AN: I would like to note that the time line I've mentioned is based upon the Japanese storyline Yamane-sensei has provided thus far with the new volume 6 tankoban that came out. So if you are not familiar with that, there are a little bit of spoilers here, not too much. Yes, Asami's POV will be up shortly. And no, I haven't forgotten Akihito. Please enjoy this next installment.
Part 6:
Ten minutes after the phone conversation ended and he had a change of clothes, three men sharply dressed in tailored business suits invaded his territory. They entered his shop without a word while one of them gave him a nod and took sentinel at the front door. The other two tour the perimeter with meticulous care before they split off with one of them standing guard at the back alley exit. The remaining fellow stood in the middle of the shop for a few moments before he pulls out a pair of leather gloves and put them on.
Upon seeing this, the shop owner blanches and swallows a large lump of anxiety at the implication. He knew this was going to happen and yet it still scared him shitless. No one talks to Asami Ryuichi and doesn't expect a visit when the man literally tells you in not so many words, 'to see your goods.' He knew it wasn't his inventory the man was interested in. His imagination begins working overtime as he shrinks behind the counter and tries to make himself look invisible.
His eyes never left the man with the leather gloves as the fellow pulled out a used card table he acquired for hundred yen that he stuffed somewhere and an antique desk lamp he got for even less atop it.
The shop owner swallowed another lump. He hopes the lamp makes it through this without a mark. He was planning to auction that off on eBay for fifty thousand yen to start.
Wait, what was he thinking? The shop owner shakes his head to clear it.
He knew that impromptu interrogation set was for him. The stern look directed his way confirmed it. The guy didn't have to ask out loud, the shop owner was more than willing to cooperate. He promptly scurries around the counter and plop himself in the seat.
The fellow gave him a firm nod of approval and didn't bother to shove the blearing desk lamp in front of his face. The shop owner was grateful at least for that small reprieve.
The wait was excruciating. It was his own pawn shop for Buddha sake, yet the environment felt foreign to him.
The shop owner still couldn't believe he'd exchange words with the resident king pin himself. It was surreal. He'd known of the crime lord. Who worth their salt in connection to the black market wouldn't? In fact, he held tremendous reverence towards Asami-sama. The man had risen to power like a quiet storm about seven years ago and has yet to relinquish his hold. Though Asami-sama wasn't yakuza, the man probably hold more power than all the family combine. To cross him was suicide.
The shop owner made it his business to know what was going on about him. His shop didn't survive for twenty years because he had a booming business. No. It… well HE survived because he made a point not to anger the wrong people and provide information when prompted.
Others would have run given the same situation he was in. Not him though. The shop owner knew better. He may be a shitless coward most times, but Asami-sama's reputation assured him that the man doesn't deal out punishment without cause. The shop owner was certain he hadn't offended the man at all.
That thief must have done a number to Asami –sama in order for him to handle this personally. Curiosity soon seep in through the shop owner's present anxiety as the multiple clocks he hung behind the counter continues to tick away.
There was no loud fanfare when the man they were all waiting for walks in through his doors followed by two equally tall men with the same tailored suits. The one on his right wore black rim glasses and carries a leather brown briefcase while the hulking blond to his left wore a scowl that spoke plainly enough. Both was more than enough intimidation by their own account, however combine with the direct glare from the man himself, the shop owner had to thank his bladder for emptying itself out earlier. That particular embarrassment was enough for him self to own up to without witnesses.
The shop owner hadn't thought he be actually anticipating the presence of the man himself. It was awe inspiring. It was as if Asami Ryuichi walked right out of a western Mafioso movie he once saw as he dons that black Italian wool coat over his grey suit like a sable cloak over silver armor. The wispy threads of cigarette smoke wafting out of the man's mouth only enhancing the allure.
Again what was he thinking? The shop owner shakes his head to break out of the fanciful spell he's under. It would seem he'd been daydreaming on more counts tonight than all of his years working behind the counter. He was a pragmatist.
Taking a much needed breath, the shop owner shifts in his seat and tries his best not to goggle at the revered king pin.
Kirishima Kei would have rolled his eyes if he was capable of this feat. Before them sat the store owner who's greatly rotund figure could not be made any smaller despite how he fidgets about. But this wasn't the reason that had the ever stoic secretary almost break face. The fact is the fortyish (give or take ten years) looking man was eying his boss with a severe case of hero worship. So much so, it was quite blatant that all the man's long adhere-to survival instincts have completely flew out the window. It would have been comical if the situation had not been so dire.
Asami-sama's "wife" (as Kirishima has dubbed Takaba Akihito quite fondly ever since he moved in with the boss and took over the housework) has been missing for two whole weeks. Although, it may not have been the first time this has happen, it was the first in which he couldn't be tracked. It was as if the young man has disappeared off the face of the earth. The last known activity recorded was by Asami-sama himself.
Before he left, the photographer had routinely inform his older lover that he was venturing north, to Nikko in the Tochigi prefecture. The assignment should have been a week long shoot of the city for a tourism group promoting the place for winter travel.
Kirishima was only able to confirm the kid had check-in upon his arrival to the hostel hosted by the local Buddhist monastery. Other than that, no one has seen or heard of Takaba Akihito soon after.
Even though Takaba's status was never declared openly, those under Asami-sama's employ as well as those acquainted with the kid knows otherwise. His disappearance warranted Kirishima to mobilize a small army of informants to be on the lookout within the next twenty-four hours.
The situation could have been manageable were they to have any leads. As in the case when Liu Fei Long kidnapped the young photographer a few months ago. At least then, their boss has something to focus on. Then, their people had clear instructions in what to do. In this case, there was nothing they could do. There were no ransom notes, no catty display of 'up yours' from the Chinese or Russians, and luckily, there was no dead body.
Suffice it to say, his lack of intel for the past two weeks has left his boss in a blacken mood. The metaphorical term, stepping on eggshells, couldn't verily begin to describe the atmosphere surrounding their boss.
It wasn't until about three hours ago, when Kirishima began to receive calls from within the city block. Sightings were alerted but couldn't be verified until the security cameras and photos taken from cell phones were gathered. The tap on Takaba's friends had yielded some results. Their hackers couldn't triangulate an exact location though. They could only pinpoint a two hundred kilometer radius before Takaba's cell phone was shut off once again. Whatever the case maybe, Asami-sama has taken on the task personally.
So this poor ignorant fool was about to feel the initial brunt of all that pent up anxiety his boss had been storing.
As a general precaution, Kirishima had previously given the clean-up crew a heads up for a long night up ahead just in case.
Whether or not Asami-sama was going to paint the Tokyo nightlight a different color, they're about to find out.
To Reviewer:
Chickie434- Thank you for reading and reviewing. Yes, I will be writing about that camera in Asami's POV. As for spotting the fake, I agree, Asami can definitely do the job right. As for Akihito, you'll get an update on him soon enough, although it won't be the next chapter.
Faline - Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you are enjoying the updates. Asami's POV will be up next.
