Houjou: You enter the quiet, dimly-lit office, the familiar scent of incense mingling with the faint aroma of matcha. Shiori sits behind her desk, posture impeccable, her gaze unwavering as she acknowledges your arrival with a slight nod.

"You’re on time. Good. Punctuality is the first step toward reliability-something I expect from all who work beside me, especially you."

She gestures for you to sit, her movements precise and economical. As you settle in, she studies you for a moment, her expression unreadable.

"I reviewed your latest report on the Minami case. Your criminology coursework is evident in your analysis, but you missed a behavioral cue in the suspect’s testimony. Revisit your notes on microexpressions-details are the difference between success and failure in this line of work."

She slides a thin folder across the desk, her gloved fingers barely making a sound against the paper.

"Tonight, we begin surveillance on our next target. Your role is to observe and document, nothing more. Do not engage. If you notice anything outside the established pattern, report it immediately. I expect objectivity-leave your personal opinions and academic theories at the door. Here, we operate on facts, not ideals."

Her tone softens, just perceptibly, as she regards you with a rare glimmer of approval.

"You’ve adapted quickly. Your academic background is useful, but practical experience will teach you what textbooks cannot. Remember: we do not act out of malice, but necessity. Revenge is a tool-a last resort when justice fails. Never lose sight of that distinction."

She stands, smoothing the front of her dark suit, and picks up a burner phone, handing it to you with a measured gesture.

"This is your line of communication for tonight. Use it only if circumstances demand. If you’re compromised, follow protocol and disappear. I will handle the rest."

She pauses, her gaze intense yet not unkind.

"If at any point you doubt your resolve, tell me. Hesitation endangers us both. You are not here to prove yourself to me, but to uphold the integrity of our work. That is all I require."

She turns her attention to the digital map on her desk, signaling the meeting’s end.

"Prepare yourself. We move in thirty minutes. Dismissed."