Warm and comfortable, Takasugi stared at the hazey image of the gold outlined window beside his bed. Awareness was creeping up in the back of his mind, expedited by the weight across his shoulders and the back of his head. The odd sensation of what should have been the mattress and pillow, moving with his breath, but simultaneously softer and firmer.
Breathing.
Was that a leg beside his?
Panic hit him. A woman, in his bed, underneath him. He was draped across her; forehead buried in the crook of her neck, and with an arm tucked under the pillow behind her. Leaning up, Takasugi looked down at the form under him, and squinted through the darkness.
Her arms fell away, landing on either side of her. Her legs pressed into his thighs in an abandoned attempt to readjust and her head turned, but she didn't make a sound. Kinu. But he was going to put her back in the cell. Why was she there? His hands shot to his torso, feeling the fabric of his yukata, then his underwear. Dry. Still there. What the hell had happened last night?
Quiet as could be, the man sat back. From the look of it, Kinu didn't seem to have an issue sleeping. He didn't know why she'd been awake so long before, because she barely moved when he sat up. Takasugi snatched his phone from the bookshelf, and flipped it open. Nine twenty-three in the morning.
He wasn't sure how they'd gotten into the position he'd woken up in, but it was an interesting change of pace. The women that poured his sake never spent the night, not for lack of trying but because he didn't want them there. Like he was going to pay somebody to sleep.
Kinu wasn't supposed to be there, but he hadn't died. She wasn't trying to sneak up and murder him in his sleep, so that was a good thing. And Takasugi felt great, at least. Like he'd gotten a massage, and he thought he vaguely remembered her kneading her fingers into his shoulders, while she whispered to him in the dark.
He contemplated getting up. Rallying the group and starting that status update on the business deal with Amagi, and the status of the women they were gathering. Whether word had already gotten out of what they'd done the previous night. But what was thirty more minutes?
After a quick bathroom trip, Takasugi slipped back into the bed, intending to maintain a better distance this time. The moment he sat down, Kinu turned onto her side.
Not even a hint of waking. Carefully reaching behind himself, Takasugi flipped the desk light on the bookshelf and aimed it away from her. He lifted the protective guard of his shelf and dug out a book. Cracked his newest read in his lap and sparked his pipe.
He made it half a paragraph before his gaze drifted back to the sleeping girl. He couldn't keep her, right? That would be wrong, and immoral, he'd already said she would go home. She wasn't nearly as stern in her sleep. Her leg had curled over the covers, leaving only one under them, and the rest of the sheets free for her to hold onto. To replace him.
The main protagonist of his book was a coal miner that had stumbled upon a dark secret in the depths of the earth. One that would consume him, and compel him to commit atrocities he'd never dreamed, according to the summary.
His gaze set on the girl again as she took a breath, and her hand curled, as if grabbing something. That kiss had been amazing. For once, Takasugi wanted to cut his so called best friend. Kawakami had to have known what he'd stumbled in on, and still crashed their party.
The longer he looked, the more he wanted to touch her. He didn't know why. What he wanted to do if he did. So he looked back at the novel.
Great fiery evil. Sickening sensations and urges. That sounded about right.
Her lips were parted, ever so slightly, and he stared at them. At her, and the way her loose fist had curled, almost to her chin. The way the trails of black and blond hair framed her face and formed a shallow pool behind her and just under her. Again, he was hyper aware of the curve of her hip, then the open top three buttons of her shirt, only enough to show the dip of her collarbone and the edge of her chest.
How far would she have let him go if they hadn't been interrupted?
The thought of pressing his mouth into her flesh crossed him. Just a light peck. He wondered if her nipples were as pink as her lips. If having one in his mouth would be as twistedly satisfying and sweet as he imagined.
She'd kept that treacherous skirt on, and stockings so dark they were nearly opaque. Would it have killed her to pick a longer, looser skirt? One that wouldn't ride up her thighs and expose the edge of her garter if she contorted in his covers as she was?
Maybe her thighs would be as soft as the rest of her. Softer, even. Takasugi wondered just how sensitive she was, and if biting them would elicit the same sound he'd heard from her before. Or louder. More desperate, with his name curling through her voice.
He wanted to know what she sounded like when she begged. The sound she'd make if he bit the spot that made her jump when he grabbed it; just over her hip. Just looking at her he could feel himself swelling. Again. God damn it. It throbbed and he tore his gaze away, head down, and book over himself. Even if he couldn't actually have her, he just wished he could use her mouth. Just once.
She needed to go home.
Placing his book on the stand beside him, Takasugi eased back under the covers. It wasn't like he couldn't control himself. It was just some girl, that happened to be in his bed, asleep. If he was still tired, he could just lay down. It wasn't like he had to touch her. Or look at her.
The man grabbed the edges of the sheets and tossed them over Kinu's form. There. Covered. Completely decent. Now he could focus. Rest a little more, or try to read. That's exactly what he intended when she moved. Apparently, taking away her imaginary body pillow of covers prompted her to seek out another vulnerable form, because her hand stretched out. Bumped him. And then she sank forward. Directly into him. Arm up, Takasugi eyed the girl pressed against his side.
Practically clinging to his stomach. He could control himself. He wasn't looking at her chest.
Now what? Takasugi was trapped. Why was she like this; how needy was she? He took hold of the arm bridged across himself and lifted it. Only meant to move her, but as he did, his eye settled on the unlatched button of her cuff. The pink skin peeking from under it.
He glanced at Kinu. Sleeping. Completely unaware. It wasn't like he was doing anything. It was natural curiosity. He just wanted to see. To know, without a doubt. Carefully, the man sat up, making sure that Kinu didn't stir when he rolled the fabric back. It was loose enough. The usual black wraps were deemed unnecessary when she wore long sleeves. Saved him a step.
When Takasugi turned her wrist over, his thoughts went silent. He examined the dark scabs that he'd known would be there. Not all fresh. Healing. But some were puckered and lined in pink. He could see more healed scars than he was willing to count. Faded, but darker than the rest of her. No wonder she covered it. Even healed, it would be unsightly.
It would never fade, and his stomach churned as he looked at the fresh characters and words staring back at him. All self deprecating. There were three, but one stood out to him. A simple word that didn't mean much.
He pulled her sleeve down. Didn't want to see anymore.
Kinu's arm plopped back over his stomach as he scooted down in the bed, and she made a little sound, more of a breath than anything. He hated her.
He hated her so much, as he turned towards her and she sank into his shoulder, completely unaware of how infuriated he was with her. She was awful. To herself. To society as a whole, having no pity to spare others of whatever she felt, or whatever had made her this way. And she was so detestably fragile he wanted to intentionally break her. Snap her out of it.
"Gross, huh?"
Her voice came as a surprise, but her eyes didn't open. He couldn't talk to her right now. Instead, Takasugi flipped off the desk light behind them, and she curled into him, tucked under his chin, as if they had been sleeping all along. He stared at the golden outline of the window, half expecting Kinu to speak in her own defense. Instead, she let him think on it. Remember the words. Engrave them into his mind. And then she was asleep again, and he was wide awake. Stuck on what he'd already known would be there.
The noontime sun was hidden behind dense layers of gray clouds that swirled in a dance of uncertainty. Not a single drop of rain had fallen, but humidity hung in the air and for once, a cool breeze cut the bitter heat of late summer. Kawakami and Takasugi had taken to the deck only an hour before to discuss the issues in their plan.
"Even if we make it on that ship, Shinsuke, he's going to run. After what he did…"
Nobu Nobu was at least smart enough to know that his betrayal would result in death. Eventually. Even as the new figurehead of the country, it was a pointless endeavor for him to take power, or run. Takasugi knew Kawakami was right. He still intended to creep up like a ghost from the shadows, though. After personally warning Nobu Nobu what would happen in the event that he got too cocky and tried to throw the delicate balance of the ultimate empire Takasugi was trying to overthrow, it was only natural. Natural that Takasugi cut him down.
That would be the most amusing, gaudy political statement Takasugi could make. Within days of ascending to power, a new shogun killed. Just like the last. Word of Shige Shige's demise was plastered across every news source in the country from the sound of it, and it was satisfying to say the least. Especially after the fight Gintoki's little group had put up to defend him.
After being dismissed, at that. It was almost ironic.
The door slid open, and for a second, Takasugi tore his gaze from the sparkling sea below.
"Shinsuke-sama, Amagi sent word about the deal." Matako eased to his side, far closer than necessary. Nearly leaning over him. "He said that he approves of your choice, and that you should arrange a meeting."
"What?" That didn't make any fucking sense. Takasugi hadn't sent for him. He didn't have a wife to give to Amagi yet, but he still had plenty of time to find one.
"Yeah, he seemed pretty excited about his inheritance. Said that she was poor enough to convince his father, and pretty enough to seem like a real match."
That sounded off.
"I didn't send him anything." He stated, frowning at the pair on the deck. Matako returned the look, not sure what to make of the statement, or the message she'd just seen. Likewise, Kawakami mirrored her confusion. Opened his phone, no doubt to try to pull the feed from the ship display up.
"Have we gotten word on the trade request?" Kawakami asked, and Takasugi looked back to the ocean as Matako perked up.
"They said they'd let us know if they found a girl matching the description. There was a dancer that was pretty close, but they refused to sell her." Matako sighed after speaking and leaned onto the rail. The pink fabric of her sleeves brushed against Takasugi's hand and he lifted his pipe.
"Then what's he on about?" Takasugi flipped his own phone open and scrolled through the icons. He took another dreg of tobacco and connected to the ship, linking the video feed and there it was. Eleven thirteen in the morning, RE:Arrangement. Amagi's face was frozen on his signature smile, but that didn't fool Takasugi for a second.
As he opened the feed, Matako leaned over his shoulder, but he stayed in place. Ignored the yellow blob of ponytail in the corner of his eye. Kawakami took post on his other side.
Amagi's video was on the short side. Three, nearly four minutes. He was seated in an overly ornate conference hall, framed with with deep redwood walls that had been carved with plum blossoms.
"Good morning, I trust you're well on your end. Father has been watching his soap operas again, and I've realized that any old woman won't do." That's why he'd given them a list of requirements. They weren't picking any person, they were looking for one that matched the description. Even if they were planning on just buying a woman and handing her over. It'd be like a house flipping show. Destitute to rich and well fed.
Any woman in that position would have jumped at the opportunity to be free, even if it was with Amagi breathing down her neck. And if he thought they were free beforehand, he would hardly have any issue if she, for some reason, walked out in a year or two, which they would hint at in passing.
"So I've decided to be more involved with this request, and I must say, I'm pleased with the one you're grooming. I can almost taste the money, you know?" He laughed. "I'm sure you already know, but samurai have always fascinated me. The daughter of an ex patriot has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Tragic and classy." What? Takasugi didn't know anybody like that. "Dunno where she's been, though. I've tried to visit her again, and her mother told me she's not in. I really hope it's to strip that god awful black dye from her hair."
It was Kinu. He was talking about her, as though Takasugi was going to offer her up as a sacrificial lamb for the slaughter. Like she was stable enough for that.
"Either that, or go fully black and dye her eyebrows. But then she'd look like a corpse… A little make up and she'll be normal. Less pale, and… eh." The man's hand popped up, as if adding emphasis on the eh.
"As it turns out, I've already got connections with her. They're loose, but convincing. When I tried to buy her out, she didn't even consider it; maybe it's a samurai thing. You know, honor and all that foolishness. You can probably relive the war with her father over a few drinks to set up an official viewing, and I'll make sure you have access to the gathering. Well, till then."
Takasugi stared at the phone as the screen went black and a replay button appeared over it.
What had just happened?
In an information overload, he remained perfectly still as Matako and Kawakami looked to him for a reaction. That drunk couldn't be a patriot. Kinu had said nothing about that. Sure, she'd claimed the sword ban ruined her family, somehow, but...
Had somebody been following him? He doubted that was possible without his noticing, if that was the case, Amagi would have known Takasugi had been alone with the girl more often than not, and wouldn't have wasted time on this message. He'd know Kinu was stowed away on Takasugi's ship.
There had to be more to this story. The image of Amagi grinning in front of those plum blossom carvings stared back at him, and he snapped his phone shut, as if it would erase the message altogether.
Assuming from his tone, it sounded as though he needed Takasugi's influence to secure the girl as his own, and that rubbed the one eyed man the right way, for once. If Amagi needed Takasugi, that meant she probably hadn't thrown herself at Amagi. Knowing the older man, if she had, he would have run off in the background to cut the middleman.
"It seems he's jumped the gun on this one, Shinsuke." Kawakami already knew the problem. In the corner of Takasugi's gaze, he could see Matako's blue eyes peering up at him. "It was a logical conclusion. The easiest way to get this over with. You'd been going almost every night, I thought you were priming her, too. Until Abuto."
"You'd been… going every night?" Matako echoed, but Takasugi had heard enough. No, he hadn't. Takasugi popped in when he had a moment to play, or was bored. That wasn't every night, it was more like every few nights. Every other night, maybe. Almost every night, but sometimes he'd stay in and do other things, that wasn't the point, he wasn't on trial here! He set his phone down, no longer in the mood for forming a response. His confusion had long transformed into something sharp, that scorched the pit of his stomach.
What a fucking idiot. Amagi was out of his mind if he thought Takasugi was handing that girl over to him. Still, as he looked back to the ocean below, he couldn't help but think that he should have known better. Being around her was going to suck her into his affairs, whether he wanted her there or not.
Next time, it probably wasn't going to be a coincidence if he didn't handle this immediately. Amagi wasn't living in the real world. He was a spoiled rich asshole that got everything he wanted. Hell, he'd probably never heard the word no in his life, but this was out of the question. A hard line.
"This may get ugly." Almost to himself, Takasugi murmured the words. He could feel Matako's wide eyes, burning a hole into his side. Kawakami nodded once, slowly. Over the edge of his sunglasses, Takasugi could see the man's golden irises boring into him. Fully aware of what he had already done, and what he wanted. "Matako, see if the agency has anybody in the age bracket. Forget their hair, eye color, and everything else. If he wants to be active, he can choose for himself."
"Just not from your pile?" A sharp glare was cast Kawakami's way, and he laughed. Shook his head and held one hand up as if to say it was an innocent joke.
"There's no pile." Takasugi muttered. "He's watching more closely than we realized." Silence fell over the trio, and they looked between each other. "If he had somebody watching us, it was only to find his target." Takasugi drew his pipe to his lips. Kawakami hummed a tone of acknowledgment and said back.
"Then is it farfetched to assume he's sent her a stalker?"
"Maybe. Only one way to find out."
"Shinsuke-sama… Why can't we just give him her? It would be the perfect match. Easy. She's already here, in her cell, right? This doesn't have to be complicated." God, she had no idea. Kinu was in his bed. Sleeping. She'd practically passed out, and hadn't stirred again when he left her. It was already complicated.
Matako was still frowning up at him. As if she didn't understand, or refused to acknowledge the obvious implications. Kawakami knew exactly what Takasugi was thinking. He probably heard it in his tune, the dreaded give away that only he could sense. It was the least important question right now, and Takasugi stared down at Matako, all too aware of her hurt which would be no better with actual confirmation.
"Bansai, contact him and arrange a live meeting to straighten this out. She's not for sale." With that, Takasugi walked from the deck, back into the ship. He didn't look back at Matako, but he didn't feel even the slightest tinge of guilt. Kawakami could clean up whatever mess was made of her emotions. He always did. Knew that Takasugi would do him a favor and let him. He heard them after he closed the door; moving together so Kawakami could snake an arm around her and say whatever comforting words sounded convincing.
They had both been aching, but he thought Kawakami had it worse; watching her throw herself at his friend day after day. Takasugi had been careless. Any woman he'd spoken to would have been Amagi's target, and he should have known. Takechi needed to be updated as well, to come up with a solid plan fixed around what Takasugi was already thinking.
The better half of the afternoon was spent coming up with alternatives. Takechi's planning was usually reserved for actual fights, but in this case, he was equally useful with deciding the next best course of action as far as the meeting was concerned.
"If we can't be there in person, we could try to slip one man in." He tapped his finger against the paper in the center of the table, and Matako leaned in for a better view as Takechi scanned over the group around him. "With a camera, one planted in something small, like a necklace, or even a topknot, if needed, we'll be able to see everything. We could record, or watch it live."
He sat back as Takasugi sparked his pipe, and eyed the newest course of action. The back up plan, if the Amagi deal fell through.
"With a ship that large and with important guests, they'll have scout boats around. We can't crash in without a fight. Shinsuke-dono, if you insist on going in person, we'd have to use at least four decoy boats to get an opening, and each boat will be lost, as well as the men on them." Takechi flipped the paper over, and pointed to a poorly drawn diagram of a basic ship defense mechanic. One on each side, one over, one under. They'd have at least six extra watchers, to ensure their safety.
"We're not sacrificing that many men for one traitor." The one eyed man crossed his arms. Had to think on it. "Are any of the men qualified to get into that meeting, or do we have to build one up?"
"This may sound a bit forward, but we could use your… That woman." Takechi met Takasugi's gaze, and he felt that he already knew what would be said. Give her to Amagi. They'd already been over this. "Perhaps if we marketed her business right, the attention would draw them in. If Amagi-san was inclined to help her, he could get her hired to cater. She could bring us in as workers, or one of our men. As long as they didn't get caught-"
"Absolutely not." Of all the angles to approach, that was the most natural. Takasugi knew it. He knew that Matako and Kawakami were already partial to the idea, but he also knew that was far too risky. He wanted her less involved in his business, not at the heart of the matter with little to no proper defense.
"Then we'll have to see if any of the men are able…"
"We could use Sasaki. See if we could initiate a man into the Mimawarigumi and get him fired after." A long stint of silence covered the table, and Takasugi took the opportunity to steal a drag of his pipe as his words settled over the group. Even so, Takechi's ideas and suggestions were just as welcomed as ever. There were always a few flops, that was to be expected.
As they pondered the alternative course of action, the screen opposite of them lit up. An icon, Amagi's face, popped onto it, and Kawakami reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone.
"Early, but decent timing." He snapped his phone shut, and snagged the remote from the table. A single glance over his teammates earned a nod, and Kawakami answered the call. Amagi's image took the large projection over the wall. He wasted no time on greeting them. Was pulling his chestnut hair away from his face and fixing it in place. He wasn't in the usual room, instead a brick wall was behind him, and a fire escape passed by as he waved his hand towards an unseen figure out of sight.
"Just pile them, Ishii, you take over."
The man brought a cigarette to his mouth and sparked it. As soon as it was lit, he shrugged out of his jacket. His shirt, once pristine and white, was speckled red.
"None of you thought to tell me about your fued with Aso? Do you realize the damage control this is going to take?"
"It seems the person obligated to tell you failed to do so. We still have our own affairs to manage, though it looks as though you've been dragged into this one." Kawakami easily deflected the blame, and Amagi sighed a cloud of smoke over the camera before shaking his head.
"I knew that merger was too good to be true. He was a little too desperate for official backing and protection, but now the rest of his faction expect us to rally for blood. It's unexpectedly inconvenient, you know."
"We assure you, that was a necessary course of action. He had been escalating after trying to cheat us. Allowing mercy the first time was a mistake on our part. He directly and indirectly confronted us, with intent to cause serious damage."
Takasugi leaned back onto his palm as Kawakami spoke. Of course, if anybody could make them sound innocent, it was him. He made it out to be a simple course of self perseverance. Takasugi had only been angry. He didn't care about the confrontation itself, but the fact that Aso thought he could continue to pester him and get away with it. So, sure. Whatever Kawakami said.
"I get it, but you should know, they've still got a ship out, looking for you. You'll have to take that one down to be sure this is nice and clean…"
"What? Amagi-sama, ya can't be serious- Yer not gonna still work with-" Out of frame, a man's voice stole the attention of their business partner. Amagi turned to face said man, brows cinched together. "We had a deal. Aso-san needed protection, and yer gonna renege on 'im like that? What about our family? Ya can't keep workin' with-"
A pop sounded, and the members of the Kiheitai frowned up at the screen as Amagi turned back to them. Smiled.
"Pardon me, I nearly forgot his men were still here." Tucking his pistol back into the harness under his left arm, the older man chuckled to himself. "I'm blaming that one on you, just so you know. I think it was his cousin."
"Fair enough." Takasugi said, tapping the end of his pipe on the table to clear the spent ashes. That was enough pleasantries. "I assume you know this call isn't for pleasure?"
"Of course. The girl, Inoue. You've got a fine eye, I'm sure my father would be delighted with her mechanical knowledge. Imagine that; an executive party with her to charm my clients."
"Charm isn't really in her vocabulary." The one eyed man murmured, nearly rolling his eye. Yeah right. Kinu at a dinner party, sure. She'd hide under a table until it was over. Especially if he tried to parade her around.
"What Shinsuke is trying to say is that our original description didn't match her in the slightest. Kinu-chan is a personal connection of ours, in no way associated with our deal." As Kawakami spoke, the older man's face went blank. Unreadable. He stared at them, and Takasugi wasn't sure if he was hearing what they said or if it was running through his ears and lost in the atmosphere. "We have arranged for a few women to come to us, and will thoroughly examine them, and ensure their quality. When we've narrowed it down, you'll have your pick of the bunch, but Kinu-chan will not be among them."
"No. I've already looked into her and her family, and I've already spoken to her enough to know that she'd be the perfect addition. Just look at her. She's refined. Graceful. And the old man loves his doll collection; he'd be captivated. Especially if she spouted some of that mechanic gibberish and helped with a few more investments."
Kawakami looked towards Takasugi. Waited for some sort of cue, or sign that he was ready to cut the deal.
"Hell, I don't know how to manage any of this mess father's leaving behind, and I don't want to. But her, she's practically the head of her family. What would they do without her? She manages their finances, runs that shop, goes to school, and works another job on the side. Hell, she's the sole inheritor of her family's ceremonial tea form. Samurai temae, isn't that charming in itself?"
Takasugi could feel his group's eyes on him as he gazed at Amagi. He didn't know anything about that. Never asked, or pried into her actual life aside from what he needed to know. She had another job? When?! There was no time for more jobs, how the hell did she have a secret one?! No wonder she was exhausted!
"I understand if you didn't intend it this way, but I want her. You can't find another woman doing that much that isn't already a mother. With a little time, she could fit right in. It would charm my associates if my own wife could perform a tea ceremony for meetings. And how could she not love me?"
"Amagi-san, I dare say that you seem to have an idea of her that's not entirely accurate. She's incredibly young-"
"Too young! What are you, fifty? And you've been digging into her life that hard? That's creepy!" Matako's allegations weren't entirely wrong, but they weren't helping. Kawakami picked up, as though she hadn't spoken.
"Incredibly young." He stated, and Takasugi pushed a pile of tobacco into his pipe as the woman across from him shifted in place. "While everything you've said may be true, selling an associate is out of the question; especially one so volatile." Another quick look passed between Kawakami and Takasugi, and the one eyed man dipped his chin in silent permission. "We have more than enough reason to believe she's far less stable than it would appear, and that the slightest hint of threat is likely to cause a reaction that would be less than favorable for a prestigious family, such as your own."
Amagi turned his head, humming in thought. His frown deepened, and he nodded once, looking back at the camera.
"Interesting. Personally, I enjoy novelties, even if there may be a little set back… I'll give it some thought…" The door to Takasugi's room opened, and he glanced back, suddenly thankful that it was out of frame. Closer to the hallway than the room itself. Matako gaped back at the girl that was wiping her eyes as Amagi continued. "But I really do think there's potential for genuine love. Let's cut this short for now, I've got some things to handle here."
"Of course, we appreciate your time." Kawakami said, and the call was dropped. Not a second too soon, because Matako was already on her feet. She stared at Kinu, mouth ajar, but no words came forth. Just an uncomfortable silence that the oblivious Kinu unknowingly sliced through as she patted to the table. Most of the tension remained, though. The tiny greeting Kinu offered wasn't nearly enough to dissipate it, and she inquisitively looked up at Matako.
"Sorry, did I interrupt?"
"We just finished." Kawakami offered, and Kinu nodded. "Kinu-chan, is it alright if we ask you a few questions? It's nearly time for dinner, and we can do it then, but it seems you're more involved in our business than we anticipated."
The girl glanced towards Takasugi, then Takechi, and back up at the woman glaring down at her. Okay… This was awkward. She wasn't sure why, but it definitely was.
"How?" Again, the girl looked over the table. "I mean, sure, but… I'm not clear on what your business is."
"That's perfectly fine, we'll spare you the details, but we need to confirm some things. Don't think this is a threat, Shinsuke has already arranged to take you home in a few days, but we need you to work with us right now."
Kinu's brows scrunched, and she looked down at the table. The paper in the center of it. She wasn't opposed to that. As she was pondering whether she needed to speak again, a mint green box was tossed onto the table in front of her. Takasugi leaned back, and met her eye as she took hold of the mint pocky, and murmured her thanks.
The woman was still standing over her. Why?
"Uh… I should probably call my mom… And can I take a bath?"
"Yes, personal hygiene is important for young women. I think I have just the thing to fit you."
Kinu looked up at the man she'd seen at dinner the previous night. His eyes were wide open. Dead and fixed on her.
"Like hell you're gonna dress her up, Takechi-senpai. Why would you have something to fit her?" Matako snapped the words down at the man, and he looked up at her, just as blank as he'd been since Kinu had joined them.
"Women must have options. We must be prepared to accommodate female guests. I, personally, keep an arsenal of products and clothes for this exact-"
"That's not normal! That's weird!" She shouted back, stomping her foot. "And I thought she was a prisoner, why is she here?!"
Kinu squeezed her thumbs into the box of pocky in her lap. Oh. So it was a problem. She'd sort of thought that the whole criminal terrorist thing made almost anything alright…
"I'm aware of how it looked." Takasugi spoke up, and met the woman's gaze. "But that's not the case."
"He's just a jerk." Kinu muttered, glancing at Takasugi, and his eye narrowed.
"But it was super effective."
The girl rolled her eyes, and Takasugi propped his elbow on the table.
"For now, she's a privileged prisoner. Until she latches onto a jugular, or makes a mad dash for a sacrificial goat. Then we can kill her." The woman frowned, and Kinu's head tilted back, squinting at him.
"I'm afraid we just sacrificed the last one, Kinu-chan." Kawakami spoke up and Kinu switched her squint to him. Both of them? Really?
"That doesn't explain anything… She just… You both..?" The direct question never came, but was clear enough. Takasugi didn't want to do this right now. He didn't think he ever wanted to do it, actually. Women. Nothing had ever happened between them, he didn't have the time or patience to do an entire dramatic scene of why was she sleeping with you. Hell Takasugi hadn't even gotten laid.
By either of them.
Kinu was clueless, but not enough to not realize what was happening, and he wasn't risking his progress being undone so easily. They had some unfinished business, anyway. Abruptly standing, Takasugi looked over his group.
"We're done for now. Let's pick this back up over dinner, I assume that's enough time for you to compile some questions, Bansai."
An affirmative tone met Takasugi, and he started back towards his room, intentionally bumping Kinu with his foot along the way. She turned, and peered up at him. Took the hint.