The Juuohcho employees frantically threw themselves out of the way as a blond
\n shinigami in lab coat stormed down the corridor, muttering a litany of "funds"
\n and "cut down," with intermittent "Tatsumi," and numerous
\n repetitions of "kill." The look on the man’s face was enough to
\n send even Terazuma scurrying for cover.<\/p>\n
\nWatari Yutaka was not a happy man today.<\/p>\n
\nKonoe jumped when the door slammed open and Watari stomped inside. "Where
\nis Tatsumi?" Watari demanded, and Konoe gulped when Watari’s smoldering gaze
\nfocused on him.<\/p>\n
\n"He left a few minutes ago," Konoe managed to squeak out and Watari
\nnarrowed his eyes; there was only one reason why the workaholic would not be at
\nhis desk during the office hours: a Tsuzuki-related accident. Watari stalked to
\nTsuzuki’s desk and examined the mess for clues, until a memo on top of the file
\ncaught his eyes. The slight frown of concentration changed to a look of understanding,
\nthen that of fierce determination, and the next moment, he was gone from the office.
\nKonoe breathed a sigh of relief. They really weren’t paying him enough for this
\njob.<\/p>\n
\nOnce in Tokyo, it was easy enough to find Tsuzuki — all one had to do was follow
\nthe explosions, really — and by the same route, Tatsumi, currently talking to
\nTsuzuki. Watari stopped to compose himself. It would not do to lose his momentum
\nnow. He had a mission to accomplish here! Taking a deep breath, Watari opened
\nhis mouth to call out, and stopped.<\/p>\n
\n"I’m just warding these mortals from any careless demonic or angelic influences,
\nso the book keeping doesn’t get messed up," Tsuzuki was saying. Watari closed
\nhis mouth and raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n
\n"On your own time?" Tatsumi asked, and Watari hid a snicker. His thoughts
\nexactly.<\/p>\n
\n"It seemed like a good thing to do. Preemptive action, and all that,"
\nTsuzuki explained, and Watari frowned, wondering why he hadn’t heard anything
\nabout this before (though admittedly he had been rather distracted lately, what
\nwith the breakthrough in his potions research…). Watari pursed his lips, the
\ngears turning in his head. Now, he was sure there was some way he could use this
\nsituation, once he found out more about what was actually going on.<\/p>\n
\nVery quietly, Watari backed up and teleported to the Juuohcho library, grabbing
\nboth Gushoshin on his way and locking the door. Some time later, Watari emerged
\nfrom the library with an unholy gleam in his eyes, and strode down the corridor
\nback to his lab. For the second time in the same day, the Juuohcho employees frantically
\nscrambled out of Watari’s way, fearing for their afterlife.\n<\/p>\n
Three days later…<\/em>\n<\/p>\n \n"Watari-san, are you sure this isn’t against the rules?" Wakaba asked, \nWatari gestured her closer, smiling widely. "Of course! Now, Wakaba-chan, \nAgainst her better judgment, Wakaba drew closer, and peered. Half an hour later, \nBack in the lab, Watari, in his intense concentration, did not notice a presence \n"Watari-san."<\/p>\n \nWatari, recognizing the voice, promptly whirled around to face him. "Tatsumi. \n"Good afternoon. Might I ask what you are doing here?" Tatsumi’s voice \n"Writing down all the bets. Do you want to place one?"<\/p>\n \nTatsumi was silent for a while. "That," Tatsumi said finally, "is \n"But not against the rules," Watari said winningly. "I checked."\n<\/p>\n "Watari-san<\/em>."\n<\/p>\n \n"I’ll give you a sure winner," Watari said brightly. Seeing Tatsumi’s \n"50-50," Tatsumi said coolly, pushing up his glasses.<\/p>\n \n"60-40," Watari countered, not giving an inch.<\/p>\n \n"Deal." Tatsumi shook Watari’s hand once, firmly. "Now that’s been \n"Sure, just give me a minute," Watari said distractedly as he put away \n"Could I ask why?" Tatsumi asked curiously as they walked out of the "I need more funds for my research."\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Note: "Better" is the accepted alternate spelling for "bettor." Watari takes advantage of the situation.
\nnervously looking around to make sure no one was watching.<\/p>\n
\nI have a special today for my favorite girl."<\/p>\n
\nWakaba carefully snuck out of the lab, flushed and smiling. She couldn’t wait
\nto talk to Hajime-chan about this!<\/p>\n
\nlooming behind him until his shadow began to tremble.<\/p>\n
\nHi."<\/p>\n
\nwas pleasantly icy, and Watari swallowed. Ah well, the cat was out of the bag
\nand all. Watari gave him a sunny smile.<\/p>\n
\ndefinitely against the office protocol."<\/p>\n
\ncool glare, Watari tried again. "Okay, wanna split the profit 70-30?"<\/p>\n
\nsettled, we have a meeting in five minutes."<\/p>\n
\nthe white board.<\/p>\n
\nlab. Watari shrugged, locking the door.\n<\/p>\n
\n <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"