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

The office of Yukina Itsuhara radiated an air of calculated sophistication. The pristine white ceiling and floors gleamed under the warm glow of recessed lighting, creating a stark contrast with the sleek black furnishings that dominated the space. Every piece of furniture was deliberately chosen to reflect Yukina's sharp, no-nonsense personality-a polished obsidian desk, minimalist leather chairs, and a glass-topped coffee table with nothing but a single orchid in a slender vase. The room was devoid of clutter, every detail meticulously arranged, every corner whispering power and precision.

Yukina sat behind her imposing desk, her slender fingers idly tracing the edge of a document as she flicked on the large television mounted on the wall opposite her. Her dark eyes scanned the screen, barely registering the announcer's voice as the morning news played. With a soft sigh, she propped her chin on her hands, elbows resting on the cool surface of the desk. Her mind wandered, thoughts already entangled in the myriad responsibilities of the day ahead.

"The boy's on the news," she remarked, her voice carrying a note of casual intrigue.

Henkai, her ever-efficient secretary, stood nearby, flipping through a stack of neatly organized files. His tailored gray suit was immaculate, his demeanor composed as he methodically reviewed the papers in his hands. He didn't bother to look up at Yukina's comment, merely offering a curt nod in response, his expression betraying nothing.

Yukina clicked her tongue in mild annoyance at his lack of reaction. "Sheesh. His talent is being wasted, I'm telling you," she muttered under her breath. Her frustration simmered just below the surface as she crumpled a piece of paper in her hand-a draft of a proposal she had deemed unsatisfactory-and tossed it into the waste bin by the television stand. The sound of it hitting the metal echoed briefly in the quiet room.

Just as her annoyance began to dissipate, the chime of the doorbell cut through the silence. Yukina straightened slightly in her chair, her sharp gaze darting toward the sound. Henkai, ever the picture of efficiency, set the files aside and moved toward the door without hesitation.

He opened it with a swift motion, revealing Kavei standing on the other side. The boy's posture was relaxed, his hands shoved casually into the pockets of his jacket. His expression was one of mild disinterest, as though he'd rather be anywhere else but there. Henkai's lips tightened ever so slightly in a subtle scoff, but the sound was too faint for Kavei to notice.

"Come in," Henkai said evenly, stepping aside to allow Kavei entry. His tone was polite, though tinged with a coolness that suggested he wasn't particularly fond of unexpected visitors.

Kavei stepped into the building, the faint scent of polished wood and citrus cleaner greeting him as he entered. The corridor leading to Yukina Itsuhara's office was as pristine as the woman herself-a seamless blend of modern elegance and understated luxury. The walls were adorned with minimalist art pieces, their monochromatic tones adding to the air of sophistication. His shoes made soft, muffled sounds against the carpeted floor as he walked, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his worn jacket. His eyes flitted briefly around the space, taking in the high ceilings and the faint hum of distant conversations that filled the building.

Standing by the doorway, Henkai regarded Kavei with his usual composed demeanor. Dressed immaculately in a tailored suit, his presence radiated professionalism. He gave Kavei a slight bow, his movements measured and respectful. Kavei hesitated for a moment before returning the bow, though his was more casual, a barely perceptible dip of his head.

"What brings you here?" Henkai asked, his voice calm and even. It wasn't a question loaded with curiosity, more a formality, an invitation for Kavei to state his purpose.

Kavei, however, remained silent. His expression didn't waver, but his silence spoke volumes. It wasn't defiance-it was simply his way. Henkai seemed to understand this, his polite smile not faltering as he straightened his posture. "One moment, please," he said with a slight nod, stepping away toward the door at the end of the corridor.

Kavei watched as Henkai disappeared into the room, his hands still in his pockets, his gaze drifting momentarily to a painting on the wall. It depicted an abstract swirl of black and white, chaotic yet harmonious-a contradiction that seemed to mirror his thoughts.

Inside the office, Yukina glanced up from the file she had been perusing. Henkai entered, his movements brisk but respectful. "Kavei's here," he announced simply.

Yukina's face lit up with an unmistakable spark of excitement. "Let him in!" she exclaimed, her tone unusually eager. She set the file down on her desk, leaning back in her chair as she adjusted her posture to appear composed, though her enthusiasm was evident.

Henkai nodded and stepped back into the corridor, his face as unreadable as ever. "You may go in," he said, holding the door open for Kavei.

Kavei gave a small nod of acknowledgment before stepping past Henkai and into the room. The air inside Yukina's office was different-calm but charged, the quiet hum of authority palpable. The stark contrast between the polished white walls and the sleek black furniture created a striking visual effect, the space perfectly curated to reflect its occupant's personality.

Yukina rose slightly from her chair, her eyes scanning Kavei with keen interest. She gestured toward the chair opposite her desk, her movements smooth and inviting. "Come, sit," she said, her voice warm yet commanding.

Kavei moved toward the seat with an unhurried grace, pulling his hands from his pockets as he settled into the chair. Yukina leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the desk and lacing her fingers together, her eyes never leaving his.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," she began, a small smile playing on her lips. "What brings you to my office today, Kavei?"

Kavei leaned back in his chair, his expression calm and inscrutable as he met her gaze. Whatever had brought him here, Yukina knew, would be worth hearing.

"Kavei-"

"I will join," he said abruptly, his tone steady but resolute. The words seemed to hang in the air, slicing through Yukina's prepared thoughts and catching her entirely off guard.

"Eh?" Yukina blinked, momentarily stunned by his sudden declaration. She hadn't expected him to make a decision so quickly, let alone announce it with such certainty.

"I said I'll join," Kavei reiterated, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes. "The offer is still open, right?"

Yukina leaned back in her chair, a bemused smile tugging at her lips as she recovered her composure. "Oh, it definitely is," she replied, her voice laced with curiosity. "But-"

"One condition." Kavei interrupted her again, his voice calm but firm. He crossed one leg over the other and leaned back slightly, exuding an air of control that surprised her.

Yukina tilted her head, intrigued. "A condition?" she repeated, her interest piqued.

"I'll join you if you keep me safe from the Turners," Kavei said, his tone steady but with an undercurrent of something darker-resentment, perhaps.

"The Turners?" Yukina asked, raising an eyebrow. The name meant nothing to her, but the way Kavei said it hinted at a deeper story. "Who are they?"

"The family who adopted me," he replied, his voice colder now, as if even speaking their name left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Yukina studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes taking in the subtle tension in his jaw and the flicker of emotion in his otherwise impassive gaze. "Oh? Sure, I'll keep you safe," she said after a brief pause. "But-"

"You have a condition as well?" Kavei interrupted, leaning forward slightly, his brow furrowed in curiosity.

Yukina gave a soft laugh, shaking her head. "It's not exactly a condition," she began, choosing her words carefully. "More of a precaution, really."

Kavei's eyes narrowed slightly as he tilted his head. "You want a background check, then?" he asked, his voice tinged with both understanding and resignation. He wasn't surprised; people like Yukina always wanted to know what they were dealing with.

Yukina's smile widened, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Hah... I'm already excited to work with you. Yes, that's what I need, Kavei. You understand how important this is."

Kavei sighed, his gaze dropping momentarily. "It's not very interesting," he mumbled, clearly reluctant to delve into the details of his past.

"But it is important," Yukina countered gently, her tone firm but not unkind. "If I'm going to keep you safe, I need to know what I'm protecting you from."

For a moment, Kavei said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Sure," he said, his voice quieter now but no less resolute.

Yukina leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile on her lips. She could sense that Kavei was a puzzle worth solving, and she was eager to see how the pieces would fit together.

Yukina leaned forward again, resting her elbows on the desk as she studied the boy sitting across from her. His posture was relaxed, yet his eyes betrayed a wariness that piqued her curiosity. The dim light in the room highlighted his disheveled black hair and the faint scars on his knuckles. Yukina's tone was gentle but deliberate as she began.

"What's your name?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

The boy smirked faintly, his lips curving into something that resembled amusement but didn't quite reach his eyes. "You already know it," he replied cryptically, leaning back in his chair.

Yukina raised an eyebrow at his evasive response but didn't let it deter her. "Humor me. Just say it."

The boy sighed, his gaze flickering to the ceiling as though weighing whether it was worth the effort. "Kavei Niram," he finally said, his tone flat.

"Where do you stay, Kavei?" Yukina continued, her eyes narrowing as she tried to piece together the puzzle that was Kavei Niram.

Without a word, Kavei reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, slightly creased card. He placed it on the desk, sliding it toward her with a flick of his wrist. Yukina glanced down at the card. The address listed was from a rundown neighborhood, one of the back alleys infamous for its unsafe conditions. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she chose not to comment on it-yet.

"Alright," she said, placing the card aside. "What about your parents?"

Kavei's lips twitched into a humorless smile. "Which one?" he asked.

"What do you mean, 'which one'? Your biological parents, of course," Yukina replied, her tone softening as she realized the implication of his question. "Oh... I'm sorry-"

"They died," Kavei interrupted, his voice devoid of emotion, as if he'd said the words a thousand times before.

"I'm... sorry to hear that," Yukina said sincerely, leaning back slightly in her chair.

Kavei's voice was steady, almost too steady, as he continued, "They died when I was three."

Yukina hesitated before asking, "And then the Turners adopted you?" She knew this piece of information through Senzaki afterall and from Kavei's own mouth hence making it rather creepy that she even knew such.

Kavei shook his head ignoring the fact that she knew about the Turners at all, his gaze fixed on a point just above her shoulder. "No."

"No?" Yukina repeated, surprised.

"No. When I was three, the Swalens adopted me. They died when I was eight. Then the Turners showed up," Kavei explained, his tone cold but steady.

"The Swalens... They passed away too?" Yukina asked gently, her voice filled with quiet sympathy.

"Yeah. First set of people who adopted me didn't last long," Kavei said, his lips curling into a bitter smile.

Yukina sat back in her chair, her mind racing as she processed his words. The boy in front of her had endured more loss in fourteen years than most people did in a lifetime. "I-I see," she murmured softly, unsure of what else to say.

Kavei's voice broke the silence. "What else do you want to know?" His tone was almost bored, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his dark eyes.

"Which school do you-" Yukina started but was interrupted.

"I don't go to one. You know this," Kavei said bluntly, cutting her off.

"Right. You don't like studying, do you?" Yukina asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.

"Not exactly," Kavei replied, leaning forward slightly.

"Not exactly?" Yukina echoed, her brows furrowing.

Kavei shrugged. "The Turners never bothered paying the fees. I quit. Figured I'd try for a scholarship, but I don't score that well."

Yukina frowned, leaning closer. "Aren't you underestimating yourself a little too much, Kavei?"

"Not really," Kavei said simply. "I used to go to school before I turned nine. But the Turners don't care enough to abuse me, let alone support me. So I left their house."

"Oh." Yukina's voice was soft, her heart twisting at the casual way he spoke of his circumstances. "If you could go to school now, would you?"

Kavei tilted his head, considering her question. "Maybe. It's nice to learn things in a proper environment."

"Haha. Sure-" Yukina began, but Kavei's interruption caught her off guard.

"But then again," Kavei interjected, his tone contemplative.

"Why is there is always a 'but'.." Yukina sighed, her frustration evident.

"Haha. I was saying, I missed four years. No one's going to take me in."

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

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

She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leaned forward, her eyes locking onto his. "Your knowledge is rockets. Apply for early admissions, Kavei."

"I can't," he said firmly, leaning back again.

"Why?" Yukina pressed, her frustration evident.

"I'm too desperate to be picky," he admitted, his voice softer this time.

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

Kavei raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."

"You have to go to school."

"Sure," Kavei said, almost immediately.

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

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

"Absolutely not," Yukina admitted with a laugh.

"Then we're done here." Kavei stood up, extending his hand. Yukina took it, her grip firm as they shook.

"Sure. Will you keep living where you are currently, Kavei?" Yukina inquired, changing the subject.

"Yeah," Kavei confirmed, his tone nonchalant.

"Isn't there anything you want from me?" Yukina pressed, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Just protection," Kavei replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Sooo..no salary?" Yukina probed, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"No," Kavei confirmed, his tone unwavering.

"Eh?" Yukina's confusion deepened.

"Yeah. We good?" Kavei asked, his tone casual.

"S-sure. One last question. Anyone you see as your family, Kavei?" Yukina inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Shira-chan-I mean, Shiraka Oneechan," Kavei replied, his tone softening.

"And?" Yukina prompted, her interest growing.

"Probably the cats," Kavei added, his tone laced with amusement.

"That's it?" Yukina asked, surprised by his response.

"Yeah. That's about all of them," Kavei confirmed, his tone final.

"Then I'll look forward to working with you, Kavei," Yukina stated, her voice tinged with anticipation.

"Sure," Kavei agreed.

As Kavei left, Yukina leaned back in her chair, releasing a deep breath. Her assistant, Henkai, who had been silently standing by her side, spoke up.

"Impressive kid, isn't he?" Henkai said, his voice calm.

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

"Nineteen," Henkai replied without hesitation.

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

"Twenty-three."

"And Kavei?"

"Will be fourteen this year," Henkai said, his tone neutral.

Yukina frowned. "So can I-"

"You can," Henkai interjected before she could finish.

"But?" Yukina prompted, already knowing what was coming.

"You may not," Henkai said firmly.

Yukina groaned, slumping further into her chair. "Ugh. Henkai, you're such a bully."

Henkai chuckled lightly. "If you say so."

Yukina sighed dramatically, staring up at the ceiling. "Why is everyone around me so sassy? I hate my taste in people..."

Henkai smirked but said nothing, leaving Yukina to her thoughts as the room fell silent once more.