Chapter 3
The next morning, I arrived at Kenshi's family restaurant to start work.
"This is Faye Stone, she's started work here today." Satoko said as I came into the staff changing room.
Satoko was Kenshi's mother.
"Nice to meet you all." I said to the staff.
"If you have any questions, just ask me." Satoko said. "Everyone help Faye, ok?"
"Ok." Everyone agreed.
She left the room and a girl was glaring at me.
"Hi, what are you names?" I asked.
"Wakana." The girl who was glaring at me said. "Change into your kimono. Now." She ordered and shoved a kimono into my arms.
What was her problem?
"I heard you're an acquaintance of Kenshi's, is that true?" She asked.
"Uh. Well... I suppose. I hardly know him." I said.
"Hmm.." She and continued to glare at me.
I got changed and joined the others for work, I had worked as a waitress when I first got a job so this shouldn't be too hard.
I went into the kitchen and took the first order up to the Chrysanthemum room.
"Sorry for the wait." I said as I entered the room.
Riki and Hiro were sat at the table.
"Heheh. You look good in a Kimono Faye." Hiro said.
"Thanks. What are you doing here?" I asked.
"A meeting about our next mission. Restaurants with private rooms like this are perfect for secret meetings." Riki said.
The door to the room slid open and Kenshi walked in.
"Stone, hey. You look good." He said and ruffled my hair.
"Hey." I said and pushed his hand away, making him laugh.
"Hi Kenny! The food just got here." Hiro said.
"Oh, Stone brought it? I'd like a beer to." Kenshi said.
"Ok." I said.
I put the tray down and left to get the drinks. I wondered what they were planning on stealing now?
I went back to the room and gave them their drinks. As I handed Kenshi his beer, I noticed Riki staring at me.
"What you staring at?" I asked.
"Perfect timing, Let's make her do it." He said.
"Do what?" I asked.
I didn't like the smile on his face.
"Since she's working here, no one will be suspicious." Riki said.
"Do what?" I asked again.
"It's about our next mission. Our plan is to lure a rich man here, get him drunk and then steal treasure from him." Hiro explained.
"And.. You want me to do that?" I asked.
"Who else is there?" Riki asked.
"No way! Absolutely not!"
"You're so annoying. How many times do I have to tell you? You don't have a choice!" Riki snapped.
I glared at him.
"Wait Riki, let's go over the plan again. " Kenshi said.
"What? Why?" Riki asked.
"There are too many holes in this plan. Why don't we think it over again and only ask Stone if we absolutely need her?" Kenshi asked.
"Whoa. Kenny is such a nice guy!" Hiro said.
"Stop teasing me Hiro." Kenshi said and ruffled Hiro's hair.
"Hey stop it! Now my hair's all messed up!" Hiro complained.
Kenshi started to laugh.
I couldn't help but laugh as well, Hiro was worse than a girl.
"All right, I see your point Kenshi. Fine, then let's go over the plan again." Riki agreed.
"Good, you can go back to the kitchen now Stone." Kenshi said.
I didn't want to be involved in any crime that wasn't at least related to Gramps. I didn't see why I had to help them steal other things as well.
That evening, I went home to my apartment. I sat on my bed and picked up my sketchbook and started drawing my Gramps from memory. He always wore these lovely round glasses that belonged to someone in the 1800's. I could picture him clearly in my mind, every line on his face, every shadow. Gramps was the one who taught me how to draw. I could never be as good as him but I was pretty good. I loved drawing.
The next morning, I didn't start work till 3 so I just wanted to relax. I was sat on a bench, I had my ipod headphones in with my sketchbook on my lap. I was drawing a man reading a paper with a small dog sat next to him.
Shadow then loomed over me.
"Stone? Hey, what you doing?"
I looked up and saw Kenshi stood over me.
"Hey." I said and pulled my headphones out.
"What you doing?" He asked.
I held up my sketchbook and showed him the picture.
"Whoa, you're really good. You really are like your great-grandfather aren't you?" He asked.
He took the book from me and slowly flicked through the pages.
"I'll never be as good as him." I said and took my book back.
Wherever I was, I always carried my sketchbook with me in my bag.
"You don't work until this afternoon right?" He asked. "You wanna tag along with me until then?"
"Huh?"
"I'll treat you to lunch!"
I shrugged "Sure." I agreed and stood up.
I think out of all of them, Kenshi was definitely the nicest. I kind of felt sorry for biting him.
I got into his van and he drove us to an orphanage.
"Oh! Look it's Kenny!" One of the children shouted with glee.
"Hi Kenny!" A girl waved.
"Hi guys! I brought lots of surprises for you today!" Kenshi beamed.
"Yaaay!" The kids cheered.
"Stone, I have some bags over there." Kenshi said. "Wanna help me carry them inside?"
"Sure."
The bags were filled with juice cartons, food and toys. All for the children. Kenshi first handed out juice to the children.
"Everyone say thank you to Kenny." A man said.
"Thank you Kenny!" The children all said.
"Aw. They don't need to thank me, Ikuo." Kenshi said.
"Yes they do. Saying thank you after receiving a gift is basic manners." Ikuo said.
"Yeah but.."
"Hm? Who is this?" Ikuo asked looking at me.
"Hi, I'm Faye Stone." I said.
"I'm Ikuo Endo, I'm the director of the center." He said.
I smiled "It's nice to meet you." I said.
"Ikuo founded the lily center." Kenshi explained.
"We take in children who have lost their parents in disasters or accidents." Ikuo said.
The children then started asking Kenshi to come play with them, he didn't hesitate and started to play them. I couldn't help but smile, he was such a nice guy. How could such a nice guy be a thief? It didn't make any sense.
"How do you know each other?" I asked.
"We've been friends since school. And you? How do you know Kenny?"
"Oh uh... I just started working at his restaurant."
"I see."
"Does he come here a lot?" I asked.
"Because of his job, he's taken a liking to the Center and always brings stuff for the kids." He answered.
"Because of his job?" I asked.
He surely couldn't be talking about Kenshi being a thief.
"There are several kids here who lost their parents in fires." He said.
"Ooh I see."
Now I remember, boss told me that Kenshi was a fireman.
After we had finished at the center, we went to the Le Rendard Noir for lunch.
"Boss! You still serving lunch?" Kenshi asked.
"Kenshi and Faye..." Boss said.
"Hi." I said.
"So, how's your new job?" Boss asked.
"Fine." I answered.
"Your lunch is on me today, what will you have?" He asked.
"Pork noodles please."
"Oh sorry, we're all out." He said.
"Huh? You don't have any?" Kenshi asked.
"Takuto got the last one."
That's when I noticed Takuto sat at the far end of the bar.
"That's what you get!" He sneered.
"Stone, what did you do to Takuto?" Kenshi asked.
"Nothing, he's just being childish and holding a grudge." I said.
We both sat down at a table.
"I'd like the grilled fish with extra rice. Now about you Stone?" Kenshi asked.
"Large serving of breaded pork with rice."
"Large?" Kenshi questioned. "Haha. You a big eater?"
"Yeah and what if I am?" I asked.
"Large grilled fish and large breaded pork, coming right up!" Boss said.
Kenshi's phone then rung, he stood up and walked away to answer it.
"So where'd you go with Kenshi today, Faye? A date?" Boss asked as he brought us our food.
"No, we went to the lily center." I answered.
"The lily center? Oh that place that Kenshi sends donations to?"
"He sends donations?" I asked.
"Yep. If we ever get money from our jobs, which is rare, he always donates all the money to the center."
"Really?" I asked.
Seriously, why was Kenshi a thief? He was too nice!
Kenshi then came back in and joined us.
"So, what are you going to do with the girl during the mission? Make her go?" Takuto asked.
"We haven't talked about it yet." Kenshi said and glanced at me.
They must be talking about the mission from before.
"Don't you think you'd better decide?" Takuto said. "If you can't use her, then Hiro's gonna have to disguise himself as a waitress."
Hiro as a waitress, that would be hilarious to see!
"I know." Kenshi said.
"Um about that.. I'll help with the mission." I said.
"What? Are you serious?" Kenshi asked.
"Yes." I said.
It's not like I had a choice but, Kenshi was a good guy and I wanted to repay him for giving me a job.
A few days later, we were down in the basement with everyone.
"Let's go over the mission again. We're after a painting. Target is wealthy Mr Kinzo Gondawara. He's coming to Kikufuji tonight, right Kenshi?" Riki said.
"Yep. Reservation for 8 o'clock." Kenshi said.
"Great and Faye will be his waitress. Kenshi will put the drugs in his food and-"
"Wait drugs? You're not going to poison him are you?" I asked.
"Of course not. Just something to make him a little loopy. Nothing that'll endanger his life." Kenshi said.
"Good."
Riki continued "Then afterwards, he'll go to his usual club in Ginza. Normally, the one who makes his reservation is.."
"Either my mum or one of the waitresses." Kenshi said.
"So Faye will do it tonight." Riki said with a smile. "Name of the club is 'Illusion'."
"I'll already be on stand-by at the club. Faye, try not to mess up." Hiro said.
"I'll try." I said.
I wondered if he was going to pose as a customer there or something.
"While the target is out, Takuto and I will break into his house. Right?" Kenshi said.
"Yep." Riki said.
"What about his family?" Takuto.
"Son and daughter will be out. Wife is in Europe. There are two live-in maids but after a few days of recon we've determined they're usually asleep by 11." Riki said.
"So we need to figure out if we can get past security." Kenshi said.
"What do you think Takuto?" Riki asked.
"I've already accessed the security system. Can't do anything else until I see it in person."
"Got it, if you run into any trouble give me a call." Riki said. "That's it, anything else to add Boss?" Riki asked.
"Nope! That's it, do your best everyone!" Boss said.
"That's a wrap, everyone remember your roles." Riki said.
I didn't really see what function Boss had, Riki seemed to be the one in charge. I hated to admit it, but these guys were pretty good. They had a lot of information and were quite prepared for the mission. Hopefully, it would go without a hitch.