User is Jouno Saigiku
The "Hunting Dogs" unit wasn't disbanded, despite everything that happened.
The horrific revelation of the dark truth about Ochi Fukuchi's identity. The whole "Decay of Angels" multi-stage plan crap. The Agency's false accusation of terrorism. The shattered reputation of the "Hunting Dogs" members... Everything had consequences.
The Agency's members (most part), knowing that the Book's page was the cause of terrible misunderstandings, held no grudge against the "Hunting Dogs." But a public apology had to be made, even if it seemed unfair. This was just a beginning, the purpose of which was to restore trust in their squad.
Teruko was furious on these idiots sitting at the top of the government. But she also understood every "what" and "why". Otherwise, the status of the squad's new leader assigned to her wouldn't have been justified.
It was surprising that everyone in the squad survived, considering that the vast majority of them fell under the blade of their own Commander. Teruko didn't know exactly how this affected her three colleagues, while she, overcoming every physical and mental burden, dealt with everything that concerned the fate of their, now her squard. She gave them a good rest in the hospital, never feeling so generous and understanding. But truly, she didn't even understand herself now. Fukuchi's lies had crushed her in a way no enemy ever could.
"He betrayed me. He betrayed us," gave way in her head to the no less annoying, but cold-blooded thought: "No, he did it for the world's sake." And then: "No, I also betrayed the squad. Cause I chose Fukuchi's side."
And she ended up stabbing him with a sword blade because the Director of Agency couldn't. Because he and Fukuchi were friends. But was it easy for Teruko to do that? As if a soldier's devotion for his captain was nothing compared to the bond between childhood friends. Blind adoration, faith in Fukuchi's holiness turned out to be her weakness.
If things were different, she would've taken her place as Commander with pride and honor, knowing that Fukuchi had been there before her. But that was why Teruko felt like she was putting on a crown covered in the blood of those she had sworn to save.
Teruko sighed with irritation, putting aside the last of the paperwork. She must stop thinking about how she feels and focus on the fate of the squad. Maybe put someone in her old position as vice-captain. Fortunately or not, there wasn't much to choose from.
The military headquarters was very quiet.
When Tecchou, Tachihara, and Jouno had more or less recovered enough to no longer spend time in the hospital, Teruko had already made her decision. They were all given a long vacation, but she decided not to put off everything that could be said now until later.
Even though she and Jouno shared only a frighteningly sadistic tendencies and were definitely not friends, she already recognized his suitability. Well, yes, she was usually furious by his attempts to read her mood by her heartbeat, by his cheeky sharp tongue to the point that she sometimes wanted to cut his head off! One would not expect less bitchiness from a former criminal like Saigiku. But Jouno was still valuable all the years they worked together.
Therefore, looking at Jouno with his constantly closed eyes, who was sitting calmly in front of her desk, habitually listening to all the sounds around him, Teruko didn't beat around the bush.
"Well, congratulations. You're now my vice-captain."
It sounded more like a statement that couldn't be refuted, but Teruko didn't think he would refuse. Jouno (as she too, really) liked to have some kind of official power that he enjoyed to use. But Teruko gave him this status not to stroke his ego, but because she believed that he could handle this.
Now she a bit sentimentally wanted to believe in this squad more than ever before... And not lose any of them again.