???: So what do you think? 

???: He's certainly an interesting choice. Could you pass the file over?

The male slid a file carefully across a wooden desk, letting the other male flip it open to reveal files and pictures. One was a wallet-sized photo of a familiar tired looking male, though considerably cleaner than his last known encounter.

???: (Y/n) (L/n). Self-proclaimed hopeful romantic. Those that know him claim he's a kind and affectionate kid, and his family attests to it as well. Good grades in school and a promising recruit for the academy but he went off the deep end a few years ago.

???: A recruit for the academy? Explains how he took out an infernal. What happened with him?

The other male took a moment to fumble around in a leather satchel before sliding a darker-colored folder. Once opened it revealed another photo of you as well as records from assorted emergency forces, many from Tokyo police.

???: One day it seems the kid just snapped. (L/n) has been arrested a couple of times for breaking and entering. He doesn't take valuables and seemingly does it for the thrill. Though documents were noted missing in three locations. It seems he was caught this latest time for planning to break into Special Fire Force 3's building. As for why we don't know as most of the documents were destroyed in the attack on the station. Ōbi... do you really think you could trust someone like this with the 8th?

The other male now revealed to be named Ōbi took a moment to glance over the photos and documents. he picked one up and smiled.

Ōbi: He took out an infernal through sheer force of will. Plus, he simply could have fled the scene through the uncollapsed back corridor, but instead chose to risk his life in stopping the infernal before it could flee. Most petty thieves don't do that. I want to speak to him at least before the police get their hands on him.

The unknown male rubbed the back of his neck.

???: I've always trusted your intuition. So are we going to speak with him now?

Ōbi: Ah... no.

???: Why not?

Ōbi: Well... I sent Hinawa to speak with him but he refused to open up. He simply stated, "Send in the cute witch or the nice sister." 

???: And you really plan to send them instead?

Ōbi: H-Haha well...

Your eyes slide open softly, the light of day forcing them back closed with an annoyed grunt. Your hand lifted to cover your face only for your to spot in your cracked gaze the bandages wrapped around your palm and wrist. You didn't seem to have any burn marks you could see on your arms but carious cuts and scrapes. Your head lifted off of the pillow it laid upon only to fall back with a pained puff of air. Your chest was in horrible pain and really tight, You could move your feet meaning you hadn't broken your legs but they too were sluggish in moving. 

???: Doctor he's awake. 

Doctor: Ah that's good. Check his vitals and then let our guest know.

You couldn't bear to check to see who was speaking though your mind quickly confirmed it was probably a doctor and his assistant. The sterile smell of the room was caused a nauseous feeling to fill you as the bright white of the room hurt your eyes. You decided to shield your (E/c) irises from the bright light only to feel your head softly lifted and another pillow. Your brain grew curious and nudged your eyes enough to open, only to find your face staring into the chest and neck of a rather lovely-looking nurse. You couldn't see her face but she smelled nice. She finished placing the pillow and gave you a simple pet which caused a smile to crack onto your face. And with that, she was gone.

(Y/n): Hah... I should have caught her name.

???: Oh yeah?

(Y/n): Yeah she seemed like a cute... huh? Who's that?

Your gaze refocused onto the door of the room to find a familiar girl standing in the doorway. It was... what was her name... Maki? Yeah, Maki Oze the witch girl.

(Y/n): Well if it isn't the wonderful witch from before. How may I help you?

Maki smiled softly before moving into the room while closing the door. 

Maki: You're in pretty high spirits for someone that looks like he took a trip through a paper shredder. 

(Y/n): Hmm, yeah falling through the roof wasn't a part of my plan.

Maki took a moment to look out the window before grabbing a stool and moving to sit closer to your bed so you didn't have to strain so much. Your head twisted softly to watch her sit down, taking in her form. She wore a professional outfit, reminding you of something an officer would wear. Though you could make note of the feminine masculine form that the cloth clung to.

(Y/n): I didn't expect to get visitors aside from my family. Though not that they have.

Maki: Why wouldn't your family visit?

(Y/n): Ah the family business is important you know. Plus a trip across Tokyo would be murder on my mother's back. I can't blame them but... ah who am I kidding of course I am. The only upside is I got a cute witch to visit me instead~

The girl before you felt her face warm up slightly before shaking her head taking a serious look at her features before speaking.

Maki: Why were you arrested?

(Y/n): Hmm... why do you want to know?

Maki: Police reports show you were arrested attempting a plan to break into the 3rd company's building. Why?

(Y/n): You're kind of scary when you're serious, witch girl.

You twisted your head back to stare up at the ceiling, pondering over your answer. Was it safe to tell anyone this kind of stuff? Maybe she was just a front for the police to find more things to charge you with. 

(Y/n): Are you alone?

Maki: Yes I'm the only one her-

(Y/n): I'm not referring to your comrades though I'm glad they listened to my dumb request. I'm referring to hospital staff. no police, no listeners. Nothing?

Maki: I am completely alone, though the matter of involving police might hinge on your answer.

(Y/n): You are not one to reassure others I see.

Your mind ran over possibilities, taking you down entirely different timelines as your eyes took moments to glance over and take in the lovely features of the witch.

(Y/n): I do not trust others. Well, that is more of a lie, but let it be known that I don't trust anyone. Not my family, not my few friends, not anyone. So I'm making it clear that I haven't put even a modicum of trust in someone in a long time. That doesn't change here.

You allowed your head to casually drift back to face the girl's direction.

(Y/n): I fully expect you or the special fire force to betray me or sell me off to the police at some point, but at the moment I'm willing to talk. Call it head trauma or the whims of fate, but I will only say this once and only to you.

Maki scooted a bit closer to you, nodding her head with that same cute serious look on her face. You would tease her about it but with how dramatic you just got she might break your spine so you refrained. Taking in a breath, you began to speak.

(Y/n): I was looking for information on spontaneous human combustion. I will not say why or how, but the last few years of my life have been a constant journey to figure out why it happens.

Maki: So... why wouldn't you join the special fire force? You could easily obtain information that way without getting yourself arrested.

(Y/n): I'm guessing you just forgot about the trust thing so I'll skip that one, but I also don't trust most of the organizations in this nation, including your fire force.

You took a second to summon what little strength you could to push yourself a bit more up onto your pillow, grunting in pain during the process.

(Y/n): I won't divulge any more, but I will say that it's... it is important I learn why it happens.

Maki seemed to want to ask more questions but from the serious look on your face, she could tell you would go no more into it. 

Maki: I see. Well, thank you for your time.

The girl took a moment to stand up, giving you a curt bow before starting to head for the door.

(Y/n): Hey.

The girl stopped for a moment before turning back to you.

(Y/n): You never did answer my question.

Maki: You never asked me one.

(Y/n): Yes I did. Back on the roof, I asked you if I was a good person. I would like to hear your answer.

Maki seemed genuinely puzzled for a moment before her realization kicked in. The witch girl turned to you fully and spoke with that same seriousness. 

Maki: All I know about you is your name and the fact you were arrested. During an infernal attack on the station you were being held in, you escaped.

Well, that doesn't sound good...

Maki: However, you chose to risk your life to take out the infernal before it hurt others. You could have easily escaped and we wouldn't even know each other existed let alone be talking to each other in a hospital. I don't really know what to think of you.

The girl turned back around taking a few steps closer to the door.

Maki: But... you don't seem like a bad person.

The response managed to get your heart beating a bit faster, almost warming it at her genuine response. Well since you were doing be dramatic and got your response you could now have a bit of fun. A smirk slithered onto your features.

(Y/n): Hey witch girl?

Maki: Eh?

(Y/n): You're pretty adorable when you are serious~

You teased softly, feeling a bit of pride as the girl blushed before quickly leaving the room. She seemed like she was going to be a lot of fun if she kept coming around.

(Y/n): Maki Oze... hmm~

For the next few days, a few members of the 8th would come and ask questions, though you never really said anything unless Maki was around. Messing with her was too much fun and you typically ended up saying something without even realizing it. However, one day the captain of the 8th arrived, with Maki and the angry man with glasses in tow. Through Maki, you had managed to learn most of the names of the members though Hinawa was still the angry glasses guy.

Ōbi: Yo, (L/n).

You pulled yourself up into a seating position, your nurse placing the pillow behind your back before walking out of the room with a wink. 

(Y/n): Hello captain, glasses guy, and the wonderful witch~

Maki: C-Come on don't call me that!

(Y/n): Hmm, would you prefer marvelous Maki? 

Hinawa: We would prefer if you would be serious.

A chill rushed down your spine, dampening your mood as you crossed your arms carefully.

(Y/n) what brings the 8th to me today? I don't have any more to say on my record or investigations.

Ōbi: Ah no we didn't come to talk about that.

The captain took a moment to pull up the stool that Maki had used in her first visit.

Ōbi: You didn't attend the academy, but you are rather skilled at using your abilities. Your search into combustion as well as protecting others has allowed us all to come to a decision. 

Your head tilted curiously. 

Ōbi: We would like to offer you a place at the 8th. 

(Y/n): What?

Ōbi: We think your skills would be a great asset to us. If you are comfortable with taking orders and working with others, I think it would be a good opportunity for us and you.

(Y/n): I... that's a rather larger leap from interrogation to recruitment captain. I'm at a loss for words really. I just don't see how-

Hinawa: Or you could go to jail. That's the other option.

(Y/n): H-How I could say no! Cute girls, all kinds of information at my fingertips, and uh... helping people? How could I say no?

Ōbi extended his hand in a handshake motion. Your eyes lifted to glance at the other people gathered. Hinawa had an indifferent look to him, but Maki was smiling softly. A soft warmth once more filled your chest as your hand extended to join Ōbi's.

(Y/n): I'll try my best though please lower your expectations.

Ōbi: Haha, welcome aboard!

And so it seemed like your life had met a new path, opening in the darkness with a light at the end of this new tunnel. You took chance, not that you really had a choice, and now you were finally making a change... for the better. Only time would tell if this path leads to only good outcomes, however.