synergetic | (no subject)

(no subject)

There are only so many hours you can stare at a steering wheel and hope it'll tell you something. Drinking might lengthen the duration, but the fact remains.

What started as a pretense to not see Asuka until he was sure he was fine (and a shaky one at that) was fast becoming a long slog of a time-waster. Not that lack of productivity usually bothered him, but this was less that, more denial.

There was more fear.

Not a novel concept for his job, but definitely in the sense that he wasn't used to feeling it. Understanding it, perhaps distracting from it or mocking it, but not feeling it.

Youji sighed and hit Mamoru on his speed dial. Too much longer and Asuka would call him; better she get a busy signal.

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"How did you justify Persia's orders not to associate with her?" By all rights, Persia ought to have no connection whatsoever to a politician's daughter. If Shingo was told of one... or otherwise perceived it...

"I suggested that there would be a chain reaction," he answered flatly. "Something happens to the girl, there's nothing stopping Mamoru Takatori from using his own resources the same way Persia would, which would lead to the possibility of Takatori discovering Kritiker and taking it down."

He pauses to allow Mamoru to enjoy the irony. He pauses to catch his breath.

"So I told him you'd be perfectly willing to allow a normal girl into the crossfire, but the daughter of a privileged man who's never heard the word 'no' before is strictly off limits. I thought it was brilliant, myself."

Mamoru didn't miss the irony. Perhaps later that evening he would take a moment to properly appreciate it. For the time being, focus remained on Youji's condition and information.

"Yes, that was a smart approach." The best that could be done, in any case. That he was willing to allow other girls to die by association to Weiss hit a little close to home, but there was no denying the truth of it. Besides which, a barb at his character was a small price for a workable excuse that didn't give away his identity.

"Did he say anything of cause for alarm? Anything that stands out in your mind?"

A short, helpless laugh escaped him. Mamoru probably picked up the sound of him slumping in his seat and smacking himself in the forehead.

"Honestly, my mind was just a little preoccupied... I'm still not sure how long I was without oxygen. I'll write it down if anything comes to me, but I... he seemed insistent that he could protect her, until I started going."

"All right. I want you to get to a hospital. You can tell them a kid tried to mug you on the streets and nearly strangled you. I'll cover any expenses. Is there any business you need taken care of in the meantime?"

"Tell me the nearest hospital I won't run into my wife," he muttered.

"Try to get Hinata to invite Himiko over for a little while. Whatever I tell her mother, she doesn't need to see this."

"Consider it done. Himiko-chan is welcome to stay with us for as long as needed. I'm sure Hinata will be happy to have the company. If you're still in the same area, the next closest hospital is probably Furukawabashi. Just a minute; I'll get you the address."

Mamoru walked into his office through the back door, moving swiftly to his computer to wake it up, unlock it and pull up a search window. Seconds later, he had the hospital on the map.

"2 Chome-１３−５ Minamiazabu, Minato, Tokyo 106-0047. It's about half a kilometer south from Asuka-san's hospital. Take a cab if you need to."

"Yeah, yeah," he said, soft, relying on his detective's memory for random details to hold on to that address. He eliminated the cab. Waiting.

And that was it before he snapped off the phone and turned the key in the ignition. Relying on reflex to do that, too.

He certainly had a lot to think about.

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