The morning sun filtered through the large windows of the Third Division's office, casting a golden hue across the room. Papers were stacked in neat piles on every available surface, the organized chaos of a day in the Japan Defense Force.
The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, the only solace for the officers who had been working since dawn.
Among them was Akira, her smooth brown skin glowing under the soft light, her amber eyes narrowed in concentration as she sorted through yet another pile of reports.
Akira's desk was situated near the back of the office, a quiet corner where she could focus on her tasks without interruption. The gentle hum of the overhead lights was the only sound accompanying the rhythmic scratching of her pen against paper.
She had been tasked with filing the paperwork from the most recent Kaiju sightings and cleanups—a mundane but necessary job. It was tedious work, but Akira took pride in doing her part to keep the base running smoothly.
Her long, curly black hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, a few tendrils escaping to frame her face. She absentmindedly tucked a stray curl behind her ear as she scanned the report in front of her.
Despite the dull nature of her task, Akira found herself lost in thought, her mind drifting to the more exciting aspects of her job.
The adrenaline of being on the front lines, the camaraderie with her fellow officers, the sense of purpose that came with protecting the city from Kaiju threats—those were the things that kept her going.
But today, all of that seemed distant. The office was quiet, the usual buzz of activity muted by the weight of paperwork. Akira sighed, leaning back in her chair and stretching her arms above her head. Her muscles protested slightly from the hours spent hunched over her desk, and she rolled her shoulders to ease the tension.
Just as she was about to dive back into her work, the door to the office creaked open, and Kafka Hibino stepped inside. His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere, his broad frame filling the doorway as he glanced around the room.
Kafka was a familiar sight in the Third Division, his laid-back demeanor and easy smile making him a favorite among his colleagues. But today, there was a spark of mischief in his eyes that Akira couldn't help but notice.
"Hey, Akira," Kafka called out, his voice light and cheerful as he sauntered over to her desk.
Akira looked up, raising an eyebrow at the uncharacteristic bounce in his step. "Kafka. What brings you here?"
Kafka leaned against the edge of her desk, his grin widening. "Just checking in on my favorite office worker. How's the paperwork going?"
Akira narrowed her eyes, sensing something was up. Kafka wasn't one to make casual visits, especially not when he had his own duties to attend to. "It's going," she replied cautiously. "Why do you ask?"
"Well..." Kafka began, drawing out the word as he cast a quick glance around the room. "I was thinking, you've been cooped up in here all day, right? How about we take a little break? Get some fresh air, grab a bite to eat? My treat."
Akira's suspicion only deepened. She knew Kafka well enough to recognize when he was up to something. "Tch, You know I wouldn't be in here if you or Iharu weren't fucking around yesterday."
"I appreciate the offer, but I've got a lot of work to do. Captain Ashiro and Vice-Captain Hoshina expect these reports filed by the end of the day."
Kafka waved a hand dismissively, his grin never faltering. "Come on, Akira. It's just a quick lunch break. Besides, Reno said he'd join us too."
At the mention of Reno, Akira's resolve wavered. She and Reno had become good friends since they both joined the Third Division, and the thought of catching up with him over lunch was tempting. But still, she had her responsibilities.
"Reno's coming?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.
"Absolutely," Kafka replied with a nod. "He's waiting for us at the restaurant. So what do you say? Just a quick break, then we'll come right back. Promise."
Akira hesitated, glancing at the stack of papers on her desk. The work would still be there when she returned, and it wasn't like she couldn't catch up later. Besides, a short break might be just what she needed to clear her head.
"Alright," she said finally, pushing her chair back and standing up. "But just a quick break, Kafka. I mean it."
Kafka's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with triumph. "You won't regret it, Akira. I promise."
They left the office together, the warm sunlight greeting them as they stepped outside. The air was crisp, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees that lined the base. Akira took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease slightly as she walked alongside Kafka.
The restaurant Kafka had mentioned wasn't far from the base, just a short stroll through the bustling streets of Tachikawa. It was a small, cozy place, tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The sign above the door was written in elegant script, the inviting scent of food wafting out as they approached.
As they entered, Akira immediately scanned the room for Reno, but there was no sign of him. She turned to Kafka, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Where's Reno?"
Kafka scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Uh, about that... Turns out Reno couldn't make it. Something came up last minute."
Akira's eyes began to twitch, the thought of cracking his face in back at the base was starting to feel very tempting.
"Kafka, did you trick me into coming here?"
"Trick is a strong word," Kafka said, holding up his hands defensively. "I just... strongly encouraged you to take a break. You looked like you needed it!"
Akira folded her arms across her chest, fixing him with a stern look. "Kafka, I have work to do. You know that."
"I know, I know," Kafka said quickly, his grin turning apologetic. "But seriously, Akira, you've been working nonstop. I just wanted to make sure you took some time for yourself. Besides, how often do we get to just hang out like this?"
Akira sighed, the tension in her stance softening slightly. She knew Kafka meant well, and truth be told, it was nice to be out of the office for a change. The cozy atmosphere of the restaurant was a welcome contrast to the sterile environment of the base, and the thought of a good meal was more appealing by the second.
"Alright," she relented, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "But you owe me for this, Kafka."
Kafka's grin returned full force. "Deal! Anything you want, it's on me."
They found a table near the window, the soft murmur of conversation filling the air around them. The menu was simple but offered a variety of dishes, and Akira found herself drawn to a hearty bowl of ramen. As they waited for their food, Kafka leaned back in his chair, his usual laid-back demeanor making it easy to forget that they were supposed to be working.
"So, how's everything going on your end?" Akira asked, resting her chin on her hand as she studied Kafka.
"Same old, same old," Kafka replied with a shrug. "You know how it is. Always something happening, always something to clean up. But it's all worth it in the end."
Akira nodded, understanding the sentiment. The work was hard, often thankless, but the sense of duty and the camaraderie they shared made it all worthwhile. Even in the quiet moments like this, there was a sense of purpose that connected them all.
Their food arrived, and the rich aroma of the ramen made Akira's stomach rumble in anticipation. She picked up her chopsticks and dug in, savoring the flavors as they warmed her from the inside out. Kafka did the same, the two of them falling into a comfortable silence as they enjoyed their meal.
