“Saguru, could you come here for a moment?”

“Yes, Papa?”

“We’re not French, Saguru. It’s ‘tousan,’ ‘dad,’ or ‘sir.’”

“Ah right… Dad..”

“I’ve been getting a few comments lately about your investigations around the office…”

Shit. “Oh?”

“Please close the door. …Thank you. Yes, comments about the level of detail in… well, in the… How shall I put this?”

“I’m not sure. Am I in trouble..?”

“No, no… Nothing like that. It’s just that a couple of the staff have raised concerns…”

“Concerns about what?”

“That you might be taking things a little too… seriously. Now, now, Saguru, don’t make that face. They’re worried that you’re working too hard. That you’re wasting your time pulling up records that you don’t really need…”

“They have no idea what my investigations are. The information I pull is always strictly necessary.”

A heavy sigh from the senior Hakuba. “Their not knowing is part of the problem, Saguru. I give you a lot of freedom and a lot more unrestricted access to things than I really should, but I do it because I trust you and I don’t want you to be hindered. Especially with the language barrier, I-”

“I’m getting better, Dad. I’m working very hard.”

“I know you are. I know. I can see it in your face. You look tired, son.”

“…I’m fine.”

“Look, I just want you to relax for a while. Lay off all of the research and cut back on your cases. Exams are coming up, aren’t they? Some term thing?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Well, your friends, then.”

“I don’t have any.”

“You certainly seem interested in the lives of your classmates, or so I’ve been told.”

“I… just want to be prepared.”

“Stop it. Just lay off. You remember the conversation we had about the Kuroba boy?”

“Yes.”

“Take a break. Get some air. You’re going to ruin your eyes pouring over that paperwork at all hours of the night and day.”

“I don’t think that’s necessarily true.”

“…Saguru.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Do as you’re told. I don’t want to hear any more ‘comments.’ You’re excused.”

“Yes, sir."