=MALEVOLENT DESIGNS=

-Chapter 3 -

(August 4th 2012)

Shin Hashimoto looked up at the sign of the posh café. Smoke billowed around him as he smoked what was his third cigarette in last 20 minutes. It was a bad habit, but one that he couldn't kick. It was calming and right now with his nerves he needed something to calm him. The phone call had come last night, in the evening of the same day he had made his presentation to the members of the Nanjo group. He hadn't expected to be called back so soon. He had been told to meet Kei Nanjo, head of the Nanjo group here this morning to have breakfast and discuss business. This being his big opportunity, Shin took no risk at being late, and as such had arrived early. Nanjo on the other hand was late.

The third cigarette butt was dropped to the floor once done, and Shin crushed it under his heel to put it out. Nerves and addiction pushed his hand towards his pocket to claim a forth cigarette, but loud sound of a roaring engine grabbed his attention and force his hand to stop. From around a street corner, a large motorcycle came in to view and pulled up in front of the café right in front of him. Shin immediately knew who it was for the large #1 on the back of the motorcycle jacket. A trait the Nanjo-Sama was known for. He bowed respectfully as the older man got off the bike and removed his helmet.

Kei Nanjo carefully placed his helmet over one of the handlebars of the bike, before turning to Shin. "Sorry for my lateness, you didn't have to wait outside though." Kei told the man. "Come." He said motion with a wave for Shin to follow, as he headed inside. The café much to Shin surprise was completely empty apart from one young woman behind the counter. "Kei-San glad you finally made it. I'm not sure how much longer Miko would be willing to keep people out." The woman said with a smile. "Thank you Miku, can we have a couple coffees and then some privacy." Kei asked the woman. "Certainly Kei-San." Miku replied as Kei took a seat in one of the luxurious chairs, which seemed out of place in a café. "Please Hashimoto sit." Kei offered.

Shin took the chair opposite Nanjo. "Once our drinks get here we'll start. Just relax." Kei told him, which in turn made Shin's muscles tighten and nerve well up more. He wasn't really in the state of mind to relax in front of possible investor. Miku arrived with a silver tray, with matching silver milk pitcher and two china coffee cups and china sugar container and set it on the table. With a respectful nod she quickly went into the back of the café.

"I have a couple of questions to ask of you. About your character, who you are, and what you want. At the end I might have an offer for you. Are you willing to answer my questions?" Kei asked and Shin gulped to himself and nodded in agreement. "How long have you been a programmer?" and what brought you to designing what you have been?" Kei asked. "Errr.. Only a couple years now, it was a passing fancy but then I came up with my work, an idea seemingly from nowhere and I knew I could do it. So I put most of my spare time into it." Shin replied. He found it strange that Nanjo-Sama was asking about him and not just details about his wok. "Do you think that if your work could be used to help people that it would inspire you to work harder?" The next question came. "My work can help people." Shin replied defensively, "And does that inspire you to work your hardest." "Of course Nanjo-Sama." Shin answered way quicker than Kei had been expecting.

"And if you didn't think you could profit off your work would you continue?"

"I don't think I would be able to Nanjo-Sama, electricity, internet plus food and accommodation they all cost money. I'd be forced to work in order to keep the think I need to continue and then wouldn't have the time."

"And if those were supplied?"

"That would be like signing my life away to the work, some form of actual payment would be needed to keep some form of freedom, otherwise I probably would become unproductive quite rapidly."

"So you saying if your livelihood was paid for, plus you had and reasonable monthly wage you would be willing to work. Would you move to get that paid accommodation? Would you be willing to keep your work secret? As well as keep secrets beyond that in order to continue?"

"If I was paid for the trouble I would be glad to."

"Then would you take a look at this" Kei said producing a large smart phone and handing it over. It was already open on a document of some kind. "That is a contract, for you to work for me. Not the Nanjo group but me. It offers paid accommodation as well as 300000 yen a month. Lower than normal due to the paid accommodation but highly generous even so. Also included is a two tiered non-disclosure agreement, one for the work you produce while the other is for things you will have to be told in order to do what I want. Sign it and you'll work for me for a year." Kei Nanjo said waiting.

Shin read over the contract and it was as Nanjo said, it had more details about particulars but he managed to give the gist of it quite well. Shin calmly placed the phone down on the table. "400000 and I'm on board." Shin stated simply. "A little greedy, what about helping people?" Kei asked taken aback at the sudden demand. "Everyone has desires just because mine are monetary doesn't mean I'm greedy." Shin said back sounding insulted. "350000" Kei haggled back. "400000, I'm sorry but if it wasn't for the non-disclosure agreement I would agree to less. I'm basically signing away what I've work on the last couple years if I agree." Shin explained. "Fine." Kei relented reaching out and picking up the phone. Moments later he handed it back with the new figure in place. "You sign first." Shin slide the phone back to Nanjo again. "If you insist." Kei said signing the document with a styles. Shin signed after, and quickly started to flick through the phones option.

"What are you doing?" Kei asked as the other man used his phone. "Just sending myself a copy, can't be too careful." Shin told him. "If you feel the need." Kei dismissed the action taking his phone back when it was giving. "Now for the secrets. Do you believe in the supernatural?" Kei asked shocking Shin. "What sort of question is that? I-I've not really thought about it." Shin admitted, and gave Nanjo a confused stare. "Well it does, in this world exist creatures know as shadows…

A/N – None this time.

Disclaimer: I don't own persona in anyway