I Am All At Sea of Blood: Before Chainsaw Man

Chapter 14 : Another Day

Days passed, and Izuki took his time to recover within the sterile walls of the hospital. Stuffing himself with food, resting, and a little exercise came a long way. He was even allowed to volunteer more to treat other patients for a short time, giving him some satisfaction from being able to lend others his hand. But, before he knew it, he found himself back in the Public Safety headquarters. Unfortunately for him, quite the work was awaiting him before he could even take a chance to glance at his Buddy.

In a small office room, where the scent of freshly cut paper and coffee provided a sense of comfort, Izuki sat alone at his desk. With piles of documents on both sides of his desk and a stamp in his right hand, he continued reading what sorts of papers he had to take care of, or at least, he tried to. The characters written on it, some of them, he couldn't figure out what they meant, his eyes squinting and eyebrows furrowing the more he tried to recall the things he had read in the past, but nothing came to mind. He turned to his right, hoping to see a certain someone who would help him with his problem, but they were not there either, forcing him to return his eyes to the confusing jumble of strokes on paper. His brief glances for help did not go unnoticed, though, as someone else would come to his aid.

"Hey, there!" A soft yet energetic voice greeted him from behind, putting their hand on his shoulder.

Izuki was startled. He let out a slight squeal, jumping off his chair and shaking the tower of papers. He tried to save them from tumbling down, but it was too late, much to his annoyance. With a pouty face, he turned around and gave them a piece of his mind. "You know I was focused on reading, Himeno-senpai! You shouldn't just surprise me like that!"

"Heheheh." Laughing on, seemingly proud of the mess she laid on the poor young man was the one-handed, eye-patched-wearing woman — Himeno. She pinched his squishy cheek, teasing him even further. "You looked so lost, I couldn't help but give you a little greeting. You look the cutest when you are surprised like that~"

"Oh, stop it, senpai," Izuki swiped her hand away, then begrudgingly picked up the mess around the desk and floors.

"Right.. right...Here, let me help you." Himeno let out a chuckle before picking up a few papers herself. "Were you looking for him just now?"

Izuki nodded, but his words said the opposite, "I don't know where you got that idea."

"Oh?" Himeno's eyebrows rose with great interest. "Then who were you looking all around for, then?"

"Just... anyone... really..." He sighed as he tidied up his papers and sat back down. "I uh... got myself stuck with some words again."

"Oh really?" Himeno flipped through the pages she had in her hand. Then, without warning, she shoved Izuki off his chair.

"Wh- what are you doing, senpai?!"

Himeno took the stamp on the table and started stamping the papers on her own. "I'm helping you!"

"I don't need you to do that..."

"Didn't you just say you were having trouble?"

"Well... yes, but that doesn't mean you have to do my work." Izuki repeatedly tried to get his hand on the stamp, only for Himeno to dodge it continually. "Give me that stamp back-"

"Nope. I'm helping you. End of story."

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"Nope."

"How about your own paperwork?"

"Done that."

"Then why don't you just take a break?"

"Did that. But it was boooring~" Himeno shrugged. "Besides, didn't you just get discharged from the hospital yesterday? If anyone needs a break here, it's you, not me."