(Akira and Kenji comes back to the apartment from the ramen shop.)
Akira: Alright, I am beat. I'll head off to sleep. You can.....find something to play with, boy.
Kenji: Stop calling me, boy.
Akira: (without listening to him) Goodnight.
Kenji: Yeah, I was expecting that.
(Kenji decides to freshen up and get some sleep. Halfway through the night he gets a phone call.)
Kenji: Hello, who's this?
Kenji's mom: (coughs) Were you sleeping, your voice sounds groggy.
Kenji: Oh hey mom, ya I was sleeping. Had a long day.
Kenji's mom: How's your senior?
Kenji: Well, I was not expecting a welcome but she could have been a lot less cold.
Kenji's mom: (chuckles) Well, I hope you're not facing much problem there. It's been such a long time since I've visited Japan. I wish I could have accompanied you but this illness of mine...(starts coughing)
Kenji: You're taking your meds on time, right?
Kenji's mom: Yes, son. You don't worry about me. You just make sure you return back safe....to me.
Kenji: Yes mom you don't worry I-
(Kenji sees a shadow on his bedroom window which overlooks the nearby street side. He pulls the curtain to see Akira and a man talking.)
Kenji: Hey mom, I'll call you back.
(Kenji keeps the phone down in a hurry and tries to focus on Akira and her midnight guest.)
Kenji: (murmurs) ...what the hell?
(Kenji sees Akira receiving a brown envelope from the man. As she's done, she comes back to the apartment. Kenji hears the main door shut.)
Kenji: (to himself) Wtf was that about?
(Kenji spends the rest of the night thinking about Akira and that man's meeting and contemplating his decision of moving to Japan. He starts reminiscing his days back in the academy with all his friends. A new recruit, he wasn't even out of the eggshell but he now has to deal with the likes of someone like Akira. He certainly deserves some co-operation and respect and he made sure he'll tell that to Akira's face.)
Akira: Good Morning Kenji-san. Had a nice sleep?
Kenji: Morning major.
Akira: (looks at Kenji) I suppose you didn't have a nice sleep. Was the room all okay?
Kenji: (ignores her)
Akira: Hey now, I do realize I was a bit hard on you yesterday, okay?
Kenji: Oh wow, you do?
Akira: Hardy har har, boy.
Kenji: Alright, first of all. Don't....no....never call me boy again.
Akira: And secondly?
Kenji: I didn't sign up for this shit so that I'll have to put up with the likes of you and your tantrums. I demand respect even though I am only a lieutenant in the force.
Akira: (smirks at Kenji) You like pancakes?
Kenji: (rubbing his head with a hand) Yes major yes, I like pancakes. Is there another small little shop you have? Where you keep informants who sell pancakes, huh?
Akira: I've made some.
Kenji: Oh.
Akira: Sit down, Kenji-san. Calm down.
(Kenji gives Akira a death stare and sits down on the tatami.)
Kenji: (fiddles with the salt holder on the table)
Akira: (serves Kenji some freshly made pancakes) Here you go.
Kenji: Geez, they look good. (takes a bite) They.....taste good as well.
Akira: I used to work undercover as a cook in the nearby cafe.
Kenji: Woah, yeah right. You must have a lot of stories like this.
Akira: This job may look all daring and charming from the distance. Why wouldn't it? It comes with a steady pay-check and back home that's all what people care about, right? This is not as easy as you think Kenji-san. You have to grow a bit rough. Especially, if you're a woman in this line of work. People will call you soft...dispensable...they'll even treat you like a weight that'll drag them down. You have to keep this.....rough exterior in order to survive.
Kenji: (nods while taking a sip of the coffee)
Akira: ....but I agree that does not give me any liberty to treat you like I did yesterday.
Kenji: (sighs) Ya, I shouldn't have shouted like that too, Major.
Akira: (taking her plate in hand) Now, if we're done with the pleasantries get your ass to some work. There's been a murder in the local precinct, we need to check that up. Also....need to visit the mortuary to see the dead body for clues.
Kenji: Wait, murder? I thought we're from the special task force.
Akira: Feeling squeamish, Kenji-san? Wasn't expecting to have a tete-a-tete with the dead? You're lucky you're facing action on your first day so don't complain.
Kenji: (looks down) No...I.....I...
Akira: Get your ass up, we're leaving in 20.
Kenji: (murmurs) Here we go.
