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moon_blitzTitle: In Silence Worshiped
Fandom: Danball Senki
Genre: Angst, Friendship, Character Study
Rating: PG
Pairing: Zaizen/Yagami
Wordcount: 7,845
Warning: Spoilers through to Danball Senki Wars.
Summary: His job was to gather intelligence for Zaizen and to help protect the people of Japan. With his past, Yagami couldn't expect anything else, even if there was a possibility of something more.
Chapter 1
Yagami slowly lowered the tea mug as he swallowed the hot liquid, staring down into the swirling steam that rose up from it. It had been a long day, and while he was glad for the time to simply relax and enjoy some tea, he couldn’t fully shake the feeling that this meeting had a deeper meaning behind it. Why else would Zaizen request to meet in a place like this?
Setting the ceramic cup on the table before him, Yagami looked around at the room. It was located in a semi-famous tea house in Tokio that was known for being very respectful of the privacy of the celebrities and other public figures it regularly hosted, so while the room initially appeared to be very plain, touches of elegance were everywhere. It made him, in his usual suit and tie, feel underdressed and like he didn’t quite belong here.
Resisting the urge to look at the time, he continued to sit quietly and drink his tea, accepting an eventual refill with a quiet word of thanks. No mention of where the Prime Minister might be was made, so Yagami assumed the staff knew as much as he did. While he waited, the man thought about the chain of events that had led him from trying to assassinate Zaizen to working for him. It had been a long, hard year, at least mentally. Deception had led to betrayal, and now he was in the process of atoning for all the harm he had caused.
Glancing down at his right hand, he flexed it a few times, easily recalling the handshake that had sealed his fate. Zaizen’s grip had been firm, and there had been an air of confidence about the other man that had let Yagami knew that despite his past, he was being trusted with great responsibility. In a sense, the Prime Minister was his jailer, but for the moment he was happy that his bars were metaphorical rather than physical.
Footsteps from the hall outside the room alerted Yagami that he was about to have company, so he straightened and tried to wipe any impatience from his expression. The door slid open to reveal Zaizen, so Yagami quickly rose as the other man entered. “Prime Minister.”
“Good evening, Yagami-san. I apologize for the wait - the meeting about the Detectors went longer than I had anticipated,” Zaizen explained as he settled down on the opposite side of the table. Yagami waited until he was fully seated, then sat himself.
“I completely understand, sir.” There was silence as fresh pots of tea were brought in, along with a meal, no doubt ordered from a local restaurant. Once they were along again, Yagami asked carefully, “Was the information I provided you useful?”
“It was.” Zaizen smiled and took a sip of tea before adding, “Pass along my thanks to your team the next time you see them.”
“I shall.” Mano, Yakabe and Hosoi would no doubt try to laugh off the praise, but he was certain they would be pleased.
“Excellent. Now, please help yourself to the food. I’m sure you had a long day as well,” Zaizen said, motioning towards the plates spread before them. Still wondering what this meeting was about, Yagami picked up his chopsticks and began to assemble his meal, conscious that the Prime Minister was studying him. Was he observing his food choices? Or his eating habits? He knew that one could learn a fair deal about a person by watching them eat, but he had no idea how skilled Zaizen was in information gathering.
Yagami kept his gaze firmly fixed on his supper, only glancing up briefly when his employer began to eat as well. They had chosen many of the same items, but he was surprised to see him with a bowl of kinpira gobo. His wife had always enjoyed the simmered vegetable dish, but Yagami had never really liked it until after her death, finding it a little too sweet for his tastes. Now he liked to eat it whenever he was feeling particularly lonely.
They ate in near silence, Yagami doing his best to eat politely and not let his mind wander too much. From time to time, he could feel Zaizen’s eyes on him, quietly observing him without comment. Once they had finished and the dishes cleared away, he took a deep breath and asked the question that had been nagging at him ever since he had arrived. “Was there any particular reason you wanted to see me, Prime Minister?”
The other man looked at him intently for a moment, then smiled, clearly not bothered by the issue being pressed. “First, there’s no need to call me that while we’re in private. Sir or Zaizen-san will be fine. As for this meeting, well…” Zaizen trailed off, looked down at his tea, then said softly, “It was a selfish request on my part, Yagami-san. I must admit that I’m intrigued by you, and hoped that by having dinner with you, I might learn more about you.”
Yagami blinked at that, considering how to respond. He wasn’t the least bit offended, for he had observed Zaizen as well, if more by sound than by sight. Deciding to taka risk, he asked, “Did you learn anything useful, sir?”
“Useful? Probably not, unless your eating habits somehow end up saving the world.” Zaizen smiled at his joke, and Yagami smiled a little as well, straightening slightly as the man continued. “But you do seem to have a preference for salty and bitter food. I would never have guessed you liked namasu or chanpuru, for example.”
“My father liked bitter food, so I picked up the taste from him,” Yagami admitted, smiling slightly at the memory of his mother grumbling about her husband and son’s taste in dishes.
“We acquire many things from our parents, it seems. I know I certainly picked up a few habits from mine. And I’m certain Touko has done that same from me,” Zaizen said as he poured himself another cup of tea. Yagami nodded at the mention of the Prime Minister’s daughter, recalling that she was a talented soccer player in her own right. That made him think about his own lost child, and he hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Yuki always did love watching us cook. She said she wanted to grow up to be a famous chef one day.” Yagami paused, then pushed himself to continue. “Keiko wouldn’t let her cook due to all the sharp knives, but they would often bake things together…” He trailed off, staring down into his cold tea. Ten years, and it still hurt so much.
“I’m sorry,” Zaizen murmured. “I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.”
“It’s alright, sir.” Yagami closed his eyes and took a breath, composing himself. When he opened them, he reached for the tea, pouring himself a fresh cup. Only then did he look at the man across the table. “I’m grateful I have such memories of them.”
“Understandable. You’re lucky your daughter was interested in cooking - I can barely persuade Touko to stay in the kitchen long enough to make a sandwich. Of course, I’m not much of a cook, and the kitchen staff does cook most of our meals anyway.”
Silence descended again, but the awkwardness that had existed before was gone. After a few minutes, Zaizen drained his tea mug and rose. Yagami stood as well, brushing the creases from his suit.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Yagami-san. If circumstances permit, I hope we can dine again in the future,” the Prime Minister said, a pleased look on his face.
Yagami nodded, pleased as well by the invitation. “I hope so as well, sir. In the meantime, let us work together in stopping the Detectors from causing any more damage.”
“Agreed, but I want you to go home and relax after you leave here. Wearing yourself out won’t benefit anyone,” the man warned, and Yagami realized that Zaizen was much more observant than he seemed.
- - -
“…and that concludes my report on the Paradise Incident.” Yagami finished, gathering up his papers and returning them to the file folder. The Detectors had been stopped and unmasked, but in their place had arose a greater threat - Omega Dain, armed with a satellite capable of destroying everything humanity had worked for. But thanks to Ban and the others, peace had returned once again.
“Excellent work, Yagami-san,” Zaizen said warmly, closing his copy of the file and placing it in one of his desk drawers. By now, Yagami was used to giving personal reports to the Prime Minister, but they were usually done through a video feed, not in person.
“Has there been any response to your commercials about LBXs being safe to use again?” he asked, curious to know what the general public was thinking.
“You mean you haven’t been digging into that yourself?”
“Not really, sir. I’d prefer to hear any feed back through official channels.” In truth, his team was tired, as was he, although no one tried to show it. All the late nights staring at computer screens were starting to catch up to them, it seemed.
“I see.” Zaizen gave an odd smile, its meaning lost on Yagami. “Public response has generally been positive, although many parents still seem hesitant about their children having access to LBXs. I’m hoping that will change now that the Detectors have officially been shut down.”
“That’s good to hear. Have you decided what your going to do with Professor Yamano?” He hated to ask, since any legal case would tear Ban’s family apart, but punishment had to be handed down.
“Not yet. Professor Yamano has accepted full responsibility for his actions however, and his role in unmasking Omega Dain’s plot will not be forgotten.” The Prime Minister looked away for a moment, then asked in a lighter tone, “Have you eaten yet, Yagami-san?”
“I have, but it was only a light meal several hours ago,” Yagami replied, sensing where the conversation was heading.
Zaizen looked back at him them, a glint in his eye. “Well then, do you fancy some supper? I was thinking of kaiseki, if that’s good with you.” Seeing Yagami glance down at his suit, the man added, “By which I mean kaiseki-ryouri. I don’t think either of us have the energy for a tea ceremony at this time of night. And don’t worry about the cost - it’ll be my treat.”
Taken aback at the offer, Yagami stared at the Prime Minister for a few seconds. Kaiseki were quite expensive, and while the Innovators had held them on occasion for their top staff, he had rarely attended. Realizing that his mouth was hanging open, he closed it with a snap and took a moment to gather himself before replying.
“I would be honoured to dine with you, Prime Minister,” he said as formally as he could. “If that is indeed what you wish to do, a kaiseki sounds wonderful.”
By the look on Zaizen’s face, he seemed to find Yagami’s reaction funny, but he had to grace not to mention it, replying with, “Excellent. I will join you as soon as I finish up here.”
“Of course.” Yagami rose and bowed to the Prime Minister before leaving the office, making his way to a side room to wait. He had been there before in the daytime, but he found that the light spilling from the lamps on the wall added a warm atmosphere to the room that wasn’t present when the sun was up. Resisting the urge to sink into the padded chair and close his eyes, he accepted the offer of coffee from one of the staffers. Hopefully the drink would wake him up a bit.
His mug was nearly empty by the time Zaizen stepped into the room, so he drained it quickly and moved to join the Prime Minister. The car ride was longer than expected due to an accident, so Yagami sat quietly beside Zaizen and stared out at the rain. Rainy nights always brought him back to the night he lost Keiko and Yuki, for it had been raining that night as well. Nearly storming, which had made the rescue work all that more difficult. Not that the rescuers could have done anything to save his wife and child.
Fighting back the grief the memories brought, Yagami looked away from the window, turning his gaze towards Zaizen. To his surprise, the other man was already looking at him, the passing streetlights highlighting his dark eyes as the car moved beneath them. No words were exchanged; the Prime Minister just smiled at him before looking back out at the city.
Yagami shifted in his seat, suddenly restless. That simple smile had somehow made the tightness in his chest ease a little, yet at the same time his stomach clenched into a knot. Blaming his strange reaction on the fact that he was tired and hungry, he contented himself with staring at the back of the driver’s seat, uncomfortable with looking out at the rain again. Even so, he couldn’t quite stop thinking about how this was the closest he had been to Zaizen in a long time.
The rain hadn’t let up at all by the time they arrived at small restaurant where the kaiseki was to be held, so Yagami gratefully accepted the umbrella the driver handed him. Zaizen was already waiting, but he seemed more preoccupied with the weather than with the impending meal, for he had tipped his umbrella back slightly to look up at the dark sky.
“Try not to get too wet, sir. It wouldn’t be good if you got sick,” Yagami warned, hoping he wasn’t overstepping any boundaries.
“Very true,” Zaizen agreed, straightening his umbrella and smiling at him again. “Still, a little water won’t kill me. Let’s go inside.”
Edging around puddles as he followed the man, Yagami shook his head, understanding why the nation had voted him into office. He just hoped that the recent commotion caused by the Detectors wouldn’t hurt Zaizen’s chances of getting re-elected come the next election. Japan needed someone like him to lead them into the future, and Zaizen was young enough to lead for a very long time.
“Welcome, honoured guests.” The owner bowed as the entered, and Yagami bowed back, suspicion creeping into his mind. It wasn’t unusual for the owner of a restaurant like this to greet customers as they entered, but a quick glance at the shoe rack showed that very few people were here tonight. Given the weather, he would have assumed that the place would have been more crowded. Could Zaizen have planned this in advance?
Coats and umbrellas were stored and indoor slipper put on, then they were led to the most private room the restaurant had to offer. Hot tea was waiting for them, and Yagami was grateful for it. Still, he waited until Zaizen was seated before lowering himself onto his pillow and reaching for the teapot.
“Thanks, but I’ll pass,” Zaizen said when Yagami held out a teacup. “I believe I’ve had more tea in the past few weeks than I have in the previous year.”
“You don’t like coffee?”
The Prime Minister waited until Yagami was done pouring his own tea to answer. “I don’t mind it, but I usually only drink it in the morning or if I must stay up late. I find that tea calms me down, and I must admit that I needed to be calm the past little while.”
“Indeed, I know the feeling well,” Yagami replied dryly, earning a smile from the man.
“I’m sure you do. Are you planning on taking any time off now that the situation has been resolved?”
“Time off?” Yagami paused with his teacup halfway to his mouth. The thought of a vacation hadn’t even occurred to him. “No. While my detective agency is technically a cover for my employment for you, I do get the odd call from potential clients. There are a few cases I might look into, if you don’t mind.”
Zaizen tsked and frowned at him, clearly unhappy with his response. But the entrance of a waiter with the first course made the frown vanish, and the Prime Minister smiled and thanked the man as the food was laid out on the table between them. When he was gone, he focused back on Yagami. “While I probably have the authority to order you to not take cases, I won’t. If the work makes you happy and you don’t get burnt out, you are free to do as you wish.”
Yagami was suddenly struck by the tender tone in the man’s voice, and so it took him a few moments to process that and respond. “I promise not to work too hard, sir. Thank you.”
Zaizen nodded, then held out a sake cup. “Set aside that tea and have a drink with me, Yagami-san.” He did as commanded, holding the small cup still as the sake was poured. When both of them had full cups, the Prime Minister smiled and raised his. “Cheers!”
“Cheers,” Yagami echoed, aware that his voiced lacked the enthusiasm that Zaizen’s had. The man didn’t seem to notice, so he closed his eyes and drained the cup, letting the warm alcohol slide down his throat. It was sweeter than the type he normally drank, but there was a chestnut taste to it that offset the sweetness somewhat. Still, it wasn’t bad, and he eyed the bottle as he lowered the cup, wondering if it would be rude to have another drink. Zaizen saw his look and held out the bottle, so Yagami accepted the offer and allowed the man to pour him another drink.
They proceeded on to the first course after that, a light appetizer that made him realize just how hungry he was. Yagami switched back to drinking tea once the second course arrived, finding that it went well with the sea bass sushi and the assorted side dishes with it. In the break between courses, Zaizen loosened his tie and asked, “Yagami-san, are you enjoying yourself? You’re rather quiet tonight.”
“I am, sir.” Figuring he better elaborate a little, he added, “Due to the Detectors, I haven’t had much personal time, so I have little to talk about.”
“Mm, I know that feeling well.” Zaizen stared at his sake cup for a moment, then asked, “Do you have any interest in soccer?”
“I know the basic rules of the game, but I don’t follow it closely.”
“I see…would you like to attend one of Touko’s matches sometime?”
Surprised by the offer, Yagami poured himself a fresh cup of tea as he thought about it, then nodded. “Yes, I would like that.” For some bizarre reason, the thought of spending time with Zaizen outside of their duties made him happy, but the emotional reaction was also worrying as well. It was something he would have to look into further.
“Excellent. I’ll ask her about her schedule and get back to you on possible dates.” He couldn’t help but notice that Zaizen looked almost relieved as he spoke, as if he had been worried that Yagami would say no. But the arrival of the third course pushed those thoughts from his mind, and he eagerly reached for a piece of horse mackerel sashimi.
- - -
Yagami leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes, refusing to look at the time as he gazed around as he empty office. He had pulled another all-nighter, and his body was protesting the lack of sleep. But he couldn’t go to bed now, not while Mizel was still on the loose. Zaizen would have probably scolded him for not being well rested, but the Prime Minister was practically living at his office these days.
Hearing his stomach rumble, he sighed, his thoughts drifting back to the kaiseki the two of them had shared. It has been eight courses, and it had been well into the early hours of the morning before he had gotten home. He suspected that Zaizen had been slightly drunk by the time they had finished, but he was impressed that Prime Minister had held his liquor so well, considering the amount of sake he had drank. If nothing else, Zaizen was a cheerful drinker, and they had spent most of the evening chatting, despite their claims of having nothing to talk about.
“Perhaps the good food loosened our tongues…” he murmured, looking at the picture of his wife on daughter that was on his desk. He and Keiko had grown closer over sharing meals as well, although he wouldn’t go as far as saying that she had won his heart with food.
A sharp knock on the door made him sit up and blink, fearful that he had somehow dozed off, but he rose at the second knock and walked over to the door. “Who is it?” he called, wondering if there was an emergency nearby.
“I have a delivery for one Yagami Eiji,” a male voice answered. Yagami hesitated, the possibility of an attack arising in his mind. He was certain that the Innovators still had agents about, and he wouldn’t put it past them to try and get revenge for his betrayal.
“One moment, please.” Pulling his CCM out of his pocket, he activated General and had the LBX stand on the opposite side of the door, rifle pointed up at whoever was outside. Making sure to conceal the CCM, he then opened the door a crack. “Delivery, you said?”
“Yep.” The man standing there was dressed in a windbreaker and jeans against the morning chill, a baseball cap and dark sunglasses. Yagami tensed as the man raised a brown paper bag, his finger hovering over the button that would command General to attack should he pulled a weapon. “I brought breakfast.”
“Breakfast…?” He hasn’t called for a delivery, but perhaps one of his team had, anticipating that he would be spending the night at the detective agency. Still, it was better to check. “Who called the order in?”
“Your boss,” the man said, flashing a familiar smile and tilting the sunglasses down slightly with his free hand, revealing himself to be Zaizen.
“Pri-Sir!” he cried in surprise, taking a step back at the unexpected sight.
“Good morning, Yagami-san,” Zaizen said lightly, taking the opportunity to step inside. Noticing General by his feet as he closed the door, he asked, “Expecting trouble, or did I interrupt your practice?”
“I wasn’t sure who you were, do I didn’t want to take any chances,” Yagami replied stiffly, returning the LBX to his pocket a moment later.
“Always a wise decision,” the Prime Minister agreed, unzipping his jacket and removing his hat and sunglasses.
“Please, take a seat,” the detective said, moving one of his subordinate’s chairs to the other side of his desk.
“Thank you. As I said, I brought breakfast, although it’s nothing too fancy.” Zaizen settled into the chair and opened the bag he carried, removing several small containers. As the lids were taken off, the smell of scrambled eggs and toast filled the room.
“Does your security detail know where you are?” Yagami asked, unable to keep the sharp tone out of his voice. Giving the situation, he was surprised that the man would decide to leave his office for such a casual thing like breakfast with the man who had once tried to kill him.
“Oh yes, they know. They’re waiting outside. And don’t worry, I have my CCM on me if something happens. Relax, Yagami-san, and enjoy your breakfast.”
Yagami had already accepted the container of scrambled eggs before he registered what Zaizen had said. “You have a CCM, sir?”
“I do.” He held the red-and-white device out, and added, “Originally, it was just for promotional purposes, but I’ve grown to like it.”
“I see…” He ate his eggs as he mulled the revelation over, the other man sipping at a coffee. Eventually curiosity got the better of him and he asked, “Do you battle as well?”
“Yes, but I’m quite bad at it. Touko is better than I am, and she holds very little interest in LBXs,” Zaizen said with a smile, seemingly not embarrassed at all by admitting his lack of skill.
“Perhaps you just need some practice,” Yagami suggested as he picked up his toast.
“Perhaps.” The detective noted the slight smile that accompanied the answer, and he wondered what Zaizen was thinking. Probably something about Mizel. It was all everyone was thinking this days. Mizel, and what city would be next to be threatened by his army of LBXs.
As he munched on his toast, he realized that he was enjoying this breakfast, as odd as it was. The good food helped, but the awkwardness that had lingered over their previous meals together was gone. Zaizen seemed relaxed as well, quietly sipping on a coffee as he looked around the office. Yagami reflected that it was pretty bare, since none of them had the time or the inclination to decorate much. The only real sign of personalization was the picture of his family that sat on his desk.
The Prime Minister had noticed the picture frame as well, and he looked at the back of it for a moment before asking softly, “May I see the photo?”
Yagami nodded, his mouth full of toast, and watched with conflicting emotions as Zaizen gently picked up the picture frame and turned it around. There was silence while he examined the picture, then the man said quietly, “Keiko and Yuki, was it? She takes after you…”
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Yagami nodded and replied, “Yes, but she had her mother’s smile and personality.”
“I’m sure she did. I wish I could have met them.”
“I’m certain they would have liked you. Keiko probably would have voted for you.”
Returning the picture to its place, Zaizen shifted and dig his wallet out, then removed something and held it out. Wiping his hands as to not get crumbs on the item, Yagami accepted it carefully and saw that it was a picture of Touko. The pink haired, blue eyed girl was grinning, posing with a soccer ball in one hand and flashing a victory sign with the other.
“She’s…in junior high, right?” he asked as he handed the picture back. Yuki would have been a little older than Touko, and he wondering what interests her daughter would have had. Perhaps the two girls would have played against each other in soccer.
“Yes, although sometimes it seems like she’s older. She can be very mature for her age,” Zaizen answered with a smile as he tucked the picture away. He then finished his coffee and stood. “I better get back to work, since Mizel might strike at any time.”
“Indeed.” Yagami rose as well, and waited while the man put his disguise back on. “Thank you for stopping by, and for breakfast. I needed a good meal.”
“I thought you might.” The Prime Minister grinned for a second, then sobered. “Keep looking into Mizel, and inform me if you find anything, no matter how small. Once this is over, I’ll take you out for a proper meal.”
Yagami had to struggle to keep from smiling as he replied, “I shall, sir. But isn’t it my turn to treat you?”
Zaizen laughed and raised a hand as he opened the door. “It’s a date, then. Don’t worry too hard, Yagami.”
He stood there for a minute once the Prime Minister had left, then slowly returned to his seat, more conflicted than ever. Had Zaizen been tired and simply made a mistake when he dropped the ‘-san’ honorific from his name? Yagami didn’t think so, since the man had seemed alert enough while they talked. That would mean it was deliberate, and he had no idea what to make of that.
“I suppose we are becoming closer,” he muttered to the picture of his family. “Even so, he is my jailer, and nothing good had ever come from a prisoner and jailer becoming friends.” His years as a police detective had taught him that much. Besides, it wasn’t like Zaizen could unlock the door to his cell and set him free - in fact, he very much expected to end up in jail eventually. He had no desire blight the Prime Minster’s record by remaining free, so he would accept being locked away when the time came. He had crimes to pay for, after all.
Shaking off the thoughts, he leaned forward and tapped his laptop to wake it from sleep mode, determined to help put and end to Mizel’s tyranny.
- - -
“Wouldn’t it be better if Kirito became a test player for a Japanese company?” Yagami asked curiously as they walked away from the blonde teenager. He had been informed that Zaizen would be making some sort of offer to the former Omega Dain employee, but he hadn’t expected that offer to be a position within the government security forces.
“Perhaps, but he has the necessary experience, and he’s exactly the kind of person we need. He will be closely watched, and he won’t have the clearance to access highly sensitive information,” Zaizen replied, glancing up from the schedule he held.
“He could always hack in.”
“I’d like to see him try.” There was an edge to the Prime Minister’s tone that surprised Yagami, but it gave him a window into the man’s feelings on the matter.
“You trust him not to.” It was a statement, not a question, and Zaizen confirmed it with a quick nod. He hesitated for a moment, then took a risk an added, “Just like you trust me not to betray you.”
Zaizen stopped walking and looked at him, clearly surprised. “Yes Yagami, I trust you. You have given me no reason to think otherwise. Unless you have some reason that I shouldn’t trust you?”
“Ah…” Still uncomfortable with the change in address, he realized that his hesitation was probably being taken as a bad sign. Drawing himself up, he said firmly, “No, Prime Minister, I do not. I am simply still surprised that you would align yourself with someone like myself.”
“Hm. I see.” Following along as the man started walking towards the waiting car, Yagami tried to suppress the anxiety that was growing within him. Had he just condemned himself to a life behind bars? Perhaps so, but perhaps it was time for him to leave the world. He just hoped that his team wouldn’t be judged quite as harshly, so that they might be able to enjoy freedom in their old age.
Zaizen remained silent until they car was well on the way to the rally he was scheduled to attend, but when he spoke, his voice was gentle. “Yagami, I know you still hold great guilt over your actions under the Innovators, but you must learn to let some of it go. You cannot change the past, but you have worked hard to change both the present and the future.”
Yagami bit his lip, unsure as to what Zaizen was getting at. But the man simply smiled at him and continued. “Yes, you once attempted to kill me, but look at us now. Together, we have stopped two major threats to world peace, and I like to think that we’re friends.”
“Friends, sir?” The detective heard the tremble in his voice, and he distantly wondered why.
“Yes, friends.”
Yagami looked away at that, feeling his hands curl into fists. “I…I am not worthy of your friendship, Prime Minister,” he replied as formally as he could, forcing the words out around the lump in his throat. He desperately wanted to accept that friendship, but he had to reject it.
“Yagami…” Zaizen sounded disappointed, and he closed his eyes, refusing to look at him. It would hurt too much. “If you can, please tell me why.”
“Because…Because it wouldn’t be right. I am a criminal, and a former employee of an organization which tried to end your government. If that is not enough, consider my background as a mere police detective. I should not be near you, much less be your friend.”
“But that is exactly why you should be near me,” Zaizen insisted, and Yagami froze as a hand was place atop his own. “Haven’t the recent incidents proven that I need someone with your background by my side? Yes, you have done wrong in the past, but your actions since entering my service have been nothing but exemplementry . You have both earned and kept my trust over these last few months, so yes, I consider you my friend. Please understand that. Please, Yagami.”
Yagami sucked in his breath at the last two words, torn over how to respond. It almost sounded like Zaizen was begging, but that couldn’t be the case. He wasn’t valuable enough to beg for. At least, that’s what he tried to tell himself, but Zaizen’s words continued to echo in his mind. And then there was the matter of the Prime Minister’s hand, still resting on his clenched fist.
“I…I need time to think,” he said brokenly, aware that the car had been stopped for some time. “Besides, you’re going to be late for the rally.”
“Always a stickler for a schedule, eh?” Zaizen half-heartedly grumbled, but he gave Yagami’s hand a squeeze before removing his own. “Alright, I’ll go do my duty. But I do want an answer from you, Yagami.”
“Yes sir. I’ll try to have one by the time you get back,” Yagami promised, finally able to bring himself to look at the man.
“No need to rush to an answer. I’ll see you later,” Zaizen said gently, giving him a smile before stepping out of the car. As the door closed, Yagami took several deep breaths and leaned back in his seat. He had over an hour to think about things, and he swore that he would have an answer when the Prime Minister returned.
- - -
He sat quietly in the car, waging an internal war. When he had worked for Kaidou Yoshimitsu, Zaizen had been the enemy, a target that was to be destroyed so that the Innovators could reach their goals. Once Yagami had learned how wrong he had been, he had left the organization. Perhaps they should be the ones to blame for all of this, since they had been the first to introduce him to Zaizen, albeit through a sniper’s sights. Perhaps the seeds of his current struggle had been planted then.
“Why…Why him, of all people?” he murmured to himself, grinding his teeth in a flash of anger. Yagami had realized it at last - he held feelings for Zaizen Sousuke, feelings that weren’t quite love but was much more than simple respect. And now that he knew the truth, there was no way he could admit it. Zaizen was too far above him for that to happen. Besides, he couldn’t fall in love again. Keiko still held his heart, and he wasn’t willing to give it up to someone who was unattainable.
Even so, he felt like he had an answer for the Prime Minister. It may mean putting himself through intentional misery, but he would stay by Zaizen’s side and support him as best he could.
Yagami straightened as the car door opened, looking calmly at Zaizen as he slid inside. “How did the rally go?”
“Good, although the reporters afterwards were less than kind. They seem to think I haven’t noticed the drop in my poll numbers over the past few weeks, so they keep brining it up and asking what I’m going to do about it.” Zaizen took a breath, then sank back into the seat. “Enough about that. Do you come to an answer?”
“I have.” Yagami paused to gather himself, keeping his gaze fixed on the man beside him. “I realize now that I must move on from my past, although I will never forget what I have done. I am pleased that you think so highly of me, and that you are willing to trust me. Finally…if you will have me, I am honoured to work with you and be your friend, Zaizen-san.”
The smile Zaizen gave him once he finished was worth the conflict over his feelings.
- - -
Yagami climbed the stands carefully, not wanting to slip on the wet wood and injure himself. He had finally been able to take Zaizen up on the offer of attending one of Touko’s matches, so he was happy to be here, despite the rain. This was only a practice, so turnout was sparse due to the wet weather, consisting of mainly parents and die-hard supporters. He would attend a game in time, but he had thought it best to attend a practice or two beforehand.
Zaizen was seated a fair distance up the stands, well away from the other parents. He tipped the large umbrella he was holding up as Yagami approached, smiling in pleasure. “Glad you could make it, Yagami. Put your umbrella away and sit with me - there’s plenty of room.”
“Glad I could come. Thanks for the invitation, Zaizen-san,” he replied, folding his umbrella up and ducking down under the edge of Zaizen’s. “Did I miss much?”
“Only the laps around the pitch. Here.”
“Thanks.” Accepting the can of hot tea with a smile, Yagami took a sip and felt better as warmth flood through him. “I’m surprised you were able to make it to a practice, considering the situation.”
“There’s nothing I can do about my party’s numbers, although for some reason I keep trying,” Zaizen commented mildly, eyes fixed on the field. “I think the public understands that I’m not to blame for the damage Mizel did, but since they still need someone to punish, they’re taking it out on my party.”
“That’s a shame.” There really was nothing Yagami could say in that regard, since there was nothing he could do to alter public opinion in the wake of Mizel’s downfall. Still, he hated to see Zaizen fall due to something that had been out of his control.
As the players continued to run through their drills, they sat in comfortable silence. Yagami was pleased to be able to spend time with Zaizen, and he found the activity on the field below rather interesting to watch. He was still acutely aware of every move the man beside him made, however much he tried to focus on the soccer players. When Zaizen shifted closer, he felt his heartbeat increase despite his best attempts to push aside his hidden feelings. Keiko was first in his heart, and there was no way he was going to allow anyone to replace her.
Even so, he couldn’t help looking sideways at Zaizen, admiring the way the rain softened his features ever so slightly and catching the momentary smiles as something happened on the field below. Eventually, the Prime Minister looked over and saw that Yagami was looking at him. “You‘re not bored, are you Yagami?”
“Ah, not at all sir. I was just thinking that you seem to enjoy watching the practices.” Looking away and hoping that his blush wasn’t too evident, Yagami took a drink of his tea, grateful for the warm drink.
“It’s nice to watch the players improve over time and know that they are playing because they love the game,” Zaizen replied. “And I feel like I learn something myself, even though I’m simply watching instead of participating. Since I feel confident enough to know about most of the things done in soccer, please ask me if you have any questions.”
“I shall, sir.” Watching the players took him back to his junior high days, and he remembered the thrill he had felt playing basketball. He had never been skilled enough to go pro, but it had been fun to play, and he still enjoyed catching the odd game on TV.
Conversation seemed to come more easily after that, and they chatted about how the world was recovering from Mizel’s actions and the surge in LBX sales until the practice was over.
Zaizen rose as the players headed for the side of the pitch, but kept part of the umbrella over Yagami’s head. “You haven’t met Touko, yet, have you? Want to come with me and say hello?”
“I…” Yagami took a breath, a mixture of feelings making his chest tighten. He didn’t want to become too attached to Zaizen, since it would make keeping his feelings separate from their business relations all the more harder, but he did want to see what kind of daughter Zaizen was raising. So he got up as well and nodded. “I would be glad to, Zaizen-san.”
- - -
“You seem troubled, Zaizen-san,” Yagami said as he poured them both some tea. The detective had been busy with a case during the past month, and the Prime Minister had been doing a world tour of sorts, visiting the countries affected by Mizel. This was the first time they had met face-to-face in a while, and he was eager to catch up on the news and relax with his friend.
“There is some talks going on for a school revolving around LBXs,” Zaizen said slowly as he swirled his tea.
“Given the popularity of Artemis, I’m surprised it hasn’t come up before now. You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“Oh, it certainly has its merits, but that’s not what’s troubling me.” Zaizen frowned, put down his tea and said bluntly, “If this school goes ahead, it will have a direct impact on our world. Yagami, they want children to fight each other in proxy wars between participating nations. Children like Yamano-kun and Kaidou-kun. Children. And they honestly believe this is a good idea!”
“Proxy wars…” Yagami took a drink of his own tea as he considered the possibilities. Frankly, it was rather terrifying. “While such a thing may indeed reduce bloodshed in the real world, I don’t believe letting children fight a virtual war with LBXs is the right move to make. Yes, Ban-kun and the others have shown that children their age can do amazing things, but there are too many unknowns to allow this to go forward. Haibara Yuuya is a good example of what happens when you train a child for war.”
“Exactly. What happens if you get a mentally unstable student or teacher involved? And what exactly will the impact of the virtual battles be? How will the world map be altered? How will the public react to such a thing?” Zaizen let out a frustrated sigh. “They can talk to me all they want, but I refuse to let Japan be a part of such a thing.”
“But…?” Yagami prompted, sensing that there was more to the story. He hadn’t heard much about this himself, but he had thought he had no need to dig into international matters if the world wasn’t about to end. Clearly, that was the wrong decision to make.
Zaizen smiled at him. “You know me too well, Yagami. However much I refuse, I fear I will not be one to make the final decision regarding this matter.”
“You think someone is trying to bring your government down again?” Yagami sat up straighter. If that was the case, he had a job to do.
“I’m almost certain of it. Still, if they don’t succeed, I believe the public will do the job for them.”
“Is there anything I can do? I’m sure my team-” He halted as Zaizen held up a hand.
“No, Yagami, not this time. Given everything that happened, it may be more suspicious for me to remain in power. I will not allow myself to become what my enemies are.” Yagami gritted his teeth at Zaizen’s tone, not liking what it implied.
“With all due respect sir, you sound like you’ve already lost the election. If you feel you must atone for being unable to stop Mizel, then so be it. Trust me, I know what you’re going through. But your first priority is to the Japanese people and their future. If you give up and allow those who are in favour of this school and all it entails to walk right over you, how will that help the public?”
Yagami didn’t remember when he had risen to his feet, but he was standing now, standing and looking down on Zaizen. His friend opened his mouth, probably to object, but he wasn’t done yet. “No, Zaizen, hear me out. How will you stepping aside help Ban-kun and his friends who risked their lives to save the world? Or the thousands that came together to stop Mizel through their love of LBXs? How will that help Touko and her dreams?”
In the silence that followed, Yagami realized he had overstepped his boundaries. “Sir, I-”
“Don’t you dare apologize, Yagami. Or leave. Please, sit down.” Zaizen’s voice was sharp, and there was a look in his eyes that told the detective that he was angry. Slowly returning to his seat, he took a drink of lukewarm tea and fiddled with the mug as he waited to be reprimanded.
But when Zaizen spoke, his tone was softer. “I believe this is the first time we’ve gotten angry with each other.”
“I believe it is, sir,” Yagami agreed, keeping his eyes fixed on his tea. He would have apologized, but he had a feeling the Prime Minister wouldn’t accept it.
“You were rather forceful with me.”
“You rather needed it, sir.”
“Indeed, I did.” Looking up at the light chuckle that followed, Yagami saw that the anger had faded from Zaizen’s face. “Thank you, Yagami. You were right - I was being selfish and not thinking about the people who elected me as their leader. I needed to be reminded of that.”
“You’re welcome, Zaizen-san,” Yagami said awkwardly, not entirely sure how to respond.
“Enough of that, Yagami. Formalities aren’t needed now,” Zaizen smiled at his puzzled look and asked, “Or did you not realize what you just said?”
The man did a quick mental review of the previous discussion, his eyes widening when he realized his error. “I-I didn’t mean…it was a simple mistake, sir,” he said helplessly, ashamed at having made the slip.
“Yes, it was. And one I’d like you to make again, if you don’t mind,” Zaizen said lightly.
“If…If you don’t mind…” Yagami said, trying to ignore the happy feeling that was spreading through him as a result of the man’s words.
“I don’t. Now, how about we get some hot tea and talk about what to do next?”
Pleased that he hadn’t angered Zaizen enough to end the conversation, Yagami nodded, already thinking of what they could if this new LBX school did go ahead.Chapter 2
Fandom: Danball Senki
Genre: Angst, Friendship, Character Study
Rating: PG
Pairing: Zaizen/Yagami
Wordcount: 7,845
Warning: Spoilers through to Danball Senki Wars.
Summary: His job was to gather intelligence for Zaizen and to help protect the people of Japan. With his past, Yagami couldn't expect anything else, even if there was a possibility of something more.
Yagami slowly lowered the tea mug as he swallowed the hot liquid, staring down into the swirling steam that rose up from it. It had been a long day, and while he was glad for the time to simply relax and enjoy some tea, he couldn’t fully shake the feeling that this meeting had a deeper meaning behind it. Why else would Zaizen request to meet in a place like this?
Setting the ceramic cup on the table before him, Yagami looked around at the room. It was located in a semi-famous tea house in Tokio that was known for being very respectful of the privacy of the celebrities and other public figures it regularly hosted, so while the room initially appeared to be very plain, touches of elegance were everywhere. It made him, in his usual suit and tie, feel underdressed and like he didn’t quite belong here.
Resisting the urge to look at the time, he continued to sit quietly and drink his tea, accepting an eventual refill with a quiet word of thanks. No mention of where the Prime Minister might be was made, so Yagami assumed the staff knew as much as he did. While he waited, the man thought about the chain of events that had led him from trying to assassinate Zaizen to working for him. It had been a long, hard year, at least mentally. Deception had led to betrayal, and now he was in the process of atoning for all the harm he had caused.
Glancing down at his right hand, he flexed it a few times, easily recalling the handshake that had sealed his fate. Zaizen’s grip had been firm, and there had been an air of confidence about the other man that had let Yagami knew that despite his past, he was being trusted with great responsibility. In a sense, the Prime Minister was his jailer, but for the moment he was happy that his bars were metaphorical rather than physical.
Footsteps from the hall outside the room alerted Yagami that he was about to have company, so he straightened and tried to wipe any impatience from his expression. The door slid open to reveal Zaizen, so Yagami quickly rose as the other man entered. “Prime Minister.”
“Good evening, Yagami-san. I apologize for the wait - the meeting about the Detectors went longer than I had anticipated,” Zaizen explained as he settled down on the opposite side of the table. Yagami waited until he was fully seated, then sat himself.
“I completely understand, sir.” There was silence as fresh pots of tea were brought in, along with a meal, no doubt ordered from a local restaurant. Once they were along again, Yagami asked carefully, “Was the information I provided you useful?”
“It was.” Zaizen smiled and took a sip of tea before adding, “Pass along my thanks to your team the next time you see them.”
“I shall.” Mano, Yakabe and Hosoi would no doubt try to laugh off the praise, but he was certain they would be pleased.
“Excellent. Now, please help yourself to the food. I’m sure you had a long day as well,” Zaizen said, motioning towards the plates spread before them. Still wondering what this meeting was about, Yagami picked up his chopsticks and began to assemble his meal, conscious that the Prime Minister was studying him. Was he observing his food choices? Or his eating habits? He knew that one could learn a fair deal about a person by watching them eat, but he had no idea how skilled Zaizen was in information gathering.
Yagami kept his gaze firmly fixed on his supper, only glancing up briefly when his employer began to eat as well. They had chosen many of the same items, but he was surprised to see him with a bowl of kinpira gobo. His wife had always enjoyed the simmered vegetable dish, but Yagami had never really liked it until after her death, finding it a little too sweet for his tastes. Now he liked to eat it whenever he was feeling particularly lonely.
They ate in near silence, Yagami doing his best to eat politely and not let his mind wander too much. From time to time, he could feel Zaizen’s eyes on him, quietly observing him without comment. Once they had finished and the dishes cleared away, he took a deep breath and asked the question that had been nagging at him ever since he had arrived. “Was there any particular reason you wanted to see me, Prime Minister?”
The other man looked at him intently for a moment, then smiled, clearly not bothered by the issue being pressed. “First, there’s no need to call me that while we’re in private. Sir or Zaizen-san will be fine. As for this meeting, well…” Zaizen trailed off, looked down at his tea, then said softly, “It was a selfish request on my part, Yagami-san. I must admit that I’m intrigued by you, and hoped that by having dinner with you, I might learn more about you.”
Yagami blinked at that, considering how to respond. He wasn’t the least bit offended, for he had observed Zaizen as well, if more by sound than by sight. Deciding to taka risk, he asked, “Did you learn anything useful, sir?”
“Useful? Probably not, unless your eating habits somehow end up saving the world.” Zaizen smiled at his joke, and Yagami smiled a little as well, straightening slightly as the man continued. “But you do seem to have a preference for salty and bitter food. I would never have guessed you liked namasu or chanpuru, for example.”
“My father liked bitter food, so I picked up the taste from him,” Yagami admitted, smiling slightly at the memory of his mother grumbling about her husband and son’s taste in dishes.
“We acquire many things from our parents, it seems. I know I certainly picked up a few habits from mine. And I’m certain Touko has done that same from me,” Zaizen said as he poured himself another cup of tea. Yagami nodded at the mention of the Prime Minister’s daughter, recalling that she was a talented soccer player in her own right. That made him think about his own lost child, and he hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Yuki always did love watching us cook. She said she wanted to grow up to be a famous chef one day.” Yagami paused, then pushed himself to continue. “Keiko wouldn’t let her cook due to all the sharp knives, but they would often bake things together…” He trailed off, staring down into his cold tea. Ten years, and it still hurt so much.
“I’m sorry,” Zaizen murmured. “I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.”
“It’s alright, sir.” Yagami closed his eyes and took a breath, composing himself. When he opened them, he reached for the tea, pouring himself a fresh cup. Only then did he look at the man across the table. “I’m grateful I have such memories of them.”
“Understandable. You’re lucky your daughter was interested in cooking - I can barely persuade Touko to stay in the kitchen long enough to make a sandwich. Of course, I’m not much of a cook, and the kitchen staff does cook most of our meals anyway.”
Silence descended again, but the awkwardness that had existed before was gone. After a few minutes, Zaizen drained his tea mug and rose. Yagami stood as well, brushing the creases from his suit.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Yagami-san. If circumstances permit, I hope we can dine again in the future,” the Prime Minister said, a pleased look on his face.
Yagami nodded, pleased as well by the invitation. “I hope so as well, sir. In the meantime, let us work together in stopping the Detectors from causing any more damage.”
“Agreed, but I want you to go home and relax after you leave here. Wearing yourself out won’t benefit anyone,” the man warned, and Yagami realized that Zaizen was much more observant than he seemed.
“…and that concludes my report on the Paradise Incident.” Yagami finished, gathering up his papers and returning them to the file folder. The Detectors had been stopped and unmasked, but in their place had arose a greater threat - Omega Dain, armed with a satellite capable of destroying everything humanity had worked for. But thanks to Ban and the others, peace had returned once again.
“Excellent work, Yagami-san,” Zaizen said warmly, closing his copy of the file and placing it in one of his desk drawers. By now, Yagami was used to giving personal reports to the Prime Minister, but they were usually done through a video feed, not in person.
“Has there been any response to your commercials about LBXs being safe to use again?” he asked, curious to know what the general public was thinking.
“You mean you haven’t been digging into that yourself?”
“Not really, sir. I’d prefer to hear any feed back through official channels.” In truth, his team was tired, as was he, although no one tried to show it. All the late nights staring at computer screens were starting to catch up to them, it seemed.
“I see.” Zaizen gave an odd smile, its meaning lost on Yagami. “Public response has generally been positive, although many parents still seem hesitant about their children having access to LBXs. I’m hoping that will change now that the Detectors have officially been shut down.”
“That’s good to hear. Have you decided what your going to do with Professor Yamano?” He hated to ask, since any legal case would tear Ban’s family apart, but punishment had to be handed down.
“Not yet. Professor Yamano has accepted full responsibility for his actions however, and his role in unmasking Omega Dain’s plot will not be forgotten.” The Prime Minister looked away for a moment, then asked in a lighter tone, “Have you eaten yet, Yagami-san?”
“I have, but it was only a light meal several hours ago,” Yagami replied, sensing where the conversation was heading.
Zaizen looked back at him them, a glint in his eye. “Well then, do you fancy some supper? I was thinking of kaiseki, if that’s good with you.” Seeing Yagami glance down at his suit, the man added, “By which I mean kaiseki-ryouri. I don’t think either of us have the energy for a tea ceremony at this time of night. And don’t worry about the cost - it’ll be my treat.”
Taken aback at the offer, Yagami stared at the Prime Minister for a few seconds. Kaiseki were quite expensive, and while the Innovators had held them on occasion for their top staff, he had rarely attended. Realizing that his mouth was hanging open, he closed it with a snap and took a moment to gather himself before replying.
“I would be honoured to dine with you, Prime Minister,” he said as formally as he could. “If that is indeed what you wish to do, a kaiseki sounds wonderful.”
By the look on Zaizen’s face, he seemed to find Yagami’s reaction funny, but he had to grace not to mention it, replying with, “Excellent. I will join you as soon as I finish up here.”
“Of course.” Yagami rose and bowed to the Prime Minister before leaving the office, making his way to a side room to wait. He had been there before in the daytime, but he found that the light spilling from the lamps on the wall added a warm atmosphere to the room that wasn’t present when the sun was up. Resisting the urge to sink into the padded chair and close his eyes, he accepted the offer of coffee from one of the staffers. Hopefully the drink would wake him up a bit.
His mug was nearly empty by the time Zaizen stepped into the room, so he drained it quickly and moved to join the Prime Minister. The car ride was longer than expected due to an accident, so Yagami sat quietly beside Zaizen and stared out at the rain. Rainy nights always brought him back to the night he lost Keiko and Yuki, for it had been raining that night as well. Nearly storming, which had made the rescue work all that more difficult. Not that the rescuers could have done anything to save his wife and child.
Fighting back the grief the memories brought, Yagami looked away from the window, turning his gaze towards Zaizen. To his surprise, the other man was already looking at him, the passing streetlights highlighting his dark eyes as the car moved beneath them. No words were exchanged; the Prime Minister just smiled at him before looking back out at the city.
Yagami shifted in his seat, suddenly restless. That simple smile had somehow made the tightness in his chest ease a little, yet at the same time his stomach clenched into a knot. Blaming his strange reaction on the fact that he was tired and hungry, he contented himself with staring at the back of the driver’s seat, uncomfortable with looking out at the rain again. Even so, he couldn’t quite stop thinking about how this was the closest he had been to Zaizen in a long time.
The rain hadn’t let up at all by the time they arrived at small restaurant where the kaiseki was to be held, so Yagami gratefully accepted the umbrella the driver handed him. Zaizen was already waiting, but he seemed more preoccupied with the weather than with the impending meal, for he had tipped his umbrella back slightly to look up at the dark sky.
“Try not to get too wet, sir. It wouldn’t be good if you got sick,” Yagami warned, hoping he wasn’t overstepping any boundaries.
“Very true,” Zaizen agreed, straightening his umbrella and smiling at him again. “Still, a little water won’t kill me. Let’s go inside.”
Edging around puddles as he followed the man, Yagami shook his head, understanding why the nation had voted him into office. He just hoped that the recent commotion caused by the Detectors wouldn’t hurt Zaizen’s chances of getting re-elected come the next election. Japan needed someone like him to lead them into the future, and Zaizen was young enough to lead for a very long time.
“Welcome, honoured guests.” The owner bowed as the entered, and Yagami bowed back, suspicion creeping into his mind. It wasn’t unusual for the owner of a restaurant like this to greet customers as they entered, but a quick glance at the shoe rack showed that very few people were here tonight. Given the weather, he would have assumed that the place would have been more crowded. Could Zaizen have planned this in advance?
Coats and umbrellas were stored and indoor slipper put on, then they were led to the most private room the restaurant had to offer. Hot tea was waiting for them, and Yagami was grateful for it. Still, he waited until Zaizen was seated before lowering himself onto his pillow and reaching for the teapot.
“Thanks, but I’ll pass,” Zaizen said when Yagami held out a teacup. “I believe I’ve had more tea in the past few weeks than I have in the previous year.”
“You don’t like coffee?”
The Prime Minister waited until Yagami was done pouring his own tea to answer. “I don’t mind it, but I usually only drink it in the morning or if I must stay up late. I find that tea calms me down, and I must admit that I needed to be calm the past little while.”
“Indeed, I know the feeling well,” Yagami replied dryly, earning a smile from the man.
“I’m sure you do. Are you planning on taking any time off now that the situation has been resolved?”
“Time off?” Yagami paused with his teacup halfway to his mouth. The thought of a vacation hadn’t even occurred to him. “No. While my detective agency is technically a cover for my employment for you, I do get the odd call from potential clients. There are a few cases I might look into, if you don’t mind.”
Zaizen tsked and frowned at him, clearly unhappy with his response. But the entrance of a waiter with the first course made the frown vanish, and the Prime Minister smiled and thanked the man as the food was laid out on the table between them. When he was gone, he focused back on Yagami. “While I probably have the authority to order you to not take cases, I won’t. If the work makes you happy and you don’t get burnt out, you are free to do as you wish.”
Yagami was suddenly struck by the tender tone in the man’s voice, and so it took him a few moments to process that and respond. “I promise not to work too hard, sir. Thank you.”
Zaizen nodded, then held out a sake cup. “Set aside that tea and have a drink with me, Yagami-san.” He did as commanded, holding the small cup still as the sake was poured. When both of them had full cups, the Prime Minister smiled and raised his. “Cheers!”
“Cheers,” Yagami echoed, aware that his voiced lacked the enthusiasm that Zaizen’s had. The man didn’t seem to notice, so he closed his eyes and drained the cup, letting the warm alcohol slide down his throat. It was sweeter than the type he normally drank, but there was a chestnut taste to it that offset the sweetness somewhat. Still, it wasn’t bad, and he eyed the bottle as he lowered the cup, wondering if it would be rude to have another drink. Zaizen saw his look and held out the bottle, so Yagami accepted the offer and allowed the man to pour him another drink.
They proceeded on to the first course after that, a light appetizer that made him realize just how hungry he was. Yagami switched back to drinking tea once the second course arrived, finding that it went well with the sea bass sushi and the assorted side dishes with it. In the break between courses, Zaizen loosened his tie and asked, “Yagami-san, are you enjoying yourself? You’re rather quiet tonight.”
“I am, sir.” Figuring he better elaborate a little, he added, “Due to the Detectors, I haven’t had much personal time, so I have little to talk about.”
“Mm, I know that feeling well.” Zaizen stared at his sake cup for a moment, then asked, “Do you have any interest in soccer?”
“I know the basic rules of the game, but I don’t follow it closely.”
“I see…would you like to attend one of Touko’s matches sometime?”
Surprised by the offer, Yagami poured himself a fresh cup of tea as he thought about it, then nodded. “Yes, I would like that.” For some bizarre reason, the thought of spending time with Zaizen outside of their duties made him happy, but the emotional reaction was also worrying as well. It was something he would have to look into further.
“Excellent. I’ll ask her about her schedule and get back to you on possible dates.” He couldn’t help but notice that Zaizen looked almost relieved as he spoke, as if he had been worried that Yagami would say no. But the arrival of the third course pushed those thoughts from his mind, and he eagerly reached for a piece of horse mackerel sashimi.
Yagami leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes, refusing to look at the time as he gazed around as he empty office. He had pulled another all-nighter, and his body was protesting the lack of sleep. But he couldn’t go to bed now, not while Mizel was still on the loose. Zaizen would have probably scolded him for not being well rested, but the Prime Minister was practically living at his office these days.
Hearing his stomach rumble, he sighed, his thoughts drifting back to the kaiseki the two of them had shared. It has been eight courses, and it had been well into the early hours of the morning before he had gotten home. He suspected that Zaizen had been slightly drunk by the time they had finished, but he was impressed that Prime Minister had held his liquor so well, considering the amount of sake he had drank. If nothing else, Zaizen was a cheerful drinker, and they had spent most of the evening chatting, despite their claims of having nothing to talk about.
“Perhaps the good food loosened our tongues…” he murmured, looking at the picture of his wife on daughter that was on his desk. He and Keiko had grown closer over sharing meals as well, although he wouldn’t go as far as saying that she had won his heart with food.
A sharp knock on the door made him sit up and blink, fearful that he had somehow dozed off, but he rose at the second knock and walked over to the door. “Who is it?” he called, wondering if there was an emergency nearby.
“I have a delivery for one Yagami Eiji,” a male voice answered. Yagami hesitated, the possibility of an attack arising in his mind. He was certain that the Innovators still had agents about, and he wouldn’t put it past them to try and get revenge for his betrayal.
“One moment, please.” Pulling his CCM out of his pocket, he activated General and had the LBX stand on the opposite side of the door, rifle pointed up at whoever was outside. Making sure to conceal the CCM, he then opened the door a crack. “Delivery, you said?”
“Yep.” The man standing there was dressed in a windbreaker and jeans against the morning chill, a baseball cap and dark sunglasses. Yagami tensed as the man raised a brown paper bag, his finger hovering over the button that would command General to attack should he pulled a weapon. “I brought breakfast.”
“Breakfast…?” He hasn’t called for a delivery, but perhaps one of his team had, anticipating that he would be spending the night at the detective agency. Still, it was better to check. “Who called the order in?”
“Your boss,” the man said, flashing a familiar smile and tilting the sunglasses down slightly with his free hand, revealing himself to be Zaizen.
“Pri-Sir!” he cried in surprise, taking a step back at the unexpected sight.
“Good morning, Yagami-san,” Zaizen said lightly, taking the opportunity to step inside. Noticing General by his feet as he closed the door, he asked, “Expecting trouble, or did I interrupt your practice?”
“I wasn’t sure who you were, do I didn’t want to take any chances,” Yagami replied stiffly, returning the LBX to his pocket a moment later.
“Always a wise decision,” the Prime Minister agreed, unzipping his jacket and removing his hat and sunglasses.
“Please, take a seat,” the detective said, moving one of his subordinate’s chairs to the other side of his desk.
“Thank you. As I said, I brought breakfast, although it’s nothing too fancy.” Zaizen settled into the chair and opened the bag he carried, removing several small containers. As the lids were taken off, the smell of scrambled eggs and toast filled the room.
“Does your security detail know where you are?” Yagami asked, unable to keep the sharp tone out of his voice. Giving the situation, he was surprised that the man would decide to leave his office for such a casual thing like breakfast with the man who had once tried to kill him.
“Oh yes, they know. They’re waiting outside. And don’t worry, I have my CCM on me if something happens. Relax, Yagami-san, and enjoy your breakfast.”
Yagami had already accepted the container of scrambled eggs before he registered what Zaizen had said. “You have a CCM, sir?”
“I do.” He held the red-and-white device out, and added, “Originally, it was just for promotional purposes, but I’ve grown to like it.”
“I see…” He ate his eggs as he mulled the revelation over, the other man sipping at a coffee. Eventually curiosity got the better of him and he asked, “Do you battle as well?”
“Yes, but I’m quite bad at it. Touko is better than I am, and she holds very little interest in LBXs,” Zaizen said with a smile, seemingly not embarrassed at all by admitting his lack of skill.
“Perhaps you just need some practice,” Yagami suggested as he picked up his toast.
“Perhaps.” The detective noted the slight smile that accompanied the answer, and he wondered what Zaizen was thinking. Probably something about Mizel. It was all everyone was thinking this days. Mizel, and what city would be next to be threatened by his army of LBXs.
As he munched on his toast, he realized that he was enjoying this breakfast, as odd as it was. The good food helped, but the awkwardness that had lingered over their previous meals together was gone. Zaizen seemed relaxed as well, quietly sipping on a coffee as he looked around the office. Yagami reflected that it was pretty bare, since none of them had the time or the inclination to decorate much. The only real sign of personalization was the picture of his family that sat on his desk.
The Prime Minister had noticed the picture frame as well, and he looked at the back of it for a moment before asking softly, “May I see the photo?”
Yagami nodded, his mouth full of toast, and watched with conflicting emotions as Zaizen gently picked up the picture frame and turned it around. There was silence while he examined the picture, then the man said quietly, “Keiko and Yuki, was it? She takes after you…”
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Yagami nodded and replied, “Yes, but she had her mother’s smile and personality.”
“I’m sure she did. I wish I could have met them.”
“I’m certain they would have liked you. Keiko probably would have voted for you.”
Returning the picture to its place, Zaizen shifted and dig his wallet out, then removed something and held it out. Wiping his hands as to not get crumbs on the item, Yagami accepted it carefully and saw that it was a picture of Touko. The pink haired, blue eyed girl was grinning, posing with a soccer ball in one hand and flashing a victory sign with the other.
“She’s…in junior high, right?” he asked as he handed the picture back. Yuki would have been a little older than Touko, and he wondering what interests her daughter would have had. Perhaps the two girls would have played against each other in soccer.
“Yes, although sometimes it seems like she’s older. She can be very mature for her age,” Zaizen answered with a smile as he tucked the picture away. He then finished his coffee and stood. “I better get back to work, since Mizel might strike at any time.”
“Indeed.” Yagami rose as well, and waited while the man put his disguise back on. “Thank you for stopping by, and for breakfast. I needed a good meal.”
“I thought you might.” The Prime Minister grinned for a second, then sobered. “Keep looking into Mizel, and inform me if you find anything, no matter how small. Once this is over, I’ll take you out for a proper meal.”
Yagami had to struggle to keep from smiling as he replied, “I shall, sir. But isn’t it my turn to treat you?”
Zaizen laughed and raised a hand as he opened the door. “It’s a date, then. Don’t worry too hard, Yagami.”
He stood there for a minute once the Prime Minister had left, then slowly returned to his seat, more conflicted than ever. Had Zaizen been tired and simply made a mistake when he dropped the ‘-san’ honorific from his name? Yagami didn’t think so, since the man had seemed alert enough while they talked. That would mean it was deliberate, and he had no idea what to make of that.
“I suppose we are becoming closer,” he muttered to the picture of his family. “Even so, he is my jailer, and nothing good had ever come from a prisoner and jailer becoming friends.” His years as a police detective had taught him that much. Besides, it wasn’t like Zaizen could unlock the door to his cell and set him free - in fact, he very much expected to end up in jail eventually. He had no desire blight the Prime Minster’s record by remaining free, so he would accept being locked away when the time came. He had crimes to pay for, after all.
Shaking off the thoughts, he leaned forward and tapped his laptop to wake it from sleep mode, determined to help put and end to Mizel’s tyranny.
“Wouldn’t it be better if Kirito became a test player for a Japanese company?” Yagami asked curiously as they walked away from the blonde teenager. He had been informed that Zaizen would be making some sort of offer to the former Omega Dain employee, but he hadn’t expected that offer to be a position within the government security forces.
“Perhaps, but he has the necessary experience, and he’s exactly the kind of person we need. He will be closely watched, and he won’t have the clearance to access highly sensitive information,” Zaizen replied, glancing up from the schedule he held.
“He could always hack in.”
“I’d like to see him try.” There was an edge to the Prime Minister’s tone that surprised Yagami, but it gave him a window into the man’s feelings on the matter.
“You trust him not to.” It was a statement, not a question, and Zaizen confirmed it with a quick nod. He hesitated for a moment, then took a risk an added, “Just like you trust me not to betray you.”
Zaizen stopped walking and looked at him, clearly surprised. “Yes Yagami, I trust you. You have given me no reason to think otherwise. Unless you have some reason that I shouldn’t trust you?”
“Ah…” Still uncomfortable with the change in address, he realized that his hesitation was probably being taken as a bad sign. Drawing himself up, he said firmly, “No, Prime Minister, I do not. I am simply still surprised that you would align yourself with someone like myself.”
“Hm. I see.” Following along as the man started walking towards the waiting car, Yagami tried to suppress the anxiety that was growing within him. Had he just condemned himself to a life behind bars? Perhaps so, but perhaps it was time for him to leave the world. He just hoped that his team wouldn’t be judged quite as harshly, so that they might be able to enjoy freedom in their old age.
Zaizen remained silent until they car was well on the way to the rally he was scheduled to attend, but when he spoke, his voice was gentle. “Yagami, I know you still hold great guilt over your actions under the Innovators, but you must learn to let some of it go. You cannot change the past, but you have worked hard to change both the present and the future.”
Yagami bit his lip, unsure as to what Zaizen was getting at. But the man simply smiled at him and continued. “Yes, you once attempted to kill me, but look at us now. Together, we have stopped two major threats to world peace, and I like to think that we’re friends.”
“Friends, sir?” The detective heard the tremble in his voice, and he distantly wondered why.
“Yes, friends.”
Yagami looked away at that, feeling his hands curl into fists. “I…I am not worthy of your friendship, Prime Minister,” he replied as formally as he could, forcing the words out around the lump in his throat. He desperately wanted to accept that friendship, but he had to reject it.
“Yagami…” Zaizen sounded disappointed, and he closed his eyes, refusing to look at him. It would hurt too much. “If you can, please tell me why.”
“Because…Because it wouldn’t be right. I am a criminal, and a former employee of an organization which tried to end your government. If that is not enough, consider my background as a mere police detective. I should not be near you, much less be your friend.”
“But that is exactly why you should be near me,” Zaizen insisted, and Yagami froze as a hand was place atop his own. “Haven’t the recent incidents proven that I need someone with your background by my side? Yes, you have done wrong in the past, but your actions since entering my service have been nothing but exemplementry . You have both earned and kept my trust over these last few months, so yes, I consider you my friend. Please understand that. Please, Yagami.”
Yagami sucked in his breath at the last two words, torn over how to respond. It almost sounded like Zaizen was begging, but that couldn’t be the case. He wasn’t valuable enough to beg for. At least, that’s what he tried to tell himself, but Zaizen’s words continued to echo in his mind. And then there was the matter of the Prime Minister’s hand, still resting on his clenched fist.
“I…I need time to think,” he said brokenly, aware that the car had been stopped for some time. “Besides, you’re going to be late for the rally.”
“Always a stickler for a schedule, eh?” Zaizen half-heartedly grumbled, but he gave Yagami’s hand a squeeze before removing his own. “Alright, I’ll go do my duty. But I do want an answer from you, Yagami.”
“Yes sir. I’ll try to have one by the time you get back,” Yagami promised, finally able to bring himself to look at the man.
“No need to rush to an answer. I’ll see you later,” Zaizen said gently, giving him a smile before stepping out of the car. As the door closed, Yagami took several deep breaths and leaned back in his seat. He had over an hour to think about things, and he swore that he would have an answer when the Prime Minister returned.
He sat quietly in the car, waging an internal war. When he had worked for Kaidou Yoshimitsu, Zaizen had been the enemy, a target that was to be destroyed so that the Innovators could reach their goals. Once Yagami had learned how wrong he had been, he had left the organization. Perhaps they should be the ones to blame for all of this, since they had been the first to introduce him to Zaizen, albeit through a sniper’s sights. Perhaps the seeds of his current struggle had been planted then.
“Why…Why him, of all people?” he murmured to himself, grinding his teeth in a flash of anger. Yagami had realized it at last - he held feelings for Zaizen Sousuke, feelings that weren’t quite love but was much more than simple respect. And now that he knew the truth, there was no way he could admit it. Zaizen was too far above him for that to happen. Besides, he couldn’t fall in love again. Keiko still held his heart, and he wasn’t willing to give it up to someone who was unattainable.
Even so, he felt like he had an answer for the Prime Minister. It may mean putting himself through intentional misery, but he would stay by Zaizen’s side and support him as best he could.
Yagami straightened as the car door opened, looking calmly at Zaizen as he slid inside. “How did the rally go?”
“Good, although the reporters afterwards were less than kind. They seem to think I haven’t noticed the drop in my poll numbers over the past few weeks, so they keep brining it up and asking what I’m going to do about it.” Zaizen took a breath, then sank back into the seat. “Enough about that. Do you come to an answer?”
“I have.” Yagami paused to gather himself, keeping his gaze fixed on the man beside him. “I realize now that I must move on from my past, although I will never forget what I have done. I am pleased that you think so highly of me, and that you are willing to trust me. Finally…if you will have me, I am honoured to work with you and be your friend, Zaizen-san.”
The smile Zaizen gave him once he finished was worth the conflict over his feelings.
Yagami climbed the stands carefully, not wanting to slip on the wet wood and injure himself. He had finally been able to take Zaizen up on the offer of attending one of Touko’s matches, so he was happy to be here, despite the rain. This was only a practice, so turnout was sparse due to the wet weather, consisting of mainly parents and die-hard supporters. He would attend a game in time, but he had thought it best to attend a practice or two beforehand.
Zaizen was seated a fair distance up the stands, well away from the other parents. He tipped the large umbrella he was holding up as Yagami approached, smiling in pleasure. “Glad you could make it, Yagami. Put your umbrella away and sit with me - there’s plenty of room.”
“Glad I could come. Thanks for the invitation, Zaizen-san,” he replied, folding his umbrella up and ducking down under the edge of Zaizen’s. “Did I miss much?”
“Only the laps around the pitch. Here.”
“Thanks.” Accepting the can of hot tea with a smile, Yagami took a sip and felt better as warmth flood through him. “I’m surprised you were able to make it to a practice, considering the situation.”
“There’s nothing I can do about my party’s numbers, although for some reason I keep trying,” Zaizen commented mildly, eyes fixed on the field. “I think the public understands that I’m not to blame for the damage Mizel did, but since they still need someone to punish, they’re taking it out on my party.”
“That’s a shame.” There really was nothing Yagami could say in that regard, since there was nothing he could do to alter public opinion in the wake of Mizel’s downfall. Still, he hated to see Zaizen fall due to something that had been out of his control.
As the players continued to run through their drills, they sat in comfortable silence. Yagami was pleased to be able to spend time with Zaizen, and he found the activity on the field below rather interesting to watch. He was still acutely aware of every move the man beside him made, however much he tried to focus on the soccer players. When Zaizen shifted closer, he felt his heartbeat increase despite his best attempts to push aside his hidden feelings. Keiko was first in his heart, and there was no way he was going to allow anyone to replace her.
Even so, he couldn’t help looking sideways at Zaizen, admiring the way the rain softened his features ever so slightly and catching the momentary smiles as something happened on the field below. Eventually, the Prime Minister looked over and saw that Yagami was looking at him. “You‘re not bored, are you Yagami?”
“Ah, not at all sir. I was just thinking that you seem to enjoy watching the practices.” Looking away and hoping that his blush wasn’t too evident, Yagami took a drink of his tea, grateful for the warm drink.
“It’s nice to watch the players improve over time and know that they are playing because they love the game,” Zaizen replied. “And I feel like I learn something myself, even though I’m simply watching instead of participating. Since I feel confident enough to know about most of the things done in soccer, please ask me if you have any questions.”
“I shall, sir.” Watching the players took him back to his junior high days, and he remembered the thrill he had felt playing basketball. He had never been skilled enough to go pro, but it had been fun to play, and he still enjoyed catching the odd game on TV.
Conversation seemed to come more easily after that, and they chatted about how the world was recovering from Mizel’s actions and the surge in LBX sales until the practice was over.
Zaizen rose as the players headed for the side of the pitch, but kept part of the umbrella over Yagami’s head. “You haven’t met Touko, yet, have you? Want to come with me and say hello?”
“I…” Yagami took a breath, a mixture of feelings making his chest tighten. He didn’t want to become too attached to Zaizen, since it would make keeping his feelings separate from their business relations all the more harder, but he did want to see what kind of daughter Zaizen was raising. So he got up as well and nodded. “I would be glad to, Zaizen-san.”
“You seem troubled, Zaizen-san,” Yagami said as he poured them both some tea. The detective had been busy with a case during the past month, and the Prime Minister had been doing a world tour of sorts, visiting the countries affected by Mizel. This was the first time they had met face-to-face in a while, and he was eager to catch up on the news and relax with his friend.
“There is some talks going on for a school revolving around LBXs,” Zaizen said slowly as he swirled his tea.
“Given the popularity of Artemis, I’m surprised it hasn’t come up before now. You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“Oh, it certainly has its merits, but that’s not what’s troubling me.” Zaizen frowned, put down his tea and said bluntly, “If this school goes ahead, it will have a direct impact on our world. Yagami, they want children to fight each other in proxy wars between participating nations. Children like Yamano-kun and Kaidou-kun. Children. And they honestly believe this is a good idea!”
“Proxy wars…” Yagami took a drink of his own tea as he considered the possibilities. Frankly, it was rather terrifying. “While such a thing may indeed reduce bloodshed in the real world, I don’t believe letting children fight a virtual war with LBXs is the right move to make. Yes, Ban-kun and the others have shown that children their age can do amazing things, but there are too many unknowns to allow this to go forward. Haibara Yuuya is a good example of what happens when you train a child for war.”
“Exactly. What happens if you get a mentally unstable student or teacher involved? And what exactly will the impact of the virtual battles be? How will the world map be altered? How will the public react to such a thing?” Zaizen let out a frustrated sigh. “They can talk to me all they want, but I refuse to let Japan be a part of such a thing.”
“But…?” Yagami prompted, sensing that there was more to the story. He hadn’t heard much about this himself, but he had thought he had no need to dig into international matters if the world wasn’t about to end. Clearly, that was the wrong decision to make.
Zaizen smiled at him. “You know me too well, Yagami. However much I refuse, I fear I will not be one to make the final decision regarding this matter.”
“You think someone is trying to bring your government down again?” Yagami sat up straighter. If that was the case, he had a job to do.
“I’m almost certain of it. Still, if they don’t succeed, I believe the public will do the job for them.”
“Is there anything I can do? I’m sure my team-” He halted as Zaizen held up a hand.
“No, Yagami, not this time. Given everything that happened, it may be more suspicious for me to remain in power. I will not allow myself to become what my enemies are.” Yagami gritted his teeth at Zaizen’s tone, not liking what it implied.
“With all due respect sir, you sound like you’ve already lost the election. If you feel you must atone for being unable to stop Mizel, then so be it. Trust me, I know what you’re going through. But your first priority is to the Japanese people and their future. If you give up and allow those who are in favour of this school and all it entails to walk right over you, how will that help the public?”
Yagami didn’t remember when he had risen to his feet, but he was standing now, standing and looking down on Zaizen. His friend opened his mouth, probably to object, but he wasn’t done yet. “No, Zaizen, hear me out. How will you stepping aside help Ban-kun and his friends who risked their lives to save the world? Or the thousands that came together to stop Mizel through their love of LBXs? How will that help Touko and her dreams?”
In the silence that followed, Yagami realized he had overstepped his boundaries. “Sir, I-”
“Don’t you dare apologize, Yagami. Or leave. Please, sit down.” Zaizen’s voice was sharp, and there was a look in his eyes that told the detective that he was angry. Slowly returning to his seat, he took a drink of lukewarm tea and fiddled with the mug as he waited to be reprimanded.
But when Zaizen spoke, his tone was softer. “I believe this is the first time we’ve gotten angry with each other.”
“I believe it is, sir,” Yagami agreed, keeping his eyes fixed on his tea. He would have apologized, but he had a feeling the Prime Minister wouldn’t accept it.
“You were rather forceful with me.”
“You rather needed it, sir.”
“Indeed, I did.” Looking up at the light chuckle that followed, Yagami saw that the anger had faded from Zaizen’s face. “Thank you, Yagami. You were right - I was being selfish and not thinking about the people who elected me as their leader. I needed to be reminded of that.”
“You’re welcome, Zaizen-san,” Yagami said awkwardly, not entirely sure how to respond.
“Enough of that, Yagami. Formalities aren’t needed now,” Zaizen smiled at his puzzled look and asked, “Or did you not realize what you just said?”
The man did a quick mental review of the previous discussion, his eyes widening when he realized his error. “I-I didn’t mean…it was a simple mistake, sir,” he said helplessly, ashamed at having made the slip.
“Yes, it was. And one I’d like you to make again, if you don’t mind,” Zaizen said lightly.
“If…If you don’t mind…” Yagami said, trying to ignore the happy feeling that was spreading through him as a result of the man’s words.
“I don’t. Now, how about we get some hot tea and talk about what to do next?”
Pleased that he hadn’t angered Zaizen enough to end the conversation, Yagami nodded, already thinking of what they could if this new LBX school did go ahead.
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