READER'S DISCRETION ADVISED
THIS STORY CONTAINS MAN ON MAN, WOMAN ON WOMAN, GRAPHIC SCENES, RAPE, GORE, SMUT, STRONG LANGUAGE, RACISM, AND USAGE OF DRUGS.
DISCLAIMER
I DO NOT OWN THE FINDER SERIES OR A MAJORITY OF THE CHARACTERS OR SOME OF THE PLOT.
One in the same,
two of a kind.
^anonymous
A world of spectrum colors can be seen through a rectangular view.
While slowly adjusting the lens, the striking and repetitive brightness of the lights coming from the announcements of neon-lit signs filling the night landscape comes into sight. Along with the golden glow of street lamps, and stores that never go out during the late hours of the evening. A crazy and endless party is maintained every night in this domain of disgraceful human behaviors; lust, hatred, confrontation, prosperity, exploitation, desire, and madness.
Shinjuku; one of the most prominent urban landscapes in the world.
There's the shining and indecent brightness that illuminates the city from the inside, and the shadows that surround it become grimmer. Among that swirl of darkness, there are those who hide secretly from the light of day and sometimes indiscreetly perform their business in the underworld. In one of those places of darkness, on the roof of a building of apartments that is among other buildings, a slight movement reveals the location of an onlooker.
A youth who doesn't look a day over eighteen with short dirty blond hair and light blue eyes. He is wearing light clothing and holding a camera in one hand while the other digs around in the fanny pack on his waist. While fishing out his cell phone he curses under his breath when his wallet also falls out. Landing wide open to expose part of an ID inside, introducing the young photographer as Takaba Akihito. He quickly picks up his wallet and puts it back in his fanny pack before flipping open his phone.
The roof where he's standing is seven stories above ground level. If he were to look up, he'd have a panoramic view of all the skyscrapers on the west side of Shinjuku. Around that place, there are many businesses that allow them to give themselves any luxury possible of adult entertainments. As expected, the sound of the music coming from each of these places can be heard throughout the entire area.
If my sources are correct, the target should appear soon.he thought to himself, then puts his phone away.
After a few moments an elegant and luxurious Toyota Century parks on the entrance of an exclusive high-class club for powerful members, known throughout Japan as Sion.
The doors open quickly and several men sent by the staff inside the infrastructure appear. Despite the darkness, the outline of the figures is visible to the human eye. Even so, Akihito uses the zoom of his lens to confirm the identity of a muscular middle-aged man in a two-piece suit. There's no mistake, the person who he's looking at through his camera matches perfectly with the characteristics of his target; Harada. He is the secretary of an important member of Parliament of the Party of the Opposition.
While focusing on the other men who were laughing with Harada, a huge smile is drawn on the photographer's face. One of them is the manager of Sion, and the other….
How lucky am I for you to also appear. Akihito thought to himself as he smiles vigorously. A secret meeting between the secretary and an important member of parliament and a drug dealer!
The second man is a very well-known drug trafficker, Nakaoka. The rumors said that most of the drugs that came from Taiwan to Shinjuku were his doing. From the angle of which Akihito is positioned, it's difficult to photograph Nakaoka's face. However, because the drug trafficker has made an act of presence, it wouldn't make much sense that Akihito isn't able to photograph Nakaoka with Harada.
If you are not allowed to be a bit ambitious….
Supporting his elbows on a rusty railing, Akihito waits patiently for the ideal moment. There'd be no better proof than this photograph; a manager of a major club mediating a meeting between the secretary of a member of parliament and a drug trafficker. Akihito is sure that if he could get this to the media even the minimum payment could cover the rent of his apartment for several months. Maybe even also have enough left over to get one of his cameras repaired.
Akihito quickly presses the shutter, and with the slight click sound the beloved lenses of the Pentax Analog capture the decisive moment in which Harada extends a hand to Nakaoka in a single take.
He continues to take a few more perfect shots, then lowers his camera and chuckles. "Jackpot!"
He turns away and begins to flip through the many photos on his camera. An overwhelming feeling of euphoria fills him as he wonders which picture will be used on the front page. With this news as the detonator, Harada and Sion can be the start of an incident to a large scale that'll shake the government and financial groups.
He then stops when he comes to a particular photo, a selfie. The face looking back is astonishingly identical to his own, though it is more girlish with vibrant violet eyes and her dirty blonde hair is a bit longer. She is winking with her tongue sticking out while also flipping the bird.
Akihito can't help but let out a low chuckle. Tori….
A tall man dressed in an expensive, well-tailored suit stands before a large window. Every inch of his outfit compliments his body, from his hair to his shoes; the man exudes wealth and power. His golden eyes peer down at the night lights of Tokyo as he holds a cigarette between his lips.
"Mr. Asami, " says a man in a similar attire from behind.
The tall man moves his head to the side a bit in response.
"About the photographer incident yesterday... they've stopped it with the publishers, but it seems the police are now sniffing around the shop. The shop owner of Sion has been having his business transactions caught on camera. What shall we do about it?"
"I'm sure I can persuade them with some pocket change, " Asami responds, his baritone voice like smooth rich cream. "Leave the rest to me."
"Yes, sir." And with a bow, the man exits.
Asami turns to his large desk and taps the ashen end of his cigarette against the edge of a glass ashtray. His golden eyes then drift over to the multiple photographs scattered across the desktop, the subject in all of them is the same; Akihito. It's not often for someone of Japanese heritage to have natural light hair- let alone blond. Strands drape over his childlike features while his roundish almond-shaped blue eyes showed a stubborn attitude.
Hmm... Takaba Akihito? A young and promising freelance photographer, huh? He's got a good viewpoint, but if he tries to ruin my image, I won't let it go lightly. It seems some punishment is in order first….
A cold smile forms and Asami blows out a cloud of smoke.
Smoke twists in its artistic way, forming curls in the gloom only illuminated by the age-speckled bar lights.
Half a dozen customers glance up as the door swings open, heralded by a gust of wind. Tori adjusts her loose neck scarf; she is wearing a jean jacket open over a white shirt, black jeggings, and brown leather boots that go up right below her knees. As the door swings closed behind her, the customer's return to their soirees and the wind is forgotten.
At the bar, a young man stands behind the counter, his head down as he keeps polishing a glass repeatedly to hide the fact that he's actually watching a video on his phone.
"Shot of silver bullet, " Tori says as she leans against the counter.
Still looking at his phone, the young man sets the glass down and begins making the drink. He pours it in a shot glass and sets it on the counter where he finds a money note.
"Hey, can I get a Jack Daniel's?" a customer from down the bar calls.
The bartender clicks his tongue, pausing his video before giving Tori her change and walks off. Tori put the money in her pocket before moving away from the bar with her drink. She downs the contents in one gulp and sets the glass down on a table as she makes her way towards a hall. She passes by the restrooms, glancing around before slipping through a swinging door that says Employees Only. Eventually, she finds another hallway past the kitchen.
At the end of the hall is a door, beyond which is a room where three men are sitting around a table playing poker; one is wearing a leather jacket, another is wearing a beanie, and one has a skull face tattoo on his upper arm.
"Alright, " says Beanie. "I'll match you-"
He's cut off when the door suddenly opens and Tori stumbles in.
"What the hell?" says Skull Face.
"Who is this bitch?" says Leather Jacket.
"Sorry. Wheresh the can around here?" Tori slurs, the marking of a drunk. She then eyes the table. "Hey, you guys playin' poker?"
"Private game," Beanie says. "Fuck off."
"Could I sit in?" Tori asks. "You think I could-"
"What part of fuck off do you not understand?" Skull Face snaps, annoyed.
"Aww guys- whoa. Be a little friendly. I got the cash." She staggers to the table as she reaches into her pocket.
Leather Jacket shifts slightly at her movement and reveals a gun attached at his hip.
Tori smiles giddily in response. "That's cool, man. You're cool." She continues to pull out a large wad of cash. "Lis- look, see? You see what I'm saying?"
The three guys stare back at her and the money she's sniffing at showfully, sparking their interest.
"Nah, " she says. "Cos I'll clean you out. I understand. Fine."
The three men continue to exchange expressions as she attempts to put the money back in her pocket, it slips from her hand and falls to the ground.
"Listen, I want-" she says as she bends over to pick up the money. "Those are really nice shoes, man." While picking up the money she hits her head against the edge of a chair and curses under her breath as she straightens up. "Here's an empty chair. I could sit here-"
"That's Lucky's chair." Beanie interrupts.
"Wh- where's Lucky? I don't see Lucky?" Tori retorts as she twirls around.
"Lucky's not back yet." Skull Face says.
"Then I'll sit here, " she responds eagerly. "Unless... I'm too hot for ya."
The men all seem to hesitate a moment as they silently communicate through facial expressions.
"Ergh!" Akihito says through clenched teeth as a hand propels his head into a stone wall. "W- who the hell are you guys!?"
The hand restraining the photographer's head releases its hold, allowing the youth to turn and look at his attackers; one man is large and burly with silver hair, he towers over his bespectacled cohort a good half foot.
"What do you think you're doing!?" He struggles against the restraining hold of his captors.
"Takaba Akihito?" a man says as he walks towards the squabble, his face expressionless. Just your apparent regular 'businessman'with golden eyes that seem to narrow on the youth. When he speaks again he does so nonchalantly, as if merely commenting on the weather. "So you're the one who's been catching the scoop about the private secretary of Congress at the Shinjuku club, Sion."
"Who... who are you…?" Akihito says nervously.
"Trouble like that isn't good for business. I have something I'd like to ask you."
"What do you want with me!? If you want the photos, they didn't even come out well! I threw them out! Now lemme go!"
The man leans closer, lowering his face until it's nearly eye to eye. "There's nothing to be afraid of. Just answer my question like a good boy. I really want to know some information. Won't you tell me?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about. And even if I did tell you, what do you plan on doing-?"
Suddenly the man with glasses knees the photographer in the stomach.
"Bad things happen to naughty boys, " the man says as the youth coughs past the nausea. "In this world, if you're going to go sticking your nose in other people's business, you'll have to take better care of yourself."
Emboldened by his stubbornness and youthful energy Akihito looks up at the yakuza, then speaks through clenched teeth. "I already know that."
The young photographer suddenly kicks out- landing a sweet blow on the thigh of the guard who kneed him, while the other guard is distracted he jerks free and dashes to the doors of a nearby building.
"Hey! Stop!" the bespectacled man shouts.
"Damn punk, " the large silver-haired man on Asami's left says. "He's an idiot to go running into the building. There's nothing but the roof that way."
This should be interesting… Asami thought to himself as he leisurely strides towards the stairs, the other two men keep pace with him.
When they reach the roof the large man opens the door and checks the surrounding area before moving out of Asami's way. Akihito is standing over the guardrail and quickly glances back at his pursuers in alarm.
"There's nowhere to run now." Asami says cooly as he and his men begin to close in. "Caught like a rat in a trap."
There was no moment the yakuza enjoys more than seeing the face of his prey when caught. At times like these some look completely defeated, while others seem to resign with bitterness. Wishing to see that expression, Asami moves even closer.
Akihito instead meets Asami's gaze with determination adorning his smug face. "I've been in worse situations than being chased by a bunch of old yakuzas."
The youth suddenly does something that surprises Asami even more- he swings himself over the railing.
"Wha- he jumped off!?" said one of the underlings in astonishment.
Asami reaches the rail and looks down, expecting to see the mangled body of the photographer but finds him clinging to a fluorescent sign, looking back up at him and sticking his tongue out.
"Hey!" a passerby from the streets below shouts. "There's someone up there!"
"Oh my God!" another passerby screams.
Being careful not to be seen by any of the civilians, Asami moves away from the edge. "Hmph, did you see that?"
"Uhh, yes sir. I can't believe he jumped off at this height."
Though Asami doesn't really listen to his subordinate's reply, he's more surprised by the overwhelming relief he now feels in knowing the youth whom he now finds so interesting is alive and well. "I didn't think he had it in him."
A light laugh escapes his lips, which surprises his men. The yakuza didn't even try to suppress the feeling of excitement growing in his interior, on the contrary he let himself be carried away by it. It's not the reaction of a sane person.
Lighting another cigarette, Asami continues to stand there for a moment and enjoy the feeling of joy… a feeling he didn't have in a long time.
Tori is sitting at the table, laughing with the fellow poker players as if they are her greatest friends. They offer her many alcoholic drinks, intending to get her very drunk. She leans over towards Leather Jacket, draping her arm over his neck as she shakes his head. She laughs even harder, having the time of her life.
Beanie declares two pairs of Jacks over 9's. Skull Face swears and dumps his cards onto the table folding. The girl smirks as she eyes Leather Jacket then throws her cards on the table face up, revealing four of a kind.
"Oh, she's pulled something!" Skull Face exclaims.
"You're in trouble now!" Tori says.
"You've got, like, fourteen different tells!" says Leather Jacket. "You are fucking William Tell!"
Tori burst into laughter as if it's the funniest thing she ever heard.
Beanie throws some money in the middle of the table. "Sixty, eh. In?"
"Let's play some poker!" Tori bellows.
Suddenly the door behind her opens and in enters a man, disappointment on his face at the scene. "What the hell is this?"
"Sorry, Lucky, " Leather Jacket apologizes submissively.
"You're done, babe, " said Beanie to the young blonde. "Thanks for the memories."
Tori glances behind her. "Oh, you Lucky? No kidding."
"What is it, brat?" Lucky snaps. "You looking for a job or something?"
"You are the job." From inside her jacket a bullet is shot through a silencer from under the young girl's arm and hits Lucky right between the eyes.
As Lucky falls dead Leather Jacket reaches for the gun at his hip- only to find it on the floor. Before anyone could blink the blonde quickly cross draws two guns as she slides back into the door- slamming it shut to muffle the commotion. She quickly and efficiently shoots each man in the head then in the chest, their bodies fall to the ground with a thud one after the other. Tori chuckles as she stands up, swirling the guns in her hands before placing them back in their holsters. She gets her money from the table and puts it back in her pocket, then picks up the hand of cards belonging to Leather Jacket.
"Pair of threes, " she mutters detestably as she throws them back on the table.
She turns to leave, walking out as if nothing happened.
Akihito walks slowly up the stairs to his apartment complex, huffing silently as he takes the steps one at a time.
He is sore all over from the excitement, especially in the stomach where the man had kicked him. Now all he wants to do is take a quick shower and call it a night. Maybe even have a little snack, like that last bag of salty seaweed chips in the cupboard. Yeah, that'll do.
Akihito finally reaches his apartment and fishes his keys out of his pocket, sifting through them for a minute. When he finds the proper key he slides it into the slot and pushes the door open. As he steps inside the first thing he notices is that the lights are already on.
"Hey neighbor, " comes a familiar voice.
"Hey, " he greets back as he closes the door. He makes his way into the kitchen, where it is revealed that the intruder is none other than Tori. He takes notice of her wearing his clothes- a buttoned-up plaid shirt hanging loosely on her frame and a pair of boxer shorts. His annoyance heightens a bit more when he notices the bag of salty seaweed chips in her hand.
"Help yourself, " he grumbles.
"Oh thanks, " she says with a grin. "I was out of everything."
"Seriously Tori, I gave you that key for emergencies. Extreme emergencies." Akihito says as he opens the fridge.
"It was!" Tori says with childish exaggeration. "Mrs. Shimizu is doing my laundry and I know how you get whenever I'm in the buff. Like you've never seen boobs before with your models."
The photographer let out a groan, and when he doesn't see anything to his liking, he shuts the fridge. It is then that he notices a type of stinging on his hand and looks to find a bruised pinky with a bit of blood oozing from a small cut.
"Ouch," Tori says. "So I'm guessing the job went well."
Akihito grins. "It was… until I got chased by some goons."
Tori licks her fingers before taking out the first-aid kit from a drawer. The photographer moves over to her as she gets the supplies out. "How many were there?"
"Just a few old geezers. Nothing I couldn't han- ow!" Akihito yelps when the cotton swab soaked in ointment touches his pinky.
"Oh- Aki I'm sorry!" Tori apologizes with a panicked expression.
"I'm just kidding, Tori-chan!" Akihito chuckles, earning himself a playful sock in the arm.
"What happened, you get scared when they began swinging their canes?"
"One of them is probably gonna need a cane after I gave him a good kick."
"Got a name for the sympathy card?" Tori quips as she begins wrapping the bandage.
Still grinning Akihito shakes his head. "Judging by the minty fire hazard on your breath I'm guessing you're also just getting in."
"Yeah," Tori says as she finishes wrapping the bandage, then begins packing up the first-aid kit. "I just got back from a poker game with some clients."
"Oh and how'd you do?"
"I got lucky."
BRIEF WORD FROM THE AUTHOR
And there you have it, chapter numero uno! Hope you all enjoyed. Until next time loves, as always, stay awesome!:)
HOW ORIGINAL… NOT
Yes, I confess that Tori's scene is from Mr. & Ms. Smith.
RANTS
Originally when I started writing this story I was gonna do it "gender swap" style. Like the same exact plot as the manga but with the mc being a girl. But I just couldn't picture Tori as the type of person to have Akihito's personality completely, even though there are some fanfics that have successfully done that haha.
NOW YOU KNOW
There are at least 6 people in the whole entire world who look exactly alike and there is a 9% chance that two will meet in their lifetimes. After learning that I felt hey why not make Aki part of that nine percent and have both genders and let them interact with each other.
LEARN SOME WORDS
Yakuza - a Japanese gangster or racketeer.