It was work the next morning.
Hajime: "Alright, which one of you five is going with 243 to the mail inspecting."
None of us volunteered.
Hajime: "*sigh* Fine, guess I'll call on someone... number 33, you go."
Jinx: "Kay."
Hajime: "243, take her and show her the ropes. Make sure she does it right."
Fuji: "Of course. Come on, Jinx."
I took his hand and walked with him to our station.
Fuji: "Alright, little one. We're inspecting the mail today. Our job is to open the mail and make sure there aren't any contrabands hidden inside."
Jinx: "Kay- uh... what's a contraband?"
Fuji: "Something that's been smuggled in, or something that shouldn't be there."
I stared up at him, still slightly puzzled.
Fuji: "Uhm, for example, anything that can be used as a weapon or used to assist escape. Put anything like that you find in that box over there."
Jinx: "Got it!"
I got to it, humming to myself as I worked.
Fuji: "I have to point out, Jinx, you seem to be in a good mood today."
Jinx: "Heh, I am. I found a caterpillar yesterday. His name is Doobie and I'm helping him to grow into a butterfly. I guess he's all I can think about lately. I've never seen a butterfly before so I'm excited! Uno says they're really pretty."
Fuji smiled and pet my head.
Fuji: "Never lose your wonder and curiosity, little one."
Jinx: "Haha... Uh- Hey, Fuji, this book has a pocket knife in it."
The blade was out. When I took it out of the book, I froze. My eye was twitching as I stared at the sharp blade in my shaking hand. Fuji kneeled down next to me and rubbed my back.
Fuji: "Jinx? Hey, Jinx, can you hear me?"
I soon snapped out of it and tossed the knife straight into the contrabands box. Fuji was still rubbing my back as I took a couple shaky breaths.
Jinx: "Sorry, Fuji... that hasn't happened in a while..."
Fuji: "It's alright, Jinx. I should have warned you about the potential sharp objects you might find. I heard what happens when you see a blade."
Jinx: "Still... I thought I was over that..."
Fuji: "Though, what I've heard about your 'Code Red' is a lot worse than what just happened."
Jinx: "Yeah... Apparently I don't go stab crazy anymore. I just seem to space out for a minute or two when they catch me off guard."
He gave me a comforting smile.
Fuji: "Improvement isn't something that happens just like that. It's a process. You're doing well, Jinx."
I nodded.
Fuji: "Come on, let's get back to work. Don't wanna get stuck with overtime."
Soon a particular envelope caught my eye.
Jinx: "Hey, this one's for Uno. From... Catherine?!"
Fuji: "Who?"
Jinx: "Uno's ex-girlfriend. She got married a while back...... should I open it?"
Fuji: "That's the job we've been given."
I opened the envelope, but there was nothing of suspicion in there. I was supposed to put it back, but curiosity got the better of me and I read the note inside.
Jinx: "'I've had a baby. Catherine.' Ouch... Uno's not gonna like this."
Fuji: "His ex getting married and having a child all while he's still in here. Yeah, that's gotta be tough."
Jinx: "Hey, Fuji... where do babies come from?"
He froze.
Fuji: "Uh—uhm... I... heh, I don't think I'm the right person to tell you that, Jinx..."
Jinx: "Hm?"
Meanwhile...
Rock: "I'm not gonna lie. I'm glad Jinx was the one picked to go with Fuji."
Uno: "Yeah, this is our chance to tell you."
Jyugo & Nico: "Tell us what?"
Uno: "It was something Honey said to us while Trois was teaching you three billiards."
Rock: "One day soon, Jinx's caterpillar will become a butterfly."
Uno: "And that means it'll need to fly away."
Nico: "Yeah... I knew that. I'm... a little worried."
Jyugo: "Why?"
Rock: "Because Jinx's attached to it. Isn't that obvious?"
Uno: "No matter what happens, it's all going to end in tears."
Jyugo: "It's going to be hard on her, but we'll take care of her like we always do."
Nico: "Yeah."
Rock: "We just wanted to make sure you're ready for the worst."
They nodded.