My Career in Organized Crime is Tragic As Expected

by Napoleon1815

Part 3: The Tokyo City Story; When a mob boss is pitted against new, interesting characters with just as much wits and ambitions as him, what happens? This is a tale of crime, intrigue, love, betrayal and family. (Crossover Oregairu X Classroom of the Elite X Love is War, and cameo character appearances from other series)

27. Part 2 - Chapter 2

CHAPTER II

…

Back in the 1970s, metropolitan cities like Tokyo and Yokohama were golden. It was the heyday of the Yakuza. Mafiosos were everywhere. They were in the casinos. Grand theatres. Rug joints. Chinese restaurants. They were the spectators of the baseball Central Leagues. They ran sports betting and the lottery. They supplied the supermarkets and controlled the entertainment industry. Politicians could come to the Yakuza to ask for favours. They got their storefront offices, sound systems and the annual vote support and political backing. There was once an incident when the Yakuza paraded vans equipped with loudspeakers to broadcast a certain politician's endearing qualities. No good. It ended up backfiring - it produced the opposite effect, damaging the guy's reputation. In any case, those were the days when the Yakuza was the second government in Japan, on par with the Italian-American Mafia, the Chinese Triads, and the Colombian cartels. But that was all in the past. These days, organized crime was nipped at the bud right from the start by the government. This was no place for Yakuza-like syndicates to thrive in. It was like trying to grow a flower in the middle of an asphalt road. It's all but impossible.

When the Chiba Outfit took over virtually all of the illicit activity in the city and to an extent, the surrounding Chiba prefecture, we found ourselves with a clean slate. Chiba was one of the nicest places you could ever visit in Japan. It was like New York, without the crime and controversy. In short, it was a place brimming with opportunities. It's like we're looking at a loaded treasure chest. Law enforcement was adequate in Chiba, and Yakuza presence had never been the strongest there. So when we rooted ourselves in the middle of it all, it was business right away. Working-class, densely populated urban sections like Sakaecho and Fujimi in Chiba, Goi district in Ichihara, Fujisaki district in Narashino, or Sodegaura city and Kisarazu city, and the bayside areas overlooking Tokyo Bay undoubtedly helped nurture the newest generations of mobsters that was neither Yakuza nor the average boryokudan - Outfitters. These places became spawn grounds for aspiring hustlers. In mob-controlled areas like Sakaecho, mobsters weren't only encouraged - they were cared for. Even the supposedly law-abiding citizens - the postmen, schoolteachers, bus depot dispatchers, garbage collectors, housewives and the occasional disciplinary officers from the local precinct - all kept an eye out to protect their local hoods.

Many of the residents grew up with people who were now our associates in the Chiba Outfit. They had friends, family members and spouses who happened to be a mobster. They went to school with these people. In the area, it was impossible to think of betraying old friends - even if they grew up to be racketeers. Besides, there was a benefit that came with living under the protective umbrella of the Chiba Outfit. Since we took over business in the city, there hadn't been a case of street muggings, burglaries and purse-snatchings. Nada. Let alone rapes - violent crimes, at least the type our own guys hadn't carried out, were non-existent in mob-controlled areas. There were too many eyes watching the streets. Everyone noticed the slightest nuances in the community, be it an unrecognizable car driving into the area or a garbage pickup at the wrong hour. Our guys would swarm like ants at the first sign of trouble. And in a way, there was a subtle mutuality between us and the police. After all, we did help keep order in the city by taking care of the dirty business.

Manuel Ieyori, now the top boss of the Chiba Outfit, had a vast list of contacts with the police, lawyers, bail bondsmen, town mayors, labor union managers and businessmen, allowing us to run our operations smoothly. But even before Manny became the mob boss he is now, he already had been bribing cops for years in his bootlegging business. Truth is that cops don't make a lot of money, and that's the reason for bribery. For a long time Manny was practically sending the kids of policemen to college with the money he bribed them to look the other way. It was a win-win. After all, what's the point in arresting guys who were just trying to do the same thing: earn a living for the family? Taking out people like Manny would be killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Besides, they weren't exactly a public menace. All of the operations were carefully devised. Of course, we were raping the system of money and resources, but that's how it is. The surest way to remain poor is to be an honest man.

Then I began working on my notion to control the labor unions. I knew that it was going to blow up into a grand scheme that would make a lot of money, but I didn't know it would go even farther than just money. I wanted to get a hold of the construction unions. The cutters' union. The truckers' union. All of it. The unions are exactly what its name implies: an organized group of working-class people who work under companies and the government. They were the base of society. But I was overwhelmed on where to start. I inadvertently ended up aiming my sights on the Yukinoshita Constructions company.

I knew the Yukinoshita were wealthy and owned a banking and construction firm, but I didn't know what companies exactly until I did quick information work. What mattered was that I found a suitable target to apply my first scheme on. It was nothing personal at all. It was business. The plan was to place our people - our mob associates inside the unions and eventually, within the company itself.

I had come up to Narashino that day to meet with some of our associates in the construction industry. Manny had put in a good word or two about me and used his connections to acquaint me with people who would be crucial to my plans. At first I reckoned it would be a difficult start, having to climb up all the way to get in touch with a union representative, but our boss's contacts made everything exponentially easier. I had already begun the first actions to the scheme. Hanzo was placing our guys inside the sites. I was going to meet with a certain union boss at that party, but I happened to cross paths with very familiar people.

It was in that social club in Narashino that I'd once again met my homeroom teacher from back in high school. It has been quite a while since I last saw her, but she immediately recognized me. I was walking around the fancy lounge room when I heard a feminine voice address me. "Oh my, if it isn't Hikigaya Hachiman." A tall, elegant-looking woman with dark hair and in a fine black dress caught my attention.

My lips immediately parted in surprise as I smiled. "Hiratsuka-sensei. It's good to see you here, ma'am. How have you been?"

We both approached each other and I lightly embraced my former sensei. Shizuka Hiratsuka wrapped her arms around me a bit too tightly, and giggled. "There's no need to be so formal!" She said. She paused and looked at me excitedly. "I nearly didn't recognize you. You're a fine young man now."

I was a bit timid. "Well, not exactly."

Hiratsuka-san noted how I was wearing unusually exquisite clothes, and teased if I was a lawyer now. I didn't think so; I was wearing a dark three-piece suit, but without a tie. I had a bellhop take away my blue overcoat, as it was rather crude to be wearing such inside the room. "If you dressed like this during high school, it's easy to see girls falling all over you. What brings you here? How is your family?" She asked subsequently.

"They're all right," I said. "As soon as my sister finished her third year of high school my family traveled to the States where Komachi is now studying. She's in her first year of college. It's not even a year since they'd left, now that I think of it." I then explained the purpose of my presence in this evening's party. "There are some people I'd like to acquaint myself with. I'm here on business matters."

Hiratsuka-san was impressed. "Business, you say? Aren't you already in your third year of college? You've come a long way indeed. Do you still work in that bar with Kawasaki-chan?"

I told her that I didn't anymore. "But I still work at one. I'd only recently been promoted as the manager of this nightclub in the city. Well, I guess I technically owned the joint now, but it's nothing," I said quietly. This was a fact, as Mr. Bo, one of the members at the high table of the mob gave to me the RePublic club in Fujimi to run, as a token of our friendship. In that way, I now owed him a favour, which was practically the whole point of the gesture. Finally, and I'd never thought I'd see this day come, I was working at a place that I actually owned.

"Very good," Hiratsuka-san chuckled, pleased to see how I had turned out. "What'd I tell you? Hard work pays off. That's really good, because now you can help out with the family. Your parents must be very proud of you."

I merely gave a curt nod. Another madam joined us, appearing beside Hiratsuka-san. She had soft gray hair that was tied back into a bun and a wrinkled face. She wore a red dress and a sophisticated hat of the same brilliant color. Her eyes were of a dark green hue, which reminded me of someone familiar. She seemed of old age, but gave off a radiance in her character. A certain charisma. When she smiled at me, it was very welcoming. I then began to recognize her. She was none other than Miyako Miura, the grandmother of Yumiko Miura.

Miyako-sama was very sharp, instantly recollecting who I was. "Why, it's you, Hikigaya-san."

I gave a slight bow towards her and greeted her politely. "Good evening, Miura-sama."

"My, haven't you grown taller since the last time I saw you!" In a fond gesture, she extended a warm hand to my cheek and smiled. "I heard that you and my granddaughter Yumi-nee have been getting along together very well. Is that true?" I opened my mouth to speak, but instead nodded. "You're very kind, I am glad that Yumi-nee has a friend to keep her company."

"Hikigaya-san is beginning to establish himself well," Hiratsuka-san said. Miyako-sama glanced towards me again and raised her eyebrows, her interest piqued. "He's running a business of his own now. Look at him, doesn't he resemble Saito-kun, Miyako-chan?"

"He does look a bit like him," Miyako-sama hummed. "Do you take after your father, or your mother?"

"I take more after my mother's side," I answered softly.

Hiratsuka-san and Miyako-sama appeared to be on friendly terms with each other, almost as if they were equals. At the moment, as far as I knew Hiratsuka-san had quit her job in teaching to pursue a different career, one that she was more proficient in. And I knew that the matriarch of the Miura family was esteemed and reputable herself. While the three of us exchanged small pleasantries, it had slipped from my attention that there was more to this evening than I would've anticipated.

When I glanced round the extravagantly furnished room, my eyes locked onto a figure that I'd have only seen in my dreams thus far, since two years ago. The patrons and their wives milled and walked about the room, their footsteps muffled by the rouge carpet on the floor. It was easy to lose oneself in the crowd, and even tricky to distinguish one from another. But it was as if there was an innate sense that guided me to her. There on the mezzanine overlooking the ballroom, was none other than Yukino Yukinoshita.

She was wearing a dress that from any angle would complement her figure. The deep blue silk of her dress swayed gracefully as she neared the staircase. Yukino looked just as beautiful as the last time I'd seen her - maybe even more. She was elegant. Her body cut a slender but delicately amorous figure, like a true lady of the aristocracy. Her azure eyes exhibited a cool and demure aura, as she gazed at her surroundings. She didn't notice me. Beside him was a tall, handsome man in a dark gray suit. I never saw him before. He wore a pair of glasses and had a piercing but composed attitude that emanated from his eyes. It was a surprise to see the two together. To be honest, I'd expected to see Yukino with Hayato more than with this new mysterious fellow. When I saw Yukino wrap her arms around the guy's arm and lean in to plant a kiss on his cheek, I nearly gasped. I felt something sharp punch through my chest.

Ignoring my inadvertent reaction, I composed myself. I thought I might've shattered the glass of champagne in my hand from the sudden force I exerted. My two acquaintances noticed the look in my eyes shift into a darker undertone, as I wrinkled my nose.

Miyako-sama was attentive. She stepped closer to me and said, "you know that young lady, don't you? I can tell just from the way you glanced at her."

"Ah, that's a lady," I chuckled and sighed longingly, "a lady who can catch the attention of everyone in the room. Can I help myself? Who can resist but to glance at her and admire her?"

We stood still for a good moment, admiring the said lady, who was Yukino Yukinoshita. It had only been a little over two years since I saw her, and not so long since I had talked with her. I felt a desire to approach her, but a part of my mind told me it wasn't the proper circumstance. Seeing her with another guy, in a way that seems to be beyond the line of companionship, discouraged me.

Miyako-sama said quietly, "a woman like that can be as difficult, as she is elegant."

For a moment I was irked by her remark, but immediately sensed her meaning. I let out a soft laugh. "How do you say so?" I said, still looking at Yukino from a distance.

"The more delicate the flower, the more sensitive it is to nature," she continued. "And a woman like Yukinoshita-chan, someone of class and refinement, is accompanied by appropriate standards. The rich belong with the rich. That is society."

I shrugged. "That's true."

Hiratsuka-san was delighted to see another of her former students. "Come, Hikigaya-kun, let's go say hello to your friend." She beckoned me to follow.

"Please, you go on ahead, Hiratsuka-san. I have to go and see someone I need to speak with," I reasoned. The truth was that I didn't have the guts to face Yukino now. Rather, I lost the will to. She went ahead towards Yukino, while I began to walk alongside Miyako-sama down an open doorway into the other room.

I asked if she knew who that bespectacled man was.

"That fellow is Mr. Manabu Horikita," Miyako-sama told me. "He's the newest editor of the Yomiuri Shimbun. His father was the former editor-in-chief, and now he has retired and had handed over the honors to his son." She glanced at me before looking forward. I was listening quite intently now. "Horikita-san is engaged to Yukinoshita-chan, if that's what you want to know." Somehow, I had already figured. But Miyako-sama noticed the slight expression on my face. "I'm surprised you didn't know about that," she said quietly. "It hasn't been too long since they've met. Both of the Yukinoshita sisters are getting married soon."

"Why?" I simply asked.

Miyako-sama giggled at my rather blunt question. I could've asked when or where or even how, but at that moment all I longed for was an explanation. It all came to me as too sudden. I entertained the possibility of Yukino getting married - it is an often accepted truth that a young woman of breeding and in possession of a good fortune must be married - but I didn't expect it all to come too soon. Miyako-sama didn't answer. The silence already served to vivify my presumptions.

"Do you know anyone else here?"

"Not exactly," I answered.

"Well, who are you meeting this evening then?" Miyako-sama asked.

"You might happen to know the union boss Sagawa Kino? Well, I have to deal with him."

"The construction union official from Chiba?" She was intrigued. "They'd just got a contract under the Yukinoshita Constructions company, hadn't they?"

"Yes they have, Miura-sama. They're putting up a new high-rise in the city. I happen to have connections with the union, and I want the project to be as profitable for everyone as possible."

"Profitable," she smiled and glanced at me, piqued. "You are clever. Well then, if I may ask, what are your plans?"

"I'm a simple man, really. I want the same thing everyone else in this room wants. Success."

Finally, Miyako-sama bid farewell. "Have a good evening, Hikigaya-san. Will you say hello to Yumi-nee for me?"

I gave a slight bow and nodded. "Of course. Have a good evening as well, Miura-sama."

It had soon occurred to me that it wasn't a coincidence if I was to find the three families - namely, the Miuras, the Yukinoshitas and the Hayamas - at the same socialite party. Piecing together information that I had gathered thus far, the three families share a seemingly close connection with each other. And considering what Miyako-sama sama had just divulged to me, with the eldest Yukinoshita daughter getting married off to the Hayama Hayato, it was only obvious that there was soon going to be a closer tie between the families. And Miyako-sama, she must be holding a supreme position of some sort judging from the way the guests paid their respects to her.

A little bar serving beverages stood in one corner of the grandiose room, and while asking for a refill of wine, I'd spotted the man I was supposed to talk with. That man was known as Sagawa Kino, a union boss who'd procured a contract under a construction firm owned by the Yukinoshitas. They were working on a forty storey sky-rise up in Tsubakimori, near Chiba park. New buildings were popping up all over the city. The number of foreign investors and budding firms were growing. Conveniently, he was a close associate of one of our guys. I got him onboard the scheme and struck a deal.

The Yukinoshitas might control the company, but they had only so much influence over the unions. Even if there was a different union boss, one that was loyal to the company, it was not so difficult to depose him and replace him with one of our guys. There was a process; you went through the list. I know this guy. I know that guy. You got in touch with someone who knew a guy inside the union. That guy went to someone he can trust. Eventually, you had guys within the union council on your side. It was a chain process. Slowly, you get closer to the top, the boss. You want to get the majority of the council under your influence, but even more so, the support and obedience of the workmen in the union. I summoned Donato to Chiba and had him carry out the plan.

Sagawa Kino was anxious. He asked me, "what did your boss say? Have you got Ieyori-san's approval already?"

I was incredulous. I chuckled lightly and said, "well, being the right-hand man in the mob means I don't often have to ask for anyone else's approval. Is that clear?" Sagawa-san shook his head profusely. "Now, the other union bosses will follow, yes?"

"Yes sir," he replied.

"Don't call me sir. 'Hachiman' is all right." I gestured with a finger to him, patiently explaining. "I want you to talk the committee into aligning with us. Be subtle with it." My tone of voice became a bit more serious. "And don't try to deceive me. Let me promise to you Sagawa-san that you'll be relieved of your position before you even know about it if you try, so don't mess with us. This cooperation will benefit us all. If the other union officials refuse, I'll deal with them. It should be apparent that you're either with us, or against us. Which is it, Sagawa-san?"

"I'm with you," he confidently said. Sagawa-san crossed his arms and thought. "But it's not going to be easy to talk down the other officials. And it's going to be even more dangerous to go on strikes. People are going to get hurt. The Yukinoshitas have strikebreakers, private enforcers and there'll be pickets."

"You overestimate them and deprecate our capabilities. Do not worry about it. I'll have my guys work alongside you. If they try to break the strike… let them try. How much is the construction worth?"

"The new high-rise is worth at around a hundred billion yen- "

"Then say we'll take two, three percent. That gives us two billion yen. It's a fair deal. You get your cut, we get our money. I'm a fair man, it's a fair offer. Everyone wins." I was pleased and grinning all over. Sagawa-san on the other hand was still skeptical, and it couldn't be helped. This was risking his job after all.

"And the workers?"

"What about them?" I squinted at him, ignoring his concern. "You're too kind. Leave them alone."

I leaned onto the side of the countertop and drifted off into a brief reverie. Sort of like in chess, the idea was to get the pieces in a position where they can take full advantage and exercise their power. When we control the unions, we could squeeze money out of the company. How, you ask? During construction work, the company hires a union of builders, steelworkers, bricklayers, carpenters, etc. They pay the union, which then pays its members - the workmen. There are plenty of ways to get money from the unions. The usual rackets - we could extort money, place our own people inside the union in high positions or in no-show jobs where they'd earn a lot of money. But most of all, it's the collective power of the workers that was very appealing to me. We could force the company to pay us money by ordering the unions to walk out and go on a strike. When there's a strike, all construction work seizes. It's like a brain seizure that immediately paralyzes business. It'll cause great distress for the company. They're investing money on a project that's supposed to be profitable, not a hole that sucks in their finances. Eventually, they'd learn that it's better to pay mobsters like us the money we demand than have to deal with the massive damage that the strikes and walk-outs could cause.

I had the union boss raise the wages, funding requirements - an unreasonable demand that would surely prompt an aggravated response. There was no way the company was going to nod to that. But what they don't know is that I don't have any intention of giving the fund increase to the workers at all - the money was going straight into our coffers. As soon as the construction union was virtually under our control, I was going to order them to strike, therefore forcing a concession.

It would be a sudden stroke of defiance. The Yukinoshitas had always kept an iron hold on the unions they employed. They stifled the strikes. They sent private strike-breakers and picket-men to disperse any notion of a revolt. But I already had wiseguys placed in to fight on the side of the unionists. If the strikebreakers want to play it rough, then two can play that game. I entrusted the unscrupulous, often bone-breaking dirty work to my lieutenants. They knew what to do and took care of the rest. I knew they could also switch to another union, so I immediately started to work on sticking my scheming hands inside the other unions in the city. I was going to monopolize the labor unions.

We would create a presence so disruptive, they'll want nothing but peace. And there's going to be only one outcome in this scheme.

Having finally settled matters straight, it was time for me to leave. Sagawa Kino assured me that things would work out on his part. All that was left now was to begin my opening move. Slipping into a tangent, I thought I hadn't seen Yukino's sister yet. Not even Hayama Hayato, who was unmistakable even in a crowd. Not that I was anticipating to see them. I noticed there was always some sort of subtle line connecting Haruno and Hayama, but that I could not exactly discern. By hindsight, it wasn't a surprise that the two were now engaged to each other, given that they were both the first-borns of their family.

Just then - and somehow, I already expected this - I crossed paths with a certain devil of a woman. Feigning ignorance, I slowly turned away to slip, but she stepped in front of me. It was none other than Haruno Yukinoshita. Her eyes were rosy and coquettish, and her rouged lips were smirking. Her shoulder-length brunette locks were fine as silk. She wore a blouse and a turquoise skirt, and on her feet were a pair of high heels. Her voice was, as always, soft and seductive.

Haruno tilted her head and gazed at me searchingly. "That's too cold of you, not even bothering to say hello to your favorite onee-chan."

"Hello," I sighed, finally facing her. "Are you happy now?"

Haruno smiled sweetly. "It's been ages since I last saw you. I must say, I've quite missed you, Hikigaya-kun. Did you miss me as well?"

I was dubious. "Sure," I answered in an aloof manner. She simply giggled. If there's one thing that didn't change between me and Haruno-san, it's our playful exchange and subtlety in the face of ourselves. It's even difficult now to tell if I'm being sarcastic or apathetic.

"By the way," I said, turning my attention to another direction - we were now watching her sister and her apparent fiancé, who were both still up on the mezzanine - "congratulations to your sister Yukinoshita-san. It must be a celebration for your family to have their daughter engaged to a respectable young man. Please give Yukinoshita-san my best regards, will you, Haruno-san?"

Haruno just pulled a sulky pout at me, staring curiously. "Ne, Hikigaya-kun. Didn't you used to call Yukino-chan by her first name?" She continued, "you're being too detached, you know. Why don't you go and talk to Yukino-chan yourself?"

"Let's be sensible here, it's going to be… improper for me to appear before her now."

"Improper?" She leaned closer to me, dubious of what I had said. "Or perhaps are you simply envious?" She suggested.

"Take it as you will," I said before beginning to walk away.

Haruno followed beside me friskily, putting her hands behind her and looking at me. "There's perfectly nothing wrong with being envious. It's only human to be so," she softly said. "I'm sorry that it didn't work out between you and Yukino-chan."

I resisted the impulse to sigh loudly in exasperation. Why do people say sorry for the things they have nothing to do with? It's blatantly pretentious. I told Haruno-san that she didn't have to feel sorry about anything regarding me and her sister. "Besides," I said, "it's a bit too assuming of you to say that it didn't work out between us. What gave you the idea that it's all over?"

She replied with a small smile.

After a moment, I spoke up. "Aren't you also engaged, Haruno-san?"

She smiled, her cheeks taking on a pinkish hue. "Yes, I am. I'm surprised that you know that. Have you been stalking me?"

"Word of mouth," I shortly replied. "It gets around. Congratulations to you too then."

"Why do people always congratulate those who are about to get married? Like it's automatically a good thing," she sighed, letting out a dry laugh, which I shared.

From the start, I didn't have the slightest impression that it was of Haruno's own design to get married. She certainly wasn't the kind to prefer being tied down with a man for the rest of her life.

"Well, isn't it?"

"No. It's not," she said adamantly.

"Thought as much, coming from you," I smiled. "And I'm guessing this wasn't your idea."

"You'll be surprised to find out that it was my idea to get married to Hayato-kun," she said softly. I was indeed surprised to hear that from Haruno-san. I already had guessed that it was possibly Hayama Hayato who could've been engaged with Yukinoshita Haruno, but I was still surprised. She continued, "though the truth is, I don't need a man in my life. I find it offending that my mother thinks I need a husband, now that I'm at the age where most women are 'supposed' to get married. What a load of bullshit, no?"

"You're not wrong," I shook my head. Haruno seemed disappointed for a moment but brightened up upon hearing my say. Inwardly, I wholeheartedly agreed. It's not a necessity, but more often than not, the case is that marriage is a form of securing one's future. Call it the modern survival instinct if you will. "You didn't strike me as the dependent-type of woman, Haruno-san," I said, glancing at her. "I didn't think you'd concede to your family's wishes and abandon yours."

"Oh no, I didn't. But do you really think people have a choice?" She asked, looking at me carefully. "I think so - or rather, it's more of choosing between the choices given to you by other people. In this case, it was only in my interest to marry Hayato-kun."

I remained silent. I thought about her words. After a while she spoke up again.

"After all, marriage is one thing. Love is quite another." Haruno gave a small, cryptic smile that I noticed.

I was curious at what she implied. It wouldn't be out of the ordinary for her to dislike her fiancé who happened to be the only son in the Hayama family, as typical with most arranged marriages. Though as Haruno had said, it was her idea and she'd agreed to it. It only gave me the suspicion that she had something planned up her sleeve that was the reason for her accepting to marry Hayama-san. What it was, was none of my business at all.

"You're not wrong. Love isn't exactly necessary in a marriage - at least not these days," I muttered, inciting her to giggle mirthfully.

"My, my. Aren't we quite alike, Hikigaya-kun?"

"I hope that's not the case." I laughed softly, as she pouted and stared at me bashfully. "You're not half as bad as me, and I'm not half as sophisticated or eminent as you - or wealthy, for that matter."

"We're more alike than you think," she whispered insistently.

"If you say so," I finally said.

I took out from my pocket a watch - which by habit I didn't wear on my wrist - and checked the time. "Well, I suppose I should be going now. It's getting late, and my business with being here is done. Goodbye, Haruno-san. Say hi to Yukino for me?"

"Won't you stay for a drink?" She gazed at me alluringly, as if to seduce me into giving her more of my time. "It's too early."

I shook my head, smiling lightly. "Oh no, I can't - well, I don't want to. I've got better things to do."

"Such as?"

"Well, I don't think that's any of your business."

"Mm… touché," she gives a dejected look. I started to make for the doorway out of the club - the band playing tonight was beginning to come in full swing - when I heard her call my name one last time.

"Hachiman, will I be seeing more of you?" She asked, smiling slyly.

I shrugged. "That depends."

"Oh? Depends on what?"

"Chance, of course."

"How coy of you. Very well then, I'll see you around~" she winked at me.

I turned around and continued on my way down, chuckling to myself at the evening's subsequent events. I wasn't particularly excited at crossing paths with Haruno again, but I wouldn't say I didn't want to see her again. Also because that meant the possibility of crossing paths with Yukino and even her parents. Not that I held any aversion or dislike towards them, but simply because there's no necessary reason to. It was interesting that Haruno, relatively speaking in the least, liked my presence, but she'd always been that way as far as I knew her: sly. Intriguing. And occasionally, when she lets down her mask of refinement, cold and devious.

.

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A.N. Part 2 is going to be relatively easier for me to write, now that I've written the background - albeit still a shitstorm of a part 1 that needs to be fixed - of Hachiman. finally, now we're getting started..