Chapter 2
Disclaimer : see chapter 1
Still in the back seat of the luxurious sedan with tinted windows.
The man with the beard and moustache shook his head, his eyes showing his uncertainty.
"I don't know Leo…. Fujimiya's second son can be hard to read and predict at times.
Can't really tell what the boy is thinking."
"Don't worry." Leo assured him. "I've known Aya since he was a mere child. He is not as complicated as you think he is. He will do as we say."
"Hmmm… what about Fujimiya Inc.'s side income? Does he have any knowledge on that? As I recall, the late Fujimiya always kept the two ( legal and illegal business) separate."
"Why of course!" Leo lied smoothly. He needed to reassure this nervous client.
"Don't worry, I've Aya eating out of my hands. He kind of regards me as mentor and father figure. He will do as we say."
"Really? You're that certain?" Moustache man asked again.
"Yes." Leo replied confidently, sure that he has the only heir to Fujimiya Inc around his little finger.
Smiling, the moustache man posed another question, "And if he doesn't?"
Mitsui Leo laughed. Such silly questions! "We'll just get rid of him."
The smile on moustache man's face never faded. "Obviously Mitsui san you're holding the reins here, so why don't you just get rid of him now?"
Leo laughed again. "Not totally impossible but there are some important quarters and clients that are faithful to the Fujimiya family. You do not want to go against or lose the support of some of these people. And don't forget the broad of directors, they chose Aya
and are vital to us too."
"Very well then. I'm putting my trust and money in you." Moustache man said, extending his hand.
Leo took the offered hand and shook it firmly. "Thank you, you won't regret it. Soon our plans can be put into motion."
Both men laughed and Leo leaned forward and instructed the driver to drive.
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The next day in a park- around 6:30am….
Kudou Yohji didn't even bother to close his mouth or conceal his yawn. He opened his mouth and really yawned! Damn Hidaka and his early morning jogs! Yohji cursed for the … Yohji chuckled. He had forgotten just how many times he had cursed that soccer loving chap! Yohji yawned again and was about to curse Ken to kingdom come when he appeared, decked in full jogging attire.
"Good morning Yohji!" Ken greeted Yohji just as soon as he was sure it was safe.
"What's good about it?" Yohji snapped irritably. It was way too early for the Kudou!
"Come on Yohji! This is the only time I can…."
"Yeah, yeah! So what do you've for me?" Yohji reached for his cigarettes and lit one.
Ken wrinkled his nose in distaste before answering. "We all know who erased Takatori
from the face of the earth but somehow I've feeling that's not going to be it. You want something else or you would already sent the team to make an arrest."
"No, what we want is data, info on Fujimiya Inc's other income. We can't just nail them for the Takatori murders. I want to put them away for good! The import export business, however…. is perfectly legit. So that's a dead end. Now for dragging me here in the cold and at such an ungodly hour, please tell me you have something."
"The late Fujimiya was a careful man. No one could get hold of anything but I think
my 'hard work' in the clan these last 5 years is beginning to pay off." Ken informed his boss, Kudou Yoji, one of the most respected and hard working police officer in Japan, despite his looks.
Yohji took a long drag of his smoke. "How so?"
Ken grinned. He kept the best for last. "I've been promoted. I am now the bodyguard
for Fujimiya Aya! Yeah and that means…"
"More access to classified info!" Yohji smiled. He had made the right the choice, his instincts were always right! When Yohji first saw Ken at the police academy he knew this boy had potential and immediately recruited Ken into his undercover team as soon as
Ken graduated. So Ken was moving up in the clan! Good, soon they will be able to bring down yet another crime organization. He took another puff and said, "This is all good but …"
"Be careful and alert at all times. I know that, Yohji." Ken said with a smile.
Yohji flicked the ash of cigarette. "That's why you have to be more careful and alert."
"Yeah, yeah…" Ken got up to leave. " Listen, our meeting times may be changed, now that I'm…."
Yohji closed his eyes in mock relief. "Oh thank God! You know how to contact me, just let me know when…."
Ken nodded.
"Ken! You're in the inner circle now." Yohji said gravely, all serious now. "That means more risks. The moment you feel it's too dangerous, back out. We can always get information some other way."
"Okay, …." Ken understood and accepted the risks when he joined Yohji's team.
He's single and has no commitments, so the job was just perfect for him. "I'll contact you." Ken looked around and made sure the coast was clear before continuing with his morning jog.
Aya's house - night.
Aya tried to runaway but his legs felt like lead and were growing heavier and heavier by the minute. He turned around and saw Takatori chasing after him, pointing an accusing finger at him. Aya tried to move but was rooted to the spot. Takatori was coming nearer and nearer….
"NOOO!" Aya's eyes flew open. He looked about him and realized that this was his room and that it was just a dream. The same one he had been having for the past week. Aya sank back into his pillows and tried to calm his breathing. The dream was so real, Takatori seemed so alive and real!
Snapping his fingers once to activate his bedside lamp, Aya pushed the covers
and headed for the bathroom. After splashing cold water on his face, Aya felt much better. He lifted his head and looked at his reflection in the mirror and grimaced.
He looked like a wreck! His face was paler than usual and the circles under his eyes were getting more and darker. Aya groaned and leaned against the sink for support. He seriously needed some sleep but as long as he was plagued by these dreams….
Aya sighed and left the bathroom. According to the digital clock by his nightstand, it was almost 3:00am. There was no way he could sleep now! And just like the previous night,
Aya grabbed his katana and made his way downstairs to his training room.
Elsewhere in Aya's house….
Earlier that day, after he had moved his things into the guest room, Ken surveyed the house, inside and out. Since he was Aya's bodyguard he had no problems in doing so. No one said or asked anything. He put into memory what and where each room was.
And now at 3:30am, he was tiptoeing to the study which was located downstairs.
Ken had no doubt that a majority of what he needed to bring down Fujimiya Inc
was located there. He would extract the info bit by bit. Downloading too much at one time would only cause suspicion and danger to him.
Aya's training room.
The white light flooded into the room, revealing a rather stark room which was almost bare save for the lone figure and his gleaming katana in the middle of the room. Aya has been fighting imaginary foes for almost half an hour. Sweat was dripping down his face
and his trademark red hair was plastered against his scalp like a second skin. Panting slightly from his ferocious exercise, Aya paused for a second to adjust his grip before resuming his exercise.
In the study downstairs….
Ken quickly slipped the diskette into the drive and downloaded the info he found.
It took a while to get the password but Ken managed to get through and the amount of files were enormous! This means he will be visiting the study again soon Ken said to himself. But for the meantime, he will just download a couple of files first. He wasn't sure what was the exact content, too risky to be here for too long. One of the house bodyguards could come by at any minute!
Anxiously, Ken watched the download bar progress from 60% to 80%. "It's taking too long!" Ken muttered to himself. As if understanding what Ken just said, the download bar shot to 95% and finally to complete. With much relief, he ejected the disc and stuffed it into his pocket and quickly left the study.
He was about to climb the stairs to his room when he heard footsteps approaching. Ken debated between staying where he was or hiding. Guessing it to be a bodyguard doing his rounds, Ken could have easily said that he was thirsty and decided to get a drink of water. He was after all an employee and bodyguard as well. But no, … Ken decided against it.
It would be easier to avoid questions. So he decided to hide behind a wall
and waited. As soon as the footsteps passed his hiding place, Ken popped his head out to see who it was. He guessed right, it was a bodyguard! Whew!
"I better get back to my room…" Ken said to himself and slowly emerged from his hiding place. "Hey…." As Ken was leaving his hiding place, he saw something from the corner of his eye. The door of one of the rooms was slightly ajar and there was a thin ribbon of light!
Creating a white line in the darkness. Who could be up at this hour? His plan to go back to his room abandoned, Ken decided to investigate.
Slowly and cautiously, Ken pushed the door and almost gasped aloud when he saw who the occupant of the room was. Aya! His brows were knitted together in full concentration and was slicing the air with a menacing looking katana. Ken figured from the looks of things, the sweaty body and disheveled looks, a far cry from the suit clad Aya at work, he has been here for quite a while.
Feeling like he was being watched, Aya put down his katana and called out sternly. "Who's there?"
Shit! Looks like I have to 'fess up! Ken pushed the door open wider. "It's me, Aya san."
"What are you doing up?"
"Aaah…I couldn't sleep. New place, new bed. Takes ime to get used to it…"
Ken lied easily.
Aya nodded, understanding.
"If you don't mind Aya san, why are you up?" Ken dared to ask.
"I like practicing at this hour. It's quiet except for the bloody guards and their rounds."
Aya picked up a towel and mopped his face.
Ken's heart beat faster, Aya heard the guards, did he hear him? No! The study is quite far from this room.
"Are you sleepy yet?" Aya threw the towel aside.
"Me?" Ken asked stupidly. The question kinda threw him.
"Do you see anyone else?" Aya asked back, sounding a bit irritated.
"No, err… no, I'm not sleepy yet…"
"Good! Walk with me." Aya slid the katana into its sheath and headed to the door where Ken was.
