Chapter 2
Dancing with the Unknown
As Oku sits in his office Takayama stands waiting on an explanation for what he now knows about Manzo. Oku starts "Several months ago, we contacted him in an attempt to check our suspicions, to see if his test results would fit our expectations." "What test results?" Takayama asking out of curiosity. "The ones in which an unknown anomaly or obstruction was discovered under his pancreas." Oku pauses and stands up and stands at his large office window overlooking the newly built downtown of the city and looks over his shoulder at Takayama." He held within his body a….Witchblade, but it was his own version of a witchblade." "How did you know it was for him" Takayama interrupted. "The doctors said as soon as it was removed it clamped to his wrist like a parasite to its host." Takayama is shocked by what he was hearing from his former colleague and friend. He sits down and looks at the ceiling as Oku continued with the story of amazement.
As Manzo sits in his office he remembers the pain he endured at the hands of Oku and his team to test his witchblade, as he does Takayama comes in, "Manzo I heard about the condition you had to deal with." "So what. I don't want your sympathy." Manzo replies. "Besides I get paid a lot of money to shut my mouth and to lead the Bio division. Now what do you want?" He turns around in his seat as Takayama steps into the light of the window.
"I want to hear your side of the story." Takayama states as he sits on one the two couches in his office.
"Out of a confidentiality agreement I am not at liberty to speak of my ordeal… But since you now work for the company you deserve to know." Manzo replies.
"They performed," Manzo started "Electro therapy to see its' reactions, the witchblade mean. They also took out my pancreas examined my lungs, brain, and reproductive organs…. But I think they did all that for a simple show of skill, since I was the guinea pig. As I laid their mostly unconscious don't be fooled I was awake for most of it, but I couldn't move and I couldn't feel any of it, but let me tell I could lose my lunch if I could've. They said I was under for almost three days, I was their little toy until they were done or all those drugs wore off." As Manzo continues the on his desk begins ringing, he is a little hesitant to answer it, but he does after almost four rings. "Hello…..yes. Well then increases the aptitudes by four more….I don't care about that just do it. Goodbye." He stands up and faces Takayama with his hands in his pockets "Well Reiji its time for me to leave for now. Please lock the door on your way out." "Oh then I guess I'll be leaving as well." Takayama stands up "As you wish." They both leave the room together and go their separate ways, but Reiji looks back as Manzo rounds the corner and stops and begins contemplating his own actions of the day and hopes it's not a replay of three years ago.
Takayama is in his new office much bigger than his last one signing off on several pages when Segawa comes in and hands him more pages from a thicker set of pages. "This is the complete information on Manzo's test results." Segawa informs. "Thank you, Segawa. I know you could get in trouble for this." Takayama admits "Don't worry about it Sir." "Where is Manzo now. I called his office, but I didn't get an answer." Takayama asks "Oh he is probably gone by now Sir it's almost 9 o'clock." "Oh no I have to get out of here." He states as he scrambles out for his things. He rushes out and thanks Segawa again.
It's late at night at a house out in the woods when there's a knock on the door, Rihoko Amaha, now nine years old answers the door exclaiming smiling ear to ear "Daddy you're late!" she then sees its not Takayama, and seems confused. "Sorry little girl I'm not your old man." the figure in the dark states.