Chapter 2
"There he goes with his fortune-telling again, Is it even accurate?" Kishi asked.
"We usually decide the day of the auction based on Baba's fortune-telling though." Ota said.
"Really?" I asked.
"That's true, Eisuke does decide on a lot of dates for his events from Baba's fortune-telling." Soryu said.
"It's more fun that way!" Eisuke said.
I would have thought that Eisuke would be the somewhat sensible one out of the group but obviously not.
"Just shows how much Boss trusts me." Baba said.
"So when is the lucky day?" Eisuke asked.
"Three days."
"huh? That's way too soon!" Kishi said.
"Will that give us enough time to put the items up for sale?" Ota asked.
"Don't worry, I've been working hard this past month just for this occasion." Baba said.
I then heard what sounded like a couple of boxed be dropped on the floor nearby.
"Working huh?" I questioned.
He was a thief so he basically stole most of this stuff? I assumed the boxes were filled with stolen items. I liked Baba a lot but what he did was wrong.
I heard a clasp open and the guys all gasped and muttered to themselves.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Baba's got suitcases filled with really cool stuff." Ota said.
"That gold necklace... isn't that from ancient Egypt?" Eisuke asked.
"Yes, it's the real one from the Tutankhamen exhibition. The one they've got is a fake. It's a shame really, I got this one through the proper channels.." Baba said.
"You mean through a proper theft." Ota said sounding like he disapproved.
"Stop nagging Ota." Baba said.
"Shut up. But I guess no one will suspect that something from such a popular exhibit is a fake."
"Who cares? If even a fake couple can become a real couple, it's fine!"
That must have been a shot to me and Eisuke.
"That necklace won't become real with time." Kishi said.
"Who knows? Maybe if someone believes it's real enough, it'll reveal a true sparkle?" Baba asked.
What was he going on about?
"Stop trying to act cool." Ota said.
I then heard someone shuffling through the suits cases, moving stuff around and placing stuff on the floor.
"These are all good items. Let's do it." Eisuke said.
"An auction on the day of destiny! Maybe I'll also have a fateful encounter that day." Baba beamed.
"Baba, this Botticelli painting is fake." Ota said.
"What? Man, that was expensive to. I must've gotten careless because the women I got the info from was gorgeous."
These auctions were horrible, selling stolen good. I knew Eisuke and the guys weren't overly bad men but I wished they wouldn't do these auctions.
"You look like you want to say something." Eisuke said.
"Hm? Me? Just thinking about the auction." I said.
"You'll have fun."
"I doubt that. I wish you would stop them."
"If you're not going to enjoy it, then just shut up and watch." He said coldly.
"Hm. Whatever." I sneered.
"So, we'll have the auction in three days." Eisuke said.
"We need to hurry up and send some invitations." Ota said.
"I bet everyone's been impatient waiting for the next one." Soryu said.
"We need to keep this loot safe until the day of the destiny." Baba said.
Three days later, it was time for the auction. As always, I was sat right at the front of the booth with Eisuke. The bright lights hurt my eyes so I was wearing my sunglasses. No matter how many times I come here, it always reminded me of getting sold.
"And the next item up for bid is... a mummified Kappa."
That sounded gross. A Kappa was a some kind of Japanese demon, I bet it looked horrible.
"Where in the world did you get that?" Ota asked Baba.
"Tono's antique shop."
"You look bored Freya." Eisuke observed.
He was right, I so wished I had brought a book with me.
"I'm fine." I said.
"Shall I put you up for sale if you're bored? I won't be able to pay as much for you this time thought." He smiled.
"Looks like that sleazy guy from before is here again, maybe he'll buy for an even higher price." Ota joined in.
They were teasing me again, I wasn't going to let them bother me.
"Don't worry, this time I'll buy you." Baba offered.
"Good for you." Eisuke said acting uninterested.
"Oh please, you know you would hate it if that happened." Baba said.
"Freya's the one who would hate it, not me."
"Are you trying to say she prefers you over me?" Baba asked.
"Freya, answer him." Eisuke ordered.
"What?" I asked, I had completely phased out of the conversation.
"Do you prefer Eisuke over me?" Baba asked.
This was such a pointless conversation.
"I want to be with Eisuke."
Baba sighed "I was only gone for a little bit and already you two are crazy about each other. Are you madly in love, Freya?"
"Shut up Baba."
"Are you going to let your girlfriend talk like that boss?"
"Leave her alone." Eisuke ordered.
"Oh, so cold. The next thing I steal is going to be Freya's heart." Baba declared.
"Yeah good luck with that." I said.
"Looks like everything proceeding smoothly." Soryu said interrupting our conversation.
"Yes, I think we can continue watching from upstairs. Let's go." Eisuke said.
I didn't complain, I was just happy to leave. I pulled out my white cane and I was the first out of the door at the back of the booth.
We went upstairs to the penthouse lounge, I sat on the sofa whilst the guys watched the auction on a TV screen. The guys were all chatting amongst themselves, this was so boring!
"There's a person wandering around on the right side of the screen." Ota said.
"You're right, and he's not wearing a mask either." Baba said.
"I've never seen him before." Eisuke said.
"He's talking to the other guests, should we let him go?" Kishi asked.
"what do you say, Eisuke?" Soryu asked.
"Looks like we need to hear what he has to say." Eisuke said.
"I'll have Inui bring him up." Soryu said.
"Who's Inui?" Ota asked.
"An employee of mine. He's young but he's useful." Soryu answered before I heard press the buttons on his phone and he made a call.
"Put this on." Eisuke said and handed me something. It was oval in shape and felt quite hard, like it was made of plastic. It also had two holes in it.
"What is it? A mask?"
"Yes, to hideout identities."
A few minutes later, I heard the door open.
"I brought him sir!" A young, enthusiastic voice said.
That must be Inui,
"W-where am I?" a man asked.
The poor guy he sounded terrified, not that I blamed him.
I then heard someone leave the room which I assumed was Inui.
"We're the ones who run the auction." Eisuke said. "And one of the rules is that all auction participants must wear a mask. Where is yours?"
"What? Oh right here but I can't see very well with it on."
"Who invited you to the auction?" Ota asked.
"I asked a politician friend of mine, I didn't know any specifics. Just that anything could be put up for sale. And that you can get anything in the world here." The man explained.
"Did you come because you're looking for something specific?" Ota asked.
"Yes, I'm looking for a young man."
"For what purpose?" Soryu asked.
"If I tell you, will you help me find him?" The man asked.
"Yes, if we find anything, we'd be willing to sell you the information." Eisuke said.
"I'm looking for my fiancé's older brother. They've been separated for as long as they can remember. He's her only living relative and we would like him to come to the wedding."
"Do you have any information about him?" Kishi asked.
"He's six years older than her, he turned 29 this years. He was adopted by a wealthy businessman and raised overseas. That's all we know about him."
That sounded kind of like Eisuke's background with his sister.
He didn't seem nervous, he spoke this his normal calm, formal voice.
"Very well, how can we reach you if we find out something?" He asked.
"You can call this mobile number." The man said.
I assumed he handed Eisuke a piece of paper or a card with it on.
"Just a number, what's your name?" Eisuke asked.
"I am the only one who will answer the number." He said.
Why wouldn't he tell us his name? Maybe because he didn't want to be associated with the auction?
"May I leave now?" The man asked.
"You may return to the auction, as long as you follow the rules." Eisuke said.
"No thank you, I've had enough for today." The man said.
He sounded kind of exhausted and heaved a heavy sigh.
"I see. Next time make sure you wear your mask. And please refrain from speaking to the other guests." Eisuke said.
"I understand. Please call me if you find anything." The man said.
He must have been desperate to leave, I heard him practically run out of the room. As soon as the door closed I took off my mask.
"Are you sure you're ok letting him go? He could be lying." Ota asked.
"He had the face of a coward, even if he is planning something, he wouldn't be able to do anything damaging." Eisuke said.
"Sometimes men like him can cause a lot of trouble, when they're backed into a corner." Soryu advised.
"Like make the auction public knowledge? I can see that happening." Kishi said.
"Boss, it's rare for you not to take care of potential trouble right away." Baba said.
"Sometimes trouble is nice for a change."
"Careless, as usual." Soryu said.
"Makes it more fun." Eisuke said.
He was talking as if this was just a game to him, but I bet he didn't do anything because there was a chance that the man could be marrying sister.
"I'm going upstairs. Call me if anything happens." He turned and I heard him walk off.
I decided to follow him, he must freaking out so much right now. I walked up the stairs, through the living room. I took ten steps and then turned right, two another three and turned left where there was a door. It was the door to Eisuke's office. Across the door was braille writing saying; office. Eisuke was so nice, he had braille put over every door in the penthouse, so I knew which rooms were which.
"Eisuke." I said and knocked on the door.
"Freya? Go home for today." He said called out.
He sounded far away, he must have been sat at his desk. His desk was right at the back of the room.
I stepped into the room and closed the door.
"Are you ok?" I asked.
"Yes, why?" He asked.
"Because that man could be your sister's fiancé." I said.
"It's none of your business." He said sharply. "This is my problem, don't interfere."
"Ok fair enough but if you want to talk, you know where I am." I said and left the office.
It was his problem and I understand why he didn't want to talk about it but still, it was what I was here for. I couldn't force him to open up, I just needed to be here ready to help him if he needed me to.