The break room in the restaurant was a rectangle room with lockers along on wall, a table with chairs opposite of that, and a water machine and fridge tucked in the corner. A fridge is on the other end of the room with a rack of hangers.
Satoko stands aside and announces that Umie as a new employee. "She's starting work here today."
Umie gives a look of nervous smile and salutes with two fingers to the girls. She makes a note not to be intimidated, they'll see her as easy prey. But then again, she may act so tough, when she asks for help, they'll make comments on why she can't do it herself. "Nice to meet you."
"If you have any questions, just ask me." Satoko says. "Now I want everyone to help her out, okay?"
Everyone nods their heads, some giving a vocal agreement. Umie shifts uncomfortably at the sight of all of them being Japanese, or close to it. With her Philippine side, she's bound to pull it off, along with her Irish fair skin.
"Especially you, Wakana. You're the closet in age to Umie, so I want you to take care of her!"
"Of course. Nice to meet you." Wakana smiles.
"You too."
Wakana looks almost Umie's age, perhaps even older. She has sleek black hair tied up in a traditional Japanese bun to go with her traditional attire. Her kimono is a stunning black with an intricate coy fish design along the bottom.
"Well then, I'll leave you all to your work." Satoko cheers.
This is it, Umie thinks.
After Mrs. Inagaki leaves, everyone starts to ready for work. Umie looks to Wakana and sighs.
"So, what should I do first?" Umie asks.
"First, you need to change into your kimono." Wakana replies with a snippy attitude.
Oh boy. "You have to wear a kimono for this job?" Umie asks.
"Of course!" Wakana replies with a, you-should-know-this tone. "It's a traditional Japanese gourmet restaurant! Hurry up and change into this!"
She tosses Umie a purple floral fan kimono with a fan design decorated with blue, pink, purple and white flowers accented with metallic gold.
To everyone's surprise, including Umie, while Wakana tries to catch her off guard, Umie catches the kimono with one hand.
"Thanks."
Umie can just feel her true personality rising now that Satoko's left. Umie looks straight back at Wakana as she's staring at her.
"Something I can help you with?" Umie asks with a hard tone.
"I heard you were an acquaintance of Kenshi's. Is that true?" Wakana asks.
"I don't see how that's your business." Umie bitches.
"Hmmm . . ."
"So this is the girl he was talking about, then?" one waitress asks.
"Whew, that's a relief. She's totally plain." Another pipes.
Umie fists her hands into the kimono at the atmosphere. Acting like children, all because they're jealous she's friends with a boy. A boy who's a thief. That would change their tune.
Frankly Umie could care less, in fact, since she could care less about this job in the first place, she'll beat the shit out of any of the girls if they dare piss her off. Looking around, they're big talkers, but the moment a punch is thrown, they'll cower.
"So, where do I change?" Umie asks.
"There's a room upstairs, you can go change there." Wakana says.
"Okay. Is there a manual on how to put this on?"
" . . . What, you can't but it on by yourself?"
"No, because I'm not fricking Japanese!" Umie counters.
"Is she for real? Why work here if you can't put on a kimono?!"
"Hey! Volcaloid reject. Shut it!" Umie snaps.
The girl has pale skin and blue eyes, but her hair is a blue-green and put in in pigtails. One would think she's trying to copy the style of the character. Her mouth drops open and scoffs. Still it shut her up.
"Anyway, you need to hurry up and change. There's lots of work to do." Wakana continues.
"Whatever." Umie waves Wakana off like a fly. As she mounts the steps towards the back Umie whirls around. "Oh, by the way. I can see you boner for Kenshi through your kimono!" she calls.
Wakana instantly flushes red, and whether it's from Umie's comment or embarrassment, Umie doesn't care. So long as she gets the last word. Several other waitresses snicker and giggle as Umie mounts the steps. Still when she gets to the room, she hurls the kimono across the room, grunting in nearly screaming in annoyance.
The unoccupied room is small with only a computer on one wall, a bookshelf adjacent to it, a bed along one wall.
"Fuck you, Boss!" Umie curses. She plops into the bed and groans. "Fuck my life. Bunch of lowlife bitches." She mumbles.
After calling the waitresses every last thinkable swear word she can, Umie pulls out her phone and types in the passcode ready to look up how to put one on.
"Estoque, what are you doing?" She hears Kenshi suddenly call.
"Kenshi?" Umie props up on her elbows.
Kenshi walks in, shutting the door behind him. He wears a simple black shirt under a blue and green flannel. A small dog chain around his neck. Umie's heart suddenly skips.
"Uh, how much did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Nevermind." Umie dismisses, and thankfully Kenshi doesn't pry.
"Shouldn't you be working?" he asks sitting in the computer chair.
Umie coldly snickers. "About that . . ."
"What?"
"I haven't even started working here, and already I hate it."
Kenshi's eyes widen and his eyebrows narrow. "Why?"
"It's nothing to do with you or Satoko, I just hate my co-workers. They get all bitchy at5 me because I don't know how to wear a kimono."
"I see. You don't wear them normally do you?" Kenshi smiles.
"No duh."
"Let me help you, then." Kenshi suggests.
Umie gives him a look of disturbance. "Uh, don't you think that's kind of strange?"
"How? You need to put it on."
"Yeah, but are you sure it's a, good idea to help me change . . .?" Umie carefully implies.
Kenshi's cheeks turn a soft pink. "Riiight. Sorry." He nervously clears his throat. "I'll just look the other way. Just frappe the kimono over you. You can manage that, right?"
"Let's hope so." Umie jokes, crossing her fingers.
Kenshi chuckles as he turns and allows Umie to undress. Even with him turned away, Umie still feels self-conscious as she pulls down her jeans. Her stomach not the flattest, and her skin not the clearest, she quickly pulls the kimono over and folds it shut like a robe. The silk feels cool at first then slowly grows warm to her skin.
"Okay, it's on." Umie says.
Kenshi turns and examines her. "Okay. Do you know which way to wrap it?"
"No." Umie bluntly answers.
Kenshi laughs. "Okay. Fresh start." He says clapping his hands. "You wrap the right side over you first, then the left. So the left is on top."
"Okay . . . but why does it matter?"
"See, if the right side if on the bottom, your right hand can reach the inside pocket."
"These things have pockets?!" Umie exclaims. To this Kenshi bursts into laughter.
"Yes." He laughs.
"Cool!" Umie smiles.
"Okay, so now is the obi . . . can you come over here?"
"Jeez you're good at this." Umie mumbles.
"Okay, that should do it." Kenshi finalizes.
"I can't believe I now have to do this every day I come here." Umie pouts.
"Well, just practice." Kenshi smiles.
"I will."
"That's a good girl." Kenshi smiles rubbing Umie's head, messing her hair.
"Eyye! Kenshi!" Umie giggles and whines at once. "My hair's messed up."
"Oh, it is." Kenshi snickers. "And you have to work. Sorry, it's a habit of mine."
Umie sighs. "It's fine. Thanks for helping me."
"No problem."
"So, do I do anything with my hair?" Umie asks.
"Uh . . . well, I don't think you have time, but normally you wear it up. You've seen my mom and the other waitresses." Kenshi reminds.
"Right. Great, now I need to practice that too, but at least I like doing my hair." Umie says. "So, how do you now have a girlfriend?"
"Huh? Me?" Kenshi asks as he watches Umie braid a section of her hair. "You heard what I said to my mom. I'm not interested in dating."
"Not at all?" Umie speaks as she holds a bobby pin between her teeth. She takes it, parts it and feels it scrape against her scalp. "But there's bound to be tons of girls who want you. Several being some of my co-workers." She mumbles that part softly.
"Awww, you're just saying that to be nice, Estoque."
"Seriously, I mean it!" Umie smiles and finishes pinning and braiding her hair. "Okay, this'll have to do."
She braided pieces of hair and made it into a half crown. She gathers her things and Kenshi lets her stuff them into a dresser posted next to the bookshelf. With no more wooden shoes, Umie's left with wearing her flip-flops.
"Not bad." Kenshi smiles as she tickles the end of her hair.
"Thanks." Umie smiles. "But seriously, you're nice and polite. I think you'd be popular with girls. And not in like a womanizer or anything, but really just genuine."
"Really?" Kenshi grins at her as they go down the steps. "But . . . I just can't."
"Why not?"
Kenshi shrugs. "Even if I had a girlfriend I lived, how could I tell her I'm a thief?"
"You don't have to. Or you can just quit." Umie points out. "Stealing's a crime anyway."
"You're pretty harsh, aren't you?"
Umie feels her cheeks grow warm. "Well, n-not intentionally. Gahh, I know I can sound shred with my words, but I don't ever mean to."
"It's fine, it's not your fault. I can tell you'd never hurt someone intentionally." Kenshi pats her shoulder. "But . . . please don't say that anymore. Okay?"
Umie nods as they enter the break room.
Kenshi leaves to attend a morning job, and Umie quickly gets to her work as a waitress. Most of the girls don't talk to her, which is fine. Truthfully Umie has no interest in befriending them at all after their first impression.
After watching some the waitresses, and raking through her memory on how she's seen other waitresses act, she realizes the only thing she needs to work on is carrying the food. Thankfully they carry them on trays instead of on their arms like she's seen in the finer dining places. Heck, they even have carts for waitresses to deliver the food.
As she reenters the kitchen, she can't help but wonder why it is Kenshi's even a thief. His whole persona goes against it, and he seems like the last person you'd suspect. Then again, that could be used as advantage since cover is a big thing when it comes to crimes.
"Order up!" the chef calls. "Take this to the Chrysanthemum room."
"On it!" Umie calls.
The chef looks to her, rubbing his chin. "I don't think I've seen you before."
"Oh, I just started today." Umie smiles. "I'm Umie. Umie Estoque."
She extends out her free hand and the chef takes it with a firm grip and wide smile. When Kenshi said they have a lively staff, he wasn't kidding. Deciding he's worth it, Umie drops her guard.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Genzo. But you can call me Gen." he smiles.
"Nice to meet you, too." Umie smiles.
"Do your best!" he calls as she heads for the exit door.
"I will." Umie pushes open the swinging door with her hip and exits with the food.
The restaurant itself is always busy, but it helps pass the time. The interior design ix harmonious with the type of cuisine. Black tile dominates the floor and walls, along with the booth seats. While the tables are glass, each have a bamboo centerpiece while a hand-painted mural of a cherry blossom tree and Japanese garden sprawls along the wall. A waterfall and coy pond take up a large portion of one corner, while multicolored lanterns swings along rafters. Deeper in the back is the bar, and private party rooms. The rooms are divided by shoji screen dividers, and each one has a specific theme.
As Umie pushes aside a screen divider, she apologizes for the wait. Then when her eyes find the table, she finds two familiar faces.
"What, you're working here now?" Riki asks. Dressed in a suit and tie, he sits with Hiro and Kenshi.
"You look good in a kimono, Umie." Hiro giggles.
"Hey guys." Umie speaks through her surprise, though she finds herself not smiling. And greeting anyone, it's usually like a reflex. "What are you two doing here?"
"A meeting about our next mission."
"Restaurants with private rooms like this are perfect for secret meetings." Hiro exclaims.
The divider slides open and in steps Kenshi. "Hm? Hey Estoque."
"Hi, Kenny! Food just got here." Hiro smiles.
"Oh, Estoque brought it?" he smiles taking a seat. "I'd like a beer, too."
"Sure, no prob." Umie says as she leaves.
A meeting about the next mission. Wonder who the target is. What's strange is that Umie finds herself excited. Nari would probably say she's played too much of her THIEF game, but maybe it's because of the excitement finally brought into her – admittedly – dull life. Though she wonders if this if more just like a briefing since the others aren't around.
Once she grabs the beer from Genzo, Umie make her away back to the room. "Sorry for the way, Kenshi. Here you go."
"Thanks." He smiles. Without being asked, Umie readies herself to leave when Kenshi stops her. "Hey listen, we'll talk more tonight at the bar."
Umie looks over her shoulder and nods. She then steps out, sliding the divider shut behind her.
That night, after Nari got off her shift, the girls met upstairs to talk about the day. Once Umie told Nari of Boss's medaling, she practically had to restrain Nari from barreling down the steps to strangle his throat. That was something Umie wanted for herself. Not to mention Nari had to calm Umie down when she was told how Takuto reprogrammed her phone. These boys seem to be more trouble than their worth.
The girls remain in their rooms as they wait for the other boys to get home from their day jobs. Meanwhile, Umie and Nari are puzzled as to what they should wear.
"I never went undercover before. What are you supposed to wear?" Umie asks as she holds a black leather jacket in front of her.
Nari shrugs. "I doubt it's about fashion." She remarks.
"Hmph, could've fooled me with the way they dress. And I doubt they'll use weapons, even if they have them." Umie adds. Umie smirks and tosses the jacket onto the bed. "Well, I'll defiantly have my hair in a tight braid, my black boots . . . and I need something that's flexible but comfortable."
"What should I wear?" Nari asks.
"Well, you're with Takuto, and from what Kenshi told me, he's the intelligence specialist, so he might be the one working behind the scenes. You might not need to dress for anything." Umie says.
"Maybe, but you never know." Nari reminds. "Why is it that when we need to dress for something, we got nothing, then when we just throw something on, we look freakin sexy?!"
Umie laughs. "I don't know! It's frustrating."
"I'd defiantly think your shoes are what you need to think about. If something is to happen, you need to run." She laughs.
"Run Forest, run!" Nari quotes.
The girls laugh and Umie finally decides on a simple black V-neck with short sleeves, her yoga leggings and her black boots. Her hair braided down her back, her ombre trails down until it fades to the tips.
Nari throws on a black long-sleeve shirt, covering the white logos with Umie's leather jacket and pulling on her black gymshoes. She throws her hair in a ponytail and sighs.
There's a knock on the door and Hiro's muffled voice travels through. "Girls, meeting is about to start."
"Okay." Umie calls back.
The girls head down the steps into the bar area where the rest of the boys are huddled mostly around Riki.
Boss looks to Nari and smiles. "Nari, how've you been?"
"You only saw me yesterday." Nari snipes.
He waves her off, not seemingly bothered by her attitude. "Well, I don't pay attention to specifics. Good work, Takkun!"
"Why do I have to babysit her?" Takuto complains. His outfit is a black long-sleeved shirt, as well as a long black scarf with pink stripes around his neck.
"Will you stop saying that?" Nari bickers.
"Now, now. Just take a seat." Boss coos.
Most of the boys seem to be wearing jeans, and for a moment Umie considers changing, but vetoes it out. She spots Kenshi and smiles as she walks to stand by his side. He wears a black T-shirt and a sleeveless grey coat with fur around the top and dark blue jeans, he also wears black fingerless gloves.
"You look good." Kenshi compliments.
"Thanks." Umie replies. "Is it, okay? For the mission?"
"Yeah it's fine." He assures.
Umie sighs and takes a seat at the bar stool, Nari joining her. "So what's going on?" Nari asks.
"Be more excited! You girls are about to perform your first mission as a Black Fox." Riki smiles. "I can tell Umie's a little excited. Nari?"
"I'm not really, all that happy." Nari admits.
"We've already sent the warning, so now all we have to do is get in and steal." Kenshi says.
"The art museum is light on security. It'll be a piece of cake." Hiro smiles.
"Wait, you guys sent a warning?!" Umie exclaims. "And is that the museum close to where we work?"
"You girls know it then?" Boss assumes.
"Well, Umie knows it." Takuto grins, earning a glare from Nari.
"I know it too! It's well-known. Very rare to have anything stolen from it." Nari explains.
"Exactly! So why would you guys send a warning?" Umie asks. "That's makes you predictable and the targets stock up on security."
"Plus, they'll be on high alert." Nair adds.
"Good thieves send threats!" Boss exclaims with a smile.
"That's your reason?!" Umie growls, her lip contorting into a snarl. "That's so stupid! Just like when you called to have me fired." She stabs.
Boss goes silent and Kenshi steps in. "It's cowardly to steal something without any warning."
"But it's all about surprise right?"
"Well sometimes it takes people a while to notice something's missing." Hiro says. "This way they know we're coming, and what we're after, and when the missions succeeds our reputation skyrockets."
Umie sighs. "Fine, I can understand that."
"Did you send threats to our museum too?" Nari asks.
"Of course!" Boss exclaims with a smiles. "I'm guessing security was tight?"
"I just thought it was because of the new mummies we got that day." Umie says.
"Well, it's time. We'll leave you to it!" Boss dismisses.
"You're not coming?" Nari asks.
"That's a relief." Umie mumbles.
"Boss hardly ever comes. We're the ones who do all the work." Riki says.
"Well someone has to hold down the fort. They really do what I tell them to."
"I see. . ." Nari rolls her eyes.
"Wait, where are you going Takuto?" Kenshi asks. "You're babysitting Nari, right?"
"SO annoying . . ." Takuto grumbles.
"Yeah, like seeing your face always brightens my day." Nari bites back.
"Starting today, you two work as a pair." Riki orders.
"Annoying . . ." Takuto repeats. "Don't screw anything up."
"Like I'll be doing anything important. I'll just be sitting next to you, watching your work. How could I screw that up?"
"You know what'll happen if you do something stupid, right?" Takuto glares.
"What? What'll happen?" Nari challenges.
Nari remembers how they threatened her and Umie with a gun pointed at the head when they first met. Despite their usefulness to them, Nari assumes it'll end with a gun to their head. She looks to Umie who only smiles and nudges her softly with her elbow. One slip up and she could endanger Umie and herself.
Takuto smirks. "You really want to know?"
"No, never mind." Nari grumbles.
"Just make sure to point that gun the other way." Umie adds.
"So you do know." He grins.
Umie glares at him and snatches Nari's arm as she follow Hiro out the door.
They piles into a pitch-black van without a license plate. Umie would comment about it, but only assumes that it's all part of the plan. The van in description looks similar to the Scooby-Doo gang. Only in the back there's an entire computer system and equipment. The back is big enough for that and the four of them. Hiro sitting up front with Riki. With Riki driving, they pull into the main thoroughfares, narrowly avoiding a pothole in the road. Umie grabs a safely handle to steady herself.
"Relax, Umie," says Riki. "I've driven a car before."
"I've done a lot of things before, but that doesn't mean I'm any good at them."
Umie can tell it encourages him as he smiles and jerks the truck to the left so that they don't hit another pothole. Nari laughs and keeps saying 'Oh my god' under her breath.
"You want us to ruin your equipment?!" Umie yells. She watches Riki look into the rearview mirror. "Then drive straight!"
Riki steadies the wheel. Still Umie clutches the safety handle and tries not to think about what she ate for dinner.
When they see the outer fence of the museum, they find guards standing at the front blocking the main gates. Then they see a couple others on patrol around the perimeter.
"Man, they're on high alert." Nari says as she peeks out the window.
"Because we sent the threat." Riki proudly smiles.
"I still think that was a dumbass move." Umie degrades.
"I count only six." Kenshi whispers as he and Umie glance through the back windows of the van and watch the guards make their rounds.
"Three at the gate." Umie says, tracking their movements.
"Two more traveling around in a circle. Another is stationary at the southeast corner. We should assume another guard is out of sight at the northwest corner." Takuto adds.
"Seven then. Still, far less than I was worried about." Riki nonchalantly says. "Okay, are we ready?"
"Don't let us down, Leader!" Hiro cheers.
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Riki smiles.
"All right, Takuto. It's show time." Kenshi smiles.
"On it." he nods.
"What should I do?" Umie asks.
"You're coming with us." Riki orders.
"What?!" the girls say in unison, only Nari is more reluctant.
"Seriously?" Umie asks.
"Well, if you're not comfortable . . ." Hiro starts.
"No! No, I am."
"Umie!" Nari exclaims.
"What, while we're here!" she says back.
"But-But!"
"Today, ladies!" Takuto urges.
Umie sighs in aggravation. "Let's go."
Without looking back at Nari, Umie leaps out of the van with Riki, Kenshi and Hiro. Slamming the doors behind them, Nari only then notices another equipment case that's been left open. Her heart jars in her chest when she sees the cushion imprinted in the shape of a gun.
Nari looks back at Takuto. "Why aren't you going?"
"Got to take care of things here." He answers. Nari watches as she opens up the laptop, sees an image of the interior of the museum on the screen.
"Is that . . . from the security cameras?" she asks hunching over his shoulder.
"When the time comes, I'll switch them on loop." Takuto says. "It'll replay the footage before Riki and the others show up, keeping them covered. It should give them enough time. And with these guards, it'll be simple."
"You can do all that with one laptop?" Nari asks surprised.
"We laid the groundwork beforehand."
Umie follows Kenshi, Riki and Hiro as they sneak around to the back. Riki signals them to halt as a guard comes walking by. His keys ringing in Umie's ears compared to the silence. Since it's her first, she probably won't be anything different than Nari. Sitting aside and watching so she doesn't screw it up.
The mission shouldn't take more than two hours.
Umie tries to keep herself calm, remembering how they had worked out a few strategies to distract, disable, and render unconscious any guards they might encounter. Umie tries to hold her breath as they've stopped by a garbage can. Remembering her gameplay with Nari, she spots a glass bottle.
Carefully, Umie picks it up, the neck in her hand. And when she was sure Riki and Kenshi and Hiro aren't looking to stop her, she chucks it towards the far end of the fence. The sound of impact startles the boys.
The guard stops. "What was that?" he whispers. He carefully steps further and further away from their hiding spot.
Riki looks to Umie and she shrugs, smiling.
"There's' bound to be more inside. Be on your guar." says Riki
Hiro picks the lock and they slip inside, Kenshi closing the door silently behind them. Umie rises to stand in the blackness, the only light coming from the windows.
The museum itself, from what Umie remembers in her history class, has utilized architecture dating back to the Baroque period.
The entire museum is centered around the rectangular shape of a circular mosaic. A flawless staircase leads to double doors which can open by themselves into the Anthropology exhibits. The first room has a beautiful marble fountain. At the very top of the fountain, a statue of a voluptuous nude woman looked down on them as they passed. She held a swath of fabric that clung to the lower half of her body and appeared to billow out behind her in a suspended arc.
A small crystal is hanging in the center of roof and two curving staircases along the sides which join together on a platform above and across from the exhibit entrance. Another curving staircase branches off from the platform up into the "heart" of the museum. This is the room with a grand crystal chandelier and the owner's signature emblem entitled into the floor and with double doors which open to a round balcony.
"Wow." Umie gasps in awe.
"The guards are inside." says Riki. When he first breaks the silence, Umie instinctively tenses, expecting his booming voice to alert guards nearby, but instead out comes a controlled whisper, deep and quiet. She chastises herself for such naïveté. Riki has not risen to such high ranks within the Black Foxes by being foolish or unskilled. Umie now wonders if he'd be better at stealth and hiding than her expectations. Her nagging voice of reason in her mind insists otherwise.
"Far more men within,"" Hiro agrees. "Mostly bunched at entrances to all of the lower floors. They're far more concerned of us getting out than getting in. we must use that to our advantage, but also remember, the escaping may be much more difficult."
"You two scout ahead." Riki orders to Kenshi and Umie.
"Time to start the mission." Riki's voice comes in through an intercom.
Nari looks down and leans over Takuto's shoulder as he presses a button and Riki's face appears on the monitor. "We're in, and Kenshi and Umie are scouting now."
"I'm n position. Waiting on you two to get the treasure." Hiro speaks.
Nari inhales and nervously fidgets with her fingers. Umie and Kenshi are in, and it looks like Riki is overseeing the operation, while scouting the building. Hiro's job being to make sure the artwork isn't counterfeit. At least from what Nari can gather.
"So what's your job remotely, Takuto?" Nari asks.
"Will you stop mumbling to yourself? It's creepy." He complains. "It's time."
Takuto beings typing on his computer, his eyes flickering from one screen to another as his fingers seem to seemingly type effortlessly on the keyboards. She watches as the screen flickers with static, then the image remains blank. She sees Riki, Kenshi and Umie on the monitor.
"Three guards in the next room. Wait 20 seconds." he speaks into an intercom.
Riki holds up his hand and waits. After the twenty seconds, there's a huge crash that startles Umie and Nari even in their different locations. "Whoa what was that?" one says.
"I don't know. I'll go check it out." Another speaks.
One heads off in a different direction and Nari gasps when she sees Kenshi's fist clobbering the guard. His beefy arms wrap around the guard's neck as he falls, tightening, twisting, and then the guard goes still.
Calmly, he picks up the body and props it against the wall. He crosses the guard's arms, and Umie helps adjust his legs a tiny bit, and tilts the hat so that it appears he has nodded off. If she's disturbed by the event, she doesn't show it. Or maybe it's because of her playing games, or that the guard is still alive. Kenshi kicks the legs a couple times until they lock. With ten seconds to spare, Nari breathes in relief as Umie and the boys sneak into the room.
"This is the painting. Piece of cake." Riki smirks.
"Why do I feel like that's a bad thing . . ." Umie ponders.
"I'll head back. Hiro, stand by." Kenshi says. "It'll be all for nothing."
"Okay! Got it!" Hiro chirps.
From a separate window, Nari sees a sprinkler turn on. Another monitor shows guards panic and Umie and the boys escape.
"I feel sorry for whoever has to clean up." Nari laughs. Still, Nari can't help but agree with Umie at how easily the job went, but decides to keep it to herself for now. She gets chill when she thinks about how close the guards came to seeing them . . . seeing Umie.
"You might've been right in choosing me." Takuto smiles. Nari looks to him and instantly her cheeks warm.
"W-What?"
"If they had to take care of you, you would've had to go in with them. Being with me is the safest place for a girl." he says.
At first, Nari wants to take that as an offensive sexist term, seeing as how Takuto usually makes those remarks. But from the look on his face, he seem genuine. Maybe even . . . worried. Maybe he does have a nice bone in his body somewhere.
"This mission was really simple." He says. "Now we've just got to wait for the other to comer back."
"Doesn't it seem kind of odd, that the missions was easy?"
"You saying you wish it wasn't?"
"You know what I mean."
"I do." He smiles. "Don't worry, when I mean simple, I mean just that simple. If there was a catch, I'd catch it. Or at least Hiro would."
Suddenly there's a knock at the door of the van. A muffled male voice comes through, deep and authoritative.
"Excuse me. I'd like to have a word with you." He says.
"The police?" Nari mumbles. "But why?"
Then a chill runs down her spine. With the commotion inside, they're probably checking suspicious vehicles around the area.
"What do we do?" Nari asks Takuto.
"I need to have a word with you." The police officer nearly demands.
Nari's nervous, scooting back from the window until she bumps into Takuto. Then Takuto abruptly jumps on top of her.
"Huh?! Takuto, what are you-!"
"Quiet." he whispers. Nari shivers as his lips are on her neck.
A plan, she needs to think of a plan. Or at least imagine what it is he's thinking of so she can at least play along.
But her mind is fuzzy with Takuto against her like this. She needs to focus.
But she
Can't
Think.