PSYCHO-PASS : Paradigm Shift

Chapter 12: Bold Statement

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PART 12 – Bold Statement

When he opened the door, he had a cigarette in his mouth. It was still lit, and was fuming at the top, which meant it hasn't been long since he started smoking it. He moved so she could come in, taking the body of the cigarette between his fingertips, exhaling the smoke out from his lips as Shizuka entered his residence.

He closed the door when she came in. When he moved his fingers from the doorknob, his bracelet glistened under the dim light. The gadget that he couldn't remove was still on his wrist... but his shirt wasn't. At this point, she expected it not to be. He saw her short glance at his chest, but both of them were acting cautiously around one another.

If they hadn't been, the things would have instantly taken a different turn - the primal kind of turn that didn't know anything about patience. All the things he was about to do were written in his eyes only – since he was so good at keeping his poker face. He wanted her. He was clear about it. He just had enormous self-control that was hard to read.

To anyone else, it would seem like he was calm. To her, his eyes expressed everything.

Still, she walked over to the kitchen, putting a small convenience store bag next to the sink. It was one of those eco-friendly, recyclable bags which could store a lot of stuff. This brought back some not-so-distant memories when she would come home from work, bringing food when she was in the mood to cook instead of just printing some food.

It was more a sign of endearment than demonstration of skills. In Sibyl-regulating society, cooking wasn't held in particularly high regard. Nonetheless, as an enforcer, Shinya didn't have a food printer... and he ate most of his food at the bureau's cafeteria. The portions weren't really as delicious as food he used to eat when he was law-abiding citizen.

Given all the factors, he appreciated her gesture more than he showed.

Shizuka took a quick glance at his dining table. He had various folders spread over it – and classic, white-printed papers, along with photos and evidence, covered most of the surface. There were several, completely emptied bottles of 'Antarctic Drops' between the folders. Black ashtray was filled up with cigarette stubs, all the way to the top. She thought he didn't smoke as much lately, but it appeared his stress increased his nicotine intake instead. She understood why, though. It was actually expected, since the Specimen case seemingly resurfaced.

She emptied the content from the bag, putting some food in his fridge – vegetables, some meat and several dishes that he could prepare on his own when he needed it. She would do this from time to time, buy some food he liked. Knowing his habit, she also brought a large Spinel package that contained a dozen of smaller packs, since the bureau wasn't really invested in spending on enforcers. However, she guessed that, despite the harm his cigarettes could potentially cause, they were more important than food to him – purely because the smoking was an immediate and effective way to deal with his additionally accumulated stress.

She took the vegetables out and put them in the fridge.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"Don't worry about it," he said, his voice a bit hoarse from the recent smoking. He approached her from behind. She was still dressed in her formal suit, the same one she wore during her shift this afternoon. Despite the late hour, her make-up was also still on, meaning, she hasn't been home after work to change, and she probably hasn't arrived here from her apartment... but from somewhere else instead. Kogami's eyes were scanning, thoroughly searching for clues.