The Collector’s Bargain

The art gallery was as much a display of wealth as it was a place of business. The entrance was unmarked, a narrow doorway set between two high-end boutiques in Osaka’s Nishi ward. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of aged wood and expensive lacquer. The walls were lined with delicate glass cases, each containing artifacts that had never seen a museum—objects traded in the shadows, pieces of history that had been erased from official records.

Jessica adjusted the cuff of her tailored jacket, the fabric sleek beneath her fingers. Hannah would approve of the outfit. Dark, fitted slacks, a high-collared blouse, a navy blazer cinched at the waist just enough to accentuate the lines. It was practical, sharp, and just elegant enough to fit into Hoshino Takashi’s world.

Leanna smirked as they stepped inside. “Not bad, Jess. You almost look like you belong here.”

Jessica arched a brow. “Almost?”

Leanna’s grin widened. “Give it time.”

Olivia scanned the room, her eyes sharp behind thin-rimmed glasses. “He’s expecting us.”

At the far end of the gallery, a man waited. Hoshino Takashi. He was older than Jessica expected, his frame lean but rigid, dressed in a black kimono that spoke of old money and calculated precision. His hands rested lightly on an ebony cane, though Jessica suspected he didn’t need it to walk. A prop. A statement.

His eyes flicked over them with polite curiosity as they approached. “I was told you were interested in masks.”

Jessica met his gaze without hesitation. “Only one in particular.”

Hoshino studied her for a moment, then turned smoothly, leading them deeper into the gallery. “The second mask,” he mused. “A very dangerous piece. Are you sure you wish to find it?”

Jessica exchanged a glance with Yuki. “That depends,” she said. “Do you know where it is?”

Hoshino reached a display case, resting a hand lightly on the glass. Inside, a carved wooden idol sat in eerie stillness. “I know where it should be. But knowledge comes at a price.”

Jessica’s lips curved slightly. “I assume you’re not looking for money.”

Hoshino smiled, a flicker of amusement in his otherwise unreadable expression. “No. What I require is… an exchange.”

He turned, his gaze sweeping across the group. “There is an item in Kobe. A scroll, sealed in a private vault. I need it returned to me.”

Leanna crossed her arms. “Why not take it yourself?”

Hoshino’s smile remained. “Because it is in the hands of someone… difficult.”

Jessica exhaled softly. “And if we retrieve it?”

Hoshino inclined his head. “Then I will tell you where the mask was last seen.”

Yuki’s voice was even. “What’s on the scroll?”

Hoshino’s smile faded just slightly. “A piece of history. One that does not belong in the wrong hands.”

Jessica tapped a finger against her folded arms, considering. A theft. A trade. A risk she’d taken before. She glanced at Leanna. A job like this wasn’t unfamiliar territory.

Leanna smirked. “You know, Jess… you’ve always had that whole ‘cat burglar’ aesthetic. Maybe it’s time to embrace it.”

Jessica shot her a dry look. “I don’t wear leather jumpsuits.”

Olivia adjusted her glasses. “I mean, you could pull it off.”

Jessica sighed. “I hate all of you.”

Hoshino chuckled softly. “Then I take it we have an agreement.”

Jessica turned back to him, her expression sharpening. “Where’s the vault?”

Hoshino’s fingers curled slightly over his cane. “Kobe’s harbor district. A private collection.” For a moment, something colder flickered in his gaze. Something ancient. “You’ll need to be careful.”

Jessica’s lips pressed together. Careful was never part of the plan. Not for people like her.