I updated! Finally! I thought I would never finish this chapter...
I really have to do some rethinking in my side... Not that I'm losing the idea. I'm just getting lost and confuse when I'm in front of the computer.
As for Yuuma... well... some people are really too boring and such a big baka irl... but we never know what they're thinking and, for me, I find that quite frightening... like what they say 'calm water run deep'.
Hope you enjoy reading this one too.
Chapter 9: Two Sides of the Same Coin
“An invitation?”Yuuma asked, looking at the small envelope in Yuki’s outreached hands.
Yuki nodded, smiling. “Uncle wants you to come over. Ren was invited too. It is a private party for Acchan’s recovery.”
“I’m kind of busy, right now.” Yuuma replied.
“Eh… But it will be held in the Saibyou Tokyo Hotel.” Yuki bragged, “That hotel is known to cater famous politicians, businessmen and showbiz personalities!”
“Saibyou Tokyo Hotel?”Yuuma asked. He thought about it for a while then nodded, “Okay… I guess it will be a little bit interesting.”
“Great!” Yuki beamed, “See you tonight!”
Yuuma sighed as he remembers the reason why he was in this hotel, leaning by the well-decorated metal and glass railing while looking over the hotel’s splendid lobby. He silently observes the bustling activity below until some decided to join his little musing.
“Why don’t you join the party?” Yuki asked as she looks at the people below.
“You know that I don’t really like socializing, right?” Yuuma murmured, “I’m just fond of observing things around me… What about you? As our future director you should be the one socializing in there.” He pointed out.
“I got bored.” Yuki pouted, “because Yuuma’s not there.” She teased him and then bumped her shoulder to his.
“I’m sure you are trained to socialize with people of your league.”
“That’s true but…” Yuki paused, “Most of them are either ignorant or arrogant… it’s just money and power talks. Can I… Can I tell you something?”
Yuuma briefly looked at Yuki’s serene face and shrugged, “I don’t mind… and even if I say no, I think, you would still talk about it.” He said, “but… why me?”
“Honestly, I don’t know… I just trust you, I guess.” She smiles, “besides, I have this feeling that I had meet you somewhere.”
Yuuma stayed quiet.
Yuki shakes her head at the lack of comment from Yuuma and decided to start her little history. “You know what? I found it funny that Ren and I had almost the same fear… of blood and hospital…” She paused for a bit, “but in my case… I’m more afraid of doctors. I outgrow that fear though… however when I was a child I just can’t stand being near them. I don’t know why though... I also… I don’t even remember much from my childhood.”
‘
So she doesn’t remember anything about that.’ Yuuma thought, “A Suppressed Memory?”
“Suppressed Memory?” Yuki asked Yuuma.
“Huh?” Yuuma realized that he accidentally said what he thought, “Ah… I was thinking… I think whatever trauma you had experienced from your childhood... you unconsciously force yourself to forget that certain memory.” He replied quickly, “I think they are looking for you already… You should go first.”
“And you?”
“Toilet” He said walking away.
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“Taka~” Atsuko clings to Takamina , “Mini~”
“It’s Takamina or Takahashi or Minami to you! Quit changing my name into something derogatory.” Takamina groans, “And you’re drunk. You stink of alcohol Atsuko! Tell me, how many did you drink?”
Atsuko giggled, “1, 2, 5?” She murmured while counting it with her fingers, “I don’t remember.” She pouted and clings back to Takamina again.
‘
Ugh… pouting like that…’ Takamina thought, ‘
It made here a bit cuter than usual… No wait! What are you thinking MINAMI!’ She mentally slaps herself.
“It’s all Takamini’s fault.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yea! You let them kidnap me!”
“wha- NO!”
“I’m scared, you know.”
“I kno—WAIT!” Takamina grasped Atsuko’s shoulders, “You remember everything?”
“Not really…” Atsuko replied “It’s all blurry but I remember that those kidnappers would have done something scary if not for those two?”
“Two?”
Atsuko nodded “But I can’t remember what they look like… all I know is that they stop those kidnappers.”
Takamina closed her eyes to concentrate on the information that she had gotten from Atsuko, ‘
Two? I wonder if they are connected with the Yakuza case,’ She thought remembering the recorded video from the said case, ‘
They did kill the group that night. Hmm? Why do I feel some pressure of my face?’ She opened her eyes for a bit and quickly closed it, ‘
THIS. IS. SO. NOT. HAPPENING! It is nothing but a dream!’ Then a pair of arms found their way around Takamina’s neck ‘
Oh shi--’ She grips both of Atsuko’s shoulder and pushed her gently away. “A-a-atsuko! What are you doing?!”
“Kissing you.” Atsuko tilted her head to the side as she answered back.
“K-ki-kis—I Know that!” Minami stuttered as her face became bright red, “A-and… Y-you should be m-more cautious! Wh-what if someone s-saw you k-kis—Argh… What if someone saw you?! It’s going to be a Tabloid Headline!” She scolded Atsuko, ‘
Worst part is that I’m going to be a part of that blind item thing.’ She mentally groans as she imagined tomorrow’s tabloid headline will be something like
*A Famous Actress caught making out with her FEMALE bodyguard!!!* or
*A Bodyguard had boldly took advantage of her drunk client/actress last night* accompanying the headline with some censored photos of their individual selves and the kissing scene.
“We’re in my party!” Atsuko replied, giggling “My private party… ‘sides we’re in the Event Hall’s private lounge.”
“HUH?!” Takamina looks around to confirm their location. And Yes. It’s only them. She and Atsuko. One room. ‘
Bad. This is bad.’ “You’re drunk Atsuko! DRUNK!”
“No, I’m not.” Atsuko replied, pouting while trying to hug Minami; however Minami keeps on evading and stopping Atsuko from doing so. “Minamiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii… Why are you like this?”
“Like what?”
“You’re EVADING me!”
“Of course I would! It’s for the sake of your career and my reputation (
even if I don't have one.)! And YOU.ARE.DRUNK.”
“I told you… I. AM. NOT!” Atsuko pounced on the running midget, forcing the midget Minami to fall on top of the couch. Atsuko grins as she straddles on top of Takamina. “Got you.”
“Wait!!!!” Takamina cried as Atsuko leans down, “Waaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!”
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A room service waiter walks down the hall while pushing a service cart of food for a hotel guest but was pulled into the toilet room. Minutes later, Yuuma exits the toilet room wearing a waiter uniform. He takes his glass off and put it into the suitcase, hangs a ‘temporarily out of order’ sign on the toilet’s door and pushed the service cart until he reach the floor for the executive suites. Stopping by the Room 1215, he pushed the intercom for the said room.
‘
Who is it?’ a deep gruff voice answered.
“Room Service, Sir” Yuuma answered politely, “I was asked to delivery this full dinner meal with complimentary wine to Nakahara Kenta.”
‘
Is that from the hotel? We don’t accept--’
“No, Sir” Yuuma immediately reply, “This is in honor of Tsukuda Aoki’s request.”
Silence…
‘
Come in.’
The door was opened by a huge man in a black suit. The bodyguard checks the meal and proceeds to do a standard body search procedure. “You’re cleared.”
Upon entering the room, Yuuma spotted a chubby middle-aged man watching a TV show in the room’s huge lounge. ‘
So that’s Nakahara Kenta.’ Yuuma thought. Nakahara Kenta turns his head to look at the young waiter and smiles. ‘
I don’t like that smile.’
The man stands up and walks toward to Yuuma, “Is this the meal that Aoki asked to be served?” He asked smiling as he looks at Yuuma from head to toe. “He really knows my type…”
‘
Type?’ Yuuma almost scowled at the man’s words, ‘
He didn’t even actually see the meal… Don’t tell me…’ Yuuma eyed the man for a second, and mentally flinched. ‘
He’s gay!’ Yuuma cleared his throat, “Then I’ll serve the food right away, Sir.” He stated and prepares the meal as quickly as he can.
“Thank you” Nakahara Kenta grins as he sits on the couch, while Yuuma continuously prepares the meal in front of him, “Do you want to eat it wit--”
“That’s against our employer’s rule.” Yuuma replied and turns his back to the man as he pours some wine into the wine glass, “Please do enjoy some wine first… This is one of our best after all.” He gives the man a (fake) smile and hand over wine glass.
“Of course!” Kenta enthusiastically nods his head and drinks the wine, “This taste great.”
Yuuma smirked when he saw the man drops the wine glass on the carpeted floor.
“What did you do?!” The bodyguard growls and attacks Yuuma. Yuuma did a side step and trip the bodyguard’s foot and quickly stabs the guard’s butt with an injection and emptied its content. He scoffs and lightly kicks on the guard’s side. ‘
Good. He’s dead asleep. I can finally start my work…’ Yuuma thought as he adjusts his gloves.
“Ataxia,” Yuuma murmured as he watches the business squirms in vain to move.
“Wh-what did you do to me?” Nakahara Kenta growls.
“Does it matter?” Yuuma asked. He casually walks back to the service cart to pull out his suitcase and takes out a handgun. “And I would stop squirming if I were you.” He noted out as he attach a silencer on the gun.
“You’re here to kill me!” The man yelled and then groans in pain. “Who are you?”
“My name doesn’t matter too.” Yuuma replied and stands in front of Kenta. “And I wouldn’t waste my time here… You would be dead long before you entered this hotel if I wanted you dead.”
“Then what do you want?”
“Confirmation”
“What--”
“Nakahara Kenta, a businessman of high integrity. That’s a good public image, isn’t it?” Yuuma said out as he further enumerates the businessman’s achievements. “But… all people have their own secrets.”
Nakahara Kenta scowls, “What do you know?”
Yuuma sighs, “You’re asking again.” He murmured out, uninterestedly, “I’ll do the asking… You’re company is involve with human trafficking isn’t it?”
Silence…
Yuuma took that as a confirmation and continued, “No… it’s not just some simple human trafficking… that includes forced prostitution, sexual slavery, slave trade, underground organ trade, and so much more.”
“You. How--”
“Then it’s true?” Yuuma lift a brow at the man, “And to organize such crime… you have to someone or rather a group or two to cover up for you... I wonder… Is it a political faction? Maybe some yakuza… Or a well-organized syndicate...” All he receives was a glare from the man, Yuuma shrugs and pointed his gun at the sleeping bodyguard and shots his head. He then pointed the gun to the defenseless business and pushed the trigger.
The business man shut his eyes, waiting for his death.
“Oh. Lucky you.... I don’t have any bullet left.” Yuuma said as he checks the gun and toss it to the suitcase. “I guess you have to suffer a long painful death then.”
“What?”
“Ataxia… it’s a neurological sign consisting of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements... paralysis in short.” Yuuma explained, “It’s a common symptom when someone was bitten by a black mamba… In your case, I let you drink some.” Yuuma pointed at the wine bottle and then took the bottle and the wine glass and place it in the suitcase. “This is good bye then.” Yuuma pushed the service cart out of the room.
On his way back to the toilet, Yuuma passed by the server room while subtly eyeing the each surveillance camera near it until he walk out of its view.
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Yuuma passed by some rushing security guards on his way to the Activity Hall, back to Atsuko’s private party. He fixes his glass as he watch them go to where the control room was located.
“Yuuma!”
He saw a couple of familiar faces; the two bodyguards of Atsuko, the models, his boss and co-worker. “What’s happening? And where’s the midget bodyguard?”
“Oh! Takamina?” Mii-chan asked. She looks at everyone and shrugs, “We don’t know… Atsuko’s missing too. Heh. I’m sure they’re together. And Takamina won’t let another kidnapping scene to happen anytime soon.”
“What about that?” Yuuma pointed at the group of hotel guards roaming around the hotel “I’ve noticed that aside from the increase number of security guards there are some polices as well.”
“Mii-chaaaaaaan!”A short woman glomps Mii-chan.
Everybody looks at the grinning Yuko, “I’ve miss you and Takamidget… and and…” Yuko mumbles.
“And please quit that Inspector Oshima.” Sayaka said pulling the inspector by her ear, “We have work to do.”
“But Sayakaaaaaaaaa” Yuko groans, “all we do is to work and work and more work… look at them!” She points at the Mii-chan’s group, “They’re enjoying their youthfulness while we waste ours!”
“How about we help for a bit? We’re free.” Mii-chan grins at Sayaka, “By the way… Let me introduce this crowd to you. This three over here works for the Tokyo Metropolitan Hospital of the Kashiwagi Family; the neurologist, Dr. Watanabe Yuuma; working under the pain management department, Dr. Matsui Ren; and the heiress of the famous Kashiwagi Family and upcoming director of the hospital, Kashiwagi Yuki. This over there is one of Japan’s most prominent models and part-time actress, Kojima Haruna and Shinoda Mariko. This kid by my side is Matsui Jurina, Atsuko’s third bodyguard.” She introduced them to the officers. “Everyone… You know Yuko and Sae already. The tall one here is Assistant Inspector Akimoto Sayaka.”
After exchanging introduction, Yuuma finally decided to fill his curiosity. “So… Are you here for some work I assume?”
“Yeah” Yuko sighed, dramatically. “Must you remind me of that, Yuuma-kun!”
“This is supposed to be a secret but I’ll let you in,” Sae grins and then winks at the girls. “You see… someo-- *smack* OUCH!” Sae groans as she rubs her head, murmuring apologies towards Sayaka.
“You should learn how to respect our client’s privacy.” Sayaka replied, and then turned to their pouting leader, “And YOU. Stop pouting and start working!”
“Bu-But… It’s not our fault that they got some system problem!” Yuko scoffs.
“We are not here to help them with their technical problem. We are here to investigate Inspector Oshima.” Sayaka said as she drags the two police.
“System problem…?” Mii-chan wondered aloud as she looks at the others, shrugging.
“Something concerning about the security system. Maybe.” Yuuma replied as they watch some more security personnel wandering through the hotel lobby. He briefly looks at his wrist watch, ‘It’s time.’ He gives off an awkward to his colleagues. “It’s time for me to go now… I have some appointment to catch on.”
“But you’re not even drunk yet!! The wine’s great!” Yuki uttered out.
“Acchan’s drunk too!” Mii-chan piped out with her eyes glinting mischievously.
“Huh?! She’s drunk?” Mariko asked, surprised, “So that’s why I haven’t seen her for a while.”
‘
Hmm… seems that Atsuko and that other Minami’s disappearance had something to do with this Minami here.’ Yuuma shakes his head in dismay, ‘
She can be a scary schemer… I have to be more careful around her… That other Minami too.’ “Well then… I have to go.” Yuuma said, “Enjoy the rest of the night!”
Minami stared at Yuuma’s retrieving form. “Appointment…” She noted out, “Doctors of his league is such a busy body.”
“Well… only few of them choose to specialize in Neurology.” Yuki smiles, “I think it’s because that certain field was a bit too difficult… something to do with brain as a sensitive organ or something.”
“I wonder…” Mariko gives Yuki a toothy grin, “Is it really an appointment? *cough* Medical Appointment?”
Yuki grimaced at Mariko’s question or statement. Whatever it is. “What do you mean?” Wrong question. Yuki doesn’t like where this conversation leads to.
“Isn’t it weird that his ‘appointments’ were set at night? After work.” Mariko pointed out, still grinning, “And not in the hospital... During working hours.”
“So?”
The mischievous Minami shakes her head in disappointment. Dense. All of them are dense! This is very disappointing for Minami. “Listen well, Yuki-chan.” She warps her left arm around Yuki’s shoulder, “What the stick model mean here is tha- Owww!”
“Who’s that stick model you’re talking about?!” Mariko sends Minami a death glare.
“Why so defensive?” Minami scoffs, “Did I hit some extra sensitive nerve there?” She glared back.
“Why you--”
“Hold your horses!” Jurina quickly intervenes while Haruna slowly drifts to her dreamland. “Oi! OI! Help me here!!!” Jurina snaps her hand infront of Haruna.
“Tsk… I’m wasting my energy on you.” Minami sighs.
“well… I’m developing some wrinkles by just looking at you!” Mariko retorts.
“Then quit glaring and frowning like there’s no tomorrow.”
Yuki rubs her temple, “Stop it!”
Minami coughed, “Back to the topic… What Mariko was saying is that maybe you little eye-candy of a doctor was going out with someone…”
Yuki froze at the statement.
“Or maybe he was seeing someone already?”
The picture of Yuuma and an unknown girl flashed before Yuki’s eyes.
“Or he coul--”
Yuki suppress a growl and turned her heels to walk away from the group.
Haruna stares at Yuki and then look at the two jokers with mix disappointment and pity. “A mad Yuki is equals to danger, Mari-chan. Remember?”
And with that Mariko shivers in fear.
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Yuuma leans by the railing as he stares at the sea and then looks at the starless dark sky. A close by pay phone begins to ring, pulling him off from his little pondering. “Hello?”
‘
Hey… the target is dead?’
“Should be”
‘
And the next plan is?’
“None at the moment.” Yuuma replied, “You keep gathering information for now, Kumi, while I snoop around some more. I'm not fond of surprises."
‘
Ok then boss.’ The other line hangs up.
Yuuma pulled out the suitcase, and throws it out to the sea. He casually walks toward a black motorcycle and puts on his helmet. An explosion was heard as a motorcycle zooms back to the main highway.
So that's that.
See you guys next time! Ja~
Topic: Project LEVIATHAN (Chapter 13: One Problem After Another Part 1) 3/27/2014 (Read 18720 times)