Author's Note: This is the third chapter. I apologise before hand for the length of this chapter. I am hoping to do double updates from next week, like two chapters at once. Also, I am trying to write the story in a way that it makes sense but my skills at description are still pretty immature. But, I will give it my best and work tirelessly on it. And I don't know why I can't get the single line breaks to work in spite of 'shift+Enter'. I hope, I can figure that out soon. :)

Feedback: Casey -Thank you for your review. And I do agree that this site needs more CH fics. I'm glad you like the fic and I hope you find this and the future chapters interesting as well. Thanks again. :)

Glossary: *Ojisan -a Japanese title which is a synonym for 'uncle' in English

**Honto -a Japanese word synonymous to 'really' in English

***Baka -a Japanese word synonymous to 'idiot' in English

I still don't own City Hunter or its characters.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who reads, reviews and/or follows the story. :)


Confession Of A Sweeper: Jealousy Always Works

[Chapter: 3]

Ryo was having lunch. Alone. Kaori had gone out with Shinji a while ago. Ryo remembered...

"Ryo, lunch is on the table. I am going out with Shinji-san. He needs some help with shopping for his new house. Don't wait up on me. I will be back in the evening. And I checked the board myself this morning. There are no job offers. So, don't waste your time to go to the station and check for potential female clients", she said before walking out of the appartment.

He said, "Strange"

"What?", Kaori turned around.

Ryo put a finger to his chin, "I didn't know Shinji swinged that way"

He found himself stuck under the hammer Kaori had thrown his way. Ryo growled in pain, "It was a joke..."

Kaori went out, visibly angry and humiliated.

Ryo served himself some more rice. He loved to tease Kaori that way. She looked prettier when angry. He coughed abruptly to stop his own thoughts. He then pondered over the phone conversation he had with Saeko a while ago...

"So, what do you say, Ryo?"

"I think, I will take it. But, don't tell Kaori. If she knows this offer is coming from you, she will turn it down for sure"

"Of course, I will be careful"

"When do I get to meet the client?"

"How about today? Say, an hour later?"

"Hmm. Kaori is gone out anyway. Okay. Be here in an hour then"

"Alright... Ryo?"

"Yes?"

"What was that sudden explosion about yesterday? Are you and Kaori-san having any problems?", Saeko teased playfully.

"None of your business. I am just sick of getting hit by her hammer everyday. I will see you in an hour"

Ryo was quick to disconnect the call to avoid any further questions about him and Kaori.

Ryo heard Saeko's car being parked below. He quickly finished his remaining meal and hurried out of the appartment. Saeko was waiting for him in her car. She adjusted her sunglasses,

"Good afternoon, Ryo. Ready to meet Yamashita-san?"

Ryo sat comfortably in the seat next to her, "Well, I hope you remember that I am going to charge you two mokkori points for this"

Saeko started the engine, "Of course, I remember. Let's go"

'He really thinks he's going to get some from me? What a pity', Saeko smirked.

'I am doing this job just for the money. I have to pay back my debts at the Swans' Club. Kaori will never give me money for that. And my allowance is not enough to pay off the debt. Poor Ryo-chan', Ryo sniffed like a child on the verge of crying.

The ride was peaceful, apart from Ryo making lecherous moves towards Saeko. It didn't take them long to reach the desired place. Ryo got out of the car and eyed the mansion,

"Look at that! Looks like old man Yamashita has enough money to provide for half of Shinjuku"

They were greeted by the butler of the mansion, Ishigawa-san. He welcomed them into the huge drawing room, well furnished and elegant. The grandeur was overwhelming. Ryo and Saeko watched as Yamashita-san walked down the stairs. He greeted Saeko,

"Saeko-kun, how are you?"

"I am fine, Ojisan. How have you been?"

"Hale and hearty as always", he laughed. He smiled at Ryo,

"You are Saeba-san, I assume? Nice to meet you"

Ryo nodded, "Likewise"

"Allow me to give you a personal tour", he gestured them to accompany him.

"This is the ball room. It hasn't been much in use since a few years. But, I had it cleaned and redecorated for the event", Yamashita-san explained. He went on to show them the entrance, exit and the banquet. After a detailed discussion about the venue, they were having tea in the drawing room. Yamashita-san began,

"I have full confidence in your abilities, Saeba-san. I am sure that the guests won't have any trouble. But I have one more favour to ask from you"

Ryo waited for him to speak further.

"The explorer whose possessions are going to be put on auction is very dear to me. His late uncle was a good friend of mine. This boy has impressed me very much. He followed in the footsteps of his uncle and has a great eye for artefacts. But, a week ago, he recieved a letter from someone. It was full of threats, as you might have guessed. It is probably from his envious rival -Takahara. Takahara threatened to kill this boy and destroy the venue if the exhibition cum auction isn't cancelled. They have some personal issues which became public when Takahara failed to defeat this kid for a charity treasure hunt. He believes that destroying his rival's career will quench his thirst to get even. Young people these days...", Yamashita-san sipped on his tea.

Ryo figured, "You need me to protect this explorer of yours?"

Saeko said, "Yes. That is what Ojisan told me and father. We agreed that no one else could be a better bodyguard but you"

Yamashita-san resumed, "But the boy treats these threats as harmless. He politely disregarded my suggestion to hire a bodyguard. Shinji has changed over the years. But just getting better at self-defense won't help. A pro's help is needed for such critical matters"

Ryo smiled to himself, 'Shinji...'

Saeko told, "His name is Gabimaru Shinji. You will have to do bodyguard duty for him without his knowledge. Are you up for that, Ryo?"

Ryo said, "I don't think it will be a problem"

Yamashita-san smiled, "Very well, Saeba-san. I have full confidence that you will protect Shinji and my mansion as well. Ishigawa? Could you fetch Naomi-san?"

Ishigawa bowed and went to call Naomi-san.

Yamashita-san explained, "Naomi-san is the caretaker and manager of the estate. She is also the emcee of the event"

Ryo jumped up as soon as Naomi entered the room. She bowed politely.

"My name is Sasaki Naomi. Nice to meet you"

"Saeba Ryo -pleasure to meet you", Ryo put his arm around her. Naomi was startled by Ryo's speed to put his hands on her.

Yamashita-san coughed, "Saeba-san, you might be interested to know that Naomi-san is married and a mother of two children"

"Honto?!", Ryo exclaimed. He encircled Naomi's waist with his hands,

"Waaoow! You are in a very good shape for a mother of two children! Mokkori hips!"

Saeko dragged Ryo out by the collar, "I apologise for his behaviour. Let's have a look at the security arrangements, shall we?"

Naomi led Ryo and Saeko to the underground control room. It was well equipped with security monitors and armed personnel. Naomi said,

"This is the control room. It is regulated by 12 security specialists -10 armed guards and 2 experts at surveillance technology. Each of these monitors display the movements recorded by all the 147 cameras around the estate"

Ryo commented, "Seems grand"

Yamashita-san said proudly,

"The security system was designed by my son himself. He is the CEO of Japan's largest IT firm. They excel in security software and other fields too"

Ryo asked, "Is it possible to hack into the system? Because from what I've seen, it's manually impossible to take out all the armed security guards around the estate. Not even a mole can enter your property without permission"

Yamashita-san explained,

"This system is full proof. Apart from our experts, only two people possess the security codes that are changed everyday. That is me and Naomi-san. In case of any external breach, the system will lock down all the entrances and exits with a sonic alarm. Then, the security codes will be needed to reinstitute it"

Saeko smiled, "Impressive"

They walked out of the room after discussing some more details. Yamashita-san turned to Ryo,

"Saeba-san, I am more concerned about the safety of the boy than this mansion. His life is in danger and he doesn't seem to care about it. It would be highly appreciated if you could catch the troublemaker red-handed"

Ryo nodded, "Rest assured, Yamashita-san. I am a professional. I take my job very seriously"

"I hope so", Yamashita-san sighed at Ryo's perverted grin while Naomi tried to push Ryo's face away from hers.


Kaori was with Shinji at his new house. She seemed disappointed, "You said he would follow us"

Shinji pondered out loud, "I wonder why he hasn't done that yet. Maybe we need to take more intense steps"

Kaori frowned, "What do you mean by 'intense' exactly?"

Shinji said nervously, "No... no. That's not what I meant. I mean... I think, we should put more effort into this. Let me think"

Kaori waited for him to say something. He scratched his head, walked frantically around the place and closed his eyes as if in deep thought. He finally squealed,

"That's it!"

Shinji described his new idea to Kaori while someone aimed at him through a sniper rifle. The aim wasn't Shinji but the glass in his hand. It shattered to pieces as soon as the bullet was fired. Kaori was taken aback. She approached Shinji, "Shinji-san, what..."

Shinji laughed nervously, "I guess, I have been working out too much. My grip was too tight".

Kaori shook her head and smiled.

Shinji chatted with her for some more time, but was eager to make her leave.

After Kaori was gone, Shinji made a call. He said,

"It's me"

"What do you want?"

"I just called to let you know that your warning shot was noticed"

"Great. So, you are calling off the exhibition? I am offering you a good deal, Shinji. If you are smart enough, you will accept it"

"Actually, that's not what I meant to convey. I just wanted you to know that your stupid threats don't even amuse me. Those artefacts are mine and my uncle's. I am not going to trade them for anything. And if you don't stop with these cowardly practices, I will be forced to forget our past and hand you to the police"

"Hmph! Your threats don't scare me"

"It's not a threat. It's a warning. Watch your back. I'm not your puppet anymore, Takahara"


Ryo and Kaori were having dinner. Kaori looked at Ryo. He was feasting on the food like a hog. She sighed,

"It won't hurt to chew your food before swallowing, you know"

Ryo replied, with food in his mouth, "What do you care? I am hungry and I want to push this crap down my throat before I have to taste it"

Kaori hissed, "If the food is so tasteless, you don't have to eat it!"

She tried to snatch the plate from Ryo's hand. He pulled it away, "Baka! What are you doing?!"

Kaori said sarcastically, "I'm saving you the trouble of eating this 'ghastly' food!"

Ryo noticed the bruise on Kaori's finger, "What's that?"

She stopped struggling with the plate and sat back, "Oh. It's nothing. Shinji-san crushed a glass today. His grip was too strong, I guess"

Ryo made a note,

'So, the opponent has gone offensive already. Looks like Shinji doesn't care about being fired at. And it also means that Kaori was close enough to him to have a splinter bruise her...'

Kaori blushed a little, "Say, Ryo..."

"Hmm?"

"How did you notice this bruise all of a sudden?"

Ryo made a quick come back, "I was just distracting you till I finished eating"

"Stop teasing me!", Kaori whined as Ryo hopped away.


*****BANTER TIME!*****

Me: I... I am a big fan! You have no idea how much I like you! I just love you!

Kaori: (blushing) Thank you. I feel flattered. And I should be the one thanking you. You are helping me with my... love problems.

Me: It's a pleasure, Kaori-san! I can do anything for you!

Kaori: (still blushing) Writer-san, will Ryo really tell me how he feels about me?

Me: I can't tell you that right now. But, I can tell you that this fic is going to have a happy ending.

Kaori: That's great. Thank you.

Me: You are embarassing me, Kaori-san. But let me tell you that a lot of trouble is to follow.

Kaori: No worries. I am used to trouble. That comes naturally when one is living with Ryo.

Me: (laughs) Yes, yes, I agree. Can I have your autograph?

Kaori: (blushing) Sure. I had no idea I was this popular...

Me: (brings out all the posters) On these too? Please?

Kaori: (poker face)