Dark Kingdom 43

Her way led her to what is probably the most colorful district of Tokyo. And at the same time the most dangerous. Usagi has never been here. The many colorful neon signs had always put them off.

Just like the strange characters that were walking the streets. From businessmen in suits to young people, some in school uniforms, everything was there. And yet there was something about each of them that made her queasy. It was like some kind of aura that surrounded these people. A dark look in their eyes.

Like Mamoru when she met him first time.

Was it because he was also on the move in this Milleu?

Did that change you in any way? Would she be like that one day too?

She looked unobtrusively at Diamond. She was looking for that special charisma in his eyes. After all, he was sort of like a head of all the dangerous and criminal people in this city.

But unlike them, he seemed perfectly normal. He looked different, yes. But more in a mysteriously charming way.

Or maybe that was a lot more dangerous. That you couldn't tell where he came from right away.

She remembered his appearance in civilian clothes.

No one who had seen him would have even remotely guessed who was standing in front of him. And what a power he wielded.

Diamond only had to snap his finger and his wishes were immediately granted. Even when it came to murder.

Usagi swallowed.

Only now did she really realize what Mamoru had meant all along when he said Diamond was dangerous.

Was it a mistake that she was sitting here next to him now? He could do with her who knows what. He could have her killed as well if she got in his way. Or maybe just out of sheer lust. Simply to demonstrate his power.

"What are you thinking about?"

Usagi raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Diamond's mouth twisted in a dry smile. However, it didn't reach his eyes, which looked down at her searchingly.

"What is this Black Moon?" , she asked in a whisper.

Diamond turned his face to the side window.

"A night club." , he explained. "One of many that I own. But this is the largest and at the same time my residence when I don't have time to go home."

Residence. That sounded strange, but somehow suited him. Surely he had several of these so-called residences. Why not? He could certainly afford it. How rich he was. Judging by this sedan alone, it had to be a fortune.

"Are you scared?" , he asked suddenly.

Usagi shook her head.

Ok, that was a lie. Of course she was scared. Although you could call it uncertainty. Suddenly she wasn't so sure anymore whether it was really a good idea to trust this man.

"I've never been to a nightclub," she admitted.

"I thought so." Diamond looked at his watch, a huge shiny silver thing that had probably cost more than her father made in a year.

Her father. If he knew what she was doing here, he'd have a heart attack. After all, she was sitting with an adult man in a car that was on a direct route to the heart of the red-light district.

"We're here." , said Diamond.

The car stopped in front of a large, brightly-lit building.

Usagi stared out the window. Well, that wasn't what she had imagined a nightclub to be.

The facade of the tall building was painted in a warm yellow tone and, with its many large windows, was more reminiscent of a hotel. In contrast to the buildings next to it with their huge flashing and glowing billboards, it seemed almost inconspicuous.

"I don't believe in clichéd advertising." , Diamond explained before opening the car door. Apparently he recognized the look on her face.

Only seconds later he had circled the vehicle and opened her door, even held out his hand to get out of the car.

If Usagi hadn't known that a yakuza boss was taking her to one of his establishments, she would almost have felt like a movie star on the way to the premiere. Even a red carpet was available, as well as the curious-looking passers-by and the dark-clad bodyguards with their broad shoulders and scowling eyes.

"Welcome to the Black Moon." Diamond spoke almost in awe as the large ornate black double doors were opened.

Usagi held her breath.

The last time she stood on such a threshold, a sight awaited her behind it that she would probably never forget. In that regard, she was ready for anything.

Just not that.

The entrance hall was bathed in warm, cozy light. The walls were painted gray and the furniture, many individual black armchairs, which were arranged around several shiny black tables, looked modern. But all in all it was really nice.

This could have been the reception room of a large company.

Even the guests didn't allow any conclusions to be drawn about the reason for their visit. They were normal businessmen, some even had documents on the table in front of them.

"I imagined such a club to be somehow different.", whispered Usagi to Diamond, who replied with a smile: "I said once before that I don't like to fulfill clichés."

He showed her to follow him. Usagi could hardly take her eyes off the strange scenario.

She didn't gel when she said she'd never been to a nightclub. However, she had seen films. And in all films, such stores were the same. Red walls, diffuse lighting, and half-naked women sitting on the laps of greedily grinning old men.

The only women she could see here wore perfectly normal clothes, perhaps a little elegant, but certainly not provocative.

"Tell me, are they really ... ", she said no further. Not because she couldn't think of a word to match, but because these terms didn't really go with the pretty ladies.

"Animated ladies, yes." Diamond strode down a long hallway that ended in front of a shiny black door. There was a silver sign that said "Private" on it.

Diamond flicked an inconspicuous switch on the wall, and a faint click was heard.

The door opened as if by magic and Diamond stepped inside.

"What is that?", Usagi looked curiously around the large windowless room.

Two walls were covered by huge bookshelves, the third was dominated by an oversized television. In the middle of the room was an empty, shiny black desk. There wasn't even a lamp or at least a small plant on it.

"My personal office.", Diamond closed the door, leaned against it with his hand and now stood right next to Usagi.

"And now take off your clothes." He smiled evil.

She turned white as a sheet.