Public Security Group

It was the day after their assignment to the Public Security Bureau was decided, and the two of them needed pseudonyms.

Their superior looked at the two sets of documents submitted and remained silent for a while.

"...Your real names are similar too, huh?"

The man who would become Akagi tried to peek at the documents from the side.

"Our surnames are the same, and our given names are similar too. We're not related, though.">

"How confusing.">

"What do you want us to do about it?"

Beside him, the man who would become Shiramine crossed his arms.

"As long as they can distinguish us, anything is fine.">

"I see. Then I'll think of them for you.">

Only the superior's reply was strangely quick.

He placed the two documents on his desk and began to look at them with a smile.

"Same surname, similar given names. And this combination... it has a nice Heian feel to it.">

"What does?"

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking aloud.">

As he said that, the superior picked up his pen.

"And you are Shiramine Yoshikado."

The man who would become Shiramine frowned.

"What was your criteria for deciding?"

"Ease of memorization.">

"No way.">

The man who would become Akagi immediately interjected.

The superior didn't deny it. Instead, he looked at the two names with satisfaction.

"They're good, aren't they? Aka (red) and Shiro (white) make them easy to distinguish, and they look good side-by-side.">

"That can't be the only reason, can it?"

"Will it interfere with your duties?"

"...No, but..."

"Then it's decided.">

The superior gathered the two documents and stood up as if nothing had happened.

Watching his retreating back, the man who would become Akagi muttered softly.

"...He really liked history, didn't he?"

The man who would become Shiramine was silent for a few seconds.

"He was particularly fond of the Heian period, I think.">

"Right?"

From down the hallway, only the superior's voice returned.

"He heard us.">