"You wanted to see me, Chief?" Toshi asked, sticking his head into the Chief's office.
"Toshi! 'ome in, f-ake a sh-eat," Wesson said through a mouth full of donut, gesturing towards one of the chairs in front of his desk. Toshi nodded and entered the office fully, closing the door and taking a seat in one of the wooden chairs. It groaned beneath his weight, and the armrests pressed uncomfortably into his wide hips and blubbery belly.
"So, Nakamura," Wesson said once he'd swallowed, brushing crumbs out of his close-trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, "we need to talk about Takahashi."
"Jason's doing great, Sir," Toshi said instantly. "Officer Hallen trained him well." Wesson waved the statement away with one hand and reached for another donut with the other.
"It's not about that, Toshi," the Chief said. "It's about the fact that he was just in here requesting a new partner." At Toshi's stunned, somewhat hurt expression he hastened to explain. "It's nothing to do with you, personally, son. Department scuttlebutt is that he really admires you as an officer, and likes you a lot on a personal level. It's only..." He trailed off, searching for the right words.
"Only what?" Toshi asked. While the hurt was gone, he was still really confused. If Jason didn't have a problem with him, why did he want a new partner? Chief Wesson sighed as he decided to bite the bullet and get it over with.
"He says you're making him fat." The Chief said bluntly. "He really buys into all that curse nonsense, and he's all lathered up because he's put on a lousy twelve pounds." Wesson snorted and leaned back in his chair and put a hand on either side of his big ball gut, the furniture creaking in protest as its heavy load shifted. "Can't remember a time when I thought twelve pounds was something to worry about."
"I'm not trying to make him fat! " Toshi protested, "I just want him to enjoy himself!"
"I know, I know," Wesson soothed, raising a hand in a calming motion. "I told him he shouldn't worry; that he just looked a little filled out. But you know how those gym rats are: one ounce of flab and it's the end of the world." The Chief snorted again, folding his hands on top of his belly as his face took on a dreamy expression. "Told him most of the department would kill to be your partner; all that free food..." He licked his lips. "If I could justify it I'd be your partner. The poor fool doesn't know how good he's got it." He shook himself out of his daze and gave Toshi a level look.
"So, I just wanted to let you know so you could be prepared to help the boy loosen up. Takahashi has a lot of potential, but if he doesn't learn to be less neurotic he'll burn out . That's the real reason I partnered you two in the first place." The Chief grinned. "I thought there was going to be a brawl when the department found out Fred was transferring; everyone who isn't a rookie wanted to partner with you. But I thought Takahashi would benefit from it the most: He needs to learn to relax, and you're the best man for the job. Can I count on you?"
"You know it, Chief," Toshi said, a grin lighting up his handsome chubby face.
"Good man." Wesson said with a nod. "And so far as Takahashi knows, this conversation never happened. Dismissed. And take a donut for the road, son." He gestured towards the two pastries remaining, giving his belly a pat as he picked up one and left the other for Toshi. "All this heavy conversation gives me an appetite, and I'm sure you're no different."
"Not different at all, Chief," Toshi agreed, hoisting himself out of the chair and picking up the last donut. He ate half of it in a single bite. "Mmmm, these are from your wife's bakery, aren't they?"
"Only the best for her Big Shot husband," Wesson replied good-naturedly. "Now go find Takahashi; the two of you are taking Perez on ride-along with you today to show him the ropes."
"Got it, Chief," Toshi said, eating the second half of the donut as he exited the office.
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