Chapter 5: Life HAS Changed
Ryuji couldn't believe what he said. How could he say something that cruel to someone he loved?
"Look," Lupin told him. "You did the right thing. Maybe you could've been more delicate, but you just saved that girl's life."
"But still, why did I-"
"-Enough. What's done is done. No going back. I learned that the hard way a long time ago."
"Lemme guess. That Fujiko lady?"
"Well, you're partially correct."
"Okay…"
"Just drop it. We've got more pressing matters to deal with."
Ryuji suddenly remembered the weapon he'd been given. "Yeah, I need to get some training with this revolver."
"I'll teach ya everything you need to know," Lupin said pridefully.
"Right. Still, something else is bothering me. That SSK we found at Akira's place. The impersonator is some member of his family, but we don't know who."
Lupin's face turned serious. "I have a few ideas, but we can go over them later. For now, you need some practice with that gun. I'm not expecting sharpshooter levels of accuracy, but you still have to hit your target when you need to."
"Understood," Ryuji said. "If I'm going to even remotely stand a chance against this guy, I'll need every advantage I can get."
(LeBlanc)
"You want to do WHAT?!" Sojiro's shouting was audible to most of Yongen-Jaiya. "Are you insane?! Why would you want to help him?"
Futaba simply raised an eyebrow. "Ya think I can't take care of myself? I'll be fine! If I could go this long as a hacker of justice without getting caught, would it really be that bad if I started helping Ryuji and Lupin?"
"Yes, it would!" Sojiro insisted. "If you get involved with Lupin, you're putting yourself in the crosshairs of his most dangerous enemy! Trust me, Zenigata may have been outsmarted by Lupin countless times, but that's because of his target! Arresting you would be child's play for a guy like him."
"As long as I keep my hacking confined to my room, he'll never figure out where to look. Relax!"
"Fine! Help them! But don't blame me when the fuzz comes knocking at your door!"
Futaba suddenly noticed the mist developing in Sojiro's eyes.
"I almost lost you after Wakaba's death. I don't want to lose you for good this time."
The old man pulled her into an embrace, and after a few moments, the hacker returned it.
(Niijima Household, 7:00 PM)
The two sisters had been enjoying a quiet evening, as Makoto had come to visit her sister on a day off.
*DING DONG*
Sae looked up from her work. "Who in heaven's name could that be?"
"What's going on, sis?" Makoto asked from the couch, where she'd been watching a movie.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Sae responded.
She opened the door, to see a man in a trench coat and fedora. "Hello, Niijima-san. Kouichi Zenigata, Interpol-"
"Not interested," Sae interrupted curtly as she started to shut the door, before the inspector stopped it with his foot.
"Wait! I have reason to believe that the master thief Lupin III has made his presence known in Tokyo."
"And why is this my problem?"
"It isn't. I was hoping to speak to your sister for a moment."
"What?! Why?!"
"Don't worry, I'm not here to arrest her. She was the one that called Interpol in the first place. Something about 'intel on the Lupin case?'"
"Damn it, Makoto," Sae muttered. "What the hell were you thinking?" She cleared her throat. "Alright, come in."
Makoto quickly got up from her spot, and took a seat across from Zenigata at the table. "Alright, I've managed to obtain some audio recordings taken a few days ago at Cafe LeBlanc, and a few pictures from earlier today."
"Right to the chase, huh?" Zenigata remarked. "You'd make a good cop, kid."
"Well, that's the career I plan to pursue."
"Makes sense. You do know that it's mostly just paperwork, right?"
"Yes, and I still want to protect others, no matter what."
"Well said. Though I guess it's to be expected from a daughter of the great Akihiko Niijima."
"You knew my father?"
"Yep. Before Interpol, I was a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. He was basically a celebrity there. Seemed like a decent guy, I had lunch with him quite a few times."
Makoto noticed her chance.
"Ohhh, sis is gonna kill me…" she thought.
"I may not be my father, but I would like to help you with catching Lupin."
The Inspector's eyes went wide, and Sae's face paled.
"You… are aware of just who he is, right?"
"Yes, and I have a sort of 'friend on the inside' that I can use to my advantage. Even if he's not willing to help, I'm sure he'll be able to give us the information we need. If there's anything he's bad at, it's subtlety.
(Safe House)
"Now, remember this. Subtlety is the mark of a great thief, Sakamoto." Lupin had given Ryuji the basics of using a handgun, and was now training his manipulation skills.
"Are you sure I'm gonna need this?" Ryuji asked.
"Very. That Makoto girl will most certainly be an issue."
"Huh? Why?"
"She's the sister of a defense attorney, and the daughter of a cop. Plus, she's probably contacted the police about my presence in Tokyo."
"Really? Well, she IS interested in becoming a cop, but would she really get her friend arrested?"
"The pursuit of 'justice' makes people do interesting things," Lupin said with cynicism in his voice. "Betrayal is one of the most common."
(Niijima Household)
"What do you think, Inspector?" Makoto asked. "I'm not as helpless as I may look."
"Makotoawordplease!" Sae said quickly as she dragged her sister down the hall and into her room for a private discussion, leaving Zenigata surprised, impressed, and VERY confused as to what the hell just happened.
"What the hell are you thinking?!" Sae whisper-shouted, her panic obvious.
"Look, this is a thief we're talking about, and I have the ability to catch him! Do you really think I'll just let a chance to prove myself as an officer of the law slide?"
"That isn't the problem here, and you know it!"
"Yeah, yeah, and what about Akira's killer? We can allow Lupin to lead us right to him!"
The elder sister just sighed. "Makoto, I know how much his death hurt you. Even before that, I was aware that you had feelings for him, and when he chose Takamaki over you, you were devastated. But you have to let go, or it'll break you even more. You saw what happened to me after Father's death. I don't want you to change the same way."
"Sis…"
"I won't stop you. Just… promise me you'll think about this."
"I will."
As the two returned to the living room, Makoto's eyes were filled with determination. "How about it, Inspector? Will you let me help?"
"You're aware of the risks?"
"Yes."
"And you won't get too homesick? We might be at this for a while."
"I won't."
"What say you, Niijima-san?"
Sae simply nodded.
"Alright then, let's go."
As the inspector's car drove into the distance, the elder Niijima, with a tear running down her cheek, wished her sister luck on her journey. "Come home safe, Makoto. Please…"