Tokyo Crazy Paradise : The Untold Chapters
Chapter 5: Two of a kind
" We found her!" exclaimed Nishikado-kun. Slamming a heavy file down the table, he said, " We found out who Makino Tsukushi is."
Tsukasa grumbled, " It's about time. It's already a week and finally you come up with something."
Bun-san groaned, " Easy for you to say, you are not the one who had to sieve through mountain loads of smelly old papers."
Ryuji glared at them, " Shut up already and tell me what you find."
Nishikado cleared his throat and said, " According to this files, Makino Tsukushi is the real name of the daughter of an inventor named Makino Matsuruu and his wife, Makino Yukiko. Both died in a plane crash 8 years ago with Makino's only brother, Makino Susumu. After that, Makino was sent to an orphanage in Hokkaido. According to the orphanage records, she stayed there about 5 years before she ran away at the age of fifteen."
" Ran away? Alone?"
" The details were unclear. It seem that someone came before us and got to the orphanage records first. All papers regarding that incident had disappear in a fire a year after that."
Ryuji inquired, " Does she know anyone we could suspect? Possible terrorist group, yakuza or even the police."
" It does not seem possible. She was a good kid without a criminal record during her schooling. In fact, she was a star pupil excelling in computer technologies. She cracked the firewall to the Police Department Integrated Infosystem (PDII) at the age of 11. Remember the computer virus Hanabi 1.05 five years ago that crippled Tokyo's stock exchange for a week, sending shockwaves to the whole continent."
" Of course I remember, Kuryugumi had 160 billion losses that year. Do you mean to say that was her creation?"
" No.. she was the one who wrote the virus patch that stopped the virus from doing further damage, saving the government 9800 billion yen. She's a genius but yet not much we can find about her."
Bun-san sighed, " So that's all you can dig up on her. Any link to Doumyouji corporation?"
" Yes. Not her.. her parents. They work with a company called Hanazawa Group of companies and the plane crash that killed him also killed the whole board of directors of the corporation."
Ryuji nodded. " Show me the fact file on the crash."
Nishikado opened his laptop and popped out a window detailing the crash. Ryuji typed something on the keyboard. Then, a list of names appeared.
" There was no survivors," he muttered.
" Where was Makino at that time?" asked Bun-san.
" She was still in school. In fact, she went to school together with the children to most of the people who also died in the crash. Poor kids. The orphanage matron told me one of them had severe mental disorder from the shock of the incident."
Ryuji scanned the names but could not find anything that could arouse suspicions.
" You said there was a link to Doumyouji Group?"
" There was." Nishikado tapped something and a window containing newspaper cutouts appear."
" Doumyouji Corporation's CEO, Doumyouji Kaede took over the Hanazawa Group after the crash."
" There were rumors that she herself engineered the crash but there was no evidence that can provide sufficent case. The police dropped charges and maintained in their report that the plane crashed due to a faulty, electronic circuitry in the controls combined with the pilot's negligence at that time."
" So, are you saying that Doumyouji Corporation was the one who benefit most due to these deaths." Nishikado nodded.
Ryuji sighed. " Is this her motive? A grudge to Doumyouji corporation?"
" Most likely. But we think she did not operate alone."
" Investigate more. Try to trace other children of people who died in the crash. I have a hunch we might have something that can help us."
Ryuji started to walk out of the room. Nishikado called after him, " What do you want to do when we find them?"
" That's for Doumyouji to decide."
Tsukasa was sleeping in her chair by Doumyouji's bedside when Tsukasa entered the Intensive Care Unit. Doumyouji have not regained consciousness yet but his vital signs had stabilized. Ryuji smiled at the sight of her, exhausted by the bed. Meiko sensei entered the room and greeted him.
" Sandaime, good morning."
" His condition?"
" The same. We have done everything in our power to help him but as you can see. Doumyouji's the one who didn't want to wake up."
" Have you done what I told you?"
" The rumors of his impending death? Yes.. but I still do not understand what do you hope to achieve with that."
" When you can find the enemy, let the enemy come to you."
" You are baiting Makino to come here."
" That was the idea. I don't think Tsukasa would approve my actions so I have to resort to you."
" Daijoubu.. It is my pleasure to do service to Kuryugumi's kumicho."
Meiko sensei grinned, " I remember that time when Tsukasa was comatose, you were the one who stayed at her side."
" Do not remind me that."
" Ryuji, when are you guys getting married? The Kuryugumi is in need of a seisai."
" After we graduated school, I did thought of asking her to marry me but Tsukasa wanted to join the academy."
" You did not mean the police academy?"
" Yeah.. I was really mad at her. How can I make a policewoman my seisai? The other clans would not approve." He sighed. " I wished I was not born to this position."
" No, you never think that."
" Most of the time I don't but when I am with her, I realised that being a kumicho robbed a lot of things from me."
" Your father sacrificed a lot too. Although you might not know this, he was not happy too being the kumicho. After your mother died, he.."
Ryuji stopped her. " I don't want to remember. It's all right. I'm fine."
" Then, I take my leave."
After Meiko left, Ryuji stepped towards Tsukasa and caressed her neck. Startled, Tsukasa woke up.
" Oh, it's you."
" You're tired. Go back."
" You are tired too."
" I am fine."
" You always acted fine with other people. Do not do that with me."
Tsukasa stood up. " Do not act as if you are strong."
Ryuji rested his forehead against Tsukasa's shoulder. " I owe it to Doumyouji to find Makino. I screwed up. I should have trusted him."
" You did not know. I did not too. It's not our fault."
" Tsukasa, me and Doumyouji Tsukasa.. we had a long history between us."
" History?"
" He and I.. actually studied weapons together at the age of ten. My father sent me to a military school for training. I met him there."
Flashback.. Doumyoji and Ryuji were fierce rivals back then. Always arguing and boasting that the he was better that the other.
" But we did end up being good friends after that."
" Why?"
" Because deep down, we realize that both of us were the same. Born to a position we did not want. We will never have choices other than the path that was lay out before us."
Flashback.. after school ended.. Ryuji was about to enter the car, surrounded by his father's kumiin casting a glance at Doumyouji who also surrounded by his SPs. Each giving each other the same dismal look.
We are powerless against the fates. Born without a choice. Our pathway already laid out. Our every actions dictated by our legacy. A fate we did not want.
Tsukasa hugged him tight. " You know what, I also had the same feeling."
" Of what..?"
" That Makino and I are alike." He was taken aback.
" You would shoot me to get away from me?" Tsukasa chuckled, " No..." Smiling mischievously, " Do you think I would?"
Ryuji shrugged.
She glanced at Doumyouji. Remembering the look on Makino's face before she left, Tsukasa realized that like Makino, she's in love with the one person that she should not be with. That was why Tsukasa applied for the police academy. She knew that she was not suited to be Kuryugumi's seisai. After all that happen in the past years and what she had done for the Kuryugumi, the fact remained that she's still not the most suitable person to be his seisai. That fact hurts. So, the next best thing was to leave him.
Even though that was the last thing I wanted to do
Yuki had tried to cheer up Makino all day but Makino seemed to be light years away. Yuki knew that she was upset but could tell why. It has been a long time since Makino left the 'family' to embark on a mission.
Flashback. Makino was packing her things. Yuki was reading her papers.
" I must say that Doumyouji Corporation were really impressed by your credentials. Wait a minute. I thought their HQ is in Tokyo."
" The division I am working for based in Okinawa."
" So, you won't see that devil woman anyway."
" Nope.. I'll meet the son of the devil itself."
" Cool.. perhaps you will try to seduce and then kill him off.. just like his parents did to our parents."
" For a kid, you have a big mouth. And no, I am not there to seduce him. Come to think of it. I can't bear the thought of having to share a room with him. From what I heard, he's conceited, arrogant dumb ass who does not know how to run the company."
" I heard he was quite cute." Makino rolled her eyes. " As if that would change anything."
" So what are you doing there."
" Find out a way to take over Doumyouji Corporation and get back what they took from us."
Yuki looked away. " No matter what we do, they cannot return our parents."
Makino took her hand and sat on the bed. Holding it close to her chest, she said," No, they can't But the truth was they never really did take our parents. Our parents are here. Inside our hearts."
" Then, what do you want to take from them now?"
" There's something they took from my parents. Something my father worked his whole life. I am taking it back for his sake. I don't think he would rest easy knowing that devil woman's business flourishing from something he worked and believed with all his heart."
" After that, you'd come to us. I know Rui will wait for you."
" Oh.. Yuki.. shut up.."
Yuki was startled from her musing when Makino asked her where was everybody else.
" Akira went to work. Rui called and said he's coming back the day after tomorrow. I think his concert in Rome got extended. He have a huge fan base there."
" Akira.. I can't believe that guy could work in a hostess club of all things."
" Well, at least he's getting paid to romance women instead of wasting his money for them."
" Rui quite busy these days too. I have not got any chance to see him ever since I came back."
" He's after all Louis.. the world famous violinist. Who would have thought that he'd go that far?"
Makino smiled weakly. " That new single. The piece he used to serenade Shizuka with, wasn't it?"
Yuki nodded. " Her favorite piece. We released it on the anniversary of the crash." Makino's face darkened.
" It has been exactly eight years."
" Rui was determined to initiate the plans. Our organization have expanded rapidly for the last two years. Although they aren't many, those with us are loyal and ready to do all they could to bring down Doumyouji Corporation."
" Our resources? Where did we have all these money to build this vast headquarters and our arsenal.. I was quite surprised when Akira told me that the helicopter was ours. And I saw the weapon reserve. Impressive. All in two years."
" We had many support. Doumyouji Corporation had many enemies and they have been helping us all along. Rui also channeled all the sales from his album to our cause."
" His hatred runs deep."
Yuki nodded. " Rui will be mad at you if he discovered about what happen between you and Doumyouji."
" I know. Akira also had warned me but Yuki.. I want to see him."
" Our people who are still in the corporation said that he's still comatose. The security at the Kuryugumi Medical Complex were really tight. Even an ant cannot go in."
" I am no ant. I can get in. You need to cover from me."
" But Makino.."
" Please.. if he dies, I could never forgive myself."
" Tsukushi.. this is insane."
" I do not care. I must see him. Make sure he's all right. Just once I am asking you."
Yuki was reluctant to concede to Makino's wishes. But looking in her eyes, she could feel her determination. Deep down, Yuki realized that even if she did not help Tsukushi, Tsukushi would go anyway.
" Just promise me one thing.."
" What?" Yuki whispered, " Just come back in one piece." Hugging her, Makino breathlessly replied, " Yuki, you are the best friend out of hundred friends in the whole wide world. Thankyou."
Yuki weakly smiled. Somehow, she felt there was a bad omen.
God.. hopefully I am right.
Meiko sensei just finished changing Doumyouji's intravenous fluid drip. Tsukasa was sprawled on the sofa next to the bed. Meiko woke her up and told her to go out and have a lunch break. " You have to take care of yourself too."
" I'll be fine."
" Last night, you did not have dinner. This morning, I only saw you drink some orange juice and nothing else. So now as your doctor I am ordering you to get something to eat."
" But.."
" Now.. Go.." Defeated, Tsukasa went out of the room towards the cafeteria.
After she was satisfied that all Doumyouji's vital signs were stable, Meiko sensei also left. Shortly after that, a nurse came in and closed the door shut. The nurse looked around and saw that there was a close circuit surveillance camera hooked on the ceiling. She took note of this and proceed to put down a tray containing a syringe and some test tubes. With her back against the camera, she took one of the test tube and brought out a small electronic contraption. She fiddled with the thing and discreetly set under Doumyouji side table. It was a transmitter that can manipulate surveillance camera mechanism by bypassing its transmission. The nurse, who were actually Makino in disguise, have recorded a five minute loop of recording and now, using the transmitter, she managed to make it seem that there was no one except Doumyouji and Tsukasa in the room.
After she finished, she shut the door after making sure there was no one outside. Then, she stood beside Doumyouji.
" Hi.. " she said, unsure what she could say. Makino sat on the bed. Leaning towards Doumyouji, she kissed him lightly on the forehead.
" I don't know if you could hear me. Or if you even want to listen to me. I am sorry I could not tell you. I'm sorry hat you have to find out the truth this way." She took his hand and brought it to her right cheek.
" You should have let me go. That way you'd never have to know and we won't end up like this. Why did you ask me to shoot? You gave me no choice.. I.." Doumyouji stirred.
She caressed his curly hair. " I just wish you wake up. For me.." Doumyouji moaned. Bewildered, Makino shouted his name. He did not open his eyes. She shook him really hard. " Please wake up..."
Suddenly, the pulse oxymeter beeped loudly. Makino glance towards it in alarm. His pulse rate was getting higher. He's hyperventilating and started to trash around. " Doumyouji..!!" she shrieked.
In Doumyouji's mind, Makino's voice pierced through the darkness and echoed a thousand times.
I don't want to hear it. You betrayed me.
Makino shouted, " Doumyouji... wake up.. stop.."
You're the one who wanted to see me dead.
Doumyouji turned to run but there were chains around his wrists and legs. He tried to struggle free but the chains would not break. Makino's voice getting louder.
Shut up!!! I don't want to listen!!
Makino tried to calm him down but Doumyouji was stronger. She could not call for help. They will arrest her. Suddenly, she heard a voice.
" Makino!!" shouted Tsukasa. Makino jumped from the bed and turned towards Tsukasa. " Get away from him!"
Tsukasa immediately launch her bugworm (refer to 1st chapter) and the sharp end almost hit Makino's right shoulder. Makino swerved and caught the chain midway. She tugged it really hard and manage to make Tsukasa lose her footing. But Tsukasa pulled it back. Both as fixed in a tug of war.
" You came to finish him off?"
" You do not know me. How could you say that?"
" He loved you."
" He was not supposed to. Tsukasa, let me leave. I meant no harm. I only wanted to see him."
" Not a chance."
Makino kicked the table bed forward trapping Tsukasa. Tsukasa leaped upwards and landed on the chair. Exerting more strength, she pulled the chain harder.
" Tsukasa, listen to me. I am not lying. I was not doing anything to him"
" Liar!!" Tsukasa kicked the tray on the table and flung it towards Makino. Makino swerved and swiftly climbed onto Doumyouji's bed. Tossing the chain around the fan blades, Makino managed to make the bugworm stuck there. As Tsukasa tried to get it free, Makino launched a double combo kick. Tsukasa fall onto the floor.
" I only wanted to see him." said Makino.
" For what?"
" To make sure he's okay."
" If you think I would fall for the same lie twice, you are wrong."
Tsukasa using the bugworm, she hoist herself onto the bed. Both of them standing precariously on the bed with Doumyouji still comatose and unaware of them fighting almost on top of him. Their fight got fiercer as Tsukasa was determined to capture Makino.
Thinking fast, Makino lunged forward towards the door and made her escape. Tsukasa chased after her. Makino ran down the corridor expertly avoiding the staff and leaped over the obstacles in her path. A pair of Kuryugumi henchmen was startled when she got to them. She punched one of them with her left fist and spun around, let loose a stinging flying kick on the other. Snatching their guns away, she shoot both of them in the knees. Carrying both guns with both hands, she fired one upwards as warning for everyone to get down. Firing as she goes, Makino managed to reach the main entrance of the medical complex.
Just then, Ryuji, Nishikado, Tsukasa and Bun-san appeared followed by the rest of their men. Realising she was surrounded, Makino thought fast.
Nishikado shouted, " Makino, we have closed off all exits. You can't escape. Surrender now. we won't harm you."
" As if I would listen to a Doumyouji ass kisser."
Suddenly, the door opened. All eyes turned towards it and to everyone's surprise, Doumyouji Kaede appeared.
" Finally.. the she-devil appeared," Makino sarcastically point out.
Doumyouji Kaede smile at her. " To come clear the rubbish."
Shooop.. a tranquilizer dart sliced through the air and hit right at Makino's back. Makino was froze.
" Only a coward attack from behind," she gasped.
Doumyouji Kaede brushed her off, " I rather think of it as diverting the enemy's attention."
Makino's vision began to blur. Her legs seemed to be melting. And a few second later, Makino crumpled to the floor unconscious. Tsukasa ran towards her and to her relief, she announced that Makino's alive.
Doumyouji Kaede yawned. " Of course I wanted her alive. I get more fun torturing her than killing her."
" She only came to see Doumyouji."
" That was why I set the trap.. You think I want Doumyouji to be kept here? We have been waiting for her arrival. This girl.. how typical. Stupid even.. I knew she would be coming. That's why I already stationed my people among your security staff and they alerted me as soon as they detect her presence. Ryuji, you must improve upon your kumiin's skills. Your security growing more inept by each day."
Doumyouji Kaede signaled for her men to pick up Makino. " I am also moving Doumyouji to our mansion where the security and medical care is ten times better than this.. junkyard. After this, I don't want any of you interfering with Doumyouji Corporation affairs." Then, she boasted, " That way, I won't have Kuryugumi people messing up my plans."
Tsukasa was about to punch her but Bun-san held her back. Ryuji just nodded and signalled his men to give way.
After Doumyouji Kaede left, Tsukasa shouted at Ryuji, " How could you let her make fools out of us?"
" But no matter what, she had the right to take both of them." Tsukasa was cursing unmentionable things when Nishikado interrupted them.
" I am sorry in behalf of Mrs Doumyouji. I just wanted to explain that I really did not know about her plans."
" I know.. Your loyalty is with Doumyouji."
" Doumyouji had been at odds with the Madam for years already. I don't think he himself would want this to end like this."
" So, what do you propose?"
" I will go back with her and report if there was any progress."
Nishikado took his leave. Bun-san whispered to Ryuji, " Do you think he's lying?"
" No.. Nishikado did not lie. There's something fishy going on. If Makino really did not have any feelings to Doumyouji, why did she came back and why was Doumyouji Kaede was so confident she would come and see Doumyouji. Continue your investigations.."
" But Doumyouji Kaede explicitly instructed.."
" ... discreetly. You know how to do that, don't you?" Bun-san nodded and left.
Tsukasa asked what was he up to. Ryuji silenced her, " I am not sure yet but I don't think this is the end. Tsukasa, I need you to do something for me."
Back at Rui's place. Hanazawa Rui just got back and he was greeted with the news of Makino's capture.
" She was a fool. She should have waited." Akira sighed. " We should leave her there, that stupid girl. Getting herself in this mess. She should learn to get out of this on her own this time."
Yuki yelled back, " You didn't mean to leave her like that. We have to save her!!"
" Yuki.. we are talking about the toughest security system in the whole Japan. No one can get in and out of Doumyouji's mansion easily."
" I did not say it would be easy."
As both of them bicker, Rui just stare at the wall. Sighing, he cursed Makino for falling in love with their own enemy. But perhaps, this might be an advantage to him.
" Doumyouji Kaede.. the day has come for you to pay for all of our sufferings. And you are going to pay for it dearly."
Next, Doumyouji woke up with a deep hatred for Makino. What would he do to Makino once he knew that she was in his grasp?
seisai - the clan leader's wife. Have the function to protect the clan as well as being the mother figure to the yakuza clan.