a great guardian for Takemichi, and she doesn't need to see into the future to foresee that.

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    "Ah, ok, so just sign, here, here, and there..."

    Shinichiro, Ms.Baji, and Benkei watch from a distance as a worker from CPS instructs Wakasa on what to sign and what to ignore, thoroughly enjoying the annoyed scowl on Wakasa's face.

    Benkei sighs, a satisfied smile gracing his lips as he continues tonstare at Wakasa. "Man...I never thought I'd see the day that Wakasa would be a guardian for some doe eyed kid, but here we are," he mumbles.

    Shinichiro finds himself agreeing with Benkei. Wakasa doesn't look like your typical guardian—he's intimidating, tall and buff, familiar with the sight of prison bars, and blunt. He doesn't think before speaking and hardly shows respect to anyone that isn't Shinichiro (which still throws Shinichiro for a loop).

    And there Wakasa was, bowing in front of Katsumi as a sign of respect. It was a rare sight, something Shinichiro has only seen once or twice, but it still left him in awe.

    "I can see him being a pretty laid back guardian..." Ms.Baji mentions offhandedly, a thoughtful expression written on her face. "Y'know...like no specific bedtime, movies before bed, desert after every meal..." Shinichiro finds himself chuckling, humored at the idea of a domesticated but chill Wakasa.

    "He'd probably let Takemichi do his hair..." Shinichiro adds with a smirk, enjoying the image of Wakasa with cute little pig tails with big colorful bows.

    "I can totally see Takemichi convincing Wakasa to watch the muppets with him," she says with a quirked up smile.

    "Maybe they'll wear matching Halloween costumes!" Benkei joins in, already giving Shinichiro and Ms.Baji a list of character pairs the two could dress up as. Shinichiro and Ms.Baji listen with a smile on their faces, occasionally joining in to add their own character pairs.

    After a few minutes of just creating an imaginary Wakasa, the man of the hour walks back to them, a relieved look crossing his face. He plops down on the seat next to Benkei and heaves out a sigh. He leans his head back and closes his eyes, probably hoping to catch some shut eye, but that's not gonna happen on their watch.

    "Well, Wakasa? You done with the paperwork?" Benkei asks with his arms folded across his chest, his pale gray eyes staring mischievously at an exhausted Wakasa. The white haired man nods his head.

    "Yeah, I'm done. They're getting Takemichi for me."

    "That's great!" Ms.Baji exclaims, excitement written all over her face. "I haven't seen the poor kid since the hearing at court. Hope he'll let me hug him..."

    "He probably will," Shinichiro reassures. "If he's really the Takemichi that we know and love, then he'll accept your hug with open arms!" Ms.Baji's cheeks flush at Shinichiro's words, a soft smile gracing her chapped lips.

    "Thanks Shinichiro..."

    Shinichiro is about to reply to Ms.Baji when he's interrupted by a CPS worker.

    "Um...I'm sorry, b-but do one of you guys go by I-Imaushi Wakasa? The erm...the g-guardian of Hanagaki Takemichi?" The young worker stutters out, her body trembling as her eyes trail over the group of intimidating adults.

    Wakasa opens his eyes and raises his hand, grabbing the worker's attention. "That's me," Wakasa confirms with a nonchalant voice. "D'ya have the kid?"

    If it's even possible, the worker's trembling body intensifies. "I-I...you see, um, we actually have a problem concerning your child H-Hanagaki."

    Everyone sits up in their seats. A rush of fear shoots through Shinichiro's veins like a dose of heroin, but he waits and listens because the last thing he needs to do is overreact over a small problem.

    Wakasa doesn't seem to share the same mindset though.

    "The fuck you talking about? What kind of problem? Where the hell is the kid?!" Wakasa shouts, completely abandoning his cool facade. He gets up from his seat and approaches the terrified worker, making her squeak in fear.

    Benkei is quick to get out of his seat and grab Wakasa by the arm, stopping him from advancing towards the poor worker. "Hey man, chill out! Let the poor lady speak!" Benkei yells, attempting to knock some sense into Wakasa.

    "I'll chill the fuck out when this lady grows a pair and tells me what's going on!"

    Ms.Baji also gets out her seat, her face twisted in frustration as she glares at Wakasa.

    "Let the lady speak, Wakasa!"

    Before more chaos can be created, the worker takes a deep breath and explains everything to the group of adults.

    "I-I'm very sorry to tell you this, Mr.Imaushi, but w-we can't—we can't find Hanagaki!" She exclaims, instantly silencing the adults. "W-We're looking into it r-right now, but Hanagaki and a-another kid is missing and w-we suspect they left together..."

    Everyone is speechless.

    Katsumi is gawking at the worker with a hanging jaw.

    Benkei is clenching and unclenching is fists.

    Shinichiro is trying not to panic.

    And Wakasa—

    Shinichiro watches the white haired man walk past the worker and towards the front counter like a man on a mission. Shinichiro quickly gets his bearings and follows after Wakasa.

    "Wakasa! Wakasa, what the hell are you doing?!" Shinichiro exclaims loudly, grabbing Wakasa's attention.

    Wakasa whips his head around glares at Shinichiro. "Their job," he answers before continuing his way towards the front counter.

    "Their job?! The fuck do you mean by that—"

    "I'm gonna do their fucking job and find Takemichi since the workers here are so fucking incompetent!"

    Wakasa leaves Shinichiro in the dust, a mixture of fear and surprise coursing through Shinichiro's veins.

    Please be safe, Takemichi—You're making Wakasa go to some weird ass lengths to take care of you...

    Shinichiro quickly goes after Wakasa, intent on helping him find Takemichi and to keep him out of trouble.

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