Goro Takemura x Reader

Eighteen

With your lips pressed into a thin line you stared at the calculations in front of you. There was an error in it, a small malfunction.

If nobody knew about it it would have been fine to leave in. But whoever knew about it would've been able to make the relic their own personal weapon in somebody else's head.

The relic was based on the principle that the data of another consciousness was fed into a brain in order to transfer the actual owner of the body. It was like booting an empty computer with a new basic programme. Or like a parasite eating into its victim to take over.

Whatever one wanted to call it, there would be one consciousness that came and another that had to give way.

With an empty body like a robot, you would have had no issue. But the technology was not yet developed enough for that. A suitable DNA had to serve as a basis so that the body would not reject the new engram.

Such conditions could be achieved with cloning. But this was a long process with little chance of success. A genetic relationship made this a lot easier. Like a father and his son.

Yorinobu and Saburo.

"Shimatta...", with a sigh, you wiped your face with both hands.

It was already getting late. Not that it mattered. Ever since you had left the bed you were tried. All that kept you awake was tea and some drugs that Yorinobu's personal doctors had subscribed you.

With two fingers massaging your temple you popped two more pills and chugged them down with another cup of tea.

From the distance you could hear how the elevator arrived. A soft ding filled the silence. Someone exited. The echo of heels bounced off the walls.

Tired, you wiped your eyes once more. But this time it wasn't the exhaustion. It was the very high possibility that you had to have another talk with your sister.

"Neesan...", it was audible just how tired you were, close to a yawn. "Please spare me. Otōsan already made clear what my duty is."

With her usual well put together outside, Hanako stopped in front of you but did not take a seat. Her gaze lingered on the tea. She seemed to play with the thought of having a cup as well.

Ultimately she did not act on it.

"You should rest.", she finally said and bend down to grab your face with both hands. "The doctors say you should take a few days to yourself."

The gold of her fingertips was cold against your skin.

Letting out a deep breath, you let your eyes fall shut and fell into the soothing feeling of ice that cooled down the raging heat that made your head feel tight.

"I'll be off soon.", you placed your hands on hers and gave them a gentle squeeze. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine. And down feel fine either.", she pressed her palm to your forehead. "You're burning hot."

"I... think I can tell."

"Are you feeling unwell again?"

"I've been unwell all this time, neesan.", gently, you freed yourself from her embrace.

Your gaze wandered over the new blueprint and codes that you had developed over the past hours.

Hanako examined them as well. She seemed pleased to see that you did put in the work that was expected from you. But there was also this teeny tiny shadow that darkened her pale face.

She also hadn't made her peace with the knowledge that she had to sacrifice her brother in order to lengthen the life of her father. Compared to you though, Hanako had weighted the pros and cons and had decided that her fathers life was of more value.

You weren't sure if you were able to make a decision like this. Not even with more time to think about it.

A moment of silence spread between the two of you. It was both the comfortable kind that only existed between two people who were familiar with each other. Yet there was this discomfort that tied your throat and made it hard to breathe in her presence.

"Takemura has reported me.", Hanako finally picked up the conversation again.

Struck by her sudden honesty, your eyes narrowed.

Why did she tell you this?

It wasn't like her to put all of her cards on the table from the get go. So either she wanted you to feel guilty or felt sorry.

"Why did Otōsan leave him with me?", you asked out of curiosity. "He is his best solider."

"And you are a very valuable person to him.", she answered plainly. "Otōsan wants to know you safe."

"And his future safe.", you took a sip from your tea. "I know my duty in this family. And rest assured I won't forget it a second time."

It had cooled down and was only lukewarm.

She did not answer to it. But the way she pressed her plump lips into a thin line told the truth. She couldn't say no to that. It wasn't in her to deny the truth.

"The ones who kidnapped you.", she started again.

"Mercenaries hired by a fixer? I thought Yorinobu's task force has wiped them out."

Two escaped.

All of a sudden you felt like the temperature of the room dropped. Your hands stopped mid air, still wrapped around the cup.

The surface of the tea threw small circles with the rhythm of your breath.

Immediately your thoughts wandered off.

What if they wanted revenge for their partners in crime?

No, that was impossible. No one was foolish enough to mess with Arasaka twice. Not even if Militech paid a hefty sum for it.

No, revenge was a luxury that the simple people did not have. And for those with money it was considered nothing but petty.

Still your mind could not find rest.

All of a sudden there was Hanako's hand on your cheek. It was so sudden that you flinched.

"Takemura will protect you.", she assured. "He will find the ones responsible and make sure that they will never see the sunlight again. That is Otōsan's gift to you."