Death's Newest Addition (Yami no Matsuei)

[1]

The Tsuzuki siblings became infamous throughout the Judgement Bureau.

New guardians heard of the dynamic duo through superiors who mentioned either Ruka or Tsuzuki. Ruka Tsuzuki's investigative skills cracked the hardest of cases and held obscured spells underneath her belt. Asato Tsuzuki controlled twelve shikigami, one of the strongest guardians in the bureau. Both of them learned under Chief Konoe's tutelage, honing their skills beyond the means of the regular worker in the bureau.

After decades of working alongside one another, they garnered a high level of respect. The period of Asato Tsuzuki and Ruka Tsuzuki's partnership brought in more solved cases than when they were apart. Once Ruka retired out of her guardian post again, she covered different sectors in her spare time. Tsuzuki went through different partners, few lasted long enough to become noted in Tsuzuki's list.

The newest addition to their flock, Tsuzuki's new partner, Hisoka Kurosaki, made his appearance with a gun pressed against his partner's back. Once the situation dissipated, Tsuzuki found the situation kind of funny. Hisoka managed to outwit him without making his presence known.

Gushoshin left the pair to their own devices, citing on returning to the library to help his brother.

Upon returning to the Judgment Bureau, he relayed the information to Chief Konoe. He shared Konoe's disbelief on Tsuzuki's carelessness. Once he finished saying his observation, he left the office for the library, leaving Tatsumi and Konoe alone to their thoughts.

Konoe slouched on his chair, "After ninety years in service, he gets cornered by a sixteen year old with a toy gun. One of our best, let his guard down around a rookie. Amazing."

Tatsumi rubbed the bridge of his nose, hiding the amused smile on his face. "Ruka-san will love to hear about this."

Konoe turned to Tatsumi, an energized and mischievous smiled formed on his face. "When is she returning from Okinawa?"

"Hmm..." Tatsumi tapped his clipboard with his pointer finger. "I'm sure she'll call this afternoon to relay her return time."

"Perfect."

Xxxxx

"Hey Chief!" Ruka walked inside of the office with a small box of castella cake in her hands. "Asato told me that you wanted some castella cake from this particular place, but he forgot to buy it during his last investigation. He gave me the money and I went to the shop myself."

Konoe scoffed. "Tsuzuki always forgets. Honestly, it's one little errand and at a bakery no less! You'd think he would remember, that's his favorite place to go into!" He harrumphed, scooting the box toward him, happy to receive this cake at last. He sent Ruka a grateful smile. "Thank you, Ru-chan."

Inside the privacy of Konoe's office, he addressed Ruka with an endearing nickname. She didn't mind him using the name behind closed doors. In return, Ruka insisted on calling him Chief, after all, he was her boss.

As one of his oldest worker's, alongside Tsuzuki, the Tsuzuki siblings held a special place in his heart. He kept his favoritism of Ruka Tsuzuki away from eavesdropping ears. Work environments were the same as the living, envious eyes stalked for any preferred person in the group. She earned her high status through hard work and perseverance. No way was he taking that away from her.

Opening his drawer, he took out his personal fork, salivating at the castella cake in front of him. Eyes twinkling, he gazed up at Ruka, thankful for her thoughtfulness. "Again, thank you."

Ruka shook her head, amused at the similarity of the Chief and her brother when it came to sweets. "You're welcome, Chief."

"Before I forget," Konoe opened the box and set the cake on his desk. He set the box over his mini trashcan. "You'll love to hear this."