[FIC] Call Me Ishmael (part five)
Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 10:56 pm
The city sidewalks were crowded, with people of all descriptions walking here and there, headed who knows where. Kaname and Kim left the larger avenue, and headed down one of the many smaller side streets. Brightly lit rainbow lanterns hung from buildings and street posts.... neon signs flashed on and off, beckoning.... huge arrays of blinking or racing lights drew attention to shops, restaurants, and parlors alike.
The girls passed by small sake shops, sushi restaurants, and confectionary stores. They paid no attention to dodgy DVD shops, pink movie parlors, panty-less pubs, and hostess bars. They were momentarily drawn to the front window of one establishment, shocked and disturbed by what they saw. Rows of small glass cubicles were for sale, each containing a puppy. It was not a pet shop. Some peoples’ ideas of trendy accessories just went too far.
“Here we go,” Kaname said, smiling. “There’s a high concentration of gaming parlors on this street.”
“Gaming parlors? Video games?” Kim had never played video games for fun before. On occasion, she had accompanied groups of students to such meeting places, more worried about doing her job than enjoying herself.
“No. Pachinko!” Kaname grinned. She loved Pachinko.
Groups of teens and young adults clustered around the doors to some of the shops, while others seemed to attract an older clientele. All manners of dress and hair style were in evidence. Music from stores and portable players filled the air. Street-side vendors hawked various foods and non- alcoholic drinks.
“Pachinko?” Kim had never herd of that term before.
Kaname grabbed her companion’s hand and pulled her inside one of the shops. She had chosen one of the few shops that attracted mostly younger patrons, with the crowd heavily skewed towards teenage girls.
“You bet! I’ll explain when we get inside. Brace yourself---these places are loud, smokey, and have a lot of bright lights. But, I love them just the same.”
Kaname walked inside the game hall and did a quick scan of the crowd. “Too bad we didn’t bring our new clothes. It looks like most of the kids are into Goth and Punk tonight.”
Kim followed with a slight feeling of trepidation. There were people everywhere. Playing, talking, lounging, and showing off. The noise level was almost deafening, and numerous lights flashed here and there.
She wasn’t fond of large crowds, and all of the distractions would make her task more difficult. Every other person could be Whispered, and she might not be able to make out a single signal. Even more frustrating, she might catch wind of someone, but never be able to determine which person it was.
**************************************
**************************************
Sousuke was not happy.
Not in the least.
Kaname had led Kim into one of the areas of Tokyo infamous for its street culture and the unpredictable nature of its crowds.
There were too many people.
Too many people too close together.
Too close together, and far too jacked-up by excitement, hormones, or drugs.
Stealth would play no role here. He would also not be able to track the girls visually. It was time for a different approach.
His locator was functioning well, so there would be no problem keeping track of Kaname as long as she kept possession of her purse. The microphone he had inserted into Kim’s purse was operational, but now there was too much background noise. In addition to those tools, he would make use of something he bought today.
Stepping into a public restroom facility, Sousuke made his way towards one of the stalls.
“Hey, pretty boy. I got a pocket full of change for you, if you wanna make me happy....”
A middle-aged man in a garish business suit made an extremely inappropriate proposition to Sousuke. “Be a good lad and put your hand down my trousers.”
Sousuke complied, but not in the fashion the man had been hoping for.
The concussion grenade that the young soldier dropped down the drunken man’s pants did a remarkable job of changing the gentleman’s priorities. When he would finally stagger into the neighborhood emergency medicine clinic, he would be told that they could probably sew everything back together. He would have to change his part in the choir for a while, however.
The explosion had another propitious effect. The stalls were soon empty, as people ran screaming into the streets, their pants down at their ankles and toilet paper trailing behind them.
Closing the door on his stall, Sousuke changed into his Punk outfit. He was rather pleased. The bondage pants would hold all of his weapons and ammo. Perhaps he would wear this outfit for Captain Testarossa one day--- she might be able to determine a good use for it on covert missions.
Heading back down the street, he was accosted by a group of youths dressed a lot like him.
“Hey, ripper look, mate! But the hair.... You gotta get that up, man. And the eyes, you gotta work on the eyes.” One boy gave Sousuke some gel and showed him how to get his hair up into spikes.
A girl helped him put on a fair amount of his eye liner. She also gave him a piece of paper with her phone number on it.
“And boyo.... Don’t go too far down the drag, you copy? There’s some dudes down that way who don’t take too kindly to our kind.” A boy with orange hair and razor blade earrings waved his arm in the direction that Kaname had headed.
“I thank you. You help is much appreciated.”
Sousuke headed off after the girls.
**********************************
**********************************
Kaname was quickly growing hoarse, finding that she had to talk rather load for Kim to understand her.
She had bought herself and Kim magnetic payment cards, not unlike a telephone cards in theory. Her own had a pastel picture of stylized flowers. She could live with that. Looking over at Kim, she guessed that her companion was not too pleased with the avantgarde painting of a fish on her card.
The two of them made their way through the smoky and gauche parlour.
“Trust me Kim, you’re going to have a blast. Pachinko is so addictive. I could stay here all night!”
She led Kim over to one of the large rows of pachinko machines, bypassing the areas with the redemption games, prize machines, and hunting simulators. There were two empty seats next to one another, and that kind of bounty wouldn’t last long.
“The name comes from ‘pachi pachi’” Kaname noted, deciding to employ Sousuke’s habit of providing the background information on things. That particular phrase meant ‘the clicking of small objects on a crackling fire.’
“It’s a game of chance, and could be considered gambling.” Kaname didn’t seem concerned.
Kim looked incredulous. She wondered just what Kaname was getting her into.
“Hey, don’t get all bent out of shape or anything. I know gambling is prohibited in this country. But, if you win, you trade in your Pachinko balls for prizes, not money. Look over there on the shelves, and in those cases. See? Each joint will have its own kind of stuff, depending on the crowd.”
Kaname told Kim that she had seen places that had clothing for prizes; shops that offered cigarettes, chocolate, cheap watches, and soft porn magazine; parlors that had computer games, videos, and cameras; joints with wines, fancy purses, floral centerpieces, and chandeliers; and even sites that had refrigerators stocked with popular frozen food.
Kim looked relieved.
“Of course, if you like, there are ‘holes in the wall’ out in the alleyway, where you can exchange your gifts for cash. Some of the really good players can walk away with as much as 100,000 yen at a sitting, tax free of course.”
Kaname dreamed of hitting it big herself some day.
“How do I play?” Kim stared at the brightly colored machine with its flashing lights, fantasy theme, and built-in speakers. She was sitting at the Godzilla machine by Newgin, one of the more popular models. A huge LCD screen showed clips from the movies.
She smiled, pointing that out to Kaname.
“Kim! Don’t you go otaku on me!” Both girls laughed. “If you find a Pulgasari machine, I’ll have to kill you.”
Kim looked over her machine more closely. There were pictures, artist’s renditions, and raised plastic representations of various monsters spread about the large circular playing area and its countless metal pins.
Looking at the base of the machine, she sucked in her breath and bit her lip. Newgin products carried a metal label that read ‘Realize your dream.’
That brought her up short.
Which dream?
The one where she would have a friend like Kaname, and do the kinds of things she’d done today?
Or, the one where she did whatever it took to win Jorgen?
‘If you find a Pulgasari machine, I’ll have to kill you,’ Kaname had joked. If Kaname WERE Whispered.... and Kim turned her in.... would the blue-haired girl end up dead?
“You OK Kim?” Kaname asked, putting her hand on the shorter girl’s shoulder. “I know it can look overwhelming, but it’s really quite simple. I’ll show you.”
Kaname explained that the Pachinko machine was a lot like an upright pinball machine, with cups and pockets, each protected by an array of deflecting pegs. She had bought a large number of small metal balls for them to use, and fed one of them into her machine.
“You try to launch the ball or drop it in so that it falls through the pegs and into one of the pockets. If you can do that, the machine will give you a payoff, depending on the pocket. Usually it’s about twelve to one.” Kaname’s ball missed the pockets and disappeared into the bottom of the machine.
Kaname remembered something, and excused herself. She came back carrying two small buckets, one of which she gave to Kim.
“We’ll need the buckets later. We’ll skip over the Hanemono type of machines for now, even though that might be a good place for you to start. They’re easier to win at, but because of that, they aren’t as much fun. And, the payoff is minimal.”
Kaname pointed towards the front of the game area, where that type of machine could be found.
“These digital Pachenko machines, the Deji-Pachi type, are a lot more exciting. Their payoffs make them worth playing for more than just fun, and keep the game from becoming repetitive and boring. Later, if you’re having fun, we’ll give the Kenrimomo machines a try, if the hard core crowd leave any open. We might need the bucket then. Some payoffs can give up to 10,000 balls back.”
She pointed towards a series of doors leading to the back rooms.
“You sure know a lot about Pachinko, Kaname.” Kim looked impressed.
“That’s right. You’re looking at a master! But, just because you’re my friend, don’t expect me to take it easy on you.” Kaname’s laugh could even be heard over the loud noise. A number of seats next to her opened up quickly.
The two of them got down to business. Kim never would have thought that something like this could be fun But, she found that once she started, she didn’t want to stop. Each time she got a payoff, she wanted more and bigger returns. She kept dropping her winnings into her bucket.
Kaname tapped Kim on the shoulder. “I forgot to tell you. Check each prize ball to see if it has a symbol on it. If you get three matching symbols, you get an even bigger prize.”
Kaname tossed her hair and showed Kim her bucket. She had been doing well. Putting her hand in, she rummaged around and pulled out a ball with a symbol on it. “I told you I was a master.”
Kim smiled. She showed Kaname her bucket. There were at least twice as many balls in there. A number had matching symbols.
“Uh... good... I should have noticed earlier... now I can stop going easier on you. Hmmmpppfff!” Kaname started firing balls off at a furious rate.
Kim laughed behind her hand.
Them suddenly, tears came to her eyes. She had felt a sharp pain in her head. There was no mistaking it. Someone in the room was Whispered. They were really broadcasting strongly, to cause that strong an ache.
There hadn’t been any accompanying thoughts or images. Only a strong urge to win.
Kim looked over at Kaname.
‘Please, don’t let it be her. Please. Not her.’
As quickly as it had come, the pain disappeared.
“Hey, you snooze you lose gal!” Kaname hit a nice payoff. She tossed the balls in her bucket and rattled them around right under Kim’s nose.
Kim looked around the room once more, trying to see if she could pick up any sense of proximity or direction. She could not. Realizing that, she returned to her game with a vengeance.
It was the best way to keep from thinking uncomfortable thoughts.
Not too much later, the young Korean girl smiled. She was feeling mischievous. Surprisingly, that was becoming a habit for her.
“Kaname?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think that Sousuke would like Pachinko?” Kim smiled, a sparkle in her eye.
“HUH?”
“Sousuke. You know, that cute boy that some girls think is an otaku, leaving him for girls with more discerning taste....” Kim’s smile grew larger.
“Sous---” Kaname stuttered hearing that.
“That’s right. Almost there.” Kim laughed.
“Sous---” Kaname started to scowl.
“Closer.” Kim drew an imaginary ‘X’ on her cheek.
“Sousuke?” Kaname looked like she had sat on a porcupine. “Sousuke enjoy something fun like this? PLEASE!!!”
Kaname put her hands on her hips. “He’d probably be ALLERGIC to it! Hmmppff!!!”
“O, so you don’t think it would be a good place to have him ask me to on a first date?” Kim waved her hand, fanning herself. Her own words almost caused her to knock her bucket off of her machine. She had never been on a date. But, there was a part of her deep inside that desperately wished for that.
Kaname DID knock over her bucket. Small metal balls rolled everywhere.
“Ooops! My bad!” Kim got down on her hands and knees, helping Kaname corral her winnings. Other people pitched in as well.
“Damn that Sousuke!” Kaname cursed.
Kim smiled. She had noticed that Kaname seemed to blame Sousuke for a lot of things. Her smile turned into a grimace as she was struck by that pain again.
Still, no images or discernible thoughts. Just a sense of frustration and anger.
Right now, Kaname was frustrated and angered.
Kim started to get worried.
“Kim, do yourself a big favor. Do NOT bring Sousuke to a Pachinko parlor.” Kaname put one foot up on a chair and frowned. “It’s not my business if you talk Sousuke into taking you for a date.”
Kim felt a twinge just behind one eye.
“And, it’s not my fault if he messes up such a date for you.”
Kim felt a buzzing in her ears.
“But, if that otaku takes a liking to one of my favorite games, I know he will find a way to ruin for me somehow!”
Kim felt a tickling feeling in the back of her head.
“It would probably be worse for you. Picture this, he comes in here and realizes that the balls are actually ball bearings. You will then have to listen for one or two hours while he measures them.... tests their weight and tensile strength.... and then goes on to tell you the three or four hundred military machines such bearings would be useful in.”
Kim wanted to laugh. It was so true that it was funny. The pain in the side of her head was no laughing matter, however.
“Then things would get bad. Someone would tell him the fact that Pachinko was born right after World War II, when manufacturers in western Japan found themselves saddled with an awkward surplus of ball bearings. Because the factories that could use them lay in ruins, they had to find another market. That kind of thing would fire him off like a damn ballistic missile!!!”
The pain was very sharp that time. It could be no coincidence. Every time that Kaname’s voice rose speaking about Sousuke, Kim felt a pain.
Still, she didn’t want to believe it. She tried to convince herself that Kaname’s manner of response was simply unnerving her and causing her to unconsciously turn up the gain on her receptive talents, allowing her to pick up someone else’s signal.
It was not a very likely possibility.
What should she do?
The parlor no doubt had pay phones nearby.
She always had Jorgen’s cellular phone memorized.
But, if she was mistaken, and she fingered the wrong person... Kaname would likely disappear, even if the customers found out she wasn’t Whispered.
No.
She couldn’t bring herself to act yet.
Not yet.
Not just yet.
Not at all!!!
How could she bring herself to act, no matter what she found?
Kaname had taken her shopping. She had bought her music. The fun she had in this gaming shop was thanks to her.
She had tried to be a friend.
A friend!!!
But.
There would ALWAYS be that ‘But.’
There was Jorgen.
There was the life she led before him, and the purpose she had after he saved her.
There were the things he had promised.
There was the warmth she felt when he said ‘Good job, pretty lady.’
There might even be a pat on the head or a kiss on the cheek.
Not from Sousuke!
From Jorgen.
From the person that meant the most to her in the entire world.
Yes.
She would still have to go through with it.
But, she would wait until she had definite proof.
Maybe an image only Kaname would know.
A unique thought or word that would seal her fate.
Something.
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“Hey, Punker, you gotta have big balls thinking you can just walk back here.”
A large youth with a chain for a belt called out to Sousuke.
“Yeh, Punk Boy! But you won’t have’em much longer.”
Another nasty looking character patted his jacket pocket.
“You must be REALLY stupid, thinking you can just show your f@cking ugly face and not end up even uglier.”
There was a large group of roughs. They all seemed to have something to say. Their attitudes suggested that their threats were serious.
Pipes.... 2x4s.... zip guns.... cudgels.... switchblades.... broken bottles.... you name it. Weapons of all sorts appeared as if out of no where.
“Aki. Your turn to be look-out. Do it!” The largest boy laughed, punching another guy in the shoulder. “You get to be first on the next one, promise.”
Sousuke considered the situation. It would be simple enough to escape, but that would put him further away from Kaname and Kim than he wanted to be.
His clothing was new, and he did not wanted damage it the first day he wore it. However, the two girls obviously took precedent.
Perhaps he could reason with them. Negotiations often proved effective, even in the most difficult situations.
“I believe we should parlay.” Sousuke spread his arms apart in a gesture of peace.
“Parlay? What the f@ck is that. Some kind of freak punk thing? You can bet your aching ass that the last thing we is gonna do is parlay!” The boy who spoke spat on Sousuke.
“Yeh, you can parlay THIS!” Another boy pulled down his fly and whipped out his privates. Laughing, he urinated on Sousuke’s shoe.
The malcontents all thought that was hilarious.
“I do not like to injure people mistakenly. I also do not find satisfaction in harming those who are mistaken,” Sousuke said. “Therefore, I should inform you that I am not a Punk. I am a Specialist. I am merely in disguise. That should be sufficient reason for you all to disperse.”
He was answered by loud communal laughter.
“Well, Punk Boy...” One rowdy bared his bicep, displaying a flaming skull tattoo. “I’m a specialist too. I specialize in ass kicking and teeth smashing.”
“And I specialize in hair cuts and distinctive scars.” Another miscreant held up a notched barber’s folding razor.
“Not tonight.” Sousuke’s look froze some of the boys. It almost felt as if a cold wind had just blown over their graves.
“Ooooooooh, he’s a tough little puddle of piss. I’m scared. Whatever shall we do?” The exhibitionist zipped his fly back up.
“I know. How ‘bout we stomp the livin’ shit out of him. After that, we can show him we ain’t just blowin’ smoke. Stupid f@ckin’ Punker!” One idiot tried to high-five another who pulled his hand away.
“It would appear that negotiations were unsuccessful.” Sousuke said.
The toughs all looked at each other incredulously. What f@cking planet had this moron come from?
“No shit!!! Talkin’ time is over.”
The group of youths began to surround Sousuke.
Sousuke looked around.
The situation was all wrong.
Not because of the classic pincer maneuver by the enemy. That was well done and worthy of admiration.
No.
This part of the street was too busy. There were too many witnesses, and innocent people were at risk of injury.
He knew just what to do.
“I will now walk quickly down that narrow alley. I am going to try to escape, not attempt to draw you into a place of my choosing. There is no way that I can prevent you all from following me.”
Laughter followed Sousuke. Soon thereafter, all of the ruffians did as well.
“It is not a dead end. And I am not tired. But, I shall stop here just the same. It is not a problem.” Sousuke picked the spot that gave him the best field of fire, and plenty of room for hand-to-hand. “Feel free to keep on walking past me if you wish.”
“Me first!” One boy shouted, obviously not interested in the kind offer. “Swinging a length of chain around his head, he ran forward with an undulating call.
“Motorcycle chain. Well chosen. Effective in close in combat.” Sousuke pulled out his pistol. “You shall not get close, however.”
BANG BANG BANG
Rubber bullets hit the tough guy in the face, abdomen, and groin area. He was out of the fight. He was out cold.
“You motherf@cking punk asshole!” Another boy charged, flanked by two buddies and closely followed by two more. “You’re MINE!!!”
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG
The lead three boys fell to the ground, curling up in considerable pain.
The next boy found his wrist grabbed and his arm broken clean in two. A boot to the face sent him down for the count.
“No punk shit’s gonna do that to ME!!!” The fifth boy brandished a long kitchen knife. He was enthusiastic, but not a trained knife fighter. It wouldn‘t have mattered if he were.
Sousuke stopped the boys arm with two hands. Kicking him hard in the nether region, he then brought the boy’s hand down sharply, driving the knife into the meaty part of his thigh.
“The knife is a dangerous weapon for an inexperienced fighter,” Sousuke stated nonchalantly. “That wound may need to be surgically repaired.”
The alley was filled with angry shouts.
“Mob him you shits.... he can’t stop us all at once.... Come on, MOVE IT!!!” The speaker and his cronies were soon to pay for that incorrect assessment.
The remaining group of boys flew towards the lone Punk figure, tightly bunched together. Their weapons gleamed in the light from the nearby streetlights.
Sousuke turned his back on them and slowly began to walk away. The pins already dropped on the ground, he threw two fragmentation grenades over his shoulder. He was out of concussion grenades. But, the situation justified the use of great force. And, most of the attackers would probably survive, in some form or another.
“It would have been wiser to negotiate,” he said just before his movements suddenly became a blur and he disappeared from view.
As closely packed as they were, there was no way that the boys could all stop their forward momentum, or even find room to evade.
Two explosions rocked the night, barely heard over the din of the crowd.
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Kaname was excited.
As soon as she and Kim walked into the back room, someone got out of the chair in front of one of the Kenrimomo-grade machines.
The first ball she launched brought back a ball with a symbol.
So did the second.
And the third.
“We’re on a roll, Kim!” Her smile lit up her face.
Kim put her hand to her heart.
She had to force herself not to cry.
Kaname had said ‘we’re.’ For some reason, that hurt. A lot.
“I think you’re good luck Kim.” Kaname reached over and squeezed Kim’s hand.
Kim looked away. It felt as if something were squeezing her heart.
She should have listened to Jorgen.
What had she been thinking, allowing herself to get close to someone?
“Even if I don’t win another ball, it’s good to have a another friend.” Kaname attacked the machine with vigor, sending ball after ball clattering down the pegs.
Kim couldn’t speak. There wasn’t anything she could say in return.
It was all she could do to hold herself together.
“How could things get any better than this?” Kaname laughed, scooping up a small number of prize balls.
There was a break in the music. A new song began.
“Alright! Ayumi. We really ARE on a roll!!!” Kaname began singing along.
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“For instance, even if we don’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?”
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Kaname’s voice was filled with joy, even though ‘As if...’ was not the cheeriest of songs.
That joy cut Kim like a knife.
‘Please, Kaname. I beg you... don’t be Whispered...’ She repeated that like a mantra.
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“I’ve quickly tired of continuing these false days,
“But if we can be together, there’s nothing to be done about it.
“I want to hold hands and walk the city like normal.
“That’s what I dream about. That’s it, but...”
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It was there in Kim’s mind. Thoughts about fitting in. Thoughts about making friends. A nameless longing for a soul mate.
They weren’t Kim’s own thoughts.
---------------------------------------------
“For instance, even if we don’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?
“I’ve reconsidered who I’m living for.
“I felt like a new door had opened little, but
“You’re too kind, so I’m scared when I think
“That I can’t tell you my true feelings.”
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A tear rolled down Kim’s cheek.
Followed by another.
Then two more.
There was a wavering vision of Sousuke in her head. But not a Sousuke she had ever seen. A Sousuke Kaname must remember. No, an ideal Sousuke, one she must secretly imagine or wish for.
Kaname was Whispered.
Hope turned to bitter ashes in her mouth.
The words of he song were cruel taskmasters. They didn’t stop there. It was just the beginning.
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“For instance, even if we can’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?
“For instance, if we can’t meet any more,
“Before long, time will let me forget everything?”
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Kim realized that she had her own dreams about Sousuke.
Dreams that would fade away like leaves born on the wind.
She would never be able to thank him for what he had opened up inside her.
There would be no chance for her to tell him her true feelings.
Time was unlikely to let her forget any of this.
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“For instance, even if we can’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?
“Unlike me, who sees only now,
“Do you get nervous thinking about what comes after this?”
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YES!!!
So very nervous.
Kaname had done even more than Sousuke had.
Kim could never tell her how much it meant to her to feel as if she had a friend, even for a short while.
Instead, her show of thanks would be a phone call to Jorgen.
There was no other choice.
He could read her like a book.
If she held anything back, she would lose him, and it might be her turn to disappear.
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“La la la la la..... Someday, someday
“Surely we can be together....”
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Kaname hadn’t realized she had drawn an audience. A number of people applauded when she finished singing. They clapped even louder after she dropped her next ball.
It hit the center socket, after Kaname had already primed the machine by putting balls in certain other spots.
A siren went off.
She had hit the big jackpot.
“Kim, you really ARE my good luck charm!!!”
Kaname smiled.
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Kim was in absolute agony.
Kaname had once again shown the fullness of her friendship and generosity. Her purse full of money after cashing in her prizes, she had exclaimed that she was going to treat Kim to a fine dinner.
The restaurant would be where Kim placed her phone call to Jorgen.
She would be able to get away on her own there, probably in the ladies’ room. And, the crowd would be much thinner than the one around the gaming shops. The men sent to collect Kaname would be able to carry out their task without too much difficulty.
Kim felt like the basest traitor that every crawled out from the muck.
They were riding in style in an upscale taxi cab. The seats were clean, and the car didn’t smell like a collection of armpits traced back to the dawn of time. Still, Kim would have rather walked. She would have even preferred being dragged by her heels behind a garbage truck.
There was another Ayumi Hamasaki song on the radio.
Kaname was content to just sit back and listen, her eyes closed, a big smile on her face. Kim couldn’t do they same. Not with what she carried in her heart. And not with that song playing.
It was called ‘Trauma.’
The name was altogether too apropos.
***
‘Today's happy face, today's sad face.
Yesterday's weak self, tomorrow's strong self.
If it's you, who are you showing it to? If it's me, who should I show it to?
***
‘Time is sometimes a cruel thing,
but the present is made by that cruelty.
***
‘Unceasingly searching for someone, an instant of release
soon triumphs over the visiting fear.
***
‘As I don't even notice the flowers shaking before my feet,
I can't even look at myself in the mirror.
***
‘Today's happy face, today's sad face.
Yesterday's healed wounds and today's deeply opened wounds.
If it's you, who are you showing it to? If it's me, who should I show it to?
***
‘The sanity and insanity that I was given and are mine only,
Both exist together without negating the other.
***
‘Futile things, spilled things, and useless things...
I'll choose with confidence, so I am of myself.
***
‘Because I have always defined happiness with my own standards.
***
‘Today's happy face, today's sad face.
Even if yesterday's healed wounds have opened today,
If it's you, who can you show it to? If it's me, I want to show it to that person.'
***
Sad face.
Weak self.
Cruel time.
Unceasing searching.
Never noticed flowers.
Mirror never used.
Insanity that I was given.
Futile things, spilled things, and useless things.
Deeply opened wounds.
Who could she show all THAT too?
No one?
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Sousuke had thrown a GPS tracker at the disappearing taxi cab. He scored a direct hit on the trunk, just above the dented rear bumper.
“This is Urzu 7, calling Da Danaan. Do you read?” he had opened up a small but powerful portable phone.
After a brief wait, there was an answer.
“Urzu 7, this is Da Danaan bridge. How may we direct?”
Sousuke asked the officer manning the communications console to patch the call back to the Intel staff. He asked them to put a level one tracking priority on the taxi cab, keeping him informed of its progress, and taking note of any place it stopped.
There was no time to change. Once he received the ‘OK’ from the Intelligence branch, he went about flagging down his own ride.
In all actuality, there was probably no reason to be concerned. Two girls in a cab would soon be two girls in a public restaurant. No doubt, some time after that, they would become two girls safely asleep in two separate apartments.
Nonetheless, he would treat this the same way he treated everything. It cost him nothing to be vigilant. He had nothing better to do.
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Kaname liked the TY Harbor Brewing Company. For that reason, she had been wanting to try the food at Cicada, the newer restaurant from David Chiddo.
“The motto here is ‘Mi casa es su casa,’ Kim. I hope you like Spanish and Mediterranean style food.” Kaname smiled, looking at the large tables made of polished wood and the large comfortable looking chairs in the effortlessly stylish eatery.
Kim nodded numbly. Kaname was too excited to take much notice.
The first order of business after they sat down was to see if they could finagle a bottle of wine out of the waiter. Kaname thought that both she and Kim looked mature for their age. While neither was clearly twenty, they certainly didn’t look like kids. She had yet to be carded on the rare occasions she tried to buy alcohol---there isn’t an underage drinking problem in Japan.
Success!
She was handed am extensive wine list. Fortunately, recommendations were written under the descriptors present for each vintage. Knowing little about wine in general, Kaname chose a mid-priced Spanish red.
“Looks like we’re in for some trouble here tonight!” Kaname said, in a serious sounding voice.
Kim jumped up in her chair, her breath rushing out of her and the beat of her heart ringing in her ears.
Did Kaname suspect something.
Maybe it was a two-way street! Could Kaname have picked up some of Kim’s thoughts.
She hoped so.
“T-T-Trouble?”
“Yes. Just look at the menu. How are we possibly going to choose from all of these great dishes?” Kaname laughed, sticking her nose in the menu.
“O.... right.... The choice is hard....”
Kim’s words echoed in her mind.
Kaname had a good idea of what she wanted.
She had skipped over the extensive part of the menu dedicated solely to different olive oils, and salivated over the enticing appetizers and wonderful main courses. She started off with tapas and clams, and asked for an order of imported chorizo steamed with mazanilla sherry. A spinach and feta salad with sumac and walnuts finished off her selection. She wanted to save room for Moroccan rice pudding of saffron panna cotta with orange and grapefruit.
Kim also selected flat bread and a salad, but had trouble selecting her main course. She couldn’t decide between grilled salmon with panzanella and the lamb chops with anchovy and rosemary. Accepting the waiters recommendation, she ordered the fish.
Why did she even bother?
It didn’t matter what she chose.
If the men arrived quickly, there would be no opportunity to eat.
Should it take them a while to get there, she doubted that she could enjoy anything about her dinner.
She couldn’t put things off any longer.
“I’m off to freshen up,” she told Kaname. There was little chance of the other girl following her---Kaname had used the facilities at the Pachinko parlor just before they had left.
“Better not stay too long, missy!” Kaname laughed. “I intend to eat as if this were my last meal. If the food gets here before you return, I can’t promise you will get a single bite.”
Those words were yet another nail in Kim’s heart.
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Safely in the stall of the one person occupancy rest room, the Korean girl contacted Jorgen and informed him of her discovery.
“Kaname Chidori. Second year student at Jundai Highschool. Age 16. Brown eyes. Long blue hair reaching to her waist. Height estimated at 166 centimeters. Weight about 50 kilos. Wearing a black sweater, black and white skirt, and knee high white leather boots. She is sitting at the fifth table to the right, in the third group to the left of the main door.”
She listened avidly to Jorgen’s words, hoping for some sign of praise. There were none. She would settle for a word of satisfaction. Zero. Instead, he sounded irritated, annoyed. What had taken her so long? Why did she interrupt him during his dinner? Couldn’t she have waited until the girl was alone in her apartment?
Kim deflated.
Tears streamed down from her eyes.
She had done her duty.
There was no way he could understand how hard it had been for her.
And not a single positive word.
She asked if she should wait as he had suggested. He yelled at her then, saying that he had already ruined his appetite. Since members of the collection crew are still at a bar in your area---and have not headed off to their separate hideouts for the night---it would be easier just to send them on their way now.
Asked to provide details, she did so.
“We’re at Cicadas.... 5-2-40 Minabi Azamu.... situated between Hiroo and Nishi- Azabu. It’s open to 1 A.M., but I doubt I can keep her here for much more than an hour or an hour-and-a-half.”
Jorgen’s reply had been loud and obscene.
Kim dropped her phone, her hand trembling uncontrollably.
She began banging her head hard against the back brick wall.
No matter what she did from this day forth, she would never be whole.
The future looked bleak and dark.
And she had just dragged an undeserving soul into the darkness with her.
She tried to repeat some of Jorgen’s words to convince herself she had done the right thing.
******
‘It is NOT simply vengeance on dumb and thoughtless brutes. I am NOT assigning too much evil to individuals who simply act from blindest instinct! Never consider it madness! My concerns are neither that nor Blasphemy.’
******
‘People are all born with halters round their necks; but it is only when faced by death or tragic events, that most me realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life. Be fortunate I am here to guide you. I will warn you of the dangers. If you find yourself reaching too far, I may not be there to catch you in time!’
******
‘It’s a noble craft, even if it carries a feeling of melancholy! All noble things are touched with that. Are you capable of serving mankind as I do? If so, you will not be put off by the sad part of your duty. I rejoice in my spine, as in the firm audacious staff of that flag which I fling half out to the world. The greater good. We must always keep our eye on that, even if no one but you and I appreciate the good that we do.’
******
‘I am the fates’ Lieutenant. I act under their command.’
******
‘Human madness is often times a cunning and most feline thing. When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.’
******
They all sounded hollow.
Kim now doubted that she would ever be happy. Her dreams of Jorgen’s love fell off of her mind like the last dried petals from a dead flower. It had been a mistake to take his goals as her own goals.
There had no reason to hate the Whispered, other than Jorgen’s words. Stripped of the past comfort of those words, she felt naked, vulnerable. She sat on the toilet, head in her hands, rocking back and forth, for how long she did not know.
The decision she came up with was dangerous, but felt right. She would tell Kaname the truth.
Literally running back out into the dining area, she was halted by two unconnected sights, but not after she had yelled out "Kaname..."
Sousuke Sagara was there. With punk make-up and hairdo. It looked as if he had been interrupted while carrying an empty tray back towards the kitchen---he was being lectured by an irate cook.
He didn’t see her. And she doubted that he had seen what she now saw.
There were two other people she recognized all too well. One, an extremely large man, stood by her table.
“Kaname, are you OK? My God, she fainted. We better get her to a hospital.” The collector---his face marred by a severely broken nose---had earlier walked past Kaname’s table and dropped a quick-acting knockout pill in her drink.
The man picked Kaname up in his arms.... reassured a concerned Matre de.... and carried the unconscious girl out to a waiting car.
The other man---a nervous looking sort with large eyebrows and oversized ears---hurried over to Kim. “Miss Jun, I’m certain she’ll be OK. We’d better hurry.” The look he gave her sent chills down her spine.
Kim opened her mouth to call for help, but something kept her from speaking. Jorgen had conditioned her all too well.
Kaname was doomed.
If Jorgen sensed her new defiance, they may both be done for.
Hand firmly on her wrist, the man pulled her outside after throwing a wad of bills on the table.
The girls passed by small sake shops, sushi restaurants, and confectionary stores. They paid no attention to dodgy DVD shops, pink movie parlors, panty-less pubs, and hostess bars. They were momentarily drawn to the front window of one establishment, shocked and disturbed by what they saw. Rows of small glass cubicles were for sale, each containing a puppy. It was not a pet shop. Some peoples’ ideas of trendy accessories just went too far.
“Here we go,” Kaname said, smiling. “There’s a high concentration of gaming parlors on this street.”
“Gaming parlors? Video games?” Kim had never played video games for fun before. On occasion, she had accompanied groups of students to such meeting places, more worried about doing her job than enjoying herself.
“No. Pachinko!” Kaname grinned. She loved Pachinko.
Groups of teens and young adults clustered around the doors to some of the shops, while others seemed to attract an older clientele. All manners of dress and hair style were in evidence. Music from stores and portable players filled the air. Street-side vendors hawked various foods and non- alcoholic drinks.
“Pachinko?” Kim had never herd of that term before.
Kaname grabbed her companion’s hand and pulled her inside one of the shops. She had chosen one of the few shops that attracted mostly younger patrons, with the crowd heavily skewed towards teenage girls.
“You bet! I’ll explain when we get inside. Brace yourself---these places are loud, smokey, and have a lot of bright lights. But, I love them just the same.”
Kaname walked inside the game hall and did a quick scan of the crowd. “Too bad we didn’t bring our new clothes. It looks like most of the kids are into Goth and Punk tonight.”
Kim followed with a slight feeling of trepidation. There were people everywhere. Playing, talking, lounging, and showing off. The noise level was almost deafening, and numerous lights flashed here and there.
She wasn’t fond of large crowds, and all of the distractions would make her task more difficult. Every other person could be Whispered, and she might not be able to make out a single signal. Even more frustrating, she might catch wind of someone, but never be able to determine which person it was.
**************************************
**************************************
Sousuke was not happy.
Not in the least.
Kaname had led Kim into one of the areas of Tokyo infamous for its street culture and the unpredictable nature of its crowds.
There were too many people.
Too many people too close together.
Too close together, and far too jacked-up by excitement, hormones, or drugs.
Stealth would play no role here. He would also not be able to track the girls visually. It was time for a different approach.
His locator was functioning well, so there would be no problem keeping track of Kaname as long as she kept possession of her purse. The microphone he had inserted into Kim’s purse was operational, but now there was too much background noise. In addition to those tools, he would make use of something he bought today.
Stepping into a public restroom facility, Sousuke made his way towards one of the stalls.
“Hey, pretty boy. I got a pocket full of change for you, if you wanna make me happy....”
A middle-aged man in a garish business suit made an extremely inappropriate proposition to Sousuke. “Be a good lad and put your hand down my trousers.”
Sousuke complied, but not in the fashion the man had been hoping for.
The concussion grenade that the young soldier dropped down the drunken man’s pants did a remarkable job of changing the gentleman’s priorities. When he would finally stagger into the neighborhood emergency medicine clinic, he would be told that they could probably sew everything back together. He would have to change his part in the choir for a while, however.
The explosion had another propitious effect. The stalls were soon empty, as people ran screaming into the streets, their pants down at their ankles and toilet paper trailing behind them.
Closing the door on his stall, Sousuke changed into his Punk outfit. He was rather pleased. The bondage pants would hold all of his weapons and ammo. Perhaps he would wear this outfit for Captain Testarossa one day--- she might be able to determine a good use for it on covert missions.
Heading back down the street, he was accosted by a group of youths dressed a lot like him.
“Hey, ripper look, mate! But the hair.... You gotta get that up, man. And the eyes, you gotta work on the eyes.” One boy gave Sousuke some gel and showed him how to get his hair up into spikes.
A girl helped him put on a fair amount of his eye liner. She also gave him a piece of paper with her phone number on it.
“And boyo.... Don’t go too far down the drag, you copy? There’s some dudes down that way who don’t take too kindly to our kind.” A boy with orange hair and razor blade earrings waved his arm in the direction that Kaname had headed.
“I thank you. You help is much appreciated.”
Sousuke headed off after the girls.
**********************************
**********************************
Kaname was quickly growing hoarse, finding that she had to talk rather load for Kim to understand her.
She had bought herself and Kim magnetic payment cards, not unlike a telephone cards in theory. Her own had a pastel picture of stylized flowers. She could live with that. Looking over at Kim, she guessed that her companion was not too pleased with the avantgarde painting of a fish on her card.
The two of them made their way through the smoky and gauche parlour.
“Trust me Kim, you’re going to have a blast. Pachinko is so addictive. I could stay here all night!”
She led Kim over to one of the large rows of pachinko machines, bypassing the areas with the redemption games, prize machines, and hunting simulators. There were two empty seats next to one another, and that kind of bounty wouldn’t last long.
“The name comes from ‘pachi pachi’” Kaname noted, deciding to employ Sousuke’s habit of providing the background information on things. That particular phrase meant ‘the clicking of small objects on a crackling fire.’
“It’s a game of chance, and could be considered gambling.” Kaname didn’t seem concerned.
Kim looked incredulous. She wondered just what Kaname was getting her into.
“Hey, don’t get all bent out of shape or anything. I know gambling is prohibited in this country. But, if you win, you trade in your Pachinko balls for prizes, not money. Look over there on the shelves, and in those cases. See? Each joint will have its own kind of stuff, depending on the crowd.”
Kaname told Kim that she had seen places that had clothing for prizes; shops that offered cigarettes, chocolate, cheap watches, and soft porn magazine; parlors that had computer games, videos, and cameras; joints with wines, fancy purses, floral centerpieces, and chandeliers; and even sites that had refrigerators stocked with popular frozen food.
Kim looked relieved.
“Of course, if you like, there are ‘holes in the wall’ out in the alleyway, where you can exchange your gifts for cash. Some of the really good players can walk away with as much as 100,000 yen at a sitting, tax free of course.”
Kaname dreamed of hitting it big herself some day.
“How do I play?” Kim stared at the brightly colored machine with its flashing lights, fantasy theme, and built-in speakers. She was sitting at the Godzilla machine by Newgin, one of the more popular models. A huge LCD screen showed clips from the movies.
She smiled, pointing that out to Kaname.
“Kim! Don’t you go otaku on me!” Both girls laughed. “If you find a Pulgasari machine, I’ll have to kill you.”
Kim looked over her machine more closely. There were pictures, artist’s renditions, and raised plastic representations of various monsters spread about the large circular playing area and its countless metal pins.
Looking at the base of the machine, she sucked in her breath and bit her lip. Newgin products carried a metal label that read ‘Realize your dream.’
That brought her up short.
Which dream?
The one where she would have a friend like Kaname, and do the kinds of things she’d done today?
Or, the one where she did whatever it took to win Jorgen?
‘If you find a Pulgasari machine, I’ll have to kill you,’ Kaname had joked. If Kaname WERE Whispered.... and Kim turned her in.... would the blue-haired girl end up dead?
“You OK Kim?” Kaname asked, putting her hand on the shorter girl’s shoulder. “I know it can look overwhelming, but it’s really quite simple. I’ll show you.”
Kaname explained that the Pachinko machine was a lot like an upright pinball machine, with cups and pockets, each protected by an array of deflecting pegs. She had bought a large number of small metal balls for them to use, and fed one of them into her machine.
“You try to launch the ball or drop it in so that it falls through the pegs and into one of the pockets. If you can do that, the machine will give you a payoff, depending on the pocket. Usually it’s about twelve to one.” Kaname’s ball missed the pockets and disappeared into the bottom of the machine.
Kaname remembered something, and excused herself. She came back carrying two small buckets, one of which she gave to Kim.
“We’ll need the buckets later. We’ll skip over the Hanemono type of machines for now, even though that might be a good place for you to start. They’re easier to win at, but because of that, they aren’t as much fun. And, the payoff is minimal.”
Kaname pointed towards the front of the game area, where that type of machine could be found.
“These digital Pachenko machines, the Deji-Pachi type, are a lot more exciting. Their payoffs make them worth playing for more than just fun, and keep the game from becoming repetitive and boring. Later, if you’re having fun, we’ll give the Kenrimomo machines a try, if the hard core crowd leave any open. We might need the bucket then. Some payoffs can give up to 10,000 balls back.”
She pointed towards a series of doors leading to the back rooms.
“You sure know a lot about Pachinko, Kaname.” Kim looked impressed.
“That’s right. You’re looking at a master! But, just because you’re my friend, don’t expect me to take it easy on you.” Kaname’s laugh could even be heard over the loud noise. A number of seats next to her opened up quickly.
The two of them got down to business. Kim never would have thought that something like this could be fun But, she found that once she started, she didn’t want to stop. Each time she got a payoff, she wanted more and bigger returns. She kept dropping her winnings into her bucket.
Kaname tapped Kim on the shoulder. “I forgot to tell you. Check each prize ball to see if it has a symbol on it. If you get three matching symbols, you get an even bigger prize.”
Kaname tossed her hair and showed Kim her bucket. She had been doing well. Putting her hand in, she rummaged around and pulled out a ball with a symbol on it. “I told you I was a master.”
Kim smiled. She showed Kaname her bucket. There were at least twice as many balls in there. A number had matching symbols.
“Uh... good... I should have noticed earlier... now I can stop going easier on you. Hmmmpppfff!” Kaname started firing balls off at a furious rate.
Kim laughed behind her hand.
Them suddenly, tears came to her eyes. She had felt a sharp pain in her head. There was no mistaking it. Someone in the room was Whispered. They were really broadcasting strongly, to cause that strong an ache.
There hadn’t been any accompanying thoughts or images. Only a strong urge to win.
Kim looked over at Kaname.
‘Please, don’t let it be her. Please. Not her.’
As quickly as it had come, the pain disappeared.
“Hey, you snooze you lose gal!” Kaname hit a nice payoff. She tossed the balls in her bucket and rattled them around right under Kim’s nose.
Kim looked around the room once more, trying to see if she could pick up any sense of proximity or direction. She could not. Realizing that, she returned to her game with a vengeance.
It was the best way to keep from thinking uncomfortable thoughts.
Not too much later, the young Korean girl smiled. She was feeling mischievous. Surprisingly, that was becoming a habit for her.
“Kaname?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think that Sousuke would like Pachinko?” Kim smiled, a sparkle in her eye.
“HUH?”
“Sousuke. You know, that cute boy that some girls think is an otaku, leaving him for girls with more discerning taste....” Kim’s smile grew larger.
“Sous---” Kaname stuttered hearing that.
“That’s right. Almost there.” Kim laughed.
“Sous---” Kaname started to scowl.
“Closer.” Kim drew an imaginary ‘X’ on her cheek.
“Sousuke?” Kaname looked like she had sat on a porcupine. “Sousuke enjoy something fun like this? PLEASE!!!”
Kaname put her hands on her hips. “He’d probably be ALLERGIC to it! Hmmppff!!!”
“O, so you don’t think it would be a good place to have him ask me to on a first date?” Kim waved her hand, fanning herself. Her own words almost caused her to knock her bucket off of her machine. She had never been on a date. But, there was a part of her deep inside that desperately wished for that.
Kaname DID knock over her bucket. Small metal balls rolled everywhere.
“Ooops! My bad!” Kim got down on her hands and knees, helping Kaname corral her winnings. Other people pitched in as well.
“Damn that Sousuke!” Kaname cursed.
Kim smiled. She had noticed that Kaname seemed to blame Sousuke for a lot of things. Her smile turned into a grimace as she was struck by that pain again.
Still, no images or discernible thoughts. Just a sense of frustration and anger.
Right now, Kaname was frustrated and angered.
Kim started to get worried.
“Kim, do yourself a big favor. Do NOT bring Sousuke to a Pachinko parlor.” Kaname put one foot up on a chair and frowned. “It’s not my business if you talk Sousuke into taking you for a date.”
Kim felt a twinge just behind one eye.
“And, it’s not my fault if he messes up such a date for you.”
Kim felt a buzzing in her ears.
“But, if that otaku takes a liking to one of my favorite games, I know he will find a way to ruin for me somehow!”
Kim felt a tickling feeling in the back of her head.
“It would probably be worse for you. Picture this, he comes in here and realizes that the balls are actually ball bearings. You will then have to listen for one or two hours while he measures them.... tests their weight and tensile strength.... and then goes on to tell you the three or four hundred military machines such bearings would be useful in.”
Kim wanted to laugh. It was so true that it was funny. The pain in the side of her head was no laughing matter, however.
“Then things would get bad. Someone would tell him the fact that Pachinko was born right after World War II, when manufacturers in western Japan found themselves saddled with an awkward surplus of ball bearings. Because the factories that could use them lay in ruins, they had to find another market. That kind of thing would fire him off like a damn ballistic missile!!!”
The pain was very sharp that time. It could be no coincidence. Every time that Kaname’s voice rose speaking about Sousuke, Kim felt a pain.
Still, she didn’t want to believe it. She tried to convince herself that Kaname’s manner of response was simply unnerving her and causing her to unconsciously turn up the gain on her receptive talents, allowing her to pick up someone else’s signal.
It was not a very likely possibility.
What should she do?
The parlor no doubt had pay phones nearby.
She always had Jorgen’s cellular phone memorized.
But, if she was mistaken, and she fingered the wrong person... Kaname would likely disappear, even if the customers found out she wasn’t Whispered.
No.
She couldn’t bring herself to act yet.
Not yet.
Not just yet.
Not at all!!!
How could she bring herself to act, no matter what she found?
Kaname had taken her shopping. She had bought her music. The fun she had in this gaming shop was thanks to her.
She had tried to be a friend.
A friend!!!
But.
There would ALWAYS be that ‘But.’
There was Jorgen.
There was the life she led before him, and the purpose she had after he saved her.
There were the things he had promised.
There was the warmth she felt when he said ‘Good job, pretty lady.’
There might even be a pat on the head or a kiss on the cheek.
Not from Sousuke!
From Jorgen.
From the person that meant the most to her in the entire world.
Yes.
She would still have to go through with it.
But, she would wait until she had definite proof.
Maybe an image only Kaname would know.
A unique thought or word that would seal her fate.
Something.
*************************************
*************************************
“Hey, Punker, you gotta have big balls thinking you can just walk back here.”
A large youth with a chain for a belt called out to Sousuke.
“Yeh, Punk Boy! But you won’t have’em much longer.”
Another nasty looking character patted his jacket pocket.
“You must be REALLY stupid, thinking you can just show your f@cking ugly face and not end up even uglier.”
There was a large group of roughs. They all seemed to have something to say. Their attitudes suggested that their threats were serious.
Pipes.... 2x4s.... zip guns.... cudgels.... switchblades.... broken bottles.... you name it. Weapons of all sorts appeared as if out of no where.
“Aki. Your turn to be look-out. Do it!” The largest boy laughed, punching another guy in the shoulder. “You get to be first on the next one, promise.”
Sousuke considered the situation. It would be simple enough to escape, but that would put him further away from Kaname and Kim than he wanted to be.
His clothing was new, and he did not wanted damage it the first day he wore it. However, the two girls obviously took precedent.
Perhaps he could reason with them. Negotiations often proved effective, even in the most difficult situations.
“I believe we should parlay.” Sousuke spread his arms apart in a gesture of peace.
“Parlay? What the f@ck is that. Some kind of freak punk thing? You can bet your aching ass that the last thing we is gonna do is parlay!” The boy who spoke spat on Sousuke.
“Yeh, you can parlay THIS!” Another boy pulled down his fly and whipped out his privates. Laughing, he urinated on Sousuke’s shoe.
The malcontents all thought that was hilarious.
“I do not like to injure people mistakenly. I also do not find satisfaction in harming those who are mistaken,” Sousuke said. “Therefore, I should inform you that I am not a Punk. I am a Specialist. I am merely in disguise. That should be sufficient reason for you all to disperse.”
He was answered by loud communal laughter.
“Well, Punk Boy...” One rowdy bared his bicep, displaying a flaming skull tattoo. “I’m a specialist too. I specialize in ass kicking and teeth smashing.”
“And I specialize in hair cuts and distinctive scars.” Another miscreant held up a notched barber’s folding razor.
“Not tonight.” Sousuke’s look froze some of the boys. It almost felt as if a cold wind had just blown over their graves.
“Ooooooooh, he’s a tough little puddle of piss. I’m scared. Whatever shall we do?” The exhibitionist zipped his fly back up.
“I know. How ‘bout we stomp the livin’ shit out of him. After that, we can show him we ain’t just blowin’ smoke. Stupid f@ckin’ Punker!” One idiot tried to high-five another who pulled his hand away.
“It would appear that negotiations were unsuccessful.” Sousuke said.
The toughs all looked at each other incredulously. What f@cking planet had this moron come from?
“No shit!!! Talkin’ time is over.”
The group of youths began to surround Sousuke.
Sousuke looked around.
The situation was all wrong.
Not because of the classic pincer maneuver by the enemy. That was well done and worthy of admiration.
No.
This part of the street was too busy. There were too many witnesses, and innocent people were at risk of injury.
He knew just what to do.
“I will now walk quickly down that narrow alley. I am going to try to escape, not attempt to draw you into a place of my choosing. There is no way that I can prevent you all from following me.”
Laughter followed Sousuke. Soon thereafter, all of the ruffians did as well.
“It is not a dead end. And I am not tired. But, I shall stop here just the same. It is not a problem.” Sousuke picked the spot that gave him the best field of fire, and plenty of room for hand-to-hand. “Feel free to keep on walking past me if you wish.”
“Me first!” One boy shouted, obviously not interested in the kind offer. “Swinging a length of chain around his head, he ran forward with an undulating call.
“Motorcycle chain. Well chosen. Effective in close in combat.” Sousuke pulled out his pistol. “You shall not get close, however.”
BANG BANG BANG
Rubber bullets hit the tough guy in the face, abdomen, and groin area. He was out of the fight. He was out cold.
“You motherf@cking punk asshole!” Another boy charged, flanked by two buddies and closely followed by two more. “You’re MINE!!!”
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG
The lead three boys fell to the ground, curling up in considerable pain.
The next boy found his wrist grabbed and his arm broken clean in two. A boot to the face sent him down for the count.
“No punk shit’s gonna do that to ME!!!” The fifth boy brandished a long kitchen knife. He was enthusiastic, but not a trained knife fighter. It wouldn‘t have mattered if he were.
Sousuke stopped the boys arm with two hands. Kicking him hard in the nether region, he then brought the boy’s hand down sharply, driving the knife into the meaty part of his thigh.
“The knife is a dangerous weapon for an inexperienced fighter,” Sousuke stated nonchalantly. “That wound may need to be surgically repaired.”
The alley was filled with angry shouts.
“Mob him you shits.... he can’t stop us all at once.... Come on, MOVE IT!!!” The speaker and his cronies were soon to pay for that incorrect assessment.
The remaining group of boys flew towards the lone Punk figure, tightly bunched together. Their weapons gleamed in the light from the nearby streetlights.
Sousuke turned his back on them and slowly began to walk away. The pins already dropped on the ground, he threw two fragmentation grenades over his shoulder. He was out of concussion grenades. But, the situation justified the use of great force. And, most of the attackers would probably survive, in some form or another.
“It would have been wiser to negotiate,” he said just before his movements suddenly became a blur and he disappeared from view.
As closely packed as they were, there was no way that the boys could all stop their forward momentum, or even find room to evade.
Two explosions rocked the night, barely heard over the din of the crowd.
******************************************
******************************************
Kaname was excited.
As soon as she and Kim walked into the back room, someone got out of the chair in front of one of the Kenrimomo-grade machines.
The first ball she launched brought back a ball with a symbol.
So did the second.
And the third.
“We’re on a roll, Kim!” Her smile lit up her face.
Kim put her hand to her heart.
She had to force herself not to cry.
Kaname had said ‘we’re.’ For some reason, that hurt. A lot.
“I think you’re good luck Kim.” Kaname reached over and squeezed Kim’s hand.
Kim looked away. It felt as if something were squeezing her heart.
She should have listened to Jorgen.
What had she been thinking, allowing herself to get close to someone?
“Even if I don’t win another ball, it’s good to have a another friend.” Kaname attacked the machine with vigor, sending ball after ball clattering down the pegs.
Kim couldn’t speak. There wasn’t anything she could say in return.
It was all she could do to hold herself together.
“How could things get any better than this?” Kaname laughed, scooping up a small number of prize balls.
There was a break in the music. A new song began.
“Alright! Ayumi. We really ARE on a roll!!!” Kaname began singing along.
--------------------------------------------
“For instance, even if we don’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?”
--------------------------------------------
Kaname’s voice was filled with joy, even though ‘As if...’ was not the cheeriest of songs.
That joy cut Kim like a knife.
‘Please, Kaname. I beg you... don’t be Whispered...’ She repeated that like a mantra.
--------------------------------------------
“I’ve quickly tired of continuing these false days,
“But if we can be together, there’s nothing to be done about it.
“I want to hold hands and walk the city like normal.
“That’s what I dream about. That’s it, but...”
--------------------------------------------
It was there in Kim’s mind. Thoughts about fitting in. Thoughts about making friends. A nameless longing for a soul mate.
They weren’t Kim’s own thoughts.
---------------------------------------------
“For instance, even if we don’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?
“I’ve reconsidered who I’m living for.
“I felt like a new door had opened little, but
“You’re too kind, so I’m scared when I think
“That I can’t tell you my true feelings.”
--------------------------------------------
A tear rolled down Kim’s cheek.
Followed by another.
Then two more.
There was a wavering vision of Sousuke in her head. But not a Sousuke she had ever seen. A Sousuke Kaname must remember. No, an ideal Sousuke, one she must secretly imagine or wish for.
Kaname was Whispered.
Hope turned to bitter ashes in her mouth.
The words of he song were cruel taskmasters. They didn’t stop there. It was just the beginning.
--------------------------------------------
“For instance, even if we can’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?
“For instance, if we can’t meet any more,
“Before long, time will let me forget everything?”
--------------------------------------------
Kim realized that she had her own dreams about Sousuke.
Dreams that would fade away like leaves born on the wind.
She would never be able to thank him for what he had opened up inside her.
There would be no chance for her to tell him her true feelings.
Time was unlikely to let her forget any of this.
--------------------------------------------
“For instance, even if we can’t meet anymore,
“Will you say there’s nothing to be done, and give up?
“Unlike me, who sees only now,
“Do you get nervous thinking about what comes after this?”
--------------------------------------------
YES!!!
So very nervous.
Kaname had done even more than Sousuke had.
Kim could never tell her how much it meant to her to feel as if she had a friend, even for a short while.
Instead, her show of thanks would be a phone call to Jorgen.
There was no other choice.
He could read her like a book.
If she held anything back, she would lose him, and it might be her turn to disappear.
--------------------------------------------
“La la la la la..... Someday, someday
“Surely we can be together....”
--------------------------------------------
Kaname hadn’t realized she had drawn an audience. A number of people applauded when she finished singing. They clapped even louder after she dropped her next ball.
It hit the center socket, after Kaname had already primed the machine by putting balls in certain other spots.
A siren went off.
She had hit the big jackpot.
“Kim, you really ARE my good luck charm!!!”
Kaname smiled.
******************
******************
******************
Kim was in absolute agony.
Kaname had once again shown the fullness of her friendship and generosity. Her purse full of money after cashing in her prizes, she had exclaimed that she was going to treat Kim to a fine dinner.
The restaurant would be where Kim placed her phone call to Jorgen.
She would be able to get away on her own there, probably in the ladies’ room. And, the crowd would be much thinner than the one around the gaming shops. The men sent to collect Kaname would be able to carry out their task without too much difficulty.
Kim felt like the basest traitor that every crawled out from the muck.
They were riding in style in an upscale taxi cab. The seats were clean, and the car didn’t smell like a collection of armpits traced back to the dawn of time. Still, Kim would have rather walked. She would have even preferred being dragged by her heels behind a garbage truck.
There was another Ayumi Hamasaki song on the radio.
Kaname was content to just sit back and listen, her eyes closed, a big smile on her face. Kim couldn’t do they same. Not with what she carried in her heart. And not with that song playing.
It was called ‘Trauma.’
The name was altogether too apropos.
***
‘Today's happy face, today's sad face.
Yesterday's weak self, tomorrow's strong self.
If it's you, who are you showing it to? If it's me, who should I show it to?
***
‘Time is sometimes a cruel thing,
but the present is made by that cruelty.
***
‘Unceasingly searching for someone, an instant of release
soon triumphs over the visiting fear.
***
‘As I don't even notice the flowers shaking before my feet,
I can't even look at myself in the mirror.
***
‘Today's happy face, today's sad face.
Yesterday's healed wounds and today's deeply opened wounds.
If it's you, who are you showing it to? If it's me, who should I show it to?
***
‘The sanity and insanity that I was given and are mine only,
Both exist together without negating the other.
***
‘Futile things, spilled things, and useless things...
I'll choose with confidence, so I am of myself.
***
‘Because I have always defined happiness with my own standards.
***
‘Today's happy face, today's sad face.
Even if yesterday's healed wounds have opened today,
If it's you, who can you show it to? If it's me, I want to show it to that person.'
***
Sad face.
Weak self.
Cruel time.
Unceasing searching.
Never noticed flowers.
Mirror never used.
Insanity that I was given.
Futile things, spilled things, and useless things.
Deeply opened wounds.
Who could she show all THAT too?
No one?
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
Sousuke had thrown a GPS tracker at the disappearing taxi cab. He scored a direct hit on the trunk, just above the dented rear bumper.
“This is Urzu 7, calling Da Danaan. Do you read?” he had opened up a small but powerful portable phone.
After a brief wait, there was an answer.
“Urzu 7, this is Da Danaan bridge. How may we direct?”
Sousuke asked the officer manning the communications console to patch the call back to the Intel staff. He asked them to put a level one tracking priority on the taxi cab, keeping him informed of its progress, and taking note of any place it stopped.
There was no time to change. Once he received the ‘OK’ from the Intelligence branch, he went about flagging down his own ride.
In all actuality, there was probably no reason to be concerned. Two girls in a cab would soon be two girls in a public restaurant. No doubt, some time after that, they would become two girls safely asleep in two separate apartments.
Nonetheless, he would treat this the same way he treated everything. It cost him nothing to be vigilant. He had nothing better to do.
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Kaname liked the TY Harbor Brewing Company. For that reason, she had been wanting to try the food at Cicada, the newer restaurant from David Chiddo.
“The motto here is ‘Mi casa es su casa,’ Kim. I hope you like Spanish and Mediterranean style food.” Kaname smiled, looking at the large tables made of polished wood and the large comfortable looking chairs in the effortlessly stylish eatery.
Kim nodded numbly. Kaname was too excited to take much notice.
The first order of business after they sat down was to see if they could finagle a bottle of wine out of the waiter. Kaname thought that both she and Kim looked mature for their age. While neither was clearly twenty, they certainly didn’t look like kids. She had yet to be carded on the rare occasions she tried to buy alcohol---there isn’t an underage drinking problem in Japan.
Success!
She was handed am extensive wine list. Fortunately, recommendations were written under the descriptors present for each vintage. Knowing little about wine in general, Kaname chose a mid-priced Spanish red.
“Looks like we’re in for some trouble here tonight!” Kaname said, in a serious sounding voice.
Kim jumped up in her chair, her breath rushing out of her and the beat of her heart ringing in her ears.
Did Kaname suspect something.
Maybe it was a two-way street! Could Kaname have picked up some of Kim’s thoughts.
She hoped so.
“T-T-Trouble?”
“Yes. Just look at the menu. How are we possibly going to choose from all of these great dishes?” Kaname laughed, sticking her nose in the menu.
“O.... right.... The choice is hard....”
Kim’s words echoed in her mind.
Kaname had a good idea of what she wanted.
She had skipped over the extensive part of the menu dedicated solely to different olive oils, and salivated over the enticing appetizers and wonderful main courses. She started off with tapas and clams, and asked for an order of imported chorizo steamed with mazanilla sherry. A spinach and feta salad with sumac and walnuts finished off her selection. She wanted to save room for Moroccan rice pudding of saffron panna cotta with orange and grapefruit.
Kim also selected flat bread and a salad, but had trouble selecting her main course. She couldn’t decide between grilled salmon with panzanella and the lamb chops with anchovy and rosemary. Accepting the waiters recommendation, she ordered the fish.
Why did she even bother?
It didn’t matter what she chose.
If the men arrived quickly, there would be no opportunity to eat.
Should it take them a while to get there, she doubted that she could enjoy anything about her dinner.
She couldn’t put things off any longer.
“I’m off to freshen up,” she told Kaname. There was little chance of the other girl following her---Kaname had used the facilities at the Pachinko parlor just before they had left.
“Better not stay too long, missy!” Kaname laughed. “I intend to eat as if this were my last meal. If the food gets here before you return, I can’t promise you will get a single bite.”
Those words were yet another nail in Kim’s heart.
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Safely in the stall of the one person occupancy rest room, the Korean girl contacted Jorgen and informed him of her discovery.
“Kaname Chidori. Second year student at Jundai Highschool. Age 16. Brown eyes. Long blue hair reaching to her waist. Height estimated at 166 centimeters. Weight about 50 kilos. Wearing a black sweater, black and white skirt, and knee high white leather boots. She is sitting at the fifth table to the right, in the third group to the left of the main door.”
She listened avidly to Jorgen’s words, hoping for some sign of praise. There were none. She would settle for a word of satisfaction. Zero. Instead, he sounded irritated, annoyed. What had taken her so long? Why did she interrupt him during his dinner? Couldn’t she have waited until the girl was alone in her apartment?
Kim deflated.
Tears streamed down from her eyes.
She had done her duty.
There was no way he could understand how hard it had been for her.
And not a single positive word.
She asked if she should wait as he had suggested. He yelled at her then, saying that he had already ruined his appetite. Since members of the collection crew are still at a bar in your area---and have not headed off to their separate hideouts for the night---it would be easier just to send them on their way now.
Asked to provide details, she did so.
“We’re at Cicadas.... 5-2-40 Minabi Azamu.... situated between Hiroo and Nishi- Azabu. It’s open to 1 A.M., but I doubt I can keep her here for much more than an hour or an hour-and-a-half.”
Jorgen’s reply had been loud and obscene.
Kim dropped her phone, her hand trembling uncontrollably.
She began banging her head hard against the back brick wall.
No matter what she did from this day forth, she would never be whole.
The future looked bleak and dark.
And she had just dragged an undeserving soul into the darkness with her.
She tried to repeat some of Jorgen’s words to convince herself she had done the right thing.
******
‘It is NOT simply vengeance on dumb and thoughtless brutes. I am NOT assigning too much evil to individuals who simply act from blindest instinct! Never consider it madness! My concerns are neither that nor Blasphemy.’
******
‘People are all born with halters round their necks; but it is only when faced by death or tragic events, that most me realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life. Be fortunate I am here to guide you. I will warn you of the dangers. If you find yourself reaching too far, I may not be there to catch you in time!’
******
‘It’s a noble craft, even if it carries a feeling of melancholy! All noble things are touched with that. Are you capable of serving mankind as I do? If so, you will not be put off by the sad part of your duty. I rejoice in my spine, as in the firm audacious staff of that flag which I fling half out to the world. The greater good. We must always keep our eye on that, even if no one but you and I appreciate the good that we do.’
******
‘I am the fates’ Lieutenant. I act under their command.’
******
‘Human madness is often times a cunning and most feline thing. When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.’
******
They all sounded hollow.
Kim now doubted that she would ever be happy. Her dreams of Jorgen’s love fell off of her mind like the last dried petals from a dead flower. It had been a mistake to take his goals as her own goals.
There had no reason to hate the Whispered, other than Jorgen’s words. Stripped of the past comfort of those words, she felt naked, vulnerable. She sat on the toilet, head in her hands, rocking back and forth, for how long she did not know.
The decision she came up with was dangerous, but felt right. She would tell Kaname the truth.
Literally running back out into the dining area, she was halted by two unconnected sights, but not after she had yelled out "Kaname..."
Sousuke Sagara was there. With punk make-up and hairdo. It looked as if he had been interrupted while carrying an empty tray back towards the kitchen---he was being lectured by an irate cook.
He didn’t see her. And she doubted that he had seen what she now saw.
There were two other people she recognized all too well. One, an extremely large man, stood by her table.
“Kaname, are you OK? My God, she fainted. We better get her to a hospital.” The collector---his face marred by a severely broken nose---had earlier walked past Kaname’s table and dropped a quick-acting knockout pill in her drink.
The man picked Kaname up in his arms.... reassured a concerned Matre de.... and carried the unconscious girl out to a waiting car.
The other man---a nervous looking sort with large eyebrows and oversized ears---hurried over to Kim. “Miss Jun, I’m certain she’ll be OK. We’d better hurry.” The look he gave her sent chills down her spine.
Kim opened her mouth to call for help, but something kept her from speaking. Jorgen had conditioned her all too well.
Kaname was doomed.
If Jorgen sensed her new defiance, they may both be done for.
Hand firmly on her wrist, the man pulled her outside after throwing a wad of bills on the table.