Lungmen, Guard Department Office.
Inside the office, Chen stared wide-eyed at the documents in her hands. She was the only one busy working there.
Knock knock knock.
A knocking sound rang out, and the door was pushed open.
"Are you still working?"
Seeing Chen at her desk, Hoshiguma asked.
"Oh? Hoshiguma, why are you so late? And you even brought snacks?"
Chen glanced over while continuing her work, noticing the bag in Hoshiguma's hand… was it soup?
So she went out on patrol and brought food back along the way?
Well, Hoshiguma had already finished most of her work anyway so it did not matter.
"Yeah but I did not buy it. Someone I know gave it to me."
Hoshiguma placed the soup on her desk. As for the tea set, she had already hidden it somewhere, no way could that be seen. That was evidence of slacking off during patrol.
"You sure have a lot of friends."
Chen did not care much. Hoshiguma had already done her duties, and there were not any major cases for the Guard Department right now.
No… actually, there was one case. They had just received some intel from an informant in the slums.
"It is not that I have a lot of friends, it is that your temper is too explosive. Do you want some?"
Hoshiguma sighed at Chen's comment.
Chen was too stubborn. Once she found someone's weak spot, she could scold them until they questioned their life choices.
"I am working."
After staring at the documents for a long time, Chen turned her deadpan eyes toward Hoshiguma.
"It is from the same person who made those bento boxes a few days ago, you know?"
Hoshiguma tried to tempt her.
Having some afternoon tea at the Guard Department to recharge was pretty common, but when Chen was around, most people did not dare to eat openly because of her authority.
But now… if they got the boss involved too, then there would be no problem.
If the boss joins in slacking off, then there is nothing to worry about, right?
"…Alright."
After hesitating for a moment, Chen decided that having a snack at this hour was not a bad idea. You need energy to work, after all.
Of course, this was only because Hoshiguma invited her. If it were anyone else, they would definitely get scolded.
It definitely was not because she thought the previous bento was delicious and wanted to freeload again.
"You are surprisingly easygoing today. Help me call Missy, then I will portion this out."
Seeing Chen agree so quickly, Hoshiguma was a bit surprised.
She had even prepared a couple of backup plans, but today Chen was unusually cooperative.
Less talking was better anyway, she was quite looking forward to how the soup tasted. It had smelled amazing back at the shop.
"Call that char siu cat?"
Chen was a bit puzzled but still picked up her phone and called Swire.
Hoshiguma occasionally brought food like this and shared it around, so Chen was used to it.
But why suddenly call that "char siu cat" this time?
"She knows the person too. Just have her come over and grab some."
Hearing Cheni's confusion, Hoshiguma gave a brief explanation.
When she left the shop earlier, Shirou had specifically asked her to pass along his regards to Swire. And with this much soup, it was clearly meant to be shared with her too.
Of course, since Chen and Swire often clashed, if Chen did not want her here, Swire could just take it back to her own office.
Though… that would be rough on the people in her office, the soup smelled incredibly good.
"That is fine. I actually have something to discuss with her anyway."
Just as Chen said that, the call connected.
"Oi, you damn dragon? Why are you calling me?"
Swire's puzzled voice came through. Usually, calling by phone meant something urgent.
"Once you are done with your work, come to my office."
Chen had originally wanted to tell her to come immediately, but after thinking about it, that did not seem appropriate.
What if Swire was in the middle of serious work?
So she added that extra line.
"Huh? Your office? Did you eat the department phone or something? Why use your mobile for this?"
Swire immediately started ranting.
She had thought it was something serious, if they were both in the office, why not just use the department phone? She had almost mobilized people because of this call.
"…There is something. Come over as soon as you can."
Of course, Chen remembered the office phones. But using them to call someone over for afternoon tea just felt… off.
Even though they did have some actual matters to discuss.
Still, it did not feel quite right so she chose to use her mobile instead.
"Ugh… seriously. I will be there soon. Do you need me to bring anything?"
Hearing Chen say that, Swire could not really keep scolding her.
"Some paper documents from the slums… and a spoon?"
Chen thought for a moment and asked Swire to bring the slum-related documents.
She also checked on Hoshiguma's side and there were three big bowls. She was not sure if Swire had any cleanliness quirks, so it would be safer to have her bring a spoon.
"Slum documents… and a spoon?"
Although she did not quite understand why a spoon was needed, Swire still brought the documents and grabbed a spoon from the drawer.
If there was not a proper reason, she was going to use that spoon to drum on that damn dragon's head.
"Tch, the more I think about it, the more annoyed I get."
After hanging up, Chen looked displeased.
If she and that "char siu cat" were together, there would definitely be conflict, after all their ways of handling things were very different.
But judging purely as a person, aside from coveting her position and once forcing her to arrest someone using lipstick and cosmetics, that cat was not actually that bad.
"Should I put it on the coffee table?"
While the "dragon-tiger showdown" was brewing, Hoshiguma had already portioned out the soup.
The amount Shirou provided was quite generous, after three large bowls there was still some left.
Considering Chen had asked Swire to bring documents, the only place in the office where all three could sit was the coffee table.
"Just put it there. Thanks."
Chen rubbed her eyes first. After staring at the computer and documents all day, her eyes were sore.
Once Swire arrived, they would have to go through more materials so she needed a moment to rest.
"No problem. It would be even better if you do not start arguing with Missy later."
"I will try."
"Sigh… you two may not be tired but I, the one who has to meditate, am exhausted."
As the two chatted, the office door was suddenly pushed open. Swire walked in carrying a stack of documents.
"Soup? You damn dragon, did you take the wrong meds today? Asking me for help and even providing snacks?"
As soon as she entered and smelled the soup, Swire started to suspect something was off with Chen today.
"Hoshiguma brought it. She happened to be looking for you. I also have something to discuss with both of you, so lock the door."
After confirming Swire had entered and locked the door, Chen stood up, holding a stack of documents.
"I knew it would not be anything good."
Seeing the thick pile of files in Chen's hands, Swire began to worry whether she would be able to get off work on time.
Still, she placed her documents on the coffee table. Work was work.
After Swire sat down, Hoshiguma pushed her portion over.
"Hoshiguma, did you run into someone you know again? This smells pretty good, what shop is it from?"
Looking at the soup and recalling what Chen said, Swire knew Hoshiguma had received food again.
During patrols, people often gave small snacks, and Hoshiguma was both approachable and eye-catching so she frequently got them.
"Shirou made it and he gave it to me when I ran into him during my patrol."
Hoshiguma concealed what Shirou was doing in the slums. It was fine if it was just her, but if officers from the Guard Department kept going in and out of that place, it would easily attract attention.
People in the slums particularly disliked the Guard Department even in neutral areas like markets.
She understood these rules, but that did not mean Chen and Swire did.
"Shirou, huh? Got it."
Hearing that, Swire nodded while looking at the soup.
No wonder Hoshiguma specifically called her over, it seemed Shirou had not forgotten her.
Maybe there is a chance to poach him!
"Shirou? Oh, the one from Penguin Logistics."
Chen, listening to their conversation, did not immediately recall who Shirou was.
Which was normal as she had only met him once. That fried meat dish he made was really delicious.
But Hoshiguma said the soup and the lunchbox were made by the same person… so Shirou was making meals for her?
And Swire wanted to recruit him away from Penguin Logistics?
…This was getting a bit complicated.
"Yeah, after that day, Penguin Logistics has been a lot more restrained. It saved us a lot of work."
Swire loosened a button slightly and stretched.
With just Chen and Hoshiguma here, she could relax. The door was locked anyway, there was no need to worry about anyone barging in.
"Now that you mention it, I have not seen their tickets these past few days…"
Thinking back on recent work, Hoshiguma suddenly realized something was missing.
It was the tickets for Penguin Logistics!
"That is a good thing. Means they have learned their lesson."
Chen said. Penguin Logistics causing less trouble was clearly a good thing but coming from Hoshiguma and Swire, it somehow sounded like something was missing.
…as if they felt it was a pity to lose their daily routine tasks.
Chen casually picked up the documents Swire had just placed on the coffee table and flipped through them, confirming they were what she needed.
"True."
Hearing Chen's words, both Hoshiguma and Swire found it reasonable.
As long as no trouble was caused, that was enough. Lungmen had safely made it through another day thanks to Penguin Logistics for behaving.
"By the way, you damn dragon, what do you want these documents for?"
Swire held her bowl, sipping the soup as she watched Chen seriously reviewing the files.
"Someone tipped me off that recently, in the slums, someone seems to be targeting the Infected. They told me to keep an eye on it."
After confirming the documents were correct, Chen set them aside and spoke to the two.
Strictly speaking, this matter was not under the Guard Department's jurisdiction, there had not been any report and it was happening inside the slums.
Chen simply could not ignore it, so she wanted to investigate.
"Targeting the Infected… are they children?"
Hoshiguma felt the timing was a bit too coincidental.
Shirou was currently taking in Infected children, and Chen was investigating someone targeting the Infected… it could not be that coincidental, right?
"Some are children, but most are adults."
Chen shook her head. It was unclear where those people had gone after disappearing but for now most of the targets were adults.
She also did not know what the culprit wanted with these Infected. The informant's information was very limited so she could only investigate slowly on her own.
"Oh? Then it sounds troublesome."
After confirming it was not related to Shirou's side, Hoshiguma felt relieved.
Shirou only took in children and there was no coercion at all so it definitely was not a problem.
At the very least, she would not have to see Chen and Shirou clash. She was even hoping to find a chance to have Shirou cook a full Higashi-style meal for her someday, to relive the taste of home.
It would not be good if someone got hurt.
"It is very troublesome. Affairs in the slums are not easy to interfere with."
Swire sighed. Life was not easy.
These kinds of cases were the most difficult and hard for the Guard Department to intervene, and the clues were scattered.
Even if they found the culprit, locating someone in the slums was not easy. Some people there were openly hostile toward the Guard Department.
"There will be a way."
Chen said.
"Just do not do anything reckless."
Seeing Chen like this, Hoshiguma felt worried. Chen often handled things this way and frequently ended up covered in injuries.
Usually, she already had to worry about Chen's daily life, if only someone could share that burden.
For some reason, Hoshiguma suddenly thought of Shirou.
If she remembered correctly, Shirou seemed to be taking care of all four members of Penguin Logistics by himself and even had time to look after Infected children like Rope.
If something ever happened to her, asking Shirou to look after Chen… did not sound like a bad idea?
"Put those thoughts away. Be careful you do not end up hospitalized again. I have had my eye on your position for a long time and if you are gone too long, I will take over."
Swire was also worried about Chen but unfortunately her mouth just could not say those softer words.
They were too used to arguing and without a bit of sharpness she could not talk to this damn dragon at all.
"Heh. Let's wait for the informant's news."
Hearing Swire is words, Chen let out a dismissive scoff.
There was too little information at the moment so they could only wait for further updates. She was just using this time to review recent developments in the slums.
That way, it would be easier to act when the time came to go in.
"As long as you have thought it through. Contact me if anything happens."
Seeing tension rising again between the two, Hoshiguma felt exhausted.
Still, she reminded Chen that if anything happened she should make sure to contact her.
She was very familiar with the slums. In certain situations, she was even more effective than the Guard Department.
"I will."
Chen set down the documents and rubbed between her brows.
There were still too many limitations, many things could not be done easily and manpower was also an issue.
She glanced at the still-warm soup in front of her and at the two enjoying it with gusto. Setting the documents aside, she picked up her bowl and took a sip.
Warm, smooth, and comforting.
She could roughly understand why Hoshiguma and Swire kept thinking about that person from Penguin Logistics.
If she could eat food like this every day, her work efficiency would definitely skyrocket.
After all, she was not a workaholic, work when it is time to work and relax when it is time to relax. She understood that rest was necessary to go further in the long run.