"Lee san!" Smiling, Ryūko enters the massage clinic beaming brightly at the tattooed man.
"If it isn't my favourite customer." Lee smirks at Ryūko.
"I'm not even your customer." Cheekily, Ryūko crosses her arms over her chest.
"Guessing you're here for Makoto." Lee assumes.
"Yeah I promised I'd treat her for sliding me in her busy schedule yesterday." Ryūko reveals.
"Namie…thanks." Lee sighs softly at the girl.
"Thanks?" Ryūko quirks her head to the side.
"For being Makoto's friend she…she doesn't have many." Lee reveals.
"Oh nonsense she's an amazing person." Ryūko reasserts.
"Speak of the devil…" Lee smirks just as the door opens, hearing the soft tap of a cane.
"Ah Lee san I'm back with your cigarettes." The girl with short brownish black hair enters.
"Makoto guess who's here?" Lee smirks at the girl in pink.
"Hey Mako!" Ryūko reveals herself to the girl.
"Namie, what are you doing here?" Merrily, Makoto perks up at her friend.
"I thought to treat you to some lunch if Lee san doesn't mind me stealing you away like this!" Ryūko winks, wrapping her arm around the arm of the smiling Makoto.
"I'd love too! But…" Makoto beams brightly but soon falters furrowing her brow by it.
"No buts." Lee interrupts.
"Lee san?" Surprised, Makoto jolts up at her Lee.
"Go Makoto." Lee insists.
"R-Really?" Makoto smiles shyly at the thought.
"Yeah live a little here." Lee reasons.
"Lee san…" Touched, Makoto meekly smiles.
"Now go out and enjoy yourself." Lee tells her.
"Thanks Lee san you're the best." Ryūko smiles.
"T-Thank you!" Makoto adds as the two leave heading out of the clinic.
"Aw isn't Lee nice spoiling you like that?" Ryūko remarks as the two walk through the streets.
"Yeah…he truly is kind. So how have things been? Is your back alright?" Anxiously, Makoto asks her friend.
"Always the worrywart eh Makoto, it's fine now thanks to your skill." Ryūko winks.
"Stop…I wouldn't have learnt such skill if it weren't for Lee San." Shyly, she smiles, a faint feverish tint to her cheeks touched by her words.
"And modest to boot you'd make a man very happy someday." Ryūko reassures her.
"You…you think so?" Shyly, she smiles at the thought.
"I know so." Ryūko promises.
"You're so kind Namie san…" Makoto bows her head happy to have her friend treat her to a meal.
"I'm just saying how it is." Ryūko shrugs smiling.
"I mean it I know you could be with other girls who could keep up and I'm s-" Miserably, Makoto bows her head pained.
"If the next word that comes out of your mouth is I'm sorry, I apologize, or anything similar, I will actually whack you over the head with your walking stick." Smirking, Ryūko cuts Makoto off.
"Heheh…you really are amazing Namie-san." Makoto giggles.
"Eh? How come?" Ryūko raises a brow by her words.
"Cause you treat me normally you don't try to dance around me you tell me how it is you really are a good friend." Smiling, she tells Ryūko, appreciative of being treated normal.
"Hey what are friends for?" Ryūko remarks as the two approach the vending machine, Makoto ordering her meal with Ryūko ordering her own.
"I think I'm a god." Ryūko jokes jovial as she and Makoto sit on a nearby bench.
"A god?" Makoto giggles at the thought brining a smile to Ryūko's lips.
"Or maybe a demigod." Ryūko considers coyly.
"A demigod?" Makoto places a hand over her mouth muffling said snicker trying to break through.
"I'm still struggling in the wardrobe about it..." Ryūko admits amused.
"And I'm struggling with the concept of you having that much power." Playfully, Makoto retorts.
"Oh come on I could handle it." Ryūko promises.
"Just as you handled that firecracker you brought to school." Smirking, Makoto recalls said story.
"It was for a science fair you let loose a small story and you get thrown under the bus." Bemused, Ryūko shakes her head at her.
"You set everyone else stands on fire!" Makoto points out giggling.
"How was I to know it would happen?" Fairly, Ryūko shrugs.
"It is in the name." Makoto reminds her.
"Mean…" Ryūko trails off.
"Truthful is what I prefer to be called." Makoto retorts back.
"Soo…how are things?" Ryūko asks her.
"Good, good Lee san says I'm getting better with my technique." Makoto beams brightly at the news.
"That's good any luck with boys?" Ryūko wiggles a brow bemused.
"Boys are the last thing on my mind Namie you know that." Tentatively, Makoto sighs sadly.
"I know that but that doesn't mean they know that besides you're a catch Makoto I'm surprised you don't face any issues on the basis." Ryūko reasons.
"It's probably due to this." Makoto sighs sadly her grip tightening around her cane.
"Oh come on, any great guy would see through that…." Ryūko praises her.
"See through?" Teasingly, Makoto wiggles a brow bemused.
"Okay I id not mean sorry." Sheepishly, Ryūko raises her hands up in the air as Makoto couldn't help but giggle giddily as just then the bright buzz of the pager perks up.
"Hm?" Ryūko eyes the pager below noting the car outside.
"Something wrong?" Innocently, Makoto asks.
"Urgh looks like work I'll phone you after." Ryūko tells her, the two hadn't gone far they never really did, Makoto knew her way back, the two had come here often.
"Sure looking forward to it!" Merrily, Makoto beams brightly at Ryūko as the two go their separate ways, Makoto heading her own way back to the parlour, not far from there while Ryūko turns towards the car parked, waiting as the long-haired male raises a brow at the blonde whose facial features immediately fall, the mask breaking before the man in red.
"Work huh?" Haughty, he lowers the window peering up at the scowling blonde.
"Yes moron work now drive." Done, she orders the long-haired pouting man as they take off, heading off to pick up their last party member unaware of the chaos to come…
Loudly, the bustling streets of Kamurocho greets the car where inside an older Ryūko leans back into her seat, staring down at her scarred palm, swiftly pulling up her coal black leather gloves, happily humming, settled unlike her brow twitching 'brother.' Confidently, the girl hums as she and her 'brother' sits in the car.
"He can't expect us to wait here forever…" Grumbling, the ruby red satin suited male huffs to himself.
"I don't mind waiting…" Smirking, Ryūko leans out of the car window, smiling at the group of boys, fidgeting look nervous, a gleam appears in the woman's bright blues at the sight of the first timers in the night life of Kamurocho.
"Oi, oi, we're here to pick up Kiryu not let you pick up boys!" Playfully, he warns the pouting Ryūko.
"Urgh…come on Nishiki we both know we want to have some fun why not wait a little and enjoy the show?" Smirking, said girl huffs tuning to her adopted brother, determined to leave the car.
"Cause Kiryu is at a important meeting remember? Besides there are no good girls here…" Nishiki remarks, he wears a maroon suit with a black and gold shirt, as well as having his hair down.
"Not like Reina right brother?" Mischievously, Ryūko teases smirking at the sharp scowl from said male.
"Oi, oi!" Cheekily, he ruffles up the blonde's long wild hair making Ryūko gawk horrified as she quickly fixes her wild mess up.
"Oi! Do you have any idea how hard it is to tame this bird's nest!?" Said girl snaps at the snickering male.
"Then cut it, come on let's go…" Peevish, Nishiki exits the car making Ryūko huffs and groans. Bored, Ryūko gets out the car, stretching exposing her outfit to be a pair of tight black jeans with a slick silver belt hanging and on diagonally on her waist with a small silver cross dangling down from her waistband, she has on a pair of coal black boots with a few slick silver belt buckles matching her sharp dagger like slick steel silver heels, clicking against the smooth stone floor of the alleyway. Casually, she stretches, moving her snow-white dress shirt with a ruby red tie dangling down as her long bright blonde locks are held into a ponytail.
Casually, she adjusts her sleek black leather gloves after adjusting her ruby red tie and looking up at the stoic individual that alone many would be intimidated by his emotionless features, particular the blood stain on his cheek, before her that is Kiryu looming over the scared boy and a group of thugs unconscious, beaten to a pulp.
"Aw…did we miss out on the phone, geez Kiryu you could have saved the rest for us," Disappointed, Ryūko pouts at the older male who calmly turns to her, leaving the victim to tremble fearful. Kiryu's outfit consists of a sleek black suit and such; he has tanned features and coal black hair.
"Aw he's cute…" Dissatisfied, Ryūko notes lightly, a hungry glint in her eye when she eyes the trembling figure that is the young man.
"Don't you have a job to get to sis…?" Kiryu questions her genuinely curious as said girl pouts.
"Eh, why do you always have to be such buzzkills? Besides my so called 'boss' is such a dumbass he probably wouldn't notice me not there." Ryūko huffs, arms behind her head.
"Well, well I see it's still all or nothing with you." Nishiki smirks, approaching Kiryu the sound of keys clicking echoes joining in with the whimpers and groans of the unconscious thugs.
"At least clean yourself up before going to see the others," Tiredly, she scolds her brother, getting on her tippy toes to reach the daunting height of her brother to wipe away the blood on his cheek.
"Nishiki," Kiryu recognises him as the screen freezes, stopping on a mid-shot of said male as a small title card of the male appears.
Akira Nishikiyama of the Dojima Family
"You kept us waiting so long we were beginning to think we were being stood up," Akira calls out hands on hips.
"You did Nishiki, I was enjoying myself…" Pouting, Ryūko complains.
"Eyeing some nobodies isn't a hobby sis…" Exasperated, Nishiki points out.
And going to clubs with girls after your money is? Reina would think differently," Slyly, said girl smirks a sly smirk at her fidgeting brother, hunched over ruby red.
"Ryuko…" Kiryu calls out to Ryūko who cheekily winks at him.
"Miss me bro?" Cheekily, Ryūko teases said male who remains stoic making her mope.
"Aw, no reaction just like always, you're no fun," Ryuko points out as the screen stops on the smirking blonde.
Ryūko Hada of the Dojima Family…
"That's my line. You were late I had to find a way to kill time," Kiryu argues calmly.
"You're picking fights to kill time. Go get a massage. Be an adult for once and do something for your health, you're almost as bad as Ryūko …" Nishiki brings up smirking.
"Not my fault, people think they have the right to touch my hair or holler at me," Irritable, Ryūko crosses her arms scowling.
"That depends on how much you drink," Light-heartedly, Kiryu brings up smirking.
"Hey no fair, I don't question about your little plays, well lack of anyway," Mischievously, Ryūko exclaims.
"I'm not interested." Simply, Kiryu rejects.
"Uptight's are what you are," Nishiki mutters.
"Oi, people like Kiryu are a rarity, girls love men like him saving themselves, they go gaga for that kind of guy…besides last I checked Kiryu has a lot more lady fans than you Nishiki!" Playfully, Ryūko points out.
"Whatever. Let's get to drinking then, we're going all night tonight, right?" Nishiki asks turning his back.
"Sure…" Kiryu nods.
"Yeah, dibs on not paying!" Ryūko raises her hand.
"You never pay…" Irked, Nishiki adds.
Um…thank you very much!" Loudly, the wobbling voice interrupts the smirking trio who turn to the nervous fidgeting boy bowing to the trio, directing his gratitude towards Kiryu.
Huh?" Nishiki turns puzzled as a familiar glint appears in Ryūko's eyes.
"Er, no, I mean…I wanted to say…thanks for uh coming…" The boy turns away shy and scared making Ryūko smirk, enjoying the mess.
"Let's go Nishiki," Kiryu sighs as the tow turn their back to the boy but not a certain blonde.
"Aren't you a cutie, let me guess a virgin?" Eagerly, Ryūko leans in smirking a succubus like smile hungrily licking her lips as the shocked mess goes ruby red, sputtering.
"Aw your face is cute, look how you flustered you are, so cute, say after this maybe…" Ryūko begins.
"Ryūko!" Sharply, the stern voice of Kiryu interrupts said girl who releases a sigh of frustration.
"Oi, oi, I'm having some fun over here," Ryūko sulks from Kiryu's father like disapproval.
You are not making this kid one of your many victims," Kiryu deadpans.
"Aw I wanna keep him he's adorable…" Ryūko grumps arms crossed.
"No way, this is a no hook up night," Nishiki argues.
"But he's so cute, he's stuttering, he's so…" Ryūko argues only to receive the brotherly disapproval gaze of her adopted brothers making her frown, cursing under her breathe.
"Come on Ryūko!" Annoyed, Ryūko shoves her hands into her pockets releasing a small squeak of shock as Kiryu grabs the blonde by her collar and drags her away from the alley, from the blushing boy.
"Call me…" Flirty, Ryūko winks at the sputtering mess on the floor terrified from the bright smile of the girl but most of all, the ice-cold killer glare of both intimidating males before him.
"You're kidding me!" Ryūko glowers after hearing Kiryu's report on his talk with the higher ups of our family, Nishiki is sat down on a sleek black leather sofa while Ryūko's standing up, pacing back and forth while their mentor of sorts, Kashiwagi stands. He wears a grey double-breasted suit over white shirt, a navy-blue tie, matching grey dress pants, and a pair of brown dress shoes. His hair style is a slicked-back one.
"Take responsibility alone? Just what are you planning Kiryu?" Nishiki questions, his hues narrowed at the plan. Ryūko feels them glance at her once in a while as she strides back and forth, feeling restless at the thought of her brother going to prison.
"I…I'll leave the Dojima family effective today. Terminate my oath and retire from the Yakuza," Kiryu reveals his plan making Ryūko grimace at the dumb plan.
"Kiryu are you serious!?" Nishiki demands.
"Are you mad? Once you leave, you'll be vulnerable to the enemies that couldn't attack you before! You…you can't leave the yakuza that easily, they'll break you, destroy those close to you!" Ryūko reasons to him, trying to get him to understand his rash action.
"I'm taking care of this one myself. Once I'm out I'll put pressure on Kuze and get him to hand over the killer." Kiryu states as though it was as simple as that.
"Are you mental? You'll only cause Kuze to set his goons out on you, you'll be screwed!" Ryūko argues.
"Ryuko's right. You think they'll let a Yakuza only three years deep in his oath leave in one piece? Worst case they'll kill you man!" Nishiki reasons as Ryūko nods in agreement.
"Worst case! That isn't worst, trust me I've seen the shit those asses use on people, its messed up, I saw them use waterboarding once," Ryūko warns him grimly recalling the muffled screams and the once gentle water causing a wave of horror for the poor fool.
"Water…isn't that illegal?" Nishiki whispers.
It's the yakuza everything is illegal!" Angrily, Ryūko snaps.
"It hurts to say but Kuze's holding the Dojima family reigns right now. And you think you can turn him down and walk away alive!?" Nishiki turns back to Kiryu.
"I'm not going to ask Kuze, I'm going straight to Dojima," Determined, Kiryu reveals making Ryūko gawk at the even worse plan.
"That's a suicide mission do you have any idea how many guards that guy has on him!?" Ryūko states the fact.
"Besides, we don't know if they'll kill me for sure…" Kiryu turns away, denial evident in his stoic mask.
"Kiryu even if they don't kill you, they can still break you," Ryūko argues softly.
"Get your car Nishiki I'm going to the family headquarters…" Kiryu stands making Ryūko scowl.
"Like hell you are! You're just desperate this is nuts!" Nishiki argues grabbing and trying to manhandle Kiryu into stopping the dumbass.
"Shut up!" Kiryu pushes Nishiki back.
"There's no other way. I'm not going to sit here and let them do this!" Enraged, Nishiki refuses making Ryūko scowl, shaking Ryūko head at the idiots.
"Kiryu they mentioned prison, listen to me, you're not the only one there, there will be yakuza in prison too you can rely on them to keep you safe…" Ryūko tries to reason with him softly.
"I will not give Kazama-san any more trouble than I already have…" Kiryu reasons resolute as Ryūko glare at the stubborn fool only to soften at the sheer seriousness of his tone.
"Kiryu…" Ryūko calls out concern laced in her tone, not wanting to lose her brother.
"That's enough Kiryu. Nishikyama and Ryuko are right," Sternly, Kashiwagi intervenes.
"I don't care who's right. I'm just a punk kid who became a yakuza to follow Kazama-san. If my screw ups are going to bring him down. I'm ready to do what I have to." Kiryu gives in as Ryūko scowls at the reckless Kiryu only to hear the harsh slam of the table from an infuriated Kashiwagi. Nishiki jumps back startled from the fierce kick from the usually calm and composed man while Ryūko remains unfazed as he grabs Kiryu.
"Do you even comprehend how serious this is? Huh!? Are you too big to do what you're told now? Is that it Kiryu?" Kashiwagi questions him enraged.
"Yes sir…even if Kazama san himself tried to stop me. I'd go," Seriously, Kiryu swears making Ryūko scowl at the idiot.
"You…idiot!" Seething, Kashiwagi reels his fist back and punches Kiryu causing him to crash into the shelves causing a few pieces to fall and clatter on him.
"Enough! Punching each other won't solve anything!" Annoyed, Ryūko argue, gently kneeling down to check over Kiryu's features, luckily nothing but still. Quietly, Ryūko wipe away the crimson stain leaking out. Guilty, Kiryu bows his head, a pained expression on his features.
"Please forgive me Kashiwagi san…Nishiki get the car," Kiryu bows his head as Ryūko helps him up, he gives her a brief but grateful nod. Ryūko nods back, worried to see this turn of events, why was this happening? They're a family! She couldn't lose her brothers…she couldn't, she wouldn't…
"Thank you for all you've done for me sir," Grateful, Kiryu bows to him and leaves, grimacing with Nishiki reluctantly getting the car Ryūko is about to follow until…
"Ryuko, remember your job." Sharply, Kashiwagi reminds Ryūko of her mission.
"You expect me to abandon my brothers!?" Stunned, Ryūko exclaims to him.
"You would abandon the task given to you by Kazama-san?" Kashiwagi counters making Ryūko go silent as Ryūko grimaces, turning away.
"It's alright Ryūko, I don't want you involved in this. This is my mistake, it's my responsibility you have your responsibilities to fulfil," Kiryu informs Ryūko; hand on her shoulder making Ryūko sigh.
"Please….be careful," Tenderly, Ryūko places her hand on top of his, giving it a faint squeeze. Kiryu nods determined and heads out with Nishiki, leaving Ryūko alone with a pained Kashiwagi…
Loudly, slick black heel boots click against the stone street steps of the nightlife. Ryūko listens to the loud critical sound of music, the loud gossiping voices of the crowd and a few loud blares of cars. Her nose twitches at the heavy scent of alcohol and pollution as the ice cool wind of Sotenbori welcomes Ryūko to the nightlife.
"Who is that beauty?"
"Look at her hair it's so bright…looks like the blazing sun!"
"I bet she knows her way around…"
Bored, Ryūko glances at the perverted men making Ryūko sigh, geez at least with her perverted nature, she does it as a joke, messing with people and their reactions are the best but this was just rude… besides from those signs, those boys are quite the impish bunch. Not her problem though, the more money invested the more fun for her. Honestly, those type of guys are always so boring, so predictable, now that's where those shy guys come in, they say the quieter the boy the more interesting they are. Amused, Ryūko smirks at the thought.
Besides those boys tended to have no idea what to do, making it more fun being in control and those types of guys tend to find new interesting aspects of fun rather than those married guys, following the same old boring formula of fun over and over. Besides Ryūko didn't cheat, she hated it. Cheating is for the scum of the earth. Besides, no man has able been able to tame Ryūko, heh, she smirks at the numerous fools attempts only to end with her on top, victories, it would take one hell of a man to pull that off, to make her writhe underneath them, heh…
"Pl-Please let me go…"
"Oh come on girly don't you want to fun?"
"Yeah your dress is screaming out for it!"
"I…please stop, I'm not used to these many people…"
"Come on it'll be fun all of us together!"
"P-Please stop…"
Calmly, Ryūko stop in her tracks turning to the group of punks harassing the girl in a sparkly but modest dress, well modest than most girls around this place looking awkward, scared and screaming for help as the boys roughly grab her. Why isn't anyone doing anything!? Fuming, her hues narrow at some policemen turning a blind eye to the clearly distressed girl and scowl.
"Oi, the girl isn't liking how you're handling her let her go!" Annoyed, Ryūko intervenes, hands on hips.
"Ohh and what will you…?" One of the boys bellow.
"Oh my gosh it's a blonde angel…" Awestruck another boy adds.
"You know what they say about blondes bet she barely knows any Japanese!" Another adds.
"Yeah she looks foreign this will be easy so sweetheart how about we show you-" Swiftly, Ryūko grabs the fool by the throat, making him release a choke of horror as drool spits out from the fool as she tosses him into the hard floor of the road, hearing the faint crunch of bone.
Ryūko raises her boot, her heel aimed at his nose as she stamps on him, causing crimson to spurt out of the fool. Ryūko then turns to the scared man, who charges towards Ryūko, only bringing a coy smirk to her lips as she easily dodges the fool's sluggish hits, following a familiar melody like beat. Easily, Ryūko counters the fool's attempts at fighting and in the end; they all lay on the floor coated in crimson defeated. Sneakily, Ryūko steals some yen from them, come on with this golden era coming about, can't a girl spoil herself?
"You don't want any?" Ryūko offers the gawking girl.
"I…I…" Bored, Ryūko glances at the shell-shocked girl, she has dark brown hair put into two low pigtails curled, bright pink lipstick matching her glittery pink dress as my eyes narrow at her rather youthful features.
"You don't belong here do you?" Ryūko huffs.
"How did…?" She whispers surprised.
"You're way too young to be here then again I've seen younger, what brings someone like you here?" Ryūko questions ready for the sob story to follow.
"Well…it was a dare…I…my mother said I couldn't get a guy with my shy act and dared me to go out like this…" Shyly, the girl hunches over, covering herself ashamed.
"Kirikia!" They turn to the concerned voice of an older woman wearing similar features to Kirikia.
"M-Mother," Nervously, the girl calls out to her mother and the two hug one another as Ryūko glances to the side, feeling the third wheeling effect. She frowns at the alien scene before her until the woman notices.
"I was so worried, thank you so much for saving my little Kiri I didn't mean for her to actually go with it." Her mother confesses.
"But my mother you're right, I can't be shy forever. I need to be strong and brave like…I'm sorry what's your name?" She question making Ryūko go silent in debate should she?
"Name's Namie, you know old lady you should keep an eye on your daughter. You'd be surprised what your words could do to a kid," Ryūko reminds her.
"Y-yes you're right. I didn't do anything when my little girl was being harassed by those men. I'm so sorry Kiri!" The mother cries tears in her eyes as Ryūko glance at Kiri wearing a sparkly pink dress that makes Ryūko wince from the neon colour.
"N-no it's fine, thank you Namie you saved me and my mother!" She thanks Ryūko.
"It's cool just think your ma needs to go to parenting lesson," Ryūko points out.
"You aren't wrong there. I just… Kirikia's father left when I was pregnant with my little Kiri, we had been married for years but then ran off for some hot broad, so I thought maybe my little girl could do well…" The mother continues.
"Your reasoning scares me." Ryūko deadpans at the old woman and turn to the young girl.
"Stay in school kid or whatever," Ryūko mutters turning her back to the two who nod grateful as she leave the weirdos…hm? Coolly, Ryūko glances at her watch and frown. Great, she's late the boss is going to kill her…if he isn't acting all goodie two shoes again for the customers…
Stoically, Ryūko continues on her way through the nightlife seeing a few thugs take on poor people which she swiftly takes care off in her own way, some of those guys were even cuties if it weren't for her job she would have stayed…stupid job. Ryūko curses internally as finally, I arrive at the place, her hues squinting wincing at the bright artificial lights above her at the location of work…
The Cabaret Grand…
Loudly, Ryūko is greeted by the loud tune of the band performing for the audience where various booths of ruby red velvet cushions and layer structures of golden lay in front of the huge stage; it reminds Ryūko of Las Vegas in a way with the roman columns and such. She glances at the girls wearing their glittery scantily clad dresses, cheering and entertaining the customers, Ryūko turns to look up at a specific booth to see two clapping and cheering, drowning the bucket of champagne on the girls.
"You're late," Ryūko turns to the brunette male wearing his suit attire as Ryūko removes her coal black trench coat with a silver buckle, removing it to give to Yoshi to handle. Ryūko reveals her work attire consisting of a snow-white blouse with thin strips of grey, snowy striped sleeves rolled up to her elbows, seeing a brief pinch of red ink which she quickly hides with the ruffles of her sleeve.
She has on her sleek black vest buttoned up with sleek black trousers matching her silver and black heeled ankle boots. Tiredly, she adjusts her long wild blonde locks into a ponytail as she gets behind the counter, already beginning to serve drinks as he wobbly follows her lead, his speed not as fast as hers however he hadn't exactly had years of past experience behind the counter.
"Good evening to you to Yoshi." Ryūko greets him informally seeing him struggle making her hold in a snicker at the sight.
"The boss isn't happy." Yoshi notes.
"When is he?" Haughtily, Ryūko teases lightly fixing up a cocktail.
"He's up smoking," Yoshi reports.
"Ah brooding most likely…" Ryūko assumes.
"You have nerves of steel Namie san," Yoshi releases a shaky breathe as Ryūko shrugs nonchalantly.
"Not really, I just don't care…say how's Kazumi you guys doing well?" Ryūko ponders.
"They want to move in," He grumbles.
"Oh boy the big move," Ryūko mutters.
"I'm terrified I don't know how I can do it," Yoshi confesses.
"I feel bad for you now, being in a relationship is silly," Ryūko states, she couldn't see it, holding her freedom, being in someone's captivity like that...when they could be as free as they want single.
"No way, being in a relationship is great, it makes you feel special like you have someone you can come home to; you know waiting for you…" Yoshi smiles wistfully as Ryūko goes quiet at his strange words. Waiting for someone? No way, not with her lifestyle, she wouldn't want anyone to go through that.
"Eh, I guess I just don't see it," Ryūko shrugs playing dumb.
"You'll understand when you meet the love of your life Namie," Yoshi smiles blissfully as Ryūko rolls her hues at the romantic.
"Sure buddy, you keep telling me that, it's not like there's over a thousand people on this earth at all…" Ryūko mutters under her breath.
"Heh…yeah, yeah you continue being a sceptic, just wait…oh customers!" Brightly, he smirks her way while Ryūko curses under her breath and approaches the two, newbies definitely, one seems to be anxious the other excited.
"Welcome to the grand, are you booked in?" Ryūko asks a false smile on her lips.
"Woah…" Ryūko hears the newbie with the briefcase whisper in awe as the other smiles.
"Yes, here," He smiles passing Ryūko the document as she nods.
"This way gentleman," Courteously, Ryūko smiles bowing slightly much to her irritation as she leads the men upstairs, her smirk widens when hearing them mutter to one another.
"Who is that beauty?"
"That's Namie, they say her smile is as golden as her hair, a foreigner, you know what they say right?"
"You think?"
"Nah no way, many have tried but the manager always intervenes…"
"Really?" Ryūko remains silent simply watching and looking around as Ryūko guides them upstairs.
"I…Christ my gender has no respect for themselves," Ryūko scowls at the copious girls as one drunkard with a tie around his temple, why do people even do that? Ryūko didn't get it with a money crown on his temple thanks to the tie cheers as he puts money onto the food dish and then in the girl's chest…for goodness sake where is there dignity? Then again when taking this job their dignity flew right outta the window, probably didn't see even say goodbye to their dignity…poor dignity.
"Say uh…are you certain this is safe? Aren't there a lot of…you know what around here…" The worrywart trials off looking nervous making her smirk widen.
Quickly, Ryūko holds in a snort at the worried tone of the newcomer to the bar, snickering internally at the dumbass. Oh they had no idea how right they are…
"Aw don't even sweat it! Honestly, chief how many times will you make me say it before you believe me?" Enthusiastically, the younger male reassures glasses.
"Yes but isn't Sotenbori supposed to be the Omni Alliance backyard… I've heard the whole town is crawling with Yakuza. And this sort of establishment in particular. Take that booth over there he's got to be a yakuza," My eye narrow at the tension of those guys and their gang. Only then to raise a brow smirking when he points to the booth below at the drunkard. I'm tempted to tell him he's wrong but this is too funny. "I think it'd be best if I headed back," Glasses responds tensely.
"It's fiine I'm serious! Sure we've got some rougher clubs in town but this place is absolutely safe. Guaranteed. And yeah, yeah that guy probably was a mobster but they all behave themselves here," The eager one dismisses.
"You're awfully adamant about this place," Glasses points out.
Your seats sir." Smiling a false smile, Ryūko returns feeling the males gawking at her as she takes a step back, smirking. She glances to the side and whistles, gesturing to the new customers, making the two girls turn to her and quickly bow.
"Make them break," Ryūko smirks sadistically as the girl's smirk back.
"You can count on us big sis Namie!" Hyper, the girls wink as she passes them the menu and take a step back, allowing the girls to do their work.
"Girls take care of these fine gentlemen would you?" Ryūko smiles sweetly sickly at the two dolts.
"Hai! Namie -sama," The girls chorus winking as she leaves them, listening to their conversation as the fools fall for the girl's charm.
"Let's see. Hmm…100 thousand for champagne?"
"That's really up there isn't it?"
"In that case lets go with champagne."
"Wait, wait are you sure? It's 100 thousand!"
"No problem, no problem! Can't have you worrying about the bill, chief. You just focus on having a good time. Champagne it is!"
"Thanks so much but will one bottle be enough?" Ryūko's smirk widens at the hostess question, seeing the fools fall for the innocent question she had taught them well…
"Eh?"
"True. We've got a Tokyo bigwig here with us. A single bottle will go awful fast. He'll think us Osakans are all cheapskates."
"Ladies please!"
"Hmm, you make a valid point. Yup, very convincing. So be it! Let's do this right. A bottle each!"
"Four bottles then!" The hostess cheers glancing at Ryūko, a snake like smile on her features as she smirks proud of the two.
"What? You two get your own!? Oh fine four bottles it is!"
"Well spoken like a true man," The hostess by the excited boy's side, linking arms with him, snuggling into his side making me smirk, seeing them fall for it, hook line and sinker…
Calmly, Ryūko places another bottle of champagne down as the two gossips, the girls clinging to them, giving her a smug look as she gives nod of approval back.
"But last I was in town. I'd never even heard of it…."
"Ah. It was only recently that this place was really picked up."
"Oh really?"
"Yes sir. The management changed, and then boom!"
"That so? Does a manager really make that much difference?"
"He poached the best girls from other clubs also did things ya couldn't talk about, if the rumours are true. He took what used to be a big, sad empty box of a place and brought it all the way to the top!"
"Is that so? I hope I'm lucky enough to meet him sometime then!"
"Hey I said that's enough!"
"Here comes the man of the hour," Dryly, Ryūko remarks eyeing the commotion coming down to the scene to find the waiter on the floor and the girl looking terrified from the groping drunkard.
"Sir, your patronage here today is much appreciated. Thank you very much," Goro greets the drunkard.
"The hell are you? A bouncer or something?" Irritated, the drunkard grumbles from Goro bowing slightly to the fool.
"The manager actually," Aloofly, Ryūko quips as he glances at her, his eyes widen intrigued as her sharp glare swiftly silences him.
"A common mistake, but a mistake nonetheless…" Majima bows once more, giving him a black business card.
"Yeah then what the hell are ya?" The drunk grumbles.
"Are people just ignoring me now honestly?" Ryūko mutters to herself, picking up the waiter with one hand as he glances sheepishly at her.
"I….I listened," Weakly, the waiter responds.
"Yeah, the moments gone." Grumbling, Ryūko observes the situation that will no doubt be in old man Majima's favour.
"My apologies. I am the manager of this cabaret. My name is Majima," He introduces himself.
"YOU'RE the manager? What, they got Yakuza runnin' this place?" The drunkard scoffs as smoothly Majima places his card back into his suit.
"I apologise for the crude impression I give. Despite appearance, I am assuredly a citizen. But I digress sir. I must ask that you refrain from touching and acts of violence while you are our guest. " Majima reassures as Ryūko holds in a snort, civilian her ass…
"If it bothers ya that much…why don't ya try stopping me by force, huh? Or is that face of yours just for show!" Loudly, the drunk angrily stamps on one of the many booths of the establishment.
"I'm afraid I can't do that sir. The customer is king you see." Majima reveals.
"Quite a policy you got there. Real impressive, I'm a big fan," The drunkard grabs the champagne from the ice bucket and approaches Majima, raising it up tauntingly at Majima.
"Here this one's my treat! Drink up my friend!" Proudly, he smirks pouring the champagne all over Majima, who remains surprisingly still unfazed, poker faced.
Horrified, the other two stare fearful at Majima while the drunkard cackles.
"Well? How do ya like your king now?" The drunk taunts.
"Very kind of you sir. I had always said I love this brand so much I wish I could bathe in it. You've made a dream come true," Smoothly, he places his hand on his lips, enjoying the fragrance and rich taste of champagne as Ryūko stares at the weirdo old man, always finding his….ass kissing to be the weirdest she had ever seen.
"Smug prick you got some balls!" Enraged, the drunk yells, taking hold of the neck of the champagne glass and attempts to hit Majima with it only for said male to swiftly and numbly dodge the various heavy and sluggish strikes of the weapon.
"Sir I must repeat my earlier request. Perhaps you've had enough fun for one evening? If you insist on interrupting our business here any further…" Calmly, Majima warns.
"Then you'll do what? Huh?" Haughtily, the drunk roars angered.
"If that's how ya want it boys gimme one with a beat!" Majima raises his hands as the orchestra behind him eagerly comply, bursting out a lively upbeat beat.
"Wha…" The man is taken aback by the uproar of music beginning.
"If you insist that I overstep my station sir then I, Majima shall dance with you. I will not however raise my hand against you. After all…the customer is king," Majima bows his head serenely.
"You still going on with that!? Smart ass bastard!" He yells tossing his champagne glass to the side, the sharp sound of glass breaking echoes in Ryūko's ears as she quickly grabs the girl, saving her from the sharp shards. Frightened, the girl clings to Ryūko who turns to the idiot.
"You're a dumbass you know that," Amused, Ryūko smirks at the man who coyly smirks back her way.
"It's Showtime!"
He places both hands up, a spotlight being set upon him as the true fight begins, a one sided one as easily Majima does a variety of misses and uses the cues that easily outsmart and confuse the fool, not that Ryūko can blame him its Majima after all. Heck he easily dodges the tired man, offering him a towel to handle his sweating, he is basically taunting him almost.
"The hell is with you bastard?!" He roars, panting, exhausted, heaving and huffing as Majima stands still, poker faced unfazed no single sign of exhaustion on him, no sign of fighting on his features as the puffed man huffs and raises his fist to strike only to stumble forward and hit his table booth. Ryūko's red flags fiercely wave when seeing him pick up the ice picker and raise it at Majima's only eye. Swiftly, she decides to intervene. Speedily, she strikes, grabbing the taller male's wrist, making his eyes extend when meeting her stern strict blue.
"You've had your fun, you've given us all a form of entertainment, but now the act is getting stale so I suggest you leave before I force you out," Strictly, she snarls warning him taking him aback.
"Shut it bitch!" He roars at Ryūko grumbling as she snatches his tie slamming him into the table below breaking it with one blow baffling many. She swiftly disarms him, kicking him aside as she hands the pick over to Majima.
"For your own safety I'll hold on to this," Majima exclaims to the man cradling himself glaring icily at Ryūko only to flinch back fearful of her own glare. Steadily, her ears perk up at the sound of clapping as they turn to the audience applauding them for the…show; whistles join in as the others pick up the asshole as the two share a look before bowing to their cheering customers side by side smirking.
"On your feet asshole, we're marching you to the cops!" One of our men curse at the drunk as they pick him up, holding him.
"Serves you right!"
"Suck it!"
The men in the booths stands roaring insults at the drunk.
"What are you planning?" Ryūko questions him annoyed as he proudly stands seeing the glint in his hue.
"Your attention please!" Majima begins, silencing the cheering crowd, all eyes on him.
"As you've seen, this gentleman has violated several cabaret rules…and caused a disturbance for you all. We would be justified to turn him in to the police, yes. However, I ask instead for your compassion," Coolly, Majima announces.
"What but why?" Baffled, one of the servers enquires stopping their attempt to kick the man out.
"If the gentlemen were given over to the police. He would lose the social standing a lifetime of hard work has built. Is that not too harsh a punishment for a single evening's misguided actions? Instead, I would ask the gentlemen for a favour." Formally, Majima turns the tables
"Me?" The drunk turns puzzled by Majima's 'kindness.'
"Yes. As in the custom in the night life…I ask that you make amends for soured wine with fresh wine. That you cover this evening's tab for the club and treat everyone here to a night's libations. As head of sales for Stoen Pharmaceuticals HQ," Impressed, Ryūko raises a brow as Majima brings out a white and blue turquoise even lines business card.
"How does he do that?" Ryūko frowns amazed by his nifty skills. She never had that skill ever she simply beat them up and stole their shit….
"I imagine your annual entertainment budget clears one hundred million with ease." Majima points out.
"Hey that's my…when did you?" The drunk recognises the card as her hues widen when Majima bows to the drunk, on his hands and knees, pathetically.
"I do not wish to see a customer made a criminal. However, I must also ensure that the patrons enjoy themselves. I understand this is a selfish request. But please will you grant me this indulgence?" Majima bows on his hands and knees once more making Ryūko frown.
"Yeah, all right if everybody's okay with it. I'd like you to let me for you all tonight, would that be enough to make it up to you guys?" Fearfully, the drunk calls out to the other clients and hostesses of the club.
"My sincere thanks. You all have heard the gentlemen's appeal. Ladies and gentlemen what say you?" Majima turns still on his hands and knees, bowing to his customers and hostesses requests it almost, causing their answer to be them wildly clapping, cheering and whistling in agreement and approval to the idea as Majima stands.
"My humblest thanks. I am deeply touched by the generosity of your hearts tonight. If you would, a round of applause for this gentleman's courage. And now please continue to enjoy your evening," Majima declares to the clapping crowd, bowing once more and leaving to head up to his office while she returns back to her bar.
"What's with you? You look like a deer in headlights," Peacefully after serving a few drinks varying from a few, Ryūko notices Yoshi fidgeting while pouring a cocktail for the server to give.
"Majima seemed nervous, irritated….he went to the office with some business man calling him eye patch wearing manager." Uneasily, Yoshi fills in as Ryūko hums and nod, that is no doubt Tsukasa Sagawa, Father spoke of him. looking out for him…great, no doubt this isn't going to end well…
Ryūko walks down the ruby red velvet stairs of the cabaret club, the cool silver touch of the silver platter touches her fingertips. She easily balances the empty glasses on it as she descends down, only to raise a brow at the so-called lord of the night chatting with the new hostess Kanae. She's…she's certainly something. She frowns recalling her many times of being insulted by the other hostesses and coming over to the bar counter, to chat, to do something and of course she listened and responded, a part of her feeling pity for the lonely girl only to remember the reason is due to her…'bright' personality.
"You know for the ladies' man you shouldn't really talk to girls like that Goro," Ryūko mutters as I watch Kanae stride off looking infuriated.
"Oi It's Majima…!" Sternly, he corrects Ryūko making her snicker.
"Oh yeah it's fair for you to call me blondie but I can't call you Goro, geez, what else do you want me to call ya, prick, pirate, one eyed brute? You know pirate prick sounds appealing. Like the alliteration going on there." Teasingly, Ryūko shrugs smirking at his frown.
"Oh ha-ha Namie…" He remarks sarcastically.
"I try, what did you say to her though, did you promise her dinner to butter her up?" Ryūko teases gently smirking.
"Just had to remind her to get along with the others hostesses how is your bit she isn't giving you any hassle?" He questions Ryūko.
"Nah, she can't really I've dealt with worse…how about you? You seemed nervous after that old geezer left," Ryūko mutter feigning ignorance to knowing that old man's identity.
"It's fine, none of your business anyway," Rudely, he grumbles.
"I don't know, an annoyed boss leads to a drunk boss and a drunk boss leads to me having to clean up his shit." Smirking, Ryūko deadpans.
"Isn't that what you were paid to do?" Goro rudely reminds her.
"Who knows what you pay me for?" Ryūko mutters.
"You girls are pretty vicious," He says watching the fleeting figure of said hostess.
"Oh yeah women like that scare me the most." Ryūko admits.
"I better go see that waiter he seemed out of it." Goro mutters as they glance at the waiter.
"What's with the long face needs to use the facilities?" Goro approaches the shaking waiter who squeaks back slightly fearful.
"Ah, Sir! No! I…I…." He trials off tensely.
"What's with him?" Goro mutters.
"No offence but you probably scared the kid, hold on leave it to a woman's touch," Ryūko smirks coyly at his raised brow.
"Oi…." Ryūko calls out as said boy turns to her.
"Namie san," He bows his head to Ryūko.
"What's going on? I heard you ranting to Yonda earlier about your sister and some letter about your pops." Ryūko brings up.
"O-Ohh you heard," He looks away ashamed almost.
"Can't really help with your wailing while I'm trying to listen to the orders." Honestly, Ryūko state the fact making him flinch back oblivious to the sweat dropping Majima, so much for being subtle, Namie, said male couldn't help glare at the back of the moron of a blonde.
"O…oh…." Uncomfortable, he looks away.
"Smooth Namie," Sardonically, Goro strides up.
"Oh shut it pop eye!" Irritated, Ryūko barks back.
"Y-you see I got…a letter from my little sister, back home," He begins telling the two about it.
"Yeah and what's the word?" Goro questions.
"That my father's sick unfortunately the doc says he needs to be hospitalized but the procedure they wanna do runs ¥500,000. But I ain't got that kinda cash…" He starts off.
"Sorry to hear that. You try askin' the floor manager for an advance?" Majima offers.
"Another emergency a while back forced me to ask for one…I'm afraid if I ask again I'll get canned. Especially for so much," The waiter reveals gloomily.
"You in the habit of brekain' mirrors, kid? Here I'll spot you," Majima steps up making Ryūko raise a brow impressed.
"What? But sir I can't…" Panicked, the waiter looks away.
"Don't sweat it. You can always replace money same can't be said about people. Once they're gone, that's it," Majima reveals as they do a double take at the serious and powerful words.
"Huh…" Ryūko blurts out surprise seeing a brief image of a certain stoic but wise reckless fool.
"What? You're staring…could it be you've finally fallen for me Namie? I wouldn't be surprised with my looks," Goro glances at Ryūko seeing her stare.
"Oh please you wish. For a moment you simply reminded me of someone…." Ryūko brushes Goro off.
"Who? A crush….a boyfriend…?" Teasingly, Goro teases.
"Oh please if I had one I certainly wouldn't be working here pop eye…" Ryūko retorts smirking at his brief frown.
"Who the hell's this pop eye?" He questions baffled.
"Do some research sweetheart." Ryūko teases him lightly winking as he scoffs and turns back to the smiling waiter.
"As I recall, you ain't been back home in a while yeah? Take a few days off, too. Go visit your pops," Majima encourages.
"Th-thank you sir!" Grateful, the waiter bows and leaves them alone as she can't help but smirk.
"Why are you smirking?" Exasperated, he scowls.
"You may act all tough but deep down you're a softie at heart," Ryūko teases him lightly smirking at his scowl.
"Piss off…" He grumbles returning to his duties as Ryūko releases a small chuckle watching the man leave and attend to his other duties as manager of this place…
*So what do you think of Majima and Ryūko's dynamic?*