Juma was trained for many things. She had a lot of experience. Outside of combat and in combat. She was trained to deal with many things and had the necessary experience to deal with many things...However, she was finding her limits being stretched to the brink with music.
She preferred jazz and classical. There were instruments and rhythm. She always sashayed her hips and danced to jazz. She could fall asleep to classical music. She would read or study listening to classical. She would train listening to jazz.
She didn't find that to be a bad thing. Classical music had been her adjuster's preferred music of choice.
Juma had found jazz on her own. On a vinyl record she had eagerly put on the player with her adjuster's assistance of course. It had fascinated her from the very beginning. Before the needle even touched. She would always enjoy classical music, but jazz had a special place in her heart.
She didn't care for other genre. She didn't listen to metal or rock. She didn't listen to rap. She dared to say she didn't listen to anything past 1940. She knew of all the great musicians from Elvis to Hendrix, to Jimmy Paige, to David Lee Roth, but those people came later on.
Juma also didn't listen to idol pop groups. Unfortunately, Yukari seemed to be fond of them. Juma tried not to snap outright when the girl first turned the song on. It was just a ride to Teito University. Yukari liked to come back to her house when she was done with class, though she did have a dorm.
Off focus, Juma steered herself back onto the first priority.
The radio station. It had to be turned off. She didn't like pop music. She didn't like idol groups. The whole thing was just too weird and bright for her. Maybe she was a little too pragmatic in some ways. Even in music. Pop just never caught her interest.
Yukari seemed to like pop, and well...
"Yukari, you are going to have to turn this off."
"Awwww! What for!?"
Yukari made a scene.
Juma didn't look impressed, but still sighed.
"I don't like pop. I like jazz and classical."
"So boring! Pop is amazing!"
Juma turned the station.
"Turn it back on! I love that group!"
"Fat chance of that." Juma remarked.
"Are you goth?" Shiina asked.
Juma laughed for a few minutes, genuinely amused. "Shiina! You have a sense of humor!"
He couldn't help but smirk.
"Call me morbid, but I am not fond of female pop idol groups." Juma began to run through the stations.
"Party pooper."
"This isn't a party."
"I was getting in my zone and you killed it."
Juma blinked, looking Yukari over. "I don't see any physical change, so I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Wow..." Shiina mouthed the words.
Juma seemed to take everything literally, seriously, and to heart.
Bad combination.
"It doesn't matter. I was in my zone and you're trying to spoil it!"
"Right."
Yukari looked at Juma's hand, and more importantly, found that she had actually changed the station. She had been ready to start jumping around and being totally silly. The group was reaching the climax of the song and their energy was just intoxicating.
She decided not to let Juma spoil her fun. The energy was brimming through her. She wanted to be silly. Yukari wanted to show Juma just what the zone was. She snapped her fingers and tapped her feet on the floor. She bobbed her head. She hummed the beat before tapping it on the door with her hand.
Yukari even grinned at Juma, who just returned the gesture with a look of confusion.
"What are you doing?"
"Go...! Go...! Go..! Take me to a movie! Prove to me that you really love me! I have a funny feeling that you are going to leave! I'll give your our CD to ease your sorrow! I need you to tell me!"
Juma hastily tried to find a radio station.
It never even occurred to her in that moment Yukari was singing the total opposite of what was on the radio. She was flipping through stations so fast at this point it was becoming static. She would end up going back to the station she turned off.
Shiina found the whole thing confusing.
Juma was flustered.
Yukari didn't seem fazed, or Shiina deduced, she was going to continue anyway.
She was in her zone and there was no way she would stop now. He wasn't sure how wise it was going to be on his Ashikabi's part to elicit a reaction out of Juma. The woman might end up ripping the steering wheel right out if she gets too flustered.
Shiina snickered.
It was too funny.
"This is going to be a heartbreak! You caught me dancing! You caught me dancing in my make up! I wanted to be an enigma! An enigma! You have to tell me! You have to tell me! How do I look in my dress!"
"Just tell me when! Just tell me when and I'll pick you up! Tell me if you've been drinking too much! Come to me and mean it! The first date you always run away! You come back another day and you know I hate to sit here by the phone! Don't make me take it like I mean it! You love to play these head games, and I don't want to burn! Don't make me take it!"
Juma struggled.
"Every song I sing will be your favorite! I wrote this one specially for you! Look at my new car! You're a movie star! And you'll break my heart and then you'll fall apart! I never think about you! I don't hold you! I don't care at all! I don't care who you are! And when we're all done, you get the fuck out of my car!"
Juma struggled, barely unable to thrash out of her skin.
It was hard, too hard. It was getting to be overwhelming. She cut back to the station the song Yukari was singing was playing on, and it was almost in sync with her. Her mind mumbled and jumbled as all of the sounds began to harmonize.
It was a damn marathon of this group!
Shiina laughed, seeing Juma tense.
Yukari continued on.
"I got my guns out! Baby has her guns out! She's hiding something! She's got something in her head! I don't want to stop it, even if I can! Hang onto to me tight, because I'm a ticking bomb. I had no idea I could look so good! I'll change my name to something that suits you better! Now we're run out! Now we're dug out! She's got her guns out! She's got her guns out!"
Yukari was harmonizing with the damn radio station!
Juma couldn't recover enough to sync her phone to the radio and put on whatever it is she wanted. She was locked in combat with her restraint, her need to punch the radio to pieces, and strangle Yukari. The songs were also making her very emotional.
"It's not funny, Shiina! Shut up!"
Shiina laughed louder. "Why don't you sing with her?"
Juma clenched the steering wheel tighter. Her other hand fiddled with the radio, unable to do anything at the moment except fiddle uselessly.
"It...Isn't...Funny..."
Shiina covered his mouth with his hands.
Juma ground her teeth, growling like she was in a cartoon.
He burst out in laughter, unable to help himself.
Yukari didn't help matters.
Juma made a note to strangle Shiina.
"Say if I care! Say if I did! I'm such a loser! I'm such a loser! I ever tell you how good I look in my miniskirt!? Tell me how good I look or how much better I could look in that miniskirt! You could take me to a movie! You can prove to me, that you really love me! Don't make me work for it! Quick, you have to tell me!"
Juma was on the brink.
Ridiculous!
"Here comes my favorite part!" Yukari screamed, turning the radio up.
Juma didn't have the wit to stop Yukari.
The full assault of the electronic and energetic beat hit Juma's skull and borrowed into her ears. The transition shifted her along like she was on a wave, readying her for the drop down. The beats pitched, growing faster and faster, rapidly starting to distort the singers' voices as they sang.
Juma felt a pull.
Almost like she could feel whatever heartbreak they were speaking of.
"This dress looks so good! This dress looks good! This dress! My dress looks so good! I look so good in this dress! This dress looks so good! I knew this was going to be a heartbreak! But, I don't care! Tell me one thing! Does this dress look good on me!?"
Juma felt another pull, and found it odd. It was clearly coming from inside of her. It was being caused by Yukari and the songs. The beats. The voices and lyrics. Juma tried not to get emotional but it was hard, those women were singing from the heart.
They needed a man to make them feel happy at one point, and to make them feel good, but now they can put on a dress and feel good about themselves-without the need for a man's approval. Before they got to that point they were a mess and were enigmas to themselves.
They were dancing in their own make up.
Now they got their guns out.
It was so stupid.
The reason she was getting emotional was because of Yukari!
"Come on, Juma!" Yukari laughed, about to fly out of the car. "Sing it with me!"
"Ask Shiina!"
"He can't sing this! It wouldn't make sense! This is for all of us woman who have overcome heartbreak! We should wear it proud like a badge and shake it!"
Juma managed to find a moment of clarity in those words.
She motioned for her free hand to move. Her arm extended a second later, and she managed to shut off the radio. Juma took steadying breaths as the car's engine roared in her ears and was the only sound present. That had been too close for comfort.
She had been getting too emotional, and...
Well, at least she could back to even now.
"Man, Juma. We really have to work on that."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"She hates the lively nature of pop." Shiina supplied.
"Shut up, Shiina."
Yukari waved her hands a little, touching Juma's shoulder once they were at a stop light. "That's why we sing!"
Juma blinked, not understanding.
"We can sing about our heartbreak because it has made us stronger as women." Yukari explained.
Juma shook her head, looking a little troubled. "But..."
Yukari gave her shoulder a squeeze, but let her go once she had to put her foot down.
"You've never had a boyfriend or anything like that. A girl can put a lot of time and effort into a relationship and he'll treat it like a tattoo. He'll change one to another or get a different one to suit his needs. The same can be said for a woman."
Juma was even more troubled. "Why sing about that?"
"Because we overcome it as women and we can be happy by just slipping on a dress, uncaring of what a man has to say or think. We sing instead of crying."
Juma nodded, loosening up a little and relaxing. "I...I guess that makes sense."
Yukari exhaled softly, smiling gently. "You take everything so serious and to heart, Juma."
"I'm..." Juma trailed off, she looked away. "That's why I don't like pop. Singing about heartbreak..."
"I'd never change you or want you to change. I'm happy with the Juma that you are right now. Serious and thoughtful. It's a shame that you are so loyal to Higa, he doesn't deserve it. You are way too good for him. You should be all mine!"
Yukari grinned.
Juma felt a little lightheaded.
She swore her hands were getting clammy and sweaty, but the heat was also blasting. She was wound up. Her heart was beating fast, but she was emotional over the songs of overcoming heartbreak and her sheer dislike for pop. Her stomach was twisting, but she was also sad because of the songs.
She was a mess.
Ohhh...
She felt a heat by her heart, something that filled her.
It began to spread through her.
It vibrated.
It resonated.
It was...
Weird.
Ohhhhhh...
"Although, you could cosplay with me as well. I would enjoy that." Yukari suggested a little offhandedly, totally oblivious to the storm brewing inside of Juma.
"I-I don't know. You have that club at the University, and..."
Juma tried to get herself under control. Yukari really put her through the wringer. It was going to take some time to recover from it all, and it wouldn't help if Yukari started talking about cosplay. Juma realized the young woman had a following and even people overseas were in the club.
Such thoughts and images at this point in time weren't going to do her any favors. Yukari got her so emotional, so warm, and just so lost.
Shiina seemed to spot this, though it took him a while.
"We need to talk about that assignment, Yukari-san. And, I'm not exactly comfortable with this topic. Juma-san isn't either. You can't sit here and talk about her cosplaying in anything."
"Don't be so stingy, Shiina." Yukari pouted.
"That assignment counts for twenty percent of your grade. This is also not an appropriate topic, Yukari."
Wisely, Shiina diverted the attention off of Juma.
Her quick glance to meet his eye was all he needed to see.
Relief.
"Don't think I'm going to give up, Juma! You're going to know what fun is and have it while laughing without a care!"
Juma was just thankful that Shiina now had to deal with the twister known as Yukari.
The overwhelming little twister that was Yukari.
"I just hope it doesn't involve pop music."
Yukari grinned. "I'll get us tickets for a pop concert."
Juma smiled, declining. "You don't have to."
Yukari huffed quietly but didn't retort-she did have to focus on her project.
"Um..." Juma trailed off, a little awkward.
She didn't want to break the silence.
Yukari turned the radio back on, flipping through the stations.
"You can pick us up the same time as always. I'm not going to need to spend the night in my dorm, not unless I have club meetings or something important comes up."
"Can I have your schedule?" Juma asked, tilting her head.
"If I give you it, you owe me."
"What do I owe you?"
Yukari grinned. "That is for me to know and you to find out...So, do you want my schedule?"
Juma nodded.
"Here you go!" Yukari pulled it out from her handbag. "Remember now, missy...You owe me."
Minaka was certainly pleased with himself. He was certainly pleased with his importance. He was certainly pleased with his self importance. It wasn't often he got one on one time with squad members-Karasuba and Koto aside, the others rarely reported to, or spoke to him.
Even now, just a few were assembled before him.
"Thank you for being well prepared, Kai." Takami said, tone soft.
He just returned a nod.
Minaka clapped his hands. "Now, moving forward. You are already aware of your mission."
Kai nodded.
Takami took the lead before Minaka got too out of control with theatrics right out the gate. "We've already got you in Teito University's system."
Haihane blinked a little. "That was fast."
Takami nodded, shuffling through her pocket. She pulled out three IDs for the trio. "These are IDs. You need them to get in certain areas of Teito University."
Kai took his. Storm and Haihane took their own, shuffling them away into their pockets.
"Higa is continuing work there as we speak. Your entrance there will be one of the things that goes rather unnoticed, considering everything that is going on there. But, make it so. It is not uncommon for Higa to play back cameras and look for anything odd."
Minaka spoke, cutting everyone off.
"That is why he is so dangerous to me and my goals. His influence stretches far, and he has interesting people coming from overseas. There is even another company, with a young and ambitious man...With his own vision. If Higa brings that man here, it will be civil war."
He clapped his hands, grinning widely.
"But, that isn't a problem for you as of yet."
Kai could concede with that. '
He was a student, for all intents and purposes. He would not be a captain of a unit, or anything of that sort. His focus was within the university, and piecing smaller pieces together to an even greater, overall puzzle.
Minaka clapped his hands again, his grin slowly lessened, until it was just a smile.
"But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't know of this threat. This company's trademark logo is a side-view of a continuous mining machine blade, colored orange and are a major clothing company with the rights to two domes in the states. Over the course of several years, they have diversified into other industries and have become one of the most influential corporations in the states. In addition to clothing, their business interests include real estate development, power utilities, cell phones, video games, pharmaceuticals, jewelry, packaged food, security, logistics, casinos, trading, weapons manufacturing, and radio stations. They also have their own security force."
Storm just nodded.
"Much of this growth is spearheaded by a highly ambitious and ruthless young executive who works as the company's Director of Special Projects. Of particular interest to this man is the redevelopment of projects as they call them in the states. The company spends 400,383,781,187 United States Dollars to change impoverished areas across the whole United States into modern cities, complete with glass towers, flashy and fast cars, sprawling homes, and luxurious hotels."
There was moment of silence. The information was processed the best it could be. There were many companies with feats similar, but MBI was always at the top, and even this company didn't ring any bells. Not immediately, even if Minaka decided to not say the name of the company.
Or the executive for that matter.
The name of the company or the executive wasn't important. At least for the time being. The company itself was a threat, could be a huge threat if given the right chances to act. Minaka was aware of this. Takami was aware of this. The trio gathered was aware of this.
"This company is a threat because Higa has connections to it."
Minaka eyed Kai sharply, nodding once. "Precisely. Higa has many connections overseas, especially in the States. His father worked closely with this company."
Kai crossed his arms over his chest, not sure what else to do.
Takami cleared her throat, knowing Kai just wanted to leave and get this mission underway. Being around Minaka and his cryptic wordings was enough to drive anyone crazy. He was purposely leaving stuff out, like names, specific locations, and so forth.
Just stirring the pot.
"While it is Higa that has connections to this company, that is not our most pressing worry. Our worry is that Kakizaki may have some sway and could have his own talks with the executive of the company. Higa may grant him an audience, depending."
Haihane arched a brow.
Storm massaged her temple. "She is saying that Higa is conservative. Kakizaki is not, he may have other motives in mind later on down the line, depending if Higa supports him or not."
"Ohhhh." Haihane nodded a little.
"There are some executives with Higa at the college as we speak. This company and its executive, however, is not, so you needn't worry about it for now."
Kai met Minaka's gaze and nodded, slowly, carefully.
Cautiously.
Storm looked a little pensive, but she hid it well. "I really hope Teito University isn't being turned into a fortress."
Takami's eyes narrowed a little.
That is one of the things Minaka wanted to ensure was not happening, and if it was, plant the seeds of destruction for that very thing. If Kakizaki and Higa collided over strategies, certainly tensions would start to mount and boil. Their ranks would scatter.
One of them would act, and, Minaka was hoping to snuff out whichever one chose to act. If Higa's influence stretched as far as the police, the law, the courts, and even ranks of government...Minaka would use that to take all the power for himself and even overthrow the Prime Minister.
Minaka would then ascend to heaven as Emperor of Japan.
"That shouldn't happen...It is more likely Higa will decide to fortify his tower and certain bases in the Eastern sector. Kakizaki might be the one to act so rashly depending on what the situation is between him and Higa, and the Sekirei Plan at large."
Takami tried to steady herself and her erratic thoughts.
"Let us just hope that Higa's influence, and even Hayato's for that matter do not stretch as far as the government and law officials...The Prime Minister himself, or those close to him. I would have to purge them and free Japan from such tyranny."
Minaka's statement was emphatic.
So emphatic Kai widened his eyes briefly, before he schooled his expression.
Minaka was talking about a coup?
"Let us hope that isn't the case. I don't believe Japan could handle a civil war. It has been many decades since the Bakumatsu, and even longer since the times of the Sengoku era." Storm said, looking troubled.
Minaka's grin made her shiver. There was always something unnerving about his grin, even when she first met him. Even when he yelled and laughed and smiled, Minaka was weird. She always felt a shiver run down her body being around him, but this was different.
She could see a glint in his eyes-she had seen it before.
In Karasuba's eyes.
In Koto's eyes.
Minaka was...
"We shall be taking our leave, in that case." Kai said curtly. "Unless you have anything else to add?"
Minaka shook his head.
Kai looked to Storm, gesturing for her to rise. The whole time, Minaka didn't take his eyes off of her, and Kai noted the stare Minaka had locked onto his woman. He could see her intuition. Her caution. He could also feel that she was trying to appraise him.
Make him out.
Minaka, like a snake, coiled, ready to strike.
As the two departed, Haihane took her own leave giving a wave before shutting the door. There was a long moment of silence. Takami walked around Minaka's desk so she could face him. She remained standing, clipboard in her hand, cigarette burning away.
Minaka just stared at her, expression giving nothing away.
"You're not planning a civil war to usurp power, are you?"
"Why Takami..." Minaka's tone dropped when he spoke again. "It sounds like accusation is on your tongue."
Takami held her ground. "Answer my question you damn lunatic!"
Minaka slowly stood up, fingers spread like claws on his desk. His arms were extended, and he was so tall, and so slim, he almost looked like a skeleton.
"I will ascend to heaven!"
"You're fucking nuts!" Takami snapped, throwing her clipboard.
Minaka moved his head a fraction, watching it sail past him. "You missed me, dear."
"Do not call me dear!"
It was with ease that Minaka turned his giant desk up vertical. He moved it aside, as if it were a curtain and set it down. The whole floor shook despite him handling the weight with ease-the desk was just that giant and heavy. Now, he advanced on Takami.
She tried to hold her ground, tried to stand...
But, seeing that strength...
Minaka extended an arm forward. grinning madly.
Takami found she couldn't move. Her whole body was locked. She couldn't even turn her head a fraction. She couldn't even resist whatever it was that was keeping her in place. It was like-some invisible force or power was holding her with absolute strength.
"You have been playing around a lot lately, dear. Perhaps you need to be reminded of who is really in control of everything. You are but a mouse in the maze or cage I put you in."
Minaka lashed out, exuding his intent, seizing Takami in an oppressive, crushing grip. There was a strangled cry of pain from Takami as the crushing grip tightened around her and lifted her up from the ground.
"You continue to work with Kagari against me. But, that is coming to an end. Kagari will either be winged, be consumed by that power, or give that power to someone else to use. You've been giving him crumbs of schamtics in this tower, hoping he will kill me. Hoping he will burn me alive." Minaka explained casually, watching as Takami struggled helplessly above him.
"I-I don't understand." Takami gasped, barely able to speak as the breath was squeezed from her lungs.
"That has always been the problem. That is your problem. You are too small minded and cannot see the bigger picture. You have eyes, but you do not see, and you are blind even worse yet. I know everything that you do and try to do, your exploits with Number Six are not unnoticed, Takami. I am the only supreme authority here in Japan, me playing this part of CEO and Chairman is only out of gratitude!"
Dawning horror spread across Takami's straining features. Minaka was going to kill her, he was going to kill her!
"Please..."
Minaka tilted his head to the side. "Surely you know I could kill you just as easily as a child throws their blocks when they are upset. You are a gnat and I am a tiger."
"I...Know." Takami's skin was turning red, and her body was trembling as the pressure within mounted.
Each word she spoke took tremendous effort.
Minaka gave an indifferent shrug to the whole thing. "Let me make myself clear. You will be spared, this time. Your transgression has been merited with punishment. Kagari's time will come and you will do nothing about it. If that fool manages to survive being hunted down by the Discipline Squad, I will ensure that the gem the fool is, is taken by an Ashikabi or that unstable power be snatched away!"
A final push loosened the invisible vise. Takami let out a final scream, but with air rushing back into her lungs it came out only as a choking gasp that was lost beneath the coughing of her erratic breathing.
"You..." Takami looked at Minaka, eyes wide and with shock.
"You may leave, Takami. Keep on playing your games, but keep them within bounds. Stay in your lane and do not veer into mine, otherwise, next time...I will not be so merciful. I will crush you from the inside out and make sure every breath you take will wish it to be the last one."
"You would kill the woman of your-"
"Now, you decide to acknowledge me as the father of your son and daughter? Hold Minato back from his awesome potential because he is like his old man? A genius, who just needed encouragement to apply himself-nothing you could ever give him, but I have with the Sekirei Plan! Another game you like to play. I will crush the very air out of your lungs and crush your organs. If you ever try to interfere in my plans again, and if you even dare to halt my ascension into heaven, you will die."
Minaka snatched her by the neck with his bare hand.
His expression, like eyes, was flinty and without warmth.
"I will kill you, slowly and painfully. Do I make myself clear, dear? You will be a little mouse and run along in the maze I put you in. You will not warn Kagari that the Discipline Squad will be hunting him down-if you do, Karasuba will pay you a visit. Her striking you down will be a mercy compared to what I would do to you if you are before me!"
Takami found herself shaking in fear, eyes wide. "Who...What the hell are you?"
Minaka grinned madly, turning his back to her. "I am the Game Master! I am ascension! When I ascend to heaven, I will attain all of the power! I will be Emperor, and heaven will be my dwelling place, and Japan will be my ruling kingdom!"
"You're insane!"
"Do not think I've been in control this long doing things the way you thought I did or being so disgustingly weak! You are naive and gullible, Takami! Being at my side for so long and yet so blind and stupid! But, you will not stop me. You won't get in my way, I've placed great fear in you, and now I control you! Now get out my sight!"
And, Takami left.
That is all she could do.
Minaka would have crushed her into dust with mere thought if she didn't.
And, this she knew for sure.
He would have loved to do so.