The footsteps stopped just outside the door. Miku's breath caught in her throat. She could see the shadow of shoes beneath the gap at the bottom of the door—polished leather, expensive, the kind that belonged to someone who didn't spend their days bent over a workbench. Teto's hand found hers. Squeezed once. Then she let go and squared her shoulders. The door swung open. Director Yamada stood in the doorway, his gray suit immaculate, his face unreadable. Behind him, Miku could see two security guards in dark uniforms, their hands clasped behind their backs. "Dr. Hatsune," Yamada said. His voice was calm. Too calm. "I received an alert from the lab's monitoring system. Care to explain?" Miku opened her mouth. Nothing came out. "There was an accident," Teto said, stepping forward. "A chemical spill. Miku was injured. I'm helping her clean up." Yamada's gaze flicked to Teto, then back to Miku. He took in the shattered glass, the chemical stains, the blood on the floor. His expression didn't change. "I see. And the experiment?" "Failed," Miku said. The word tasted like ash. "The compound destabilized. I don't know why yet." "You don't know why." "I'll figure it out. Give me a week—" "Dr. Hatsune." Yamada's voice sharpened. "You were warned. Your methodology is unorthodox. Your safety protocols are—" "My safety protocols saved my life. The neutralizer worked exactly as designed." "After you burned through your glove and your skin." Teto stepped between them. "Director, with respect, Miku needs medical attention. The debrief can wait." Yamada studied her for a long moment. Then he nodded once. "Very well. Dr. Hatsune, you will report to the infirmary. Security will escort you. After you've been treated, you will report to my office at 0800 tomorrow for a formal review of this incident." "And if I refuse?" "Then I will have no choice but to suspend your lab access pending a full investigation." Miku felt the words like a punch to the chest. Her lab. Her work. Everything she'd built. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "I'll be there." Yamada turned and walked away. The security guards remained, one on either side of the door. Teto was at her side in an instant. "Don't say anything else. Let me handle this." "You can't handle everything, Teto." "Watch me." Miku let Teto help her to her feet. Her arm throbbed beneath the gauze, a steady pulse of pain that matched her heartbeat. She looked at the notebook on the counter—the formula she'd been so sure of—and felt something cold settle in her chest. She'd made a mistake. A stupid, careless mistake. And now she was going to pay for it. "Come on," Teto said, her voice softer now. "Let's get you fixed up. Then we'll figure out what to do about tomorrow." Miku didn't answer. She just let Teto guide her out of the lab, past the security guards, and into the hallway. The door clicked shut behind them. And somewhere in the back of her mind, Miku knew that nothing was going to be the same after this.

Ch. 2 [short]