A/N: Rip my writing's been so off these days I apologize for the bad quality!!

There's also a bit of salty Takizawa because I love him and in this he loves you so whoops there goes the angst again (as long as you're reading my works, its always angst).

You looked through the file, visibly grimacing from the information the document held.

"That kid went through hell." You commented before passing the folder back to your best friend, Takizawa Seidou. "I don't know if Shinohara will be able to actually help him out. He's been raised by Big Madam after all."

Takizawa took the folder from your hands and placed it back on Houji's desk. "I bet he won't last more than a month before they send him somewhere else." He said, smiling to you. "550 Yen."

You narrowed your eyes at him, "That's a low price coming from you, Takizawa..." You skeptically said, holding back a smile of your own.

"You're right. Make it 600 Yen and you owe me dinner." He added, which made you giggle, accepting his terms.

"On my side, I'll say that..." You went back to Suzuya's file and read a few things to make sure you were betting the right thing. "He'll pull through and... Get promoted this year."

You heard Seidou exclaim in surprise. "You really want to pay that dinner with me, don't you? That's impossible! The kid's not gonna get far, you know." He said, walking towards you to look at the information too.

You smiled and wrapped an arm around Takizawa's shoulder, satisfied by his reddened face. "We'll see about that, Seidou... Same terms for both of us." You teasingly whispered before letting him go and leaving to find your superior, leaving Takizawa to burn up from embarrassement all alone.

••••

"Hi! Suzuya Juuzou!" The white haired kid greeted, saluting to you all. You leaned towards Takizawa, still keeping an eye on the new recruit.

"He looked a bit young on the profile pic, but that's just uncanny." You said in disbelief. "No way he's nineteen. He looks like he just turned eleven! And I won't even mention the androgynous appearance..." You muttered, making Takizawa snort. Thankfully, no one seemed to hear the two of you.

"Suzuya will be assigned to Shinohara," Houji started, making the two of you stop chatting and start actually listening. You both respected Houji greatly, so ignoring him would probably have embarrassed the two of you to no end. "They'll be in the same ward as us." He finished, nodding to the two of you probably to ask you to introduce yourselves.

"Uh, Rank 2 Takizawa Seidou, I look forward to working with you both." Your friend said, bowing his head towards Shinohara and Suzuya.

"Rank 2 (L/N) (Y/N)!" You said, smiling at the new recruit. "It's nice to meet you, Suzuya, and I look forward to working with you both as well!" Your smile turned into a smirk when you noticed Suzuya's look on his face.

An odd kid indeed. Looking closer, you noticed the red thread trailing up his arm, on his neck and on the corner of his lip and eye. Big Madam must have really made him immune to pain, because those have got to hurt, especially if they got infected. But you sort of admired him for the pain tolerance he had. It might be handy in battle.

You snapped out of your thoughts and sat back down, still entertained by the way Suzuya still wasn't out of his... trance? Could you call it that? You decided to go with that.

He hasn't been around many people before, but Suzuya couldn't help but stare at you. He didn't remember seeing someone with a combination of perfect (curly/wavy/straight...) (h/l) (h/c) hair and bright (e/c) eyes match so well before, not to mention your bright smile and hypnotising voice. You had an oddly friendly aura around you, and his new mentor seemed to be okay with you, which meant you probably respected people, a thing he still had to learn.

Although, the guy sitting next to you, Juuzou didn't like. He didn't know why, but he wanted to be the one sitting next to you and talking to you like the two of you were doing at the moment.

"How old are you, (L/N)?" Juuzou asked not concerned by how irrelevant the question was at the moment. He just wanted to have a conversation with you right now. The way your smirk grew made his insides feel weird. But it wasn't a feeling he recalls having before, the sensation was foreign.

"That's not something you ask a superior!" Takizawa exclaimed, making you stifle a laugh at his antics. Was he feeling intimidated by the kid already?

"I'm 20 years old, although that's not something you ask right away when meeting colleagues, Suzuya." You answered.

"That's just a year older than me!" He cheered. Maybe the two of you could become friends! "But what are you-"

"That's enough irrelevant questions, Juuzou." Shinohara cut off. "We have new cases to discuss. You can speak to (L/N) after the meeting." Suzuya pouted but remained silent nonetheless as the five of you talked about the new ghouls in the ward.

"Let the month begin." You whispered to Takizawa. "Better save up your money, Seidou, because I have a feeling you'll buy me dinner soon." With that, you blew on his ear, making him jump and send a semi-serious glare your way.

••••

"(Y/N)!" Suzuya called out, quickly catching up to you and an annoyed Seidou. "I had a few questions to ask you!" He said, definitely bursting your personal bubble, but smiling up at you nonetheless.

"We're busy, Suzuya." Takizawa groaned, trying to push him away so you can regain your personal space. Juuzou was definitely not having any of it. "She can answer your questions later."

"No, she can't, because Shinohara also told me that she needs to show me around the office!" He cheered, grabbing your arm.

"He said that, huh?" You said, smiling. Turning to your friend, you gave him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Seidou... But I'll catch up with you later, okay? We can go out for dinner or something."

The brunette let out a frustrated sigh. He couldn't really remain mad at you for long... "Fine. But I get to choose the restaurant!" He said. "And don't take too long."

"Yay!" Juuzou cheered, throwing his arms up in victory. He was glad he got to spend time with someone as pretty as you.

"I'll call you or text you when I'm done, so keep your phone off of silent, okay?" You asked as Suzuya started dragging you away. You noticed Takizawa nod and with that, you gave him one last glance before letting yourself get taken away by Juuzou.

"What are you doing in the CCG?" He asked while the two of you were walking around the building.

"I wanted to work here with Seidou." You answered truthfully. The guy had been your friend for a long while and it's thanks to him that you're here. The two of you always pushed each other to the limits, helping the other to achieve higher grades, and be better fighters. You smiled at the thought of him, which made Juuzou frown.

"Are the two of you married?" He asked. You let out a huff that was supposed to be a laugh before looking at him.

"Married? Why'd you even think that? We're friends, and besides, getting married at the age of 20 probably isn't such a good idea, I think." Your answer seemed logical to you, but apparently Juuzou wasn't getting it.

"But isn't that what people do when they like each other?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. A child he is indeed.

"That's after years of being in an amorous relationship, though. You don't need to marry someone to love them. A lot of people have romantic partners and don't feel the need to marry them to let them know they love them." You explained.

"So... You love Takizawa?" Juuzou asked.

"I just told you, Suzuya. Seidou isn't a romantic partner. He's a friend." You repeated, letting out a sigh of relief when the recruit nodded, finally getting what you've been saying.

"I'm hungry. Can we get some food?" He asked out of the blue. You were about to reject his request due to your plans with Takizawa, but Juuzou cut you off. "I'm sure one donut won't ruin your whole appetite, (Y/N)!" He said with a closed eye smile.

"...Fine." You hesitantly said before leading him to a bakery nearby, not noticing the familiar brunette watching the scene unfold with a jealous frown on his face.

How come Suzuya had managed in mere minutes to do a thing Takizawa had taken months to do?! And you let him drag you away, nonetheless.

Seidou sighed in disappointment and passed a hand through his hair, adverting his gaze to the floor.

And he was so close...

••••

"I'm telling you, giraffes are literally not supposed to exist!" You insisted, settling down on Juuzou's desk. He didn't mind. The paperwork you put aside to make place wasn't that important to him anyways.

"But they're pretty!" He said smiling up at you.

"That they are, but their necks are too long! I have no idea how the can actually lift it like that and keeping it straight without hurting themselves or something! Gravity doesn't work that way!" You exclaimed, smiling at the now confused Suzuya staring at his desk. Letting out a fit of giggles, you pointed at his face. "I live just for that expression!"

The heat on Suzuya's face caused him to lift a hand to his cheek to check what was on it. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he furrowed his eyebrows even more, causing you to smirk. "It's called blushing, Juuzou. It happens when you're embarrassed or nervous." You explained to the clueless boy. Your smirk soon turned into a smile of endearment when he looked up at you with that same expression. "It's okay, it happens to everyone."

"I never saw you do that before." He commented.

"You just need to find what makes me tick." You answered, winking. "You probably never saw it because you never saw me embarrassed before."

Juuzou nodded before yawning, causing worry to start bubbling up in you when you finally noticed the dark circles under his eyes. "When was the last time you had a good night's sleep, Juuzou?" You asked, leaning forward a bit and tilting his head back with a finger under his chin to take a better look at the sign of fatigue.

"Hm?" His confused expression remained. "I don't know... A lot time ago?" He asked rather than answered, making you frown. "Is that not good?"

"Yeah, could be your downfall in battle, even. Gee..." You leaned even closer, impressed by how dark the skin under his eyes had actually gotten. "You really don't sleep much, do you?"

"Is napping sleeping?" Suzuya asked, trying to ignore the tingles on his face and lips when your breath fanned over his face. He felt his face warm up again, only ten times hotter than before.

"Not the same kind. I'm not talking about power naps here, I'm talking about deep sleep." You said. "I really need to set up everything for you, do I? I'll make you a sleep schedule or something..." You said, chuckling. You caught yourself glancing down at the poor boy's lips and it actually took a lot of effort from your part to not kiss him. It didn't help that he was looking at you with that cute blushing face of his. Sighing, you added, "I hope you'll be able to actually take care of yourself one day-"

"(Y/N)?!" At the mention of your name, you pulled away from Juuzou, stopping all physical contact with the boy, much to his disappointment.

"Hey, Seidou!" You said, waving at the brunette and smiling.

"Where were you yesterday?!" He asked, stomping his way over, making Suzuya roll his eyes. "We were supposed to go out! You know, for the bet?"

"Ooh, right!" You said. "Because you owe me dinner and 600 Yen!"

Takizawa nodded, and your expression shifted into an apologetic one, making the ticked off male's stomach drop. He'd seen that expression far too many times in the last month...

"Sorry, Seidou... Juuzou had some troubles with operating his microwave at his flat yesterday, and I went to help him... I completely forgot about the bet, I apologize!" You said, bowing your head, making the brunette blush.

"It's okay, it's okay! Just don't forget again, okay?" He cringed. What was that, the fourth time he asked that of you?

"I won't!" You nodded, a determined look in your eyes.

Seidou's expression shifted from embarrassed to disgusted in a matter of seconds after that, eyes falling on Juuzou. "And can the two of you not go all PDA in the office? It's gross..."

You snorted while Suzuya furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "We're not a thing, Seidou. Relax!"

"You're not?" The hopeful tone in his voice was way too obvious.

"Not yet!" Suzuya said, placing a hand on your arm. "But I'm getting there!" He just couldn't pass up an opportunity to torment Takizawa, now could he? The expression on his face just now was priceless...

"Damn, Juuzou's getting there." You teased, smirking at the white haired boy. "He's been making progress when it comes to social stuff, Takizawa! I'm impressed." With that, you ruffled his hair, absolutely not caring if it messed up the red bobby pins he put in his hair. But Juuzou didn't mind. He liked any kind of physical contact on your part.

"What ever." Seidou muttered. "Akira and Amon are going out tomorrow night for drinks and stuff and I was wondering if you'd wanna join?" Your friend asked, the hopeful tone back in his voice. "I'll buy you a few drinks!" He added, sending a beaming smile your way.

"Yeah, I've got nothing planned I think..." You said, looking at the ground to go through your plans already made.

"She can't." Suzuya answered. "She already told me she'd go out with me to a café in the twentieth ward tomorrow!"

"That's tomorrow?" You questioned. Why was your memory failing you now, of all moments? "Jeez, sorry Takizawa... Maybe next time..?" You asked, cringing at your friend's heartbroken expression. "I'm sorry for neglecting you so much recently..." You added as he walked away.

Seidou stopped and pulled on the fake smile he practiced in the mirror before turning towards you again. "It's okay, (Y/N)! I'm glad you're having fun. Also, my mom says hi."

You giggled, "Tell her I said hi back. And I'm really sorry, Seidou."

With one last nod, he left the room and you directed your attention back to the male in front of you. "We were supposed to go today, weren't we?" You asked skeptically. "Why'd you push it to tomorrow?"

"I can't have you going around with another guy just after our first date, now can I?" Juuzou smirked.

"Date? You really are getting there!" You said. "But that was mean, Juuzou. Poor Takizawa..."

"He'll be okay!" He waved off. "Can I use your legs as a pillow, though? I'm tired..." He said, not even wasting his time waiting for an answer before settling his head on your lap.

"Alright then..." You trailed off, watching in amazement at how fast Suzuya drifted off into sleep. Glancing at the paperwork beside you, you decided to help him out a bit and let him sleep on your lap while you filled out his paperwork.

••••

"Hi!" Juuzou exclaimed once he swung the door to your and Takizawa's office, beaming.

"Someone's happy." You teased, smirking when his eyes fell on you. He definitely found the strawberry shortcake alright.

"Thank you!" Suzuya yelled, pouncing on you to give you the hug of your life. "It was so good! Where'd you get it? How much did it cost? Why didn't you save yourself a piece?" Your head started spinning at the questions he asked at 100 kilometres per hour.

"Relax, I made it myself, Juuzou. I can make another one whenever, don't worry." You waved off once the white haired boy let go of you, a bewildered expression on his face.

"You made it?!" He asked, incredulous. "You're such a good cook!" He cheered, taking your hands in his and squeezing them tightly, but not tight enough to hurt.

"I've got a talent when it comes to baking sweets." You shrugged.

Suzuya smiled wildly before pressing his lips against yours like you had taught him to. You kissed him back, which proved difficult with the smile on your lips, but you managed until someone cleared their throat behind you, making you remember that Seidou was actually in the room, too.

"Oh, sorry Seidou!" You said. "I forgot you were uncomfortable with PDA! We'll stop, don't worry." You said, holding Juuzou at arms length when he tried to kiss you again to annoy your colleague. "Come on, you. Let's stop annoying Takizawa, 'kay?" With that, you dragged Suzuya out.

Seidou sighed, eyeing the door once you and your boyfriend had walked out. "Why can't I have her?" He whispered to himself before shaking his head and trying to focus on his paper work again.

"You really gotta stop trying to make him uncomfortable! He'll freaking beat you!" You said, leaning on the wall next to the door, stifling a giggle.

"Takizawa can't beat me up! Because that would make you sad, and friends don't make each other sad, right?" He said, smiling up at you.

"That's right." You answered, nodding. "Now you had trouble with paperwork, didn't you? There's no way Shinohara would've just let you run away." You said, slightly scolding him.

Suzuya nodded. "I don't wanna do iiiitt..." He whined, making you sigh.

"I'll help you out, Juuzou." You said, grabbing his hand and dragging him back to where he was supposed to be.

"Ah, I love you, (Y/N)!" Juuzou mindlessly said, making you halt, before smiling.

"Love you too, Juuzou."

••••

You knocked on the door, cracking it open to find Juuzou staring at the off white wall.

"How you holding up?" You hesitantly asked, walking inside the room and closing the door behind you. "Your leg's not hurting too much?"

He gave you an empty stare as you settled down in the chair next to his bed. "How's Shinohara?" He asked, his voice void of any emotion, which just scared you shitless. You hated seeing him hurting like this.

"He's... Still in a coma." You sighed. "They don't... They don't think he'll make it through..." You reached out for Suzuya's hand, but he pulled it away from you before you could touch him, which broke your heart.

"Juuzou, it's not your fault." You said. "You don't need to put a façade up in front of the others, either. It's just hurting you even more." Your hands started fiddling with the edge of your shirt out of nervousness.

The room remained silent for several minutes, apart from the heart monitor on Juuzou's left side. You couldn't find it in you to look at him while he was this broken, because you knew if you did, you'd start crying.

"What are you still doing here?" He asked, still looking at the plain wall in front of him.

"What do you mean? You need support too, Juuzou. I'm here to help." You said, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Isn't his funeral today?" He added.

Your heart broke once again at the mention of him. "I... It's not like they have anything to bury. It would just hurt to know that they're doing it for nothing..." You muttered, voice breaking halfway through the second sentence. "And I can't show my face there after that... It's my fault he's dead." If only you could have convinced him not to go... If only you could have told him to retreat.