With Every Step

14. Diligence

At the Academy, Akira had strived to excel in every field, and that included mastery over the types of quinques. After all, it was the best weapon against ghouls.

While working with Arima, she had her first one custom-made. The researchers didn't believe she could wield a chimera, but they did as they were instructed, and she soon proved them wrong.

Now, for the first time, Akira was working on another's quinque. Amon's. A weapon that she learnt was passed on to him by a woman named Touko Harima.

They were apparently close classmates... close enough that the woman had bequeathed her quinque, an investigator's dearest possession, to him. Akira wouldn't deny the sting she felt on hearing about it, but she wasn't a petty woman. Whatever its past, it was now Amon's and that was all.

Doujima in its original form was rather simple. Just a two-handed club. Its power came mostly from Amon's excellent combat skills.

But that wouldn't do, not when it had broken in that fight with Centipede. If Amon kept going up against that ghoul, Akira wanted to ensure that he would never be defenseless.

That she wouldn't lose another person...

Whenever she was free during office hours, she planned out what could be done. She would discuss it with Dr. Chigyou on the weekend but first she needed to have ideas. Amon fought close-range and didn't seem to care about the dangerous manoeuvres he pulled. Sure, he had the stamina for a protracted battle, but Doujima was too blunt to create fatal wounds.

On her computer, she sketched out a few example designs. The cylindrical shape was definitely out... maybe a sword or a spear?

A welcome cup of coffee landed on her desk. Akira picked it up and took a sip, relishing the taste. It was surprising how Hideyoshi remembered all their preferences without mistake—

Wait, Hideyoshi didn't do coffee deliveries anymore. Not since he started working with them as an investigator assistant.

"It's alright, then?"

Akira turned away from her computer and to her side. In front of her was a black suit. Tilting her head back, she saw the face of the person—Amon.

"I went to get a cup of coffee and I thought you could use one too," he explained, and sounded chiding as he added, "You haven't taken a proper break the past two days."

"I've been busy. Got some things to finish before the raid."

He looked at her screen and took a few seconds to figure it out. "Are you designing a quinque?"

Didn't look like he realised that was a modification of his...

"I prefer to design mine myself." It wasn't exactly a lie; she was working on some of hers too, though less often.

She watched amazement appear on his face as he studied her work, and a warm rush of pride washed over her. Here was something he couldn't do, that she could for him.

Akira resolved not to fail him in this.