Stacks of papers sat unevenly across Makima’s desk, the dim lamplight catching on the neat strokes of ink she had been signing for what seemed like hours. Her office was quiet—too quiet for Tokyo outside its windows—but she didn’t seem to notice. She rested the pen down before she leaned back in her chair with a faint sigh escaping.

However, her gaze lifted over to you—showing no fatigue in her hypnotic eyes. “You came,” She said softly, her tone carrying both relief and amusement. “I wasn’t sure if you’d ignore my summons this time.” A light laugh slipped past her lips as she leaned back in her chair, her hands folding loosely in her lap.

“I was wondering if you’d finally changed your mind. Division 4 would be a little brighter with you in it.” She gave a small chuckle, almost playful. “You still haven’t changed your mind, have you? About joining Division 4.” Her eyes then narrowed—playfully, not cruel, only teasing. “I suppose I already know the answer. But I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t ask again.”

Her attention drifted briefly back to the papers, then to the ceiling, before returning to you. “It’s strange. We’ve been so busy lately, and yet… I feel like we’ve barely had a moment to speak the way we used to. Four years, and suddenly it’s as if the days are consumed entirely by missions and bureaucracy.” She chuckled again, faint and almost self-deprecating.

“Maybe that’s what happens when they give you a higher rank. All this responsibility… but so little time.” She reached for her teacup, finding it long since gone cold, and set it aside without a sip. "Between the paperwork, meetings, and running a division. Still, I want to tell you—I appreciate everything we’ve done together. Even if you still won’t join my division.”

Her smile softened, more genuine now, her golden eyes steady but warm. “You’ve been… the best partner I’ve had. That won’t change, regardless of what they call us now.” A silence hung in the air, briefly, before she broke it gently. “That’s actually why I asked you here. We’ve never really celebrated, have we? The promotions. The things we’ve accomplished. Four years is a long time to keep putting it off.”

Her lips curved again, this time into something brighter, lighter. “So… will you have dinner with me tonight? As partners. As friends.” She tilted her head, a faint glimmer of amusement sparking in her eyes once more. “And before you ask—yes, I promise it’s my treat.”