Chapter 10

The next morning, Ranko wasn't exactly happy but she couldn't say no. I said goodbye to them both before I collected my things and went back to my own apartment. It was so dark and felt so empty. I turned all of the lights and sighed.

It felt weird being back here, it felt kind of lonely. Why did I feel so lonely? I was looking forward to going back to my own place. I unpacked, did a load of laundry before I went out and did some shopping and filled my fridge with food. I then sat down on my sofa and started to sketch Tatsuro and Ranko.

As I finished my drawing, I get a text from boss.

"I found out where the second painting 'Lily of the valley' was being kept. Come to the bar ASAP."

I slipped my book into my bag and went straight to the bar where the others were waiting.

"Three years ago, 'Lily of the valley' was bought by the president of an IT company, Mr Ebata. This is after it had changed hands many times, through either theft or being sold." Riki said.

"Ebata, I've heard of him. He's called the King of the IT business. He doesn't strike me as a person who loves art." Kenshi said.

"Yeah, Ebata buys art as a means of tax evasion." Riki.

How terrible, how could someone use art like that?

"So he's basically pocketing all that money?" Kenshi asked.

"Yes but the government found out about his plan, and I received info that he's going to be arrested with the next few days. If he's arrested, his art will be seized by the government to provide evidence of his tax evasion. So we need to recover 'Lily of the valley' before that happens." Riki said.

"Where is he hiding it?" Hiro asked.

"A vacation home in Karuizawa. He's going to have a party there this Saturday."

"A party? When he's about to be busted for tax evasion? What an idiot." Hiro said.

"Nah, the party's just a front. Ebata knows he's going to be arrested, so he wants to get that art out of there. If he has a party, there will be all sorts of delivery trucks there. Catering, alcohol. So he's going to use that as a distraction to haul the paintings out of his house." Riki said.

"I see. So we're going to use that opportunity to get the painting for ourselves." Hiro said.

"Yes, I'll explain the simulation I made in detail now." Riki said and pulled out his laptop.

15 minutes later,

"That's it. Meet here at noon on Saturday."

"Roger." We all said.

I had work later on today but when I finished, I would have to go back to my empty apartment. Maybe I moved out too soon from Tatsuro and Ranko?

"Hey Faye, don't you go back to the museum today?" Riki asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah, everyone's doing a late shift. My boss wants to explain about the next security system etc."

"Why are you spacing out? Didn't get much sleep last night?" he asked.

"Not really. I stayed up late watching films with Tatsuro and Ranko." I said.

"Ooh. Well, don't push yourself." He said.

"I won't, thanks." I said.

"All right, I'm off to work. See you Saturday." He said and left the bar.

"Here's some coffee, Faye. I'm sure you want some too, Takkun." Boss said and poured us both coffee.

"Thanks." I said and happily gulped it down.

Takuto sipped his coffee but then started to choke.

"Are you ok?" I said and slapped him on the back till he stopped chocking.

He slowly looked up at me and starred.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing…" he said.

I didn't have work for a few hours and I didn't want to go back to my empty apartment, I stayed in the bar and happily drew customers till it was time to go to work.

It was quite an easy first shift, my Boss basically showed everyone around and explained the new up to date security system. I didn't really get it, it looked exactly the same as the old one. The only difference was that this once required our fingerprints. They had moved some of the exhibits around and they had tightened the security in storage as well.

For the rest of the week, things seemed to get back too normal. I would wake up in my apartment, go to work and then come home. I hadn't heard anything from the Black Foxes or Ranko and Tatsuro. The mission wasn't till Saturday so I didn't exact to hear anything from the Black Foxes, but why hadn't Rank at least texted me?

"This pattern is actually considered late gothic rather than from the renaissance Era." I explained to a guest at the museum.

"Is that so? That really helps a lot, thanks." They said.

"I'm glad I could be of help." I said and they walked of happy.

"Excuse me, do you have a brochure I could look at?" another guest asked.

"Oh yes, here it is." I said and handed them one from a rack.

A few hours later, I finished work and everyone was leaving.

"Faye, good work today." One of my co-workers said.

"Thanks, you too." I said.

"You really worked hard this week, huh? Make sure you relax this weekend."

"Thanks." I said and waved as they walked off.

I wish I could relax this weekend, this weekend I was doing another mission. I pulled out my phone, I had a text from Ranko.

She apologized for not texting, she had been busy with work. I sent her a text back, she replied immediately. I leaned up against a street light and we texted back and forth continuously for at least ten minutes.

It was like she was right next to me. I wondered what Tatsuro was doing? Should I ring him?

"Hey, Faye." Someone said.

I looked up and saw Takuto stood in front of me.

"Oh hey. What's up?" I asked and put my phone away.

"You've got tomorrow off work right? Let's go for drinks."

I was taken back; he was certainly forward but I was dying for some company.

"Sure, lead the way." I said.

He took us to a small restaurant.

"The pork noodles here aren't bad." He said.

"I can't wait to try them." I said.

A waiter returned with a remorseful look on his face.

"I'm sorry. I know you ordered 2 pork noodles, but this is the very last bowl." He said.

"Oh, that's fine. Don't worry about it." I said.

He set the bowl down and left.

"Takuto go ahead and-"

"You can-"

We both spoke at the same time.

"I'll eat whatever you don't want." He said.

"But.."

"It's fine, go ahead and eat." He said.

He was smiling at me, why was he being so nice? He was never nice to me.

"All right, thanks." I said.

I broke the chopsticks apart and started to eat.

"Whoa. These are delicious. The flavor is really rich." I said.

"I know right?"

His smile grew bigger, he was actually quite cute when he smiled.

"Ow!"

He suddenly hit my forehead with his closed fist.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"You were depressed before, weren't you?"

"Huh?"

"When you hit my back the other day when I was choking, it felt weaker than usual." He said.

It did? Did he come all the way to my work just to cheer me up? So he could be nice?

"Did something happen between you and the detective?"

"I moved out and now I'm back in my own apartment." I said.

"And?"

I just shrugged "I dunno, I guess I feel a little lonely. I really enjoyed living with them."

"So why did you move out?"

Could I tell him? It's not like it was a secrete or anything.

"Tatsuro confessed his feelings for me and things were just weird between us so I felt that I should move out." I said.

He looked surprised.

"He confessed that he loves you? It's probably good thing that you moved out. What did you say back?"

"I told him how I felt. We're just friends, nothing more." I said.

But even though things were awkward between us, I really missed having him around.

"Want some Sake?" he asked and poured me a bit of hit sake. "I had this kind before, it's really good."

"Why are you being so nice to me? Do feel sorry for me or something?" I asked.

"I never act nice to someone out of pity." He said but he refused to go into more detail. "Drink up." He said and poured me another drink when I finished my first one.

"This is really nice." I said and happily downed the cup.

"Gimme the rest of your pork noodles." He said and took the bowl away from me and began to eat.

"I'll eat carefully so I don't choke."

"Haha. That sounds like a good idea." I said.

I had never seen this side of him before, it was nice.

It was the night of the mission, we were all watching Ebata's vacation house from a distance.

"This place is huge, his company must be doing well." Kenshi said.

"So well he's trying to not pay taxes on it. Guys like him should be punished." Hiro said.

"You all remember the simulation, right?" Riki said.

"Yep! You and Faye go into the party, check on Ebata. Meanwhile, we'll park our car on a nearby road and ambush the truck carrying the paintings." Kenshi said.

"The truck is disguised as a catering truck. There's only one road going to and from the mansion, so it has to pass by where you'll be parked." Riki said.

"We'll pretend that our van stalled and that we're stranded. And right as they get out of the truck, we'll put them to sleep with tranquilizer gas." Hiro said.

"Yep and then check the contents of the van." Riki said.

"This mission'll be a piece of cake. They're so worried about the police they're never going to expect being robbed by the Black Foxes." Kenshi said with a confident smile.

"I hope everything goes that well." Takuto said.

"Takkun, are you worried about something?" Boss asked.

"No, there's just no guarantee that everything will go according to plan. We just need to prepare for that." Takuto said.

"Takuto's right, there might be trouble. So everyone needs to be on high alert. All right, let's go." Riki said.

"Oh my god, look at all the people here." I said.

We were stood in the ballroom, everyone was wearing fancy gowns and suits. A group of people were dancing on the main floor, a buffet had been placed around the edges of the room and a bar was in another room whilst a band played at the back of the hall.

"It's easier to throw the police off with all the comings and goings. Come closer." Riki said.

He grabbed my shoulder and pulled me in.

"The story is this, we're supposed to be a couple, remember?"

"Oh yeah. Why is that again?" I asked.

"Would someone come to a party like this alone? Coming as a couple looks more natural."

"Fair enough." I said.

We started to make our way around the party.

"Why are you walking so stiffly?" he asked.

"I'm not use to wearing stilettos, so my feet are hurting." I said.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

He crouched down and peered at my feet.

"I'm fine, or I will be once I get these shoes off." I said.

"Grab onto my arm." He said.

He was such a worrywart but I took his arm and leaned on him.

"Faye!"

I turned and saw Ranko and Tatsuro. I immediately removed my arm from Riki.

"What a coincidence, I didn't think I'd see you here." Ranko said.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"A friend invited me. I thought I would come to meet some people, expand my network of information, y'know?" she said.

"Fair enough."

"But I didn't want to come to this party alone so I asked Tatsuro to come with me." She said.

"It's nice to see you Faye. You look lovely in that dress." Tatsuro said with his normal lovely smile.

"Thank you." I said.

"And who's this?" he asked and looked at Riki.

"I'm Riki Yanase. It's very nice to meet you. Are you two friends of Faye's?"

"Yes, my name is Ranko Togoshi, and this is my older brother Tatsuro. We've been friends since we were children."

"Is that right?" Riki said with an odd smile on his face.

What was he smiling about? I knew he was playing the stranger act, he knew exactly who they were.

"Excuse me for asking, but how do you know Faye, Mr Yanase?" Tatsuro asked.

"I'm her boyfriend."

"What?" Tatsuro gasped and then looked at me in pure shock.

Why did he say that? He could have just said we were friends.

"Owwww!"

Ranko then hit me on the shoulder.

"Hey, why didn't you tell me you had such a wonderful boyfriend?" she asked.

"Um well…."

"We just started dating, right Faye?" Riki said and put his arm round my shoulders.

"Uh yeah. It's a recent thing." I said.

I kept my gaze low, I could feel Tatsuro's eye on me. I couldn't bring myself to look at him, he must feel so upset.

"I can't believe you're dating Faye. You're gorgeous." Rank beamed.

I hated lying to them, why did they have to be here?

"C'mere Faye." Ranko said and she pulled me aside.

"What?" I asked.

"Don't give me that, I thought we were best friends. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well we only started a few days ago. I didn't want to mention anything till it was finale." I said.

"Anyway, he's so hot. You don't see guys like him too often." She said.

I looked at Riki, I've seen plenty of guys hotter then him.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes. When did you meet him? Tell me all the details later ok? And ask him to introduce me to one of his friends."

"Sure." I agreed.

They both left and me and Riki were finally alone.

"Hmm. So the sister is a newspaper reporter and the brother's a detective." Riki said.

"Yeah, sorry I didn't know they'd be here."

"Nothing to apologies for, it's not your fault. But it's not exactly good for them to have seen us here either. Are you still living with them?"

"No, I moved out nearly a week ago. Things were getting complicated." I said.

"How so?"

"It doesn't matter. I've moved out and things are better now." I said.

"Is it because you have to keep lying to them?" he asked. "In this situation, we had no other choice but to say we were dating."

"I know but…"

"If I didn't say that, your detective friend would have followed you around all night. It must be hard living with a guy who's in love with you."

I instantly looked up at him with a suspicious glare, he knew how Tatsuro felt? Did he know why I really moved back into my own apartment? If they thought Tatsuro was a problem, would they do something to him?

He got out his phone and sent a text.

"Nothing out of the ordinary here, Ebata's chatting with guests. Contact me later."

Twenty minutes later, Riki received a text from Kenshi.

"Mission complete. They've received the object in question as planned, now we just need to get out of here and meet them at the van." He said.

"Thank god, I can't wait to get out of these shoes." I said and lead the way out of the party.

The mission was the easiest so far, just like Kenshi had said.

"Ooh, we've got trouble." Riki said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Don't look behind you." He said.

"You can't say that and not expect me to look." I said.

"That detective is following us." He said.

"What? Why?"

"I think he wants to question you." Riki said. "He might want to see if you're really dating me or not."

"What? Well what should we do? Run away?" I asked.

"That'll make him even more suspicious and I don't want him to tail us." He said.

"So, what are we going to do?" I asked.

"Shaking him off will be easier than running away."

He then pulled me into an embrace.

"What are you doing?"

"It's just pretend, just pretend to kiss me." He said.

He pulled my face close and kissed me right to my lips.

I wasn't sure what to do, so I just stood there frozen till he released me.

"See? He's leaving."

I turned around and saw Tatsuro walking, he must be really upset.

"He looks really sad." I said.

"I guess it's natural to be shocked when you see the woman you love kiss another man."

I glared at him and then looked back at Tatsuro, he had already gone back inside the party. I didn't want to hurt him but the more time I spent with the Black foxes, the more I hurt him.

"Are you mad?" Riki asked.

"Yes."

"I couldn't help it, it was for the mission."

"I know." I snapped back.

This wasn't fair, Tatsuro didn't deserve this. I turn on my heel and stomped off towards the yard. My feet were killing me that I was almost limping.

"Wait." Riki said and then I felt myself float as Riki scooped me up in his arms.

"You're dragging your feet, they hurt right?"

"Well yeah but I can walk by myself. Put me down." I said.

"Let's just pretend you can't." he said.

I started to struggle, I didn't want him to carry me. It was embarrassing.

"If you keep struggling, I'll just drop you." He warned.

I sighed and folded my arms "Fine."

"What a good girl you are."

I glared up at him and held up my middle finger. He was taking too much pleasure out of this.

It was the middle of the night by the time we arrived back in Tokyo.

"Lily of the valley' is a really nice painting." Kenshi said.

"Yep. He used the same model as in 'Cheery Blossom'." Riki said.

In the painting, it was the same young girl dozing off in a chair. A bunch of beautiful lilies of the valley were arranged in a vase on a table in front of her.

"In the language of the flowers, the lily of the valley means 'Return to happiness.'" Riki said.

I was sat in front of the pain and ran my fingers around the girl. She looked so sweet and innocent, I could almost feel my Gramps' passion as he painted this.

"The girl does look happy." Riki said.

"And I'm sure the artist was happy as he painted the girl's sleeping face." I said.

"Yeah. Now we just have to get the final painting and solve the code." He said.

"Well, it's late so let's get some sleep." Kenshi said.

"What? We're not gonna celebrate?" Hiro asked.

"Unlike you, some of us have work tomorrow." Kenshi said.

"Faye, you're off tomorrow right? Let's drink!" Hiro said.

"You know what? That sounds like a great idea." I said.

"When you want to go bed, you can use my room. I'll sleep in another room." Riki said.

I looked at him, was he trying to make up for what he did?

"Thanks." I said and smiled briefly at him before I went to bar and poured myself and Hiro a beer.

We stayed up nearly all night drinking. I woke up in Riki's bed feeling like I was going to die. I went to the bathroom and had a quick shower before I headed home. I made myself a cup of tea and spent all day in bed. I sent a text to Hiro,

"I'm dying because of you."

He replied;

"Same to you."

I was surprised by how good he was at drinking; skinny people don't normally hold their alcohol well.

The doorbell then rang.

Who could that be?

I got out of bed and opened the door and there stood Tatsuro.

"Hey. What's up?" I asked.

"Hey, you look rough." He said.

"Thanks. I drank a lot last night, anyway come in." I said.

I stepped aside so he could slip past. I closed my front door and turned to face him.

"Would you like a drink?" I asked.

"No thanks. Listen… that guy I saw you with at that party in Karuizawa. He's an official at the Ministry of Finance isn't he?"

"Um… I don't really know him that well."

"I heard from a friend who works in Kasumigaseki that Yanase is very successful, but he's also a playboy."

"You were looking into him?" I asked.

"I was worried about you." He said.

Tatsuro was a good a detective, if he poked around in Riki's history too much he might find out that Riki is a Black Fox!

"You didn't need to do that. This is none of your business." I said.

"Of course it is! I'm your friend. You first move out and we don't hear from you and then you suddenly turn up with this guy. You've already been attacked once, I don't want you to be hurt again." He shouted.

"Look, me and Riki just went on one date. He's a friend, we're not going out so it's fine. You don't need to worry." I said.

"Then why did he say he was your boyfriend?"

"I don't know, it's just what Riki does. He's a jerk." I said.

Tatsuro looked a little relieved before he took hold of my hand "I won't let a guy like him have you."

I pulled my hand free "That's not your decision to make."

"Faye, you know I love you." He said.

"I know. Look, I just want things to go back to the way they were. Us being friends." I said.

He looked down at the floor "Things will get back too normal, I promise. I'll see you later."

He smiled at me before he left my apartment. Hopefully, I managed to convince him to leave Riki alone.