Chapter 2: Petals Born on Spring, pt. 2

With Claude on the phone, she hears the voice of probably mrs. Morinaga. "Good, bring him in." She hesitates at Claude's question, "Hmm... After the report Kusakabe-san relayed, we would still like to meet with him; though as always, Moriyama-san and Hoshikawa-san disagree with what to do with him..."

---

Thus, back at the theater, they all find themselves at the manager's room, with Moriyama at his chair, with a stern look, and Hoshikawa, at his side, with a more benevolent one. Opposing the desk, stood Sawatari on the center of the room, with an ambiguous expression, between nervousness and smug confidence.

After a quick greeting by Hoshikawa, Moriyama starts: "Sawatari-san, there you are... We've heard about you, and were expecting your presence. You posed as quite the headache for us, you know?"

He glances at some documents on his desk: "Curiously, our intelligence network had lots of trouble digging info on you... The son of a musician, no records about the mother. Neither your address or number appear on public listings, your name wasn't found in any employment records and we couldn't find any bank account on your name... Huh, quite the curious character, aren't you?"

"Now, believe me, we aren't that stringent on our secrecy as one may initially think, and normally we would let you pass, with a minor threat at most. But I found you to be an interesting character, or should I say, suspicious."

He looks up at him, a scary grin growing on his face: "Here's the deal, Sawatari-san, you got two options: either spend the rest of your days in a hole inside a mountain in Sakhalin (which would be my default option, of not by my partner's counsel), or you work for us!"

After listening to all of that, with a crooked smirk, clearly trying to look mysterious, he gleans up at the last offer, "Woa! Work for you? In this cradle of the arts and beauty?! Count me in! What do you need me to do? Paint backstage scenarios? Conduct the orchestra? Or m-" He's abruptly interrupted, as Mrs. Morinaga shoves a mop and a bucket at him. Moriyama proceeds: "It normally takes a day for a crew to clean this whole place up. Dinner is ready in 5 hours. You'd better finish this floor up if you want any of it." He explains, with his unwavering cruel smirk.

At that, Sawatari breaks, his legs curving and trembling, as if the mop was impossibly heavy; his soul could almost be seen leaving him in a painful breath. "W-w-work? Actual work? I can't do that..." He mumbles, while being gently pushed out by Rika Hoshikawa, with an apologizing smile: "Good luck!"

---

With that, the maidens are all dismissed.

As they dispersed, Shizuka went to the Cafe. There, as she starts preparing her meal, Suzumiya Hoshino appears, smiley as ever, though she's struck with a big surprise at her sight: "Ah! Shizuka-san! What are you doing?! Eh, I mean... I've already prepared your dinner~

You know, since you refused to leave your routine police job, you're currently working at three jobs!! So at least that you let me do." She says, offering a small but stuffed box to Shizuka, "We're coworkers here at the cafe afterall... So let take care of that for you! Besides, I Always wanted a little sis!! She says, rejoiced, hugging Shizuka almost too tightly to breath and shaking her frenetically.

---

On the meanwhile, Detective Roosevelt starts her investigation on Otoya. First following him around and checking on him with her magnifying glass. She could notice how his brand new new uniform, plain black pants, a plain white shirt and a plain black tie (already disheveled), didn't match him at all.

Despite that all, she could see his mood getting a little better overall, after multiple times stopping and protractedly staring back at her; the first instances he did grumpily and dismissively, but suddenly, starts going around pretending she isn't there, whistling a baroque melody and balancing the mop with the palm of his hand, among other tricks, masterfully. Of course, one thing she couldn't witness him doing is working.

Then, he turns to her, makes an act of mock-surprise (not that she necessarily interpreted it like that) and starts: "Ah! Ch- I mean, Detective Roosevelt! H-how can I help? Whatever crime you're investigation, I'm not involved, be assured!

Eh?! You want to know more about me? My past??" His voice thickens and he puffs his chest and chin, "Ahem- You shouldn't mix personal matters with work, Detective Roosevelt."

He giggles, "Oh well, if you really want to know, I'd gladly tell you anything! Unlike to that old tyrant bastard..."

---

Finally, at the manager's room, Homura gives her report, and confession; Moriyama answers with a smirk. and Hoshikawa asks her to sit and offers a drink.

"I see... Kusakabe-san: we understand that, besides your and your division's noble lineages, you were mere civilians until some weeks ago, so we can understand that 'poor judgement'."

"Indeed, I have been discussing with Hoshikawa-san about finding an actual captain for the division, you know, someone cool-headed, responsible and well trained, someone that could extract the most of the maiden's potential and cover for their faults, someone who could inspire into their hearts the fire of heroism that is required of them!" He finishes, growing in cadence during his speech. "Well, we still have no idea where to find him..." He ends, apologetically.

Hoshikawa, on his side, starts meditating on that issue, twirling his goatee, with a slight smirk.

With that, she is dismissed (unless she wants to pursue another discussion)