Location: Itsuhara's office
Time: 10:00 am
Scene: the day after Najima's case

Yukina Itsuhara's office exuded an ambiance of refined calculation. The white ceiling and floors sparkled against the warm glow of the recessed lighting, which provided a stark contrast to the black furnishings that dominated the room. Each piece of furniture was carefully selected to enhance Yukina's razor-sharp, no-mercy personality: a glossy obsidian desk, slim leather chairs, and a glass-topped coffee table with only one orchid in a tall vase. The space was free of mess, each detail patiently set, every corner whispering power and finesse.

Yukina sat behind her large, intimidating desk, slender fingers absently tracing the border of a paper as she turned on the big television on the wall across from her. Her dark eyes moved over the screen, hardly noticing the announcer's words as the morning news flickered on. Softly sighing, she rested chin on hands, elbows on the cool surface of the desk.

"The boy's on TV," she commented, her tone tinged with idle interest.

Her always-staid secretary, Henkai, stood within reach, thumbing through a sheaf of neatly stacked files. His gray suit was impeccable, his attitude calm as he went through the papers in his hand methodically. He didn't even deign to glance up at Yukina's remark, giving only a brief nod in reply, his face giving away nothing.

Yukina clicked her tongue in annoyance at his non-response. "Sheesh. His ability is being wasted, I'm telling you," she growled under her breath. Her anger seethed just below the surface as she balled up a piece of paper in her hand-a rough draft of a proposal she had found unsatisfactory-and tossed it into the trash can by the TV stand. The ping of it landing on the metal was brief in the otherwise silent room.

Just as her irritation was starting to fade, the ring of the doorbell pierced the quiet. Yukina sat up a little straighter in her chair, her piercing gaze snapping toward the noise. Henkai, always the epitome of neatness, put the files down and headed for the door with no hesitation.

He flung it open, and there stood Kavei on the other side. The boy leaned against him with a loose slouch, his hands pushed deep into the pockets of his coat. He had a look of mild boredom on his face, as if he'd prefer to be anywhere but where he was. Henkai's mouth compressed ever so faintly in a derisive sniff, but the noise was too soft for Kavei to catch.

"Welcome," Henkai replied calmly, moving to the side so Kavei could enter. His voice was courteous, if a little chilled by an implication that he didn't much like surprise callers.

Kavei entered the building, the scent of clean wood and citrus cleanser wafting up to him as he passed through the entrance. The hallway leading to Yukina Itsuhara's office was just as spotless as the woman herself-a fluid merging of contemporary style and subtle extravagance. The walls were decorated with pieces of minimalist art, their single-color tones contributing to the atmosphere of elegance. The soft, muffled thud of his shoes against the carpeted floor was the only sound he made as he moved. His gaze darted quickly about the area, noting the high ceilings and the distant thrum of murmuring voices that filled the building.

Standing in the doorway, Henkai looked at Kavei with his characteristic calm expression. He bowed his head slightly at Kavei. Kavei stood still for an instant before bowing his head in return, though his was more relaxed as compared to Henkai's, a short nod of his head.

"Why have you come?" Henkai asked, his tone level and measured. It was not a question he asked out of interest, but rather a formality, an opening for Kavei to announce his reason.

Kavei, though, said nothing. His face didn't change, but he said nothing. It wasn't rebellion-just the way he was. Henkai seemed to grasp this, his courteous smile not wavering as he stood up straight. "One moment, please," he stated with a slight inclination of his head, moving away towards the doorway at the far end of the hall.

Kavei followed Henkai into the room, his hands remaining in his pockets, his eyes flicking briefly to a painting on the wall. It was an abstract whirl of black and white, random yet harmonious-a contradiction that seemed to reflect his own mind.

Within the office, Yukina looked up from the file she had been reading, faking her diligence as of the moment. Henkai came in, moving quickly but deferentially. "Kavei's here," he said matter-of-factly.

Yukina's eyes sparkled with an unmistakable glint of eagerness. "Let him in!" she called out, her voice unusually enthusiastic. She placed the file on her desk, sitting back in her chair as she shifted her posture to adopt a relaxed air, but it was obvious from her passion that she was far from calm.

Henkai nodded and moved back into the hallway, his own expression as inscrutable as always. "You may enter," he said, standing aside to open the door for Kavei.

Kavei nodded curtly before moving past Henkai and into the office. There was a different quality to the air within Yukina's quarters-calm but electric, the soft hum of power present. The dramatic contrast between the gleaming white walls and the modern black furnishings made for a sharp visual impact, the area precisely tailored to suit its owner's personality.

Yukina stood up from her chair a little, her attention focused intently on Kavei. She pointed to the chair in front of her desk, her gestures fluid and welcoming. "Make yourself comfortable," she invited, her voice friendly but assertive.

Kavei strode toward the chair with a slow-motion elegance, tugging his hands free from his pockets as he sat down. Yukina leaned forward, placing her elbows on the desktop and linking her fingers together, never breaking eye contact.

"Well, this is a nice surprise," she started, a tiny smile dancing on her lips. "What can I do for you, Kavei?"

Kavei settled back in his chair, his face serene and unreadable as he looked into hers. Whatever had brought him, Yukina was certain, would be worth hearing.

"Kavei-"

"I will join," he cut in abruptly, his voice firm but determined. The words just hung there, cutting through Yukina's practiced thoughts and catching her completely unprepared.

"Eh?" Yukina blinked, taken aback by his impulsive statement. She hadn't planned to expect him to decide so soon, much less state it with such assurance.

"I said I'll join," Kavei repeated, his eyes steady as he locked gazes with her. "The invitation still exists, doesn't it?"

Yukina reclined in her seat, a bewildered smile on her lips as she regained her poise. "Oh, it certainly is," she said, her tone flavored with interest. "But-"

"One condition." Kavei cut her off once more, his tone smooth. He crossed one leg over the other and relaxed slightly, radiating an aura of dominance that caught her off guard.

Yukina leaned forward, curious. "A condition?" she asked.

"I'll go with you if you protect me from the Turners," Kavei replied, his voice calm but with a thread of something darker-anger, perhaps.

"The Turners?" Yukina asked, her brow furrowed. She'd never heard of the name, but the tone in which Kavei pronounced it suggested there was more to them than met the eye. "Who are they?"

"People who should have nothing to do with my life but they are involved anyway," he answered, his tone icy now, as though even saying their name was distasteful to him.

Yukina looked at him for a moment, her keen eyes noting the tense little set of his jaw and the glint of feeling in his otherwise blank stare. "Oh? Okay, I'll protect you," she said after a moment. "But-"

"You have a condition too?" Kavei cut in, his body leaning forward slightly, his eyebrow creased with interest.

Yukina smiled gently, shaking her head. "It's not so much a condition," she started carefully, her words selected well. "More of a precaution, really."

Kavei's gaze narrowed a bit as he cocked his head. "You want a background check, then?" he replied, his tone both understanding and resigned. He was not surprised; people like Yukina always wanted to know what they were getting themselves into and a background check for a common process.

Yukina's smile spread farther, a spark of enthusiasm in her eyes. "Hah. I'm already looking forward to working with you. Yes, that's what I want, Kavei. You know how much this means to me."

Kavei's gaze dropped for a moment, his breath released in a sigh. "It's not that interesting," he muttered, obviously not eager to discuss the particulars of his history.

"But it does matter," Yukina replied firmly, though not unkindly. "If I'm going to guard you, I should know what I'm guarding against."

For a moment, Kavei did not speak, his face inscrutable. Then he nodded, his shoulders slightly relaxing. "Sure," he said, his voice quieter but no less firm.

Yukina sat back in her chair, a pleased smile on her lips. She could feel that Kavei was a riddle waiting to be solved, and she was looking forward to seeing how the pieces would come together.

She then leaned forward a second time, the silence stretched too long now, putting her elbows on the desk and looking at the boy across from her.

"Your name?" she said, leaning her head to one side.

Kavei exhaled, his lips twisting into something that was almost a smile but did not quite make it to his eyes. "You already know it," he said cryptically.

Yukina arched an eyebrow at his dodgy answer but refused to be sidetracked. "Humor me. Just say it."

Kavei groaned, his eyes flicking up towards the ceiling as if considering whether it was even worth the trouble. "Kavei Niram," he eventually replied, his voice monotone.

"Where do you reside, Kavei?" Yukina went on, frowning as she attempted to keep him from fleeing, for his body language said such.

Without speaking, Kavei dipped into his pocket and produced a small, creased card. He dropped it onto the desk, pushing it toward her with a movement of his wrist. Yukina looked at the card. The address given was from a seedy part of town, one of the dingy back alleys notorious for its unsafe environment. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she decided not to say anything about it-yet.

"Fine," she said, setting the card aside. "And your parents?"

Kavei's mouth curled into a dry smile. "Which one?" he said.

"What do you mean, 'which one'?" Yukina asked, her voice going gentle as she caught on to his implication. "Oh. I'm sorry-"

"They died," Kavei cut in, his tone flat, as if reciting lines he'd spoken a thousand times already.

"I'm. sorry to hear that," Yukina replied genuinely, relaxing slightly against the back of her chair.

Kavei's response was firm, perhaps too firm, as he went on, "They died when I was three."

Yukina paused before inquiring, "And then the Turners took you in?" She'd learned this tidbit of information from Senzaki afterall and from Kavei himself thus making it quite obvious that she even knew so.

Kavei nodded his head, but he knew of the fact that she didn't know anything about the Turners, no one did because he never shared that part of his history with anyone. His eyes locked on a spot slightly above her shoulder. "No."

"No?" Yukina echoed, taken aback.

"No. I was adopted by the Swalens when I was three. They died when I was eight. Then the Turners arrived," Kavei told her, his voice calm but icy.

"The Swalens. They died too?" Yukina asked softly, her voice full of quiet compassion.

"Yep. First group of people who took me in didn't survive very long," Kavei replied, his lips twisting into a sour smile.

Yukina leaned back in her chair, her mind whirling as she struggled to take his words in. The youth before her had experienced more loss in fourteen years than many individuals experienced in perhaps an entire lifetime. "I-I see," she whispered softly, not knowing what else to say.

Kavei's voice shattered the stillness. "What else do you need to know?" His voice was close to bored, yet there was a glimmer of continuing this exchange in his dark eyes.

"Which school do you-" Yukina began but was cut off.

"I don't attend one. You know this," Kavei bluntly interrupted her.

"Right. You don't enjoy studying, do you?" Yukina questioned, though her tone indicated she already knew the answer.

"Not exactly," Kavei said, tipping forward slightly.

"Not exactly?" Yukina repeated, her eyebrows furrowed.

Kavei shrugged. "The Turners never paid the fees. I resigned. Thought I'd apply for a scholarship, but I don't test that well."

Yukina frowned, moving closer. "Aren't you selling yourself a bit short, Kavei?"

"Am I really, ma'am?" Kavei replied curtly. "I used to attend school prior to my ninth year. But like I said, the Turners don't care enough to mistreat me, much less sponsor me. So I left my- their house."

"Oh." Yukina's tone was gentle, her heart aching at the way he mentioned his situation so matter-of-factly. "If you were able to attend school now, would you?"

Kavei cocked his head, weighing her question. "Perhaps. It would certainly be nice to get educated in a place known for providing it professionally."

"Haha. Sure-" Yukina started off, but Kavei's interruption left her stumped.

"But then again," Kavei chimed in, his voice reflective.

"Why is there is always a 'but', " Yukina let out a deep sigh, frustration clear on her face.

"Haha. I was saying, I've lost four years. No one's ever going to accept me."

Yukina sighed, shaking her head. "And that's what only you think, Kavei."

"Wouldn't you think the same if you were me?" he retorted, his voice cutting.

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she leaned forward, her gaze fastened on his. "Your knowledge is rockets. Apply for early admissions, Kavei."

"I can't," he stated resolutely, sitting back once more.

"Why?" Yukina insisted, her anger clear.

"I'm too desperate to be finicky," he confessed, his tone softer this time.

Yukina smiled weakly. "I have a condition for you."

Kavei arched an eyebrow. "Proceed."

"You have to go to school."

"Sure," Kavei replied, almost too quickly.

"What?" Yukina blinked, surprised. "That's it?"

He smirked lightly. "Would you let me say no?"

"Absolutely not," Yukina confessed with a laugh.

"Then we're finished here." Kavei rose to his feet, holding out his hand. Yukina shook it, her handshake firm.

"Sure. Will you continue to live where you are right now, Kavei?" Yukina asked, steering the conversation back on track.

"Yeah," Kavei replied, his voice casual.

"Isn't there something you desire of me or of this contract?" Yukina asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Just protection," Kavei stated, his voice matter-of-fact.

"So, no pay?" Yukina asked, her furrowing brow looking puzzled.

"No," Kavei assured her, his voice firm.

"Eh?" Yukina grew more puzzled.

"Yeah. We cool?" Kavei asked, his voice nonchalant.

"S-sure. One final question. Anyone that you consider your family, Kavei?" Yukina asked, her interest peaked.

"Shira-chan-I mean, Shiraka Oneechan," Kavei said, his voice more subdued.

"And?" Yukina asked, her curiosity building.

"Likely the cats," Kavei added.

"That's all?" Yukina asked, shocked by his curt, unfathomable answers, at least to her.

"Yeah. That's all of them," Kavei assured her, his voice absolute.

"Then I'll be looking forward to working with you, Kavei," Yukina said, her tone laced with excitement.

"Sure," Kavei replied.

As Kavei departed, Yukina sat back in her chair, releasing a heavy sigh. Her assistant, Henkai, who had been quietly standing by her side, spoke.

"Great kid, isn't he?" Henkai said, his voice even.

Yukina nodded. "Henkai, how old am I?"

"Nineteen," Henkai answered without blinking.

"And you?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Twenty-three."

"And Kavei?"

"Will be fourteen this year," Henkai said, his voice flat.

Yukina scowled. "So can I-"

"You can," Henkai cut in before she could say anything further.

"But?" Yukina asked, already anticipating the words.

"You may not," Henkai stated flatly.

Yukina grouched, leaning further back into her seat. "Ugh. Henkai, you're a bully."

Henkai laughed dryly. "If you say so."

Yukina let out a deep sigh, gazing up at the ceiling. "Why is everyone I know so feisty? I dislike my taste in people."

Henkai grinned and remained silent, allowing Yukina to brood in silence as the room became still once again.