Brilliant Return [Kyo, Asami]

"Oh, really? Thank you very kindly, Asami! I'll have to find some appropriate way to thank you."

Kyo couldn't say he was the sort that avoided making waves, but he definitely didn't enjoy the prospect of seeing himself reassigned because he was thought to dislike his duty. There were plenty of other things he might prefer, but a man did what he said he would do, unquestionably and unflinchingly!

"If there's any work that would let me put my architectural knowledge to work, please keep my name in mind. I'm perfectly glad to help with anything assigned to me, of course, but I'd like to apply myself in a productive manner. You understand, of course. No truly hot-blooded man would let his natural talents go to waste!"

While his professionalism hadn't completely departed the conversation just yet, the more natural state of his being had certainly come more to the forefront. His posture more relaxed, his voice less reserved, this was manly passion gradually becoming unrestrained.

"Miss Furukawa, you mean."

Asami chastised him softly, almost playfully. Almost. But there was still a hint of that senior officer's steely undertone that told the real story. She knew Kyo did not do it intentionally, he simply had an aversion to formality, but perhaps she would wear him down just a little during his time here as an apprentice.

"That will be thanks enough, I assure you. Besides, it is better for a superior to ensure that her staff are assigned to the tasks at which they will perform best. Keep performing to this standard and you will find prosperity soon enough within the 5th Division."

Even though it would likely have no impact, it was her duty to display proper conduct and lead by example. So she corrected her posture, straightening out her back until it was upright, as scarlet eyes fluttered over the 'hot-blooded man' that lounged before her. In response to this, the fascinator shifted once more until it was standing sharply on end. Perhaps one final clue as to her intention for Kyo moving forwards.

While Kyo certainly picked up on the seriousness of Asami's tone, that didn't actually mean he agreed with the correction. Of course, he would abide by it as a professional. He wouldn't be silent about it though.

"I meant exactly what I said, but I'll remember that in the future. Personally, though, I don't think that sort of rigid formality suits you."

If nothing else, he found her dedication to that aspect of her job very admirable. He wouldn't get in the way of it. Best to simply move on from the topic.

"Rest assured, I'll handle everything with my very best. It'd be disgraceful for me as a man not to, wouldn't you agree, Miss Furukawa? So if there's anything else you'd like me to do, just say the word."

Most might have taken his words to be some manner of flirting, but Kyo wasn't the sort of man who approached things that way. If he was interested, he'd just say so.

"Just keeping you in check, a real stickler might really pull you up on such a laissez-faire attitude. Not that there are too many of them running around these days."

She paused, considering his words, and let the pseudo-debate come to an end. He was stubborn enough to stick to his guns for most things, but at least he would give on this for her sake as well as his own. Not that she expected him to admit such, but hearing him refer to her formally was some small relief even if she watched him struggle to do so.

"Precisely, so avoid disgracing yourself and you will go far with us. If anything comes up that I need a reliable man to handle, I will be sure to let you know. But, unless there is anything else I can do for you, we can call this matter concluded. I've no need to keep you any longer."

Making to stand now, Asami outstretched a hand for Kyo to shake if he wanted and then indicated for the door.

"Isn't that the truth? Too many people around here who don't want to get things done, don't care about how everything is handled. You ought to see how long they've been holding off on the 7th division's barracks, I've had those plans drafted for years now. Absolutely absurd."

Standing up himself, and naturally going to shake Asami's hand, Kyo's eyes locked with hers in what was, as far as he was concerned, simply the only appropriate way to conduct a handshake. He hadn't actually expected hers to be of any particular note, admittedly, and initially had treated it as he would one of the ladies of the noble families. But as he corrected to match the firm grip she offered, his confident smile grew into an impressed grin.

"I think the main thing you can do for me is tell me you'll meet me for lunch some time. I don't think that's against any regulations, is it, Miss Furukawa? I'd hope you're not so busy keeping things orderly that you're keeping that heart in your chest from burning like it should, eh?"

Now that was flirting, and Kyo would be all too willing to make sure that was understood.

Mentally, Asami had already begun to sit down and move on to the task of actually trawling through Kyo's report. Her handshake had always been firm enough to draw notice, she believed it was the mark of a proper office lady, but it was not something commented on with more than a passing raise of an eyebrow. Her descent, which had only just begun, stopped as Kyo addressed her one more time.

She had no reason to accept such a brazen request, even had enough cause to strike him for the insult, but something stopped her. She had been working a lot lately, paperwork always piling up, and it had been a while since she had let her hair down a little. His intentions were not subtle, even if his words were well chosen, but she had no intention of appealing to that side of the man. One lunch was hardly a cardinal sin, and it might give her a deeper insight into the younger member of her division.

"That can be arranged, if you truly want to. My schedule is tight but I can make time, so you are obligated to choose an appropriate establishment and dress accordingly. And I trust that a man of your calibre will have no problem with such requests."

An overly courteous smile stretched across her lips, the first gauntlet having already been thrown down. She could not stop herself from looking forward to how Kyo would respond.

Oho, Kyo certainly liked that kind of response. Naturally, he had every intention of doing all that anyway, but being so brazen, so commanding...

"Beautiful! Naturall,y I have no issue with those conditions. The Jin-Roh Teahouse, a block south of the Kasumioji estate, at noon tomorrow. I'll be dressed plenty suitably, though I like to think what I'm wearing now already impresses in its own right."

He brought a thumb confidently to his chest, both as a general gesture of self-aggrandizement, but also as a not particularly subtle way of gesturing toward the chest that he kept rather openly on display. He knew how he looked, and he wouldn't be shy about that.

"I'll look forward to seeing what you wear."

Of course, he would not back down when challenged, to expect anything less would have been disappointing at this point. Naturally, she would judge him harshly on both accounts and leave no room for excuses. To fail at her command was to prove a potential suitor unworthy of further attention.

"Spoken without even missing a beat, an innocent woman might presume that you came prepared for this. Good. The Teahouse will suffice, I suppose, but I would certainly expect something more that."

Crimson eyes passed over his revealing outfit with an unsubtle hint of disdain, before she upturned her nose. It wasn't that she found the sight unappealing, in fact, the opposite was true at some base level. Rather, she wanted to make it perfectly clear what would not be considered acceptable attire for a lunch date.

He had better look forward to what she would wear, though, and he would compliment her regarding it as soon they met or she would be dining alone.