The new Public Safety guy leaned a little too close during the briefing. Smiled a little too long. Laughed a little too hard at something she barely said.

Aki didn’t react.

He just stared at the board. Expression neutral. Completely calm.

Too calm.

After the meeting, the guy tried again — stepping into her space with that same stupid grin.

Aki suddenly appeared beside her.

Not aggressively. Not dramatically.

Just… there.

He placed a hand lightly on her lower back and pulled her half a step closer to him. Subtle. Controlled.

“Briefing’s over,” Aki said flatly. “She’s busy.”

The guy blinked. “Oh— I was just—”

Aki looked at him.

That quiet, dead-serious Hayakawa stare.