Cross the Floor by taketo
Chapter 9
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Wow! Thank you very much for ALL the reviews! I really do appreciate it and most of the questions were on Aya's reaction regarding Ken's true identity. That is gonna take a while. In the mean time, we're going to deal with Adachi Numie, among other things! Here's chap.9. Enjoy!
The Ponderossa!
For lunch that day, Aya felt like having western food. So Aya gave Kuryu instructions to go to the Ponderossa that offered a variety of dishes in its massive buffet. So while Adachi was busy choosing what to eat at the salad bar, Ken took Aya to the far side of the buffet table and quickly briefed him on his findings. "What's next?"
Aya choose a piece of country fried chicken and placed it on his plate. "Are you sure she is there and it's really her?"
"I trust my sources." Ken replied with conviction.
Aya nodded. "We'll talk about this later."
"Right." Ken let his gaze stray to Adachi who now has moved away from the salad bar.
Aya followed his gaze. "Hn…you're probably wondering why I invited her?"
Tearing his eyes away from the blond with light blue highlights, Ken mumbled something that sounded like 'it did cross my mind.'
"My father once remarked that the reason why Manx was such a good, dedicated secretary was because she gave a 100%. She is all alone, has no family. Fujimiya Inc. is her family."
"So…."
"I think Adachi has been planted by Leo. So, why don't we give her something to report to Leo? We sure don't want to disappoint Leo." Aya looked at the pasta in front of him and decided against taking some. It looked overcooked.
A slow smile spread across Ken's face. "Yeah and later after work, I could tail her and see where she goes. Shit, here she comes."
"Hn…" Aya saw from the corner of his eyes Adachi approaching. "I'm going back to the table."
Ken sighed. "I've a funny feeling this is gonna be one hell of a lunch!"
Lunch was an uneventful event. Aya was his stoic self. Giving his usual replies occasionally. Ken, he was doing what he usually did. Keeping a wary eye on everything. Making there was nothing threatening or dangerous around them. Every once in a while, Ken would take a deep breath and release it slowly. And Adachi? She was chatting away like there was no tomorrow!
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Later that evening….
Adachi Numie gathered her things and went to Aya's office.
"Fujimiya-san, if there's nothing else, I'm going home."
Aya looked up from his computer screen and pretended to regard his new secretary for a few moments. "Of course, Adachi."
Adachi bowed. "Thank you, Fujimiya-san! Good night."
Aya who had already turned his attention to other things, said nothing.
Downstairs in the lobby, Ken stood hidden behind a wall and waited for Adachi to emerge from the lift. Once he spotted her, he followed her. Ken guessed that she was either going to take the bus or taxi. The train station was further up, so Ken hoped that she wasn't going there. Luckily for Ken, Adachi headed for the taxi stand. There was quite a queue and judging from the line, Ken figured he had enough time to zip back to the office and get the car.
So Ken jogged back to the office and was almost at the car when his mobile rang. It was Aya.
"Aya-san…" Ken answered, a bit out of breath from the running.
"Where are you?" Aya asked, his deep voice filtering through the phone.
"Basement, near the car. She's taking a taxi…" Ken touched the door handle and car unlocked.
"I'm on my way to the lobby, come around the front and pick me up." Aya ordered before hanging up.
Ken swore. "Damn it!" He hoped Adachi was still there. He was wasting precious seconds by picking up Aya. Ken gunned the engine and managed to reach to the front in less than a minute.
Aya got in and Ken immediately voiced his concern. "I don't think this is a good idea."
"Why not?" Aya asked, leaning forward.
The truth was, Ken didn't want Aya to come along. He wasn't sure what was ahead or what was going happen when they tail Adachi. Anything could happen and if he was alone it was fine, he knew what to do but Aya? Aya, the former history teacher. Ken was afraid that he may not be able to protect his boss and said so.
Aya rolled his eyes. "I can take care of myself, Hidaka. I'm totally helpless. Look … Adachi is getting into a taxi. The number is 393."
"I see it … Aya-san, if anything …." Ken allowed a few cars to get between him and Adachi's taxi.
"I'll be fine, Hidaka. You better concentrate on the taxi. Traffic is okay but it's dusk and you might lose it." Aya advised.
"Hai…" Ken replied and kept his eyes on the taxi.
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After driving for quite a distance….
"Where the hell is she going?" Ken wondered outloud.
"This area looks like a factory site." Aya observed. He has since moved to the front seat.
"We're almost at the outskirts of the city. Whoever it is, is very careful." Ken remarked.
Aya slid one finger under his watch strap and gently scratched the skin underneath. "Hn…sounds like Leo."
Ken wasn't so sure. "Maybe…"
They drove on for a few more minutes before Adachi's taxi came to a halt. Ken saw this and quickly maneuvered the car into a small lane. He parked the car and reached for the door handle. "I'm getting down for a better look."
"I'm coming." Aya reached for his own door handle.
"No, Aya-san. It may be dangerous…."
"We're wasting time." Aya stated the obvious.
Resignedly Ken agreed but stated his condition. "Fine but stay behind me."
Aya nodded silently and did what he was told.
Further ahead…
Adachi Numie paid the fare and embarked from her taxi. She walked for a bit and then stopped. A few minutes later, a middle aged man came into view. Smiling, Adachi approached him. Not far from Adachi was, Ken and Aya were slowly inching forward.
"Leo!" Aya gasped upon seeing Mitsui Leo. Although it was almost dark, Aya could still make out who Adachi was meeting.
Ken placed a finger over his mlips, signaling Aya to be quiet. Aya gave an apologetic look and compiled. Together they pressed behind some abandoned rusty machinery and listened to the conversation.
"Well, what happened?" Leo demanded immediately. He needed to know and he wanted to know now!
Adachi huffed and placed both hands on her hips. "That man must be made out of granite or something! My charms have never failed me."
"You failed?!" Leo's eyes were bulging out of their sockets. "Obviously you're not trying hard enough!"
"I am! I think I'd get a better respond from a real wall! He was pleasant enough but that was it. He took me out for lunch…" Adachi deliberately paused.
"And…?" Leo had no time for drama.
Sighing, Adachi said. "Nothing! I think I was the only one talking. All Aya-san said was Aaaaa or Hn! And his bodyguard kept looking around the restaurant, staring at everyone who came and went."
Leo chuckled. Hidaka was indeed an excellent bodyguard. "He was just doing his job. What else?"
"After lunch, Aya-san returned to his office and stayed there until I left."
"You should have went inside his office. Ask if he needed anything, use your feminine wiles to entice him. Really Adachi, I thought you knew what to do!" Leo sounded angry an frustrated. "Seduce him! Get him to forget about work! Everything!"
"Why?" Adachi's forehead creased.
"That does not concern you." Leo glared down at Adachi. "Just do what I told you to do.
Seduce him, make him fall for you. I'll take care of the rest! Understand?!"
Visibly shaken at Leo's tone, Adachi managed a half nod.
"Good!" Leo took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. "Get in. The car will drop you off somewhere in town."
Leo ushered Adachi into the car and ordered the driver to drive.
As the car sped by their hiding place, both Ken and Aya didn't move a muscle. Only when the car was a safe distance, did they move.
"Ken….what?" Aya was about to stand when Ken pulled him down again.
"There's another car! And someone is coming out!" Ken whispered and watched a man in a grey suit step out of the sedan. "Noboru!"
"Who?" Aya was confused, who was this man?
"Another underworld lord but more influential than Tsuzuki!" Ken explained, his eyes fixed on Noboru.
"Matsu-san…how are we doing?" Noboru came around the car.
"Good." Leo lied.
"Really? Look, this is taking too long. You've tried all kinds of things but Fujimiya's son remains the same. He is unaffected by all your attempts! I've a feeling he is not going to cooperate with us. Just do like what I suggested before. Do away with him! You don't need him!"
"No, not yet! I still need him. Some of the clients believe fully in the Fujimiya name."
Noboru sneered. "Lame excuse or are you afraid?"
"No! Just give me some more time. I assure you, I'll sway him. He will cooperate with us!" Leo assured Noboru.
"Hm! I hope so, Mitsui-san. This is a good opportunity here, don't let it go by."
Leo shook his head. "I won't. If all fails, I know what to do!"
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Throughout the entire journey back to the city, Aya remained silent. He just sat there and stared out the window. Ken kept glancing at his boss, wondering if he was okay. So when the car stopped at a traffic light, Ken decided to ask.
"Aya-san, are you alright?" Tentatively, Ken placed his hand over Aya's arm.
Jolted out of his reverie, Aya closed his eyes and sunk deeper into his seat. "I guess I was kinda surprised at seeing Leo there. I know you told me about him and his plans but I suppose a part of me is hoping it isn't true. That…" Aya sighed. "That he's still Uncle Leo, the guy who used to visit us since we were young, one of father's friends…."
"I'm sorry…." Ken spared a glance at Aya before concentrating on the road.
"Do you want to stop somewhere before we go home?"
"No, let's talk about Shimada." Aya said firmly and turned slightly towards Ken. He wasn't in his usual seat at the back.
"We've all the info we need, what's next?" Apparently Aya wasn't gonna talk about his problems, so Ken didn't press on and gladly went along with the change in subject.
"Let's take a trip down there." Aya suggested.
"Aya-san!" Ken exclaimed.
"What?" There was a note of irritation in Aya's voice.
"You want to go there?"
"I did tell Shimada-san I'll look into the matter."
"But…" Ken didn't think it was a good idea.
"But what Hidaka?" Aya looked inquiringly at his bodyguard.
"That brothel is connected to Fujimiya Inc., someone might recognize you."
"The same goes to you."
"But I'm a bodyguard and I already know about the existence of the side income."
"Hn…" Aya leaned back and cocked his head to one side. There had to be a way to go in unnoticed. "You're a resourceful man, I'm sure you'll find a way."
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At the entrance of one of the mansions aka brothels under Fujimiya Inc.
Leaning towards the review mirror to check his appearance, Ken made final adjustments to his midnight blue wig. He patted his fake moustache in place and glanced at his partner who was wearing a long black wig that covered part of his amethyst eyes. Ken had purposely picked that wig to cover Aya's telltale red hair and red eyebrows. "All set?"
A pair of thumbs flashed in front of Ken.
Ken swallowed. Wishing he didn't turn to look at Aya . The man looked good enough to eat! With that black wig, which Aya let loose behind his back, he wore a long sleeved dark purplish red silk shirt with pleated black pants. Reaching for the door handle, Ken said. "Let's go and please…."
"I'll be right behind you." Aya said quietly. His bodyguard which looked rather fetching in a blue shirt, had repeated the same sentence about a 100 times in the last 20 minutes.
"Okay…." Ken locked the car and together they walked through the mansion's gates.
They were greeted at the door by one of the hostesses; a woman who was still a beauty although she was obviously in her 50's. "Good evening gentlemen. Welcome, please come in."
The woman, sized up the two men in front her. New clients and handsome to boot! Well built unlike some of the flabby, over weight salary men and businessmen that came through their gate. Their clothes and way they carried themselves shouted 'loaded, money!!!!' Good! New clients were always good! She could imagine the girls fighting to get their hands on these two! "Would like to order some dinner or…." She smiled knowingly at Ken and Aya.
With a bored expression plastered on his face, Aya looked about his surroundings through half closed lids. It looks just like a regular restaurant. There were tables and even the smell of food!
Ken smiled back at their hostess. "We would like to dine…in the private rooms please."
The hostess smiled again, her dark eyes gleaming. "This way please…"
She led them to the back and slid open a door down a passage that had another door which she opened slowly. "Please…this way."
The room was tastefully decorated in the latest style and colours. It looked more like a page out of a home decoration magazine! There were a few clients talking with some of the girls. No doubt most of them were in the rooms upstairs! Ken thought and began looking for Akemi, Shimada's daughter. Aya who didn't have a clue on how the girl looked like, stood passively by Ken.
"See anything you like?" The hostess inquired softly.
Annoyed at her eagerness, Aya was about to give a sharp reply when he remembered where he was and why they were here. So he bit back the retort and said. "There are so many pretty girls here…."
"I understand. Please take your time. Once you find something you like, please let me know. I shall be over there." She pointed to one corner of the room.
Both Ken and Aya bowed. "Thank you."
They watched the hostess move away from them
"Do you see her?" Aya asked in a low voice.
"Uh huh, not yet." Ken took a step forward. Akemi has to be here. After so many years, Nagi has never failed him. His info has always been reliable.
"Why don't we sit down?" Aya suggested. They looked quite odd standing in the middle of the room.
Ken nodded and as they were about to sit, Ken said. "I just saw her, four o'clock."
Slowly, Aya turned to his right. He spotted a rather slight girl, no more than 18 years old.
She wore a bright orange kimono and was smiling but her eyes weren't. "Are you sure?"
Ken signaled to their hostess. "Positive!"
Their hostess practically flew to them. "Found something?" she asked in an almost gleeful tone.
"Hmm…her." Ken jerked his chin towards Akemi.
The hostess smiled widely. She clapped her hands briskly and beckoned the girl over. The girl made her way towards them with a frightful look on her face.
With a regretful and apologetic tone to her voice, the hostess said. "She's rather new….if you would prefer a…."
Ken cut her off. "No, we like them new."
"I understand….aaahhh Akemi, please see to these gentlemen."
Softly Akemi replied. "Hai…"
Clicking her tongue impatiently, the hostess grabbed Akemi's arm and whispered. "These are good clients, treat them well and smile for heaven sakes!"
Ken smiled kindly to the girl, gently pulling her toward Aya and him. "Shall we?" He could feel her trembling.
Glaring at the girl, the hostess said. "Take them upstairs."
"Hai, this way please…" Akemi said and was abruptly interrupted when one of the girls squealed in the delight. Her regular client presented her with a gold bracelet. "Gentlemen, this way please…" she tried again, this time louder.
Ken and Aya nodded and silently followed her upstairs.
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Koneko aka Youji's HQ.
Chief Okusama turned the page and read the last page in the report. Looking up at the officer standing in front of him, he said. "It's all confirmed?"
Kudou Youji nodded curtly. "Yes! The names in the list we obtained from the disc given by Hidaka are fronts for brothels and gambling dens."
"This is a long list…"
"Not long enough." Youji said savagely. "Hidaka is still looking into the matter."
Okusama pushed the file away from him. "He has been with Fujimiya Inc. for quite a while."
"Hai." Where was his chief getting with this?
"Being undercover does things to people."
"Hidaka is a professional. He knows what he is doing."
Nodding, Okusama knew that. He just likes testing his men. "Alright, go ahead."
Sighing with relief Youji thanked his boss and was about to leave when his boss called him. "Kudou."
"Hai…" Youji turned to face his boss.
"You've changed. You're starting to listen to others now, accept input." Okusama told him.
Hiding his surprise behind a smile, Youji just said. "Really?"
Okusama picked up another file. "Keep it up."
"Hai!" Grinning, Youji left his boss' office.
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Later, in Omi's computer room.
"So, it's on?" Omi asked, his fingers busy typing something.
"Yeah…" Youji opened his bento box and stuffed a sushi into his mouth.
"Oh…" Omi continued typing like there was tomorrow.
Youji got up and stood behind Omi. "What are you typing?" He peered at the screen and saw that Omi was typing rubbish. Instantly, he knew something was wrong. Placing his hand over Omi's, Youji crouched next to Omi. "What is it?"
Holding Youji's hands tightly in his, Omi replied. "I'm worried about tomorrow."
Youji laughed. "Oh that!"
"Yes that! Please Youji, be careful."
Youji kissed Omi's hands and winked. "For you? Always!"
"Youji…"
"I'll be careful." Youji winked and rose. "Gotta go. See you at home, okay?"
"Okay…" By the time Omi answered, Youji was already out the door.
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At the brothel, upstairs….
Akemi's room was fairly large. It was furnished with a king size bed, a table and two chairs. Akemi stood at the door and gestured her two guests inside. "Please…"
Ken entered, followed closely by Aya who immediately took post by the window.
Ken however, made his way to the spacious bed. He lay on his side and propped up himself with an elbow. Smiling invitingly, he patted the space next to him. "Come Akemi…"
End of 9.
