7 days later.
Bonten Base, Underground Tokyo
"Proceed with the meeting."
A tired sounding Manjiro "Mikey" Sano says as soon as he is seated in the conference room. A posh leather seat fixed in a semi-circular manner is placed for each Bonten executive alongside some food and refreshment.
Standing in front of the members is none other than Koko, one of the current executives of Bonten. He's supposed to discuss their weekly financial reports first before other topics are brought up by the other members. In his front he can see their leader Mikey surrounded by other Executives.
Weekly meetings are nothing new to their group. Ever since the founding Bonten, they made it a tradition to hold this atleast once a week with all the executives to discuss the comes and goes of the gang and to exchange every bit of information they deem are important to share with themselves. Communication is one of the key traits of one organization. Specially one like theirs which is full of betrayal and death.
But this week, nothing seems to make sense with Koko anymore. Ever since that "incident" as he called it in Ropponggi it seems like nothing had been normal with their group and their routine has been thrown out the window.
In more ways the one. He sighs before proceeding to start.
"To be honest, I don't know how to start this meeting at all." Koko said in his opening statement.
This earned him a snort from Rindo, who as usual has his brows scrunched up.
"The fuck do you mean by that? Just proceed with the usual. Discuss us money." He said with a "duh" in his tone.
Ran who is beside him jabbed his brother. "He has more to say you idiot. Just listen and shut up."
Koko nods at him after and gets back to his topic. "Here you can see, has been our operating profits for the last 7 days."
Sanzu couldn't help but whistle as checks the numbers. Seems like business is doing good huh?
"Lots of other transactions has picked up, but there's one thing curious." He nods at Kakucho who boredly taps at his laptop and the slides move. Upon seeing what's on the next slide, the uninterested executives straightened their seat while gazing at the numbers behind them.
"As you can see, our weapons transactions seemed to have jumped 507% since last week. Now, normally there is a regular up jump on this whenever we get tips of raid transactions from the police against other gangs. But what is unusual is that multiple gangs have been recently buying on our weapon supplies. I wouldn't have minded this if not for the fact that this is more than the usual transactions that we've been having yearly. So, I had to investigate."
"What did you find out?" Takeomi asked while puffing his cigar.
"Nothing." Koko told them with a straight face.
Rindo who was leaning on anticipation on his seat slammed the table. "Aw, come on! Obviously, it isn't nothing if the figures seemed disturbing to you!"
Koko glared at him. "I'm serious. Upon checking all I got is that, the weapons we sell are "blessed" or "cleanly recorded" whatever they mean by that. I've had my men sniffing around these gangs to check what they mean by that but they have yet to give me feedback.
"Tch." Takeomi looked at him, "Clearly they're slow."
"Do you have any idea then?" Mikey asked him tilting his head to Bonten Advisor's direction.
Puffing his cigarette again, Takeomi regarded all of them in the room with a serious face before speaking.
"What's the only significant event that happened to our group these past seven days huh?"
Upon hearing that all members seemed to fall into deep thought.
After a beat- some of them simultaneously answered:
"The mystery midget incident" – Sanzu passionately nods then starts muttering under his breath about little women with potty mouths and unstoppable personality
.
"You mean, the sudden rise to fame of Tattooed Guys in Armani." Koko seemed amused at what he said.
"I'd like to object, that day shall always be remembered as Rip Rindo's Pride to shreds along with his Gucci suit Day." Ran declared then smirked at his twin.
"I still think it should be The devirginization of the nose of Manjiro Sano!" Rindo passionately exclaimed then glared at his twin. "And leave my Gucci suit alone. I looked hot that time. 13.9 thousand tweets from people said so." He proudly declared against them.
"Baby." Is the only thing that Mikey told everyone then nodded as though that's enough explanation itself "What's the connection?" he inquired to Takeomi.
"Do you even know anything about that woman?" Takeomi seems exasperated at all their reactions.
They all stayed silent after that.
After a few beats Sanzu spoke. "I know she's fucking rude."
Mikey glared. "What? My King! She invaded your personal space, insulted each member, and left without any explanation to us. I wont let her disrespect us, specially you even if she don't know who she's dealing with."
The leader just sighed at his reasoning but before he can speak again Rindo spoke. "Well she told us she's super popular. Don't believe her though, I mean, if she is, how come we don't know her before?"
Kakucho's brows seemed to uptick upon hearing what these people are saying. "You met someone, let her get close to you, touch our Leader, heard her speak about herself and you all took it like a grain of salt? Are you being serious right now?" He told them angrily. "Are you forgetting you're part of the scariest syndicate in Japan? No one gets near us without reason. You should've had her investigated immediately!"
"Stop getting your panties twisted Mad Dog." Sanzu pats him. "That girl's tiny as fuck. She cant even do anything even if she wants to."
"Well clearly she can do something if she's making disturbance on our operations."
"Honestly, none of you really know anything about her? Seriously?" Takeomi asked, seems like he's getting tired of their bull shit.
"Well, I know she's really filthy rich. Had to research about her legs when we went home you know?" Koko finally answered to them. "I found out that her insurance policy includes emotional damage caused by insults to her height. Something about it being directly correlated to her legs and any person who gets on her bad side just because of a poor worded height joke receives a letter from her insurance company." The members looked at him like he was crazy but he shook his head. "That's not the most ridiculous part though. You know what's ridiculous? It's the value. Upon checking, her fan site says it's valued at Ten million US Dollars, which is when converted is approximately 1,146,805,000.00 yen"
Upon hearing that, the Bonten members leaned in to hear more from him.
"And almost all of us have atleast one thing or another to say about her height that night." He smirked at those present before with him.
"This is ridiculous. That girl's unreasonable I'm telling you." Sanzu started again his muttering clearly unimpressed with what's been told to them.
"Well, God fucking damn bro. I hope you prayed enough these past seven days for that fucking scratches you gave the girl the last time we saw her. Else she'll drag your ass to that insurance company she talks about and have you pay for it." Ran laughed out loud patting Rindo's back.
"Fuck." He muttered under his breath.
"Is that all that you found out?" Takeomi asked him.
Koko nodded at him. He remembered that night they met her. Upon returning to base, they were welcomed by the sight of Takeomi pacing back and forth on their lounge muttering about their blown-up cover. Upon hearing that, they immediately crowded on Takeomi's phone since they don't have social medias and have never felt the need to use one.
*Flashback*
"Hey! Look! She's not Kidding! Armani Hotties are trending in number 3 at Japan's top twitter list!"
Ran exclaimed while scrolling on his phone. They can hear Takeomi scream out of frustration in the background but decided to ignore him. Sanzu, who's nearest at Ran grabbed the phone and clicked at the topic. A circulating photo of them wearing suit and eating taiyaki with their backs on the camera and facing the small woman at the festival is seen.
"Check what the people are saying." Koko told immediately
"@pacedaily: Spotted, @pace_xo at Ropponggi festival with unknown guys. Outfit on her: Miu Miu Stripped Crop Top and Mini Skirt, Channel Bag. Shoes: Loubotins. Outfit on Guys: Armani suit."
Rindou whistles upon hearing this. "They're crazy. One glance and they already know what she's wearing? Damn."
"@pacedaily: Update: A guy in Gucci suit shoves the queen down the pavement. One of the men in Armani suit gave her Hermes hankie to clean up , guy in OFFWHITE hoodie offers her hand. #TheQueenisOkay
@pacedaily: Guy in OFFWHITE hoodie gives Pace his wallet. YSL. (Damn, these men are hitting off right with her preferences)
The guys' brows rose at that tweet. Preferences?
@pacedaily: Update: Pace seems to enjoy her time in Ropponggi, currently eating taiyaki (insert photo of her biting to her food)
@pacedaily: Update: who is the OFFWHITE guy? Is she her boyfriend? They look fucking cute. OMG
@pacedaily: Pace acting cute on someone (insert Pace's photo of brightly smiling to Mikey)
@pacexofan: she's sooo precious. o
@paceypeacchy: she's so smol I love her so much. My god.
@pacedaily: Update: The hottie in striped Armani looks fucking hot. All of them honestly. Except the Gucci guy.
@pacedaily: Update: Pace shoves down 10pcs of Takoyaki in 3 minutes. A new record for the queen who did that within 4:30 seconds last time she spent down time in Shinjuku.
"Whoa this fans are scary. They know what she did before and even recorded it? What are they, stalkers?" Rindo muttered. He still feels sour upon reading his exclusion in their hottie approval.
@pacedaily: UPFUCKINGDATE: THE QUEEN KISSED THE OFF WHITE GUY. I REPEAT. THE QUEEN KISSED THE OFF WHITE GUY. @foreverpacefan: OMG. DOES IT MEAN SHE'S GETTING PREGNANT?! @pacexoxoxoxoxo: @foreverpacefan, r u an idiot?! NO ONE GETS PREGNANT BY KISSING. Besides, it's not even a real kiss. She kissed his nose. It's called eskimo kiss. @pacedaily: this is the most skinship that she shown on us in public. I feel so happy for her. @queenPace: Who is he anyway? Who are those Armani guys? Don't include the Gucci one. I don't like him.
"This is all your fault!." Rindo glares at his twin. "If you didn't shove that fucking udon to my clothes I would've worn Armani with you this evening! Now I feel left out!"
"Wow guys, here I am thinking out about how our identity will be revealed to the public and all you can think about is YOU should have worn Armani instead of Gucci this evening?!" Takeomi explodes in front of them.
"You all know how hard we all worked to keep our identities secret. And now it's all blown up just because of this chance encounter. You're getting twitter famous and all that. Shit! Your tattoos are even shown. Fuck!"
"Relax Takeomi." Mikey calmly told him. "No one even knows that it's our Gang's symbol. Stop worrying. Nothing will happen if we panic over this."
"But Mikey-"He interrupted. "What happens if they found out it's us?"
"They won't. We never did anything suspicious anyway. People's fascination will pass by don't worry. It'll get back to normal tomorrow." He dismissed the notion after.
Except it never did.
2 days later, Ran and Rindou went to the mall to buy new suits but the store assistants keep staring at the other twin who seemed to get more and more irritated the more they look at him. "What? The fuck is your problem?" he angrily hisses at one of the store lady.
The girl panics and drops her measuring tools as he addressed her. " i—I'm sorry. I just thought you're more into Gucci suits sir. That's what they said in social media the other day." The girl, scared could only look at the ground as Rindo stares at her hard after hearing her statement.
Then he walks out and Ran, who is watching the whole thing laughed out loud at the hilarity of the situation. "Please, I'd like to proceed with the orders. And Miss? Friendly advice, never ask his suit preferences."
*End of Flashback*
"Honestly, the only thing that we seem to know about her is that she's a fucking Celebrity with stalker like fans that are nosey as fuck." Sanzu muttered.
"And she's rich." Kokonoi nodded.
"Correction." Takeomi said. "She's filthy fucking rich." He told them. He then swings his view to Kakucho. "Search her name on google. Now."
Mikey who got curious nodded at his instruction. "Do it Kakucho."
He immediately did. And they all got the shock of their lives as they saw the result.
Name: L/N F/N
Nickname: Pace
Age: 25
Birthday: January 16, 199x
Height: 1.58m
ABOUT:
L/N F/N, is a known professionally as Pace is a singer, model, brand ambassador and heiress of the multi billion dollar company Nero.
Current Net Worth: 12 billion dollars
Kokonoi whistles upon seeing the results in front of him.
"So everything she said that night was true? That fucking midget is a filthy rich ?"
Takeomi nodded.
"Voted as Japan's top celebrity for the past 5 years, she's Japan's most followed personality and is considered as the most respected non royal blood person in the country. She might as well be called queen if she wanted to. She's the richest woman in Japanese Forbes history."
"Well damn boss." Rindo muttered to Mikey's direction. "You got kissed by that bougie bitch. How does it feel?"
Mikey glared at him as he spoke and stared at his men. After debating for a bit he ignored Rindo's statement and turned back to Koko.
"What type of changes happened to our transactions since last week?"
Sensing the change of atmosphere in the conference room, Koko straightened again and continued his interrupted report.
"As I said before there has been an up jump on the transactions of our weaponry. Aside from that, it seems like some of other organizations from Korea and China have been trying to establish contact with us. Surprisingly, a new request is made from Europe. Particularly Italy. But their interest is more on our drug transactions nothing else."
"Anything else?"
Rindo, who can't really shut his mouth suddenly spoke.
"Actually I have one."
All eyes were focused on him at that point.
"Why'd you let her kiss you on the nose Boss?"
Sanzu, who's sitting near Mikey that time almost stood up because of the stupid question. Kakucho, had to restrain him from marching to the other guy's direction.
"You fucker! We're all being serious here and that's your fucking question?! I'm going to strangle you and rip you to shreds you-"
" Sanzu stop."
Everyone managed to shut up when they heard him speak. Mikey had that look in his face. Of blank indifference as he looks at his Executives. That got everyone looking at each other as they don't know how to react.
Mikey only looks like that when he's about to kill a person.
Before he can continue, Mochizuki, who has been silent among all the commotions around him spoke while staring at something on his phone.
"Oh? Pace is having an interview at the * network this time. Something about tough 10 questions."
Koko cant help but face palm at the whole situation. That midget isn't here with them but she still managed to disturb and ruin their meeting as if she's here with them. Gosh, it's like being in her presence all over again.
Even the stupid interruptions.
Mikey blinks and then looks at Kakucho who's still operating the laptop. Getting the unspoken cue the guy manages to find a link about a Japanese talk show. Just their luck, it's yet to start so Koko and the other settle down themselves back to their sit and watch whatever this interview is.
I just hope it's worth it.
Sitting beside Takeomi, he gets a pat on his side from Kakucho.
"Pass me the nuts please."
His brows scrunches at the request but nonetheless gives the nuts to him. Mikey who immediately asks for dorayaki is being fended by Sanzu. As always.
He asks the person beside him. "Are we really going to interrupt our weekly meeting for this?"
Takeomi, who is done with his previous cigar lits a new one then puffs.
"Why not? This might be informative for us. That girl has been a whole new curveball thrown to us, and despite barely interacting with her, the organization is already experiencing the effects of being acquainted to her. Might as well get a glimpse of what's up with her, even for a bit just to get an idea." His mouth twitched as he followed up his statement. "Besides, this is a quite good bonding activity no?"
Mikey, who's listening to Takeomi's answer laughs a bit. "We're like those old aunts watching a gossip show on a Sunday afternoon. Except we're deadlier."
Koko nods at his leaders statement and stares in front of him.
The show's starting.
"Good Evening Tokyo! HELLO! Im Erina and this is Buzz7! I'm sure you are all excited to know who we are interviewing tonight."
The female host greet the crowd with a very enthusiastic voice. "Well, let's not take this any longer. Please lets give it up, Japan's top Celebrity, Singer, Brand Ambassador and of course, one of the most popular Heiresses in Japanese modern-era. Fresh from the Paris fashion week, please welcome, Pace!"
An enthusiastic crowd were seen clapping/ shouting/ cheering in the background. Holding cardboards and tarpaulins of different signs used to greet the celebrity mentioned. Various placards ranging from "Marry me, Pace-hime!" to "You're my #1!" and "Empress Pace forever!" were seen held up on the background of the woman conducting an interview on the studio 7, one of Japan's top TV Station.
Pace walks confidently on the stage and instantly waves her hand to the crowd as the people surrounding her bows to greet, even the hosts. Instead of bowing back though, she just nods and smiles at the camera like the queen she is as they rose back and asked her to sit.
"Wow! You look beautiful as ever! Can you please tell us details about your outfit."
Immediately after saying this, all eyes on the Bonten conference room checked her out.
Her hair is parted into two, sporting high pigtail which makes her look younger, and baby bangs in front. Same wide grey eyes with a mischievous twinkle in them, an amused smirk on her red lips.
Is it just me, or she looks more beautiful now? Koko shook his head after that thought.
"Oh, I haven't done this in a long time huh? Im wearing a Damiani choker, Velour Track Dress and fishnets from Balenciaga, Boots from Vetements." She said while the screen shows of her legs.
"There's something different in her." Rindo muttered putting his hand on his chin as if he's thinking hard.
"Idiot, she's sporting bangs now. Last time we saw her, she doesn't have that." Ran bonks his head.
"Damn" they heard someone mutter in the background. (Koko thinks it's their leader)
"Well! Before we start with the interview, I wanna ask. How are you? You've been busy the whole week from the Paris fashion week, so fans are excited and shocked when you posted yesterday that you'll be releasing new music! Can you tell us about it?"
"Oh well, you see. I got bored. Then I suddenly got inspired on writing one on a whim but I had to blackmail my butler into singing the rap parts then have it recorded. After that I sent it to my studio and voila, new songs for fans." She answered cheekily then winks at the camera.
She certainly knows how to charm the crowd.
"Oh, your poor butler. He is ok with it?" the interviewer's tone seems a bit off as she asked Pace which didn't go unnoticed by the girl. She raised her brows, folded her legs on top of the other and leaned back to her seat staring at the other woman. "My people knows that when it comes to creative impulses there's nothing stopping me. And there's no harm done anyway. Stop making it a big deal."
The woman's jaw drops as the girl in front of her answered with a dismissive tone and immediately composes herself again. "I apologize for that. Anyway! Since you're here we agreed on the segment Tough 10. Im gonna ask you 10 questions and you have to answer them. We gave you a list before this, but I hope you wont mind if we stray a little bit on the questions no?" The interviewer raises her voice a bit on the end and seems to be challenging her.
Seems like this will be a difficult interview.
The members watching at the conference room seemed a bit interested as it seems like there's an animosity going on between the two. Rindo seemed interested too, if the glint in his eye is to be believed.
"Give me your best shot."
At this the interviewer procured a cue card which seems to contain her lists of questions.
"ill take it easy on you for this. First question: Taiyaki or-"
She didn't get to finish her statement as Pace interrupted her. "Taiyaki. Anytime of the day."
Rindo, slammed his hand at the conference table. "Seriously?! They call this a fucking Tough 10 but start with that type of question?! What type of sissypuss show is this?!"
Sanzu throws some nuts in his direction. "Shut up Rindo, this is a celebrity interview. They're a bunch of softies."
"Shouldn't have called it Tough 10 then. What a bunch of hmgkflkslslfkfkdl-" Ran stuffs his brother's mouth with nuts then proudly looks at Mikey.
"Is this noise level ok now boss?"
Mikey nods then turns back to TV.
"No unnecessary noises Rindo. It's irritating."
Glaring at his brother Rindo nods at his boss.
Back at the studio, the interviewer who feels insulted by the interruptioncleared her throat." Please let me finish my question next time." She smiled.
"Oh, Sorry. You know me when it comes to Taiyaki Erina-chan." Giving a sarcastic shrug the crowd laughs as the host awkwardly smiles then proceeds to second question.
"Question Number 2: The most ridiculous thing you do when you're bored?"
She seems to think her answer for a bit. "Not to brag, but when im bored I count my diamonds collection till I fall asleep."
The fans in the studio starts cheering upon hearing her answer.
Koko's eyes seem to twinkle at the mention of diamond.
No. not just diamond. DIAMONDS.
"Damn, rich as fuck huh?"
All eyes turns to Rindo who cant seem to shut up all the time.
"SSSHSHHHHHHH!"
"Okay, Okay! I'm shutting up now!"
"Do it, Im telling you! Stop interrupting my King's TV Time!"
Takeomi sighs at his younger brother's words. Thankfully they immediately shut up after that.
Back at the TV, the interviewer, Erina looked shocked at the answer but immediately nodded and decided to proceed to the next question.
"Would you rather die rich but sad or poor but happy?"
Without blinking, Pace answered the question. "Id rather die sad but rich. I mean, I cant imagine myself being wrapped in a plain clothes on my casket. I want to wear a Chanel LBD on my death you know? Then I'd have each guest be given Hermes hankies whenever they shed a tear on my funeral. Sad, but posh. That'll be my signature style upon death."
That answer is an unexpected one.
Everyone was silent at the moment but at the conference room, Ran started giggling by himself. "Boss, your girl's crazy."
Mikey's mouth seem to twitch upon his statement and nods. "That seems just like her."
Gauging by the audience reaction, the fans have anticipated this as they were cheering for her more. "Pace! Pace! Pace!"
Erina could be heard muttering "this is fucking ridiculous" as she massages her temple, probably stressed out on the way her interview's going on.
Wanting this interview done she gets to her next question.
"Are you a virgin?"
Seemingly taken aback by the question, Pace narrows her eyes staring at the interviewer. She's silent for almost a minute then with hard eyes she said "Yes."
That seemed to shock everyone on the conference room.
"HAH?!"
"SHE'S FUCKING SMOOTH AND FAST IN LOOPING MIKEY INTO A RELATIONSHIP BUT SHE'S A VIRGIN?!"
Sigh. That's Rindo.
"A PURE LADY FOR OUR KING. NOTHING BUT THE BEST." Damn Sanzu and his delusions.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. MIDGET IS VIRGIN. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Ran seemed to lose it.
"EVERYBODY SHUT UP THERE'S A FOLLOW UP QUESTION!" Mochizuki yelled which got them to immediately shut up and watch again.
The crowd which are stunned at the question and answer cant seem to recover immediately as Erina continues on her 5th question without even looking at her cue card.
Pace who was casually leaning at the start of interview is know sitting cross legged with an aloof look on her face and a bitchy tilt in her brows.
There's that bitchy look we're looking for.
"But you had your first kiss already, yes?"
"No." Pace answered with a straight face.
This earns a mutterings on the audience who all have seen the commotion in the social media.
Immediately after answering the question a photo popped up on the screen showing Pace leaning for a kiss on the guy in front of her.
Mikey.
It was that Eskimo kiss at the festival.
"Can you explain this?"
"That's your question number 6 yes?" Pace nods without letting Erina answer. "Every fan who saw me there that night knows that the only kiss I gave Hottie that night is an Eskimo Kiss. I just ate takoyaki that time you know? I don't want my first kiss to be remembered as the one tasting like an octopus. Ugh." She answered,with a hint lf disgust in her voice.
Erina seemed to pick up the name she mentioned but held back on asking. She have 4 remaining questions left and this needs to count. She needs big scoop for this! Knowing Pace, she wont back down to any question since this is a live interview.
"So, Is he your boyfriend or its one of those armani guys or the Gucci suited one?"
Pace didn't miss the implication in her tone.
Gaze seemingly hardening but never losing her cool she answered head on. "No, not the Gucci wearing one. As much as the people of twitter simp over his looks, im telling you guys, he's not worth it. You're better off with fangirling over his brother, the one wearing the striped suit. He has a much better taste on fashion." She pauses and puts her hand to her chin as if thinking. "Although the one wearing the grey suit is a gentleman so if you prefer him, he looks like someone who can buy you a tub of taiyaki. Or if you like your guys rough but protective choose the pink haired dude."
"But my boyfriend is the one in hoodie. I won't give any descriptions since I'm a possesive person. I don't like anyone looking at my man you know?"
Back at the conference room Takeomi could only face palm as he watch Rindo raise hell as he listens to the compliments give to the other guys aside from him.
"THAT'S IT! IM GOING TO FUCKING KILL THAT MIDGET NOT EVEN A MICROSCOPE CAN FIND HER EXISTENCE!!!"
"MOTHERFUCKING GOD WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP RIN?!"
"NO!"
"YES!"
Mochizuki who seems to enjoy watching the twins argue is filming the scene in front of them.
Sanzu at the side is panicking when he found that his King's face is turning red.
"MY KING! MY KING! ARE YOU OKAY?! YOU'RE TURNING RED! CAN YOU BREATH?! KOKO! CPR!"
Feeling like there's too much chaos on the room Takeomi finally snapped. "WILL YOU ALL PLEASE STOP IT?! LOOK THEY ASKED ANOTHER QUESTION AND WE HAVENT HEARD IT BECAUSE OF ALL YOUR STUPIDITY!"
At that they all settled down as they ask Kakucho who have a serious look on his face.
"What's the question?" Asks Takeomi.
"That Erina asked her a simple question. What are your names."
"Well fuck." Muttered Sanzu.
"She atleast knows your names right?" Tilting his head on their leader's direction, Kakucho asked Mikey
"She doesn't. And I don't honestly know if it's a good or bad thing."
"She did said she has a lot of resources. That, and she'll find you, right boss?" interrupted Ran. Mikey nods at him "But even if she do, just a simple mention of our names on National TV can put a target in our backs. People are nosey enough without knowing our names. Imagine them having a clue about us. For sure they'll dig a lot about us."
At that the Bonten Executives glanced worriedly at the screen as Pace suddenly unfolded her legs leaned her hand in front of Interviewer. They held their breath waiting for the girl's answer knowing it can make or break their Organization.
"Hottie, Frigid Pink, Young Thug 1, Young Thug 2 and Ugly." She answered with a straight face.
"Pft. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA!"
All the Bonten members could only sigh in relief at the stupid answer and watch as their leader laugh carelessly in front of them. It's been long time since he last laughed like this.
At the studio, Erina seemed take aback by her answer. "Are you for real? That's not even their real name! I bet they're part of a gang or something. With that distinctive tattoo of theirs"
At the mention of tattoo, the Bonten Executives seems breath seems to pause again. Damn, this Erina girl is sharp.
Pace smirks evilly at her but answers in her no bullshit tone. "I have the right to protect their privacy no? They're private people. I don't wanna interrupt their private lives just because you're demanding it to me on national TV." She sighs, seems like she's tired. "And to answer your follow up question, no. they're not part of any gang. You see, my boyfriend owns a lot of dorayaki shop around the prefecture. It's the kind of logo that they imprint on their dorayaki as an honor to one of their friends who died before they even opened their first ever store."
The members could only blink at her ridiculous answers.
This is the type of person who mastered the art of bull shitting her way through an argument.
Koko would give hats off to her. She managed to answer the questions in the most ridiculous way possible but still make it fit her made up narrative. And it seemed like he's not the only one who realized that.
"Oh look. That's supposed to be your last two questions yes? But since I'm feeling generous, I'll let you ask me a last one. Just a payback for your hardwork. Who knows, maybe it'll be the last question you'd ask your entire career cause you'll be fired. " Pace who seems livid smiles evilly as she leans back at her seat waiting for Erina to give her last question.
The interviewers cheeks turns red upon the threat of her job but she exhales before speaking.
"I still think it's shady that you suddenly got a boyfriend after years of being elusive. Randomly at that. Then suddenly it's trending on social media? Seems like staged up scenario to me."
Pace who looks bored at her monologue checks her nails then glances at her. "Which part of that is your question?"
Erina, who looks like she's ready to explode angrily mutters.
"I'm daring you to call your boyfriend right now and let us listen as he answer the call. Surely that's not too much for the great Pace sama to do no?"
Pace who seems to think about it suddenly snaps her fingers to the air and there's a lot of murmurs from the crowd.
The Executives in the conference room is also discussing as they don't know how what to do for this. They just witnessed her bullshit her way throughout the whole interview but then another ridiculously hard question comes up for her.
Koko sighs as he listens to Sanzu freaking out beside Mikey. "My king, what do we do?! She doesn't even know our name in the first place and miraculously got past that. But how can she pass through this?!"
"Maybe shell call another number on his phone that'll pose as Mikey here." Takeomi nods at their leader as he puffs his cigar.
"Damn, I rarely watch TV but I never knew celebrity interviews are this hard."
"Probably not really like this." Answered Kakucho. "Haven't you noticed? There seems to be an animosity with those two."
Koko nods at this. "Shush now, a guy from the crowd just gave Pace her phone."
Mikey who's silent at the middle has his only focus on the interview.
The camera pans on to Pace as she scrolls through her phone then nods. They zoom as she goes to her phonebook and stops at the contact with a name, "Hottie."
Huh, who could that be?
They connected her phone to the mic and she dials the number.
The crowd waits in baited breath as the phones dial tone rings throughout the studio.
The men at the conference room leaning in anticipation suddenly jumps as they heard a phone ring.
It was Mikey's phone.
Everyone looked at each other wide eyed as they wait for their leader to answer the call from a private number.
Meanwhile at the studio, some audiences are holding each other's hand like on a prayer manner. Anticipating whatever it is to happen.
Will he answer it?
click*
The call connected!
A husky voice suddenly swept throughout the studio.
" Hello, Baby."