is worse than not doing it at all. You could put your classmates' lives in danger."

"... Hmmm? Can you explain, sensei? I feel confused. What job is this? Nobody's given me a specific briefing."

The banter was flowing quite quickly. Mirai finished his with a word of army terminology that made it quite clear what his thoughts on the issues were, but then he waited till the moment Sekimiya was almost going to speak and chose his moment to speak.

"Please relax. I'm not going to do anything bad. It's a matter of my own pride that they're safe and sound."

His smile was beaming quite brightly. He had no intention of hurting anyone. Or at any rate, he wouldn't hurt them as badly as he could. He would rather aim that at a few certain people alone.

"We won't know your precise role until we've seen your Persona in action, of course. But like it or not, you all have a responsibility to protect each other, as we have a responsibility to protect you. If you slack off in a dangerous situation, regardless of your intention, lives might be at risk. Of course, I'm sure they don't all matter to you, but no doubt at least some do."

She was smiling faintly as well, but her eyes were watching him, sharp as a hawk's. "But I'm sure someone as clever as you can find other ways to fight your fate."

Mirai was annoyed at this assumption of his feelings. But hiding them had given him a good experience of putting on a smile. He had even learned how to still the corners of his mouth so that his emotions would not slip. He leisurely stretched out his left leg and, very slowly, circled his ankle. The slightest mention of fate had put stress into his head and he wanted it out of him.

"... Yeah." He stared at her for a while. "How about indulging me for a second, Sekimiya-sensei? You told me that you're well acquainted with my father, right?"

He had been keeping a wary eye on her. Now he watched her fully, not just her face but her body and how she was acting. He wanted to know how they had met and what they talked about. Any lie could tip him off.

This time, Sekimiya allowed the change of conversational topic. "That's correct. After all, he's part of the project, so it's only natural," she added just a bit too airily.

Mirai thought about this for some time. He was not so young that he could not tell she was - in his opinion - hiding more. He found himself wanting to know more. And the subject of what his father hid from him was genuinely interesting.

"I guess it's something to do with his job, right? That would make the greatest sense." He narrowed his eyes but smiled as he spoke. "Hey, Sekimiya-sensei? How about telling me how long he's been part of it?"

"Quite some time. Nearly from its inception, if I recall correctly. Though of course his involvement hasn't been constant--he does have other obligations, after all."

And that was all she was going to offer on that point, it seemed. The way she leaned back was expectant, awaiting further questions.

Mirai didn't think he would get more than that. He unclenched his hands and smoothed his trousers down to his knees.

"Well then, you don't need to know anything else, right? I may go?"

He had places to go, people to do, things to see.

"Of course." She stood up smoothly to see him out. "Do feel free to come by anytime, won't you? Even if it's just to chat, my door is always open."

Mirai stood up and bowed, and went to the door quietly. He wished he could be certain that was the last of it. He turned his head to look at her before he left. "Thanks," he said. Then he was gone.

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