Stitched Together

Chapter 3: Surprises

"Wow, this place is huge. Definitely larger than the academy," I say breathlessly as I look at the establishment.

"Yeah, we do run a fairly large operation here, but if you think this is big, you should see the main office," Shinohara chuckles. We all enter and I marvel at the clean appearance of it all. Such a well put together organization, it's a shame they're out to kill my kind. I don't even notice the other two walk through the scanner because I'm distracted by everything.

"Come on Reina~" Suzuya calls as he waves happily.

"Ah, yeah coming," I respond and I walk to the scanners. Subconsciously I hold my breath as I step through, but to my slight surprise, nothing happens. A grin flashes across my face. Perfect.

"Well I need to go to the meeting, don't take this the wrong way Reina, but it is confidential between investigators. Suzuya, can you show her around, and I'll fill you in afterwards," Shinohara explains.

"Um that's not really necessary, I don't want to get in the way of your work. I could just wait outsi-" I start to suggest but get interrupted, as usual.

"Okay! That should be fun!" Suzuya cheers.

"Really it's-" I stop when he grabs my hand.

"Let's go, I have a desk of my very own we can go see. Oh and I can show you the best place to get lunch in the food court. And-"

"Well it sounds like you've got it under control. Be nice Juuzou, remember what I talked to you about. I'll see you shortly," Shinohara waves and goes down a hall. Suzuya tugs at my hand and starts dragging me along.

"I'm sure once we look around you won't be so tense," he says as he parades throughout the many hallways.

"I am not tense!" I retort back but he just giggles.

"Yep, and that's why you're squeezing my hand," he sings cheerfully. I look down and notice I was still holding his hand. I yank back and put my hands in my pockets.

"Sorry," I mumble quietly.

"It's fine, it's fun seeing you like this," he laughs and twirls around me as we walk. Before I can reply he starts pointing places out. "Down that way is a really annoying guys office. Shino says I gotta be nice because he's my higher up but I still don't like him," he huffs. "And that way is the food court, maybe we could go get some cake later," he suggests, returning to his smiley self. "Oh but first in here!" He smiles big and pulls me through a door. "That's my desk, and Shinohara's is right next to it," he says proudly.

"Oh great, Suzuya's ba-" I hear a voice start to grumble but stop. A young man with brown hair parted in the middle that is the same height as me approaches us.

"Good morning Seidou~" Suzuya greets enthusiastically, but he gets brushed off.

"Hello miss, I don't believe I've ever seen you around, I'm Seidou Takizawa, rank 2 investigator,"he grins and shakes my hand. I can't help but notice he emphasized his rank. Oh no he looks dreadfully boring, probably the type that only cares about having a better title. I draw my hand back and force a smile.

"This is Reina, she staying with me because Shinohara told me to keep her safe. She lives in the thirteenth ward too," Juuzou informs cheerily. Seidou just glares at him for a moment before looking back to me.

"Wait, like the Reina from the academy. You were a freshman just last year when I graduated and there was a lot of talk about you then. So what are you doing here at the branch office?" He asks curiously. Ghouls actually make wonderful investigators. They obviously think like a ghoul and can find others of their kind easily. Also, we all basically grow up fighting to protect ourselves so we can certainly hold our own. Not to mention we are inherently stronger that humans. So in an academy full of only humans I must have really seemed like something special.