Sanada Junko

[Yaoquizque]

She explained how she was forced against her will to marry a man she didn't really know and how he came to ill-treat her because of her independent mind.
Her father refused to listen to her and the police would have just ignored it because of her husband's influence.

As Junko couldn't bear it any more, she thought for a while, wondering what she could do.
She couldn't resort to become a criminal, and since she always pictured herself as a strong-willed woman, she imagined the Naval Forces would fit.
And it did. She was enjoying to serve here, and had a suited mind for discipline.

Even if... She used sometimes to act strangely.

Hanawa listened to her quietly and, when she eventually stopped to talk, he sighed silently.
"Couldn't you just have admitted this from the beginning? Would have saved you a lot of trouble."
"Hm... But they could have decided to send me back to Kusari..."
"And that is exactly what your family is requesting, right now. My superiors had a long talk with me, as i am the one deciding to some extent who stays and who leaves my wing."

Junko gazed at him in a half worried half curious way.
"A lot of pressure was being put to demote you and send you back to New Tokyo."
She lowered her head.
"And you... Do you want me to leave?"
"My personal opinion means little for that matter."
Raising her head, she looked into his eyes.
"Just answer, please. I would like to know."
"Hm..." emitted Hanawa, gazing back at her, expressionless.

As he wasn't saying anything, she sighed, and lowered back her head, gazing at the ground.
"You are fearless and skilled. You are a valuable asset for the Naval Forces." He finally replied calmly.
"It's not what i asked! I wanted to know because.." Her voice faded as she was gathering the courage to say it "... I do like you." She finally whispered.

Hanawa considered her for a while, appearing to remain stonily indifferent.
"That's hm.. Interesting. But don't you think it's very inauspicious to claim that now, Just when you were caught?"
"That's true but.. If i don't say it now, i won't get another chance to, would i?"

They didn't say a word for a while. Eventually, Hanawa said quietly
"You may leave, Sanada-san. You will be summoned soon."

---