Beans are spilled.

:o

Btw, the only reason I started writing again was because someone left me a review - pretty much letting me know that people are still reading this story. As much as I like to say I write for my own enjoyment and not for (your's) I do get a fair bit of motivation from getting feedback.

So I encourage you to write something to me. I mean, literally 'gud shit' is like, ayyyy (happy+motivation+wow! Community!)

Also join discord. see my profile. I too laze to copy and paste it here.

"Don't risk it, Mon gars~ I've told you before, and I'll tell you again. This is a question your dear boss won't like one bit. The moment those words pass from your lips, it's all over. Don't you want to stay in the band?"

Rock made a face.

"Depends… on what you tell me."

He had been invited to eat dinner with Shermie the evening after rehearsals, and they were sitting across from one another - date style - on a fancy french restaurant's balcony. This was something Rock would have never agreed to under ordinary circumstances, however, Shermie knew a lot of things, and he was interested in picking her brain for answers. So he agreed, and - naive as always - Rock had assumed they were going to eat hotel buffet together.

He was wrong.

Shermie, who was waiting for him in the lobby - was dressed so formally, it looked like she was about to attend a wedding. She was wearing a red sequined dress and heels which looked seven inches high. She caught sight of him in the lobby (well, Rock assumed she saw him) rapidly packed away her lipstick case, and pounced on him. He was wearing nothing more than his typical jeans and T-shirt, so she dragged him to the nearest clothing store, squeezed him into something expensive, then taxied them to the restaurant.

So here he was, feeling the cool ocean breeze against the back of his head and watching throngs of people walk leisurely on the sidewalks beneath him. All around were neon signs, he assumed these were advertisements, sporting chinese characters he couldn't read. The cars while filled the streets with lights occasionally honked and disturbed the lovely evening atmosphere.

He felt pretty darn classy in his new three-piece suit, and just a bit awkward, since he wasn't used to dressing so nicely. In fact, he didn't own a real tuxedo at all. There was really no need for one at his age… But regardless, he was glad Shermie had gotten him something, because being underdressed was a mistake he had made once with Athena in Australia. He wasn't eager to repeat it with Shermie.

Honestly, Shermie seems a lot nicer… too bad she's dead… I wonder who would kill her?

"Anywho, Rocky," Shermie raised the bottle and addressed him in a sing-song voice, "Why don't you have a glass. The drinking age in this country is 18, and we're taking the taxi home~"

Uh oh. No way.

"I'm good. I'm an American, so I follow American rules."

She huffed with mock disappointment at his curt response and poured her fifth glass. The truth was, Rock had never tasted alcohol outside of tiramisu and wine cooked into sauces. He had never been drunk before - and hell if he was going to try it for the first time with Shermie here. He told himself not to imagine the things that sultry woman might do to him if she caught him inebriated, but found his mind wandering in that direction anyways.

Oh dammit Rock, she's right in front of you! Can't you concentrate? Don't think about gross stuff… is it offensive to ask her to pull her shirt up?

They had only just finished ordering, yet Shermie had already wiped out half the bottle. It didn't seem like she was affected by alcohol like normal people were. Hell, if Iori drank that amount, he would have already crawled off the balcony.

Hope boss isn't looking for me… Shermie is saying he'll actually fire me if I ask that question? Hm… he might… but if he's like a … I dunno, a serial killer- then I probably don't wanna work for him anyways… right?

"Now, my boy."

Shermie smacked her lips and placed the empty wineglass on the tabletop with a muffled thump.

"I've loosened my tongue a bit, so let us resume our previous conversation. What are you here for, hmm? Did you join this band on your own? Or did Yagami force you into it?"

Rock furrowed his brow in confusion. What a strange question to ask. Everyone wanted to be in Iori's band… right? Whoever got the spot was bound to be rich and famous in no time. Maybe Shermie is behind the times?

"Even though Iori's kinda crazy, if I spend a couple of years in his band, then I can start my own musical career with a huge leg up. This is kind of a stepping stone… you know. Like work experience."

Shermie started laughing. Her breasts were nearly bouncing out of her dress and Rock winced each time he saw her shoulder straps strain against the tremendous downwards pressure. He continued talking while eyeing those straps.

"Uh… so yeah. I joined on my own. I was pretty happy that he let me in the band. Hours are pretty flexible and he pays well… so."

Shermie leaned forward and fixed him with her gaze. Or, well, he could feel her looking at him. She daintily rested her chin on the back of her hand and smiled. It was a bit unsettling.

"Mon Gars! Career advancement? Stepping store? Rocky, Rocky, Rocky… you've haven't the slightest idea. Start your own musical career? Nonsense. In four years you're leading this band. Why do you think Yagami is working so hard for you?"

"...wait." Rock was all confused again. He simply voiced his thoughts. "You mean he's retiring?"

More unpleasant smiles.

"You could say that. Oh… Ah-Ah-Ah~ before that, you owe me something, don't you dear Rocky. Your girl. I need my details~"

Rock rolled his eyes and quickly shifted back as the soup and salad entrees were served. The food looked good, and he had a couple of bites before looking back at Shermie. She remained in her previous position. She didn't touch the food.

"Urm..." Rock finished chewing and put down his fork, "Well, her first name is Seirah and she has no last name, which I thought was pretty weird, but I don't think she's lying. She's supposed to be here keeping an eye on Iori for the next week - until Tuesday. She's in information gathering and is actually an Analyst at IKARI. She says she's not really in the combat division, but is really good with the whip and her pistol. She was bragging to me about how accurate she is with..."

His voice petered out as he realized just how acquainted Shermie was with Whip's pistol skills.

"Uh..."

Wait, why does she want to know about Whip! Is it because Whip shot-

Shermie made a 'pshhh' noise through pursed lips and flapped her hands as if to banish any ill intent Rock was pinning on her. She seized hold of her wineglass again and exclaimed.

"Rocky! Didn't I say I wanted Drama?! I don't need her biography! Are you holding hands? Did you kiss her yet?"

"... No. Honestly, I think she's way too pushy."

"But she's cute!"

"Yeah, but she's kinda crazy."

Shermie smirked at him.

"Well, my boy. You're already in bed with 'crazy'. You've signed contract with Iori Yagami and followed him to the ends of the earth, haven't you? You don't get to complain anymore~"

He made another face and started on his soup. Shermie still hadn't touched her food.

There was a moment of silence between them where Shermie finished off her bottle, and Rock thought of questions to ask her. It seemed like she was satisfied with the - frankly pathetic - drama he had provided. He was free to ask whatever questions he liked. Something in her posture told him so.

This wasn't an opportunity he was going to pass up.

"Shermie," she 'looked' up from admiring her fingernails. "So... from the last time we spoke… you said Iori's a soldier?"

She seemed more than happy to tell him. Rock didn't think to steel himself for such an answer.

"Not a soldier. A butcher. He's fantastically cruel - that one. Vice and Mature tell me about all the things he does in his spare time. He's a busy man, your boss, and one of his hobbies is burning down villages in Cambodia!"

What the heck?!

Shermie just kept talking. There was something like glee in her voice.

"You know, IKARI isn't really a peacekeeping organization. They do all sorts of wetwork. Terrible things, you know? They fight wars, raze countries, and they take no prisoners… but sometimes, when things get too hairy for even them, guess who they call?"

Rock just blinked at her. He tried to say something in protest, but he only managed an unintelligible stutter. Is she serious?! Wait… no prisoners… so that means…

Shermie grinned as she cooed at him.

"Haven't you seen him use those flames? They melt steel like butter, and reduce bone to ash. They could burst a man's skull in a moment - and I've seen him do it with these eyes." She brushed at her bangs but didn't part them. "Don't you remember? I told you he wiped NESTS out in South America. I wasn't speaking figuratively. No, no~"

He interrupted her.

"You're Lying! Shut up! He's crazy and violent, but he's not like that! I've known him for… for… "

Rock didn't realize he had stood from his seat until he was yelling down at Shermie. The entire restaurant was looking at them, but he didn't care. His hands were shaking. He felt panicky. During this trip, Iori Yagami had been - in a very roundabout way - his only benefactor. When his boss walked in and started shouting at everyone, things started moving in his favour. Athena wasn't pulling for him. Shermie and Yashiro just wanted to mess around. Whip and Leona were just here to do a job. Only Iori was actually on his side. But now… Now… Who do I turn to now?

Shermie merely smiled at him - entirely unphased by his yelling. She seemed keenly aware of the effect this conversation was having on him. Her voice was soft, crooning and somehow cruel as she countered his flimsy argument..

"You've known him how long? Two months? Rocky... I've known him for years."

"... I don't believe a word you say."

Rock muttered out the words. More to himself than to anyone else. He had gritted his teeth and his palms felt sweaty. His mind flickered back to the… hundreds of hours he had spent in Iori's 'office' during the first month of his employment. Did a 'literal mass murderer' teach him music theory? Did he seriously spend an entire day arguing about fingerstyle with him? How about that time Iori found out his birthday was just before he got hired, and got him an entire tub of strange flavored ice cream as a belated (and actually terrible) birthday gift?

He'd not really a bad guy… no way… just a bit weird in the head.

Shermie interrupted his monologue. She was enjoying this.

"Ohh, my dear boy. Tell me, did that IKARI girl ever mention anything about Iori? Have you ever considered why they're even here watching him? He works for them! Ask your girl."

"..."

Oh shit… Whip did mention him, and how he might be doing 'Something' in Africa… was he-no… is that why he was all messed up afterwards? Is that why he got delivered -all drugged up- to my bedroom like some package in the middle of the night?

"Oh… oh God."

Shermie stood and walked halfway around the table to pat his shoulder. She seemed immensely satisfied with what she had done to him. Rock couldn't see himself, but judging from Shermie's reaction - he must have looked absolutely distraught. She let her hand rest on his shoulder and continued in a soft voice.

"Don't worry Mon Gars, he'll make you rich and famous. That's all that matters, right? He'll show you all his connections, introduce you to all the right people. He chose to be good to you, and he doesn't change his mind. When you're done, you'll even have the backing of the Japanese Mafia."

Rock opened and closed his mouth a couple of times but no sound came out. He didn't know how to process all of this new information - and frankly, he wasn't sure he wanted to. If this was true, and given all the supporting evidence, it very well might be, then… then what was he supposed to do?

He's not really a bad guy… he's just an asshole… right? Ugh… I had better talk to him about this…

Shermie seemed to read his mind. Her voice was deadly serious.

"And Rock. Don't let him know what you heard tonight… this is a secret, and as the days go by, fewer and fewer people know that secret… do you understand what I mean?"

She made the motion of slitting her throat.

Rock stared at her as if she'd grown a third eye.

Then, after a long moment, she exclaimed in a cheerful voice.

"Now then, good luck, mon gars~! I'll see you at the concert tomorrow. Don't be late or your Boss might murder you~ ciao"

And with that, she turned on her heel and clacked away triumphantly in her seven inch stilettos. Rock watched her leave, then slumped - defeated - into his seat.

YAG IS IN BIG DOO

REEEEE

If I don't get reviews with 'gud sht' in them, it means nobody reads the comments smh.

also - if you play Kof Um Ol (mobile game) hit me up on the Big Discord. I'm S54 Miss X. :)