PSYCHO-PASS : Paradigm Shift

Chapter 1 : Pale Turquoise

PART 1 - Pale Turquoise

Akibara Shizuka entered her new office.

It hasn't been that long since she got promoted, but three weeks should have been enough for anyone to get used to their new posture. Right?

Except... she still couldn't get used to that office. It was close to Kasei's, and there was just too much space around her. After sharing her previous office with Division One, her new surroundings just seemed too quiet... and too vast.

She didn't bother with keeping plants... for they'd just die under her 'care'. She knew she'd eventually have to personalize that area, but she was still too lazy to do so. She also delayed sorting her hard-copied cases and all the papyrology. Some of her boxes were still unpacked. She couldn't bring herself to arrange the office... because she didn't feel it as her office. And her new position... didn't feel like a promotion at all. It felt rather like... a confinement cell.

Because it was just that. Confinement.

She found it funny how she was still heading to Division One's office per habit, taking the wrong turn each time she entered the bureau. And once she took the wrong turn, she would have to stop for a few seconds... and change her direction, remembering that the position she once held was given to another Inspector. That girl will start working any day now. Shizuka was trying not to think too much about it... but again, there was no helping it.

She had to wonder... what kind of person this Tsunemori Akane is.

Shizuka sighed, putting her dark green coat over the chair. She glanced at the city, admiring the view. One thing to like about that office, at least.

She poured herself a cup of coffee, and started reviewing recent reports on her monitor. There were a few live consultations with her colleagues from Division Three, but nothing too complicated... or too crazy. The crime rate seemingly dropped... and the police officers weren't as busy as before. Shizuka was somehow relived... thinking how her team... her previous team... won't have to be too preoccupied at least for the time being.

She wanted to drop by and see how they were doing. She really did. But, somehow... she couldn't bring herself to go there. Not yet. Because... if she did... she'd have to put on a brave face. She'd have to smile. And... she was too tired to try and fake anything.

For whole three weeks she's been reinstated, she didn't get to go out on the field. Not even once. She wondered if there was any need for her to have a Dominator anymore.

First several days were the hardest. She constantly fought the urge to cry... and withheld that pain inside. It wasn't supposed to be this hard. She wasn't supposed to feel this alienated. And yet... she did. Just like Kasei planned.

She went through all the reports, and stopped at specific file. Inspector Ginoza Nobuchika was always the first one to submit his reports. She read it, thinking how he successfully closed another case on his own. It wasn't a demanding case, but it still required effective and swift action.

"... was recorded by the street scanner. The suspect refused to take therapy and threatened to jump from the window once he got cornered by Enforcers Kogami and Masaoka..."

Shizuka was staring at turquoise letters on her screen. Masaoka was the one to stop the suspect from committing suicide. Gino reported fairly, objectively. He didn't exactly praise the work of Enforcers, but he wasn't discrediting them in any way either. She liked that about Gino. He could perfectly separate his head from his emotions when his work was on the line. And Kogami... she wondered how Kogami felt as of recently.

He didn't call... not even once. The untraceable device was still active, of that she was sure... but Kogami... didn't call in whole month. She missed having those... late night conversations with him. Just... hearing his voice. There was something soothing in his voice. His touch as well. She missed everything about him.