Chapter Text
Uraume had shaken it off.
It was just a weird interaction between a fireman, his son, and them.
That was all.
When their parents asked for any leads on their future plans, Uraume shrugged and slunk off to their bedroom.
They had sat at their desk, staring at the application.
They were going to throw it away.
They were never going to think of it again.
So why, a week before graduation, were they standing in front of Shinagawa's Firehouse 3, with a filled out paper application in hand?
And why, above all else, were they hesitating?
Sure, they never really counted on staying in Shinagawa… at least, not in the general area they grew up in.
But they also never counted on a classmate recommending them as a potential applicant for a fire station position.
The street wasn't busy, thankfully— Uraume felt less pressure to make a hurried decision with the firehouse gates closed, too. They were alone in this moment— and it gave them the chance to look down at the words they had been careful to keep neat and clear on the paper.
But… this wasn't the plan.
The plan was to get out of here… to start anew.
To go somewhere— anywhere— where they could start this new chapter of their life.
Where they could be re-introduced to the world around them with the right identity.
The one they felt fit them best.
And standing on the driveway of their local firehouse… this felt like the worst place to have ended up.
The complete opposite of what they wanted for themselves.
Still… they had done some research on the engineering job. And… it was… interesting.
They had filled in every box and every circle. They had clearly defined why they were interested, and what qualifications, while meager, made them a good candidate.
The application didn't ask for anything major— the station needed a typical high school graduate, at least. Someone who could do some general heavy lifting. And Uraume didn't particularly love physical activity, but they could keep up.
They had perfect scores in their science courses. They had managed to wrangle some references from teachers. Uraume's entire application looked decent. As decent as the application of a soon-to-be high school graduate could be.
But there was one thing that stood out.
One thing that was glaringly there, alongside their name.
Uraume Iteboshi - they/them
They stared down at the words that trailed their name— reliving the endless nights they had spent scouring the internet, desperate to find the right answer.
Will this ruin your shot? Is it worth it if it means you'll find a job that will accept you?
But what if you never find a job that will accept you? If no one accepts you, are you left to accept the identity assigned to you?
The crinkling corners of the paper rattled in the wind, and Uraume gripped the edges tighter.
They didn't want this chapter of their life to continue.
They needed to start a new one. One they had control of. With an identity that had not been assigned to them, but belonged to them.
After all, the internet had agreed upon at least one thing: this was their personal choice.
It could lead to bias, sure. It could lead to their application ending up in the trash the second it was reviewed.
But it would also confirm inclusivity in the right place…
But will this ruin my shot? Uraume thought again— and they released a puff of air before them in frustration. This circle they were running was endless—
Then they turned at the sound of shoes scuffing up the driveway.
Hakari froze momentarily at the sight of them— but otherwise, they continued forward as they eyed the application in Uraume's hands. "Why're you hesitating?" he asked bluntly.
It was a simple question— with a complicated answer that Uraume hadn't even figured out for themselves.
And it would probably be even more complicated for a guy like Hakari. Uraume couldn't say they had ever seen him take a single note in class or get a single project right.
Still… he paused just ahead of Uraume; he looked over his shoulder towards them, waiting for an answer.
Uraume huffed. "I just… don't know how welcoming this place'll be to me..."
And if Uraume didn't feel like a bug under a microscope right then, they could have laughed at how Hakari's head cocked like a dog's. "What, cus you're a girl?"
Uraume groaned— pushed back the annoyance bubbling before answering. Before their need to defend themselves could overtake them. "No–"
"Then what," Hakari interrupted, turning to face the other high schooler. "An intervert? You'll be fine, you get all talkative when it's stuff you like— God knows how many fucking times you've corrected me in shop—"
Uraume's blood boiled over.
Because Hakari wouldn't understand. Couldn't understand. "That's not even—" But before they could tell the guy to shove it, and stop meddling in their business, and stop recommending them for shit, Uraume stepped back. "God, forget it," they muttered, turning away from Hakari's confusion. "This was such a stupid decision."
Hakari didn't argue.
He didn't say anything as Uraume walked off— away from the firehouse and from any possibility of consideration.
It was better this way. This way, they didn't give anyone the opportunity to let them down.
It was safer to continue on with their currently known identity.
What were you even thinking? Uraume pressed internally. That a whole group of firefighters would just accept you?
No, they would never.
Applying really would have been an awful idea.
One that they couldn't continue entertaining.
So at the next bus stop, Uraume threw the crumpled application into the trash bin.
And they had kept true to their word; they stopped entertaining the idea.
In their final days of shop, Hakari didn't once look at Uraume. It was as if their interactions outside of class had never happened.
It was better that way— predictable and safe.
When Uraume graduated, nothing stupendous happened. The metaphorical chapter in their life began, yet everything remained the same.
They slept in more, at least. They had more time to play video games, and watch random science and research documentaries.
The nagging fear of the future stopped, too.
But it was replaced with something more annoying. Something Uraume couldn't ignore as easily: boredom.
Because they wanted something to do.
Something useful. Something challenging.
Something that felt right.
But the more they looked, the more they felt like nothing fit their criteria. They skimmed the job listings online, and that nagging fear of the future returned…
Would one of these jobs become Uraume's life for God knows how many years?
With the same boring people, and the same boring tasks, every single boring day?
The same generic job responsibilities… the same hours every week… and the same feeling of dread that none of it was good enough?
"Am I just being picky…" Uraume muttered under their breath. They sat slouched in their bed, nursing an energy drink against their chin as they mindlessly scrolled their laptop sitting on their stomach.
They weren't even reading the job titles anymore.
What did it matter, when all the job responsibilities were the same?
When their phone rang in their hoodie pocket, they thought nothing of it as they fished it out.
Probably mom letting me know lunch is ready, they thought. They answered the call without a glance, and slapped the receiver to the side of their face. They gave their general greeting to their parents— a low "eeh?" as they chewed at their hoodie's drawstring—
"Oh, hi! This is Captain Yu Haibara with Shinagawa EMS Station 4. Could I speak with Uraume Iteboshi?"
Uraume jolted upright so suddenly, their laptop tumbled right off their body. They had a moment of white-hot panic course through them, and it didn't go away even after the computer landed on a pile of clothes on the floor with a silent thud.
Why the fuck was a fire station calling them!?
Did they vandalize something…? Were they in trouble?
But firefighters didn't deal with vandals, right? That was police…
God, were they going to be arrested?
Wait, they never vandalized anything—
"…hello?" Captain Haibara called. "Is Uraume Iteboshi there? I was calling about a job application submitted…?"
What?
….what??
"I—" Uraume stuttered over their answer, trying to think and react all at once— did they accidentally turn their application in?
But… Uraume hadn't submit their application… how did this guy know who they were? How did he know their full name?
Did he know everything Uraume had written…? Fuck, how were they supposed to identify?
"Yes, this is…" She? They? What did he know? "This is… Uraume. I'm… I'm Uraume."
And Uraume was sweating, but the captain on the phone seemed to brush right past it. "Great! Well, we got your application. We're glad to hear you have an interest in being an engineer! So, if you're able, we wanted to have you come in for a fireman's interview. Do you know what that is?"
"Uh… no. Sorry."
And again, as chipper as ever, the captain went on. "That's no problem! It's a three-part interview and exam. Of course, we want to talk to you and get to know you as a person. Then have you perform some practical tests, including specialist tests. Those are required for engineer positions. And then, of course, a physical fitness test. Any questions so far?"
Yeah, Uraume thinks. How did you get this number? How do you know my full name? Do you know my identity? Do you not care? Do you care and you're waiting to make a big deal about it in person?
Uraume settled on "no," instead.
"Awesome. So… are you able to come? Next week, that is? We're looking at Tuesday at 8, and we're a bit tight on schedule because we do group interviews. You wouldn't be the only candidate coming in that day."
"Yeah, yeah that's fine, but—" Jesus Christ, what the fuck is going on? "I'm sorry— uh, Captain… but I don't… I didn't…" Finally, they resign themselves with a sigh. This is stupid. "I'm sorry if this comes off as unprofessional… but I'm really confused right now. I had filled out an application, but I never dropped it off…"
Uraume expected a longer silence. They expected the call to end. Something other than Captain Haibara's thoughtful hum… "Well, that makes sense now," he muttered. Uraume could hear the crinkle of paper. "Then I'm guessing your friend must've dropped the application off for you. Hakari, is it…?"
…what?
Did Hakari see them? Had he seen Uraume throw away the application? Did he go and get it?
Why?
On the other end of the line, Captain Haibara cleared his throat. Uraume gripped the phone tighter. "…okay."
"…so… you'll come?"
Well… a job interview and a physical test was better than nothing…
Uraume took a deep breath— and nodded. "Yes, I'll be there… at station 3, right?"
"Uh… no. No, we're Firehouse 4. Maybe I'm cutting out—"
Now Uraume's head was spinning.
Why would Hakari submit their application to another station? Did he feel pity for Uraume? Pity for recommending them, but not enough pity to let them work at their dad's station?
On the other end of the line, Captain Haibara's patience continued on, as strong as ever. "That's okay, I assume?"
"Yes. It's good."
"Perfect! We'll see you then, Uraume. Oh! And dress comfy for the physical test!"
They had perfect scores in their science courses. They had managed to wrangle some references from teachers. Uraume's entire application looked decent. As decent as the application of a soon-to-be high school graduate could be.