Lucky break

It's been about a week since my encounter with Zane at the arcade. Since then, I've been flustered beyond repair. How could I have blurted out his name like that? Worse, I came across something online. "Subject Doe: Former basketball pro turned government agent!?" was the headline, and the cover image? Me and Zane at the arcade. This is a disaster.

I doubt the veracity of the claims this tabloid is spewing about him, but what's truly frightening me is that they are referring to him by his real name. "Subject Doe"... Perhaps it's an uncanny coincidence. Jane Doe, John Doe, that's the generic name you give to someone whose name you don't know. But is this really a coincidence? I don't know.

They've also got an image of me and Zane from when we got crepes, but that didn't seem to gain as much traction with the internet dismissing it as me just giving a fan a memorable experience. With this new article though, renewed focus is being given to this old article it seems. Traction still isn't significant, but on the contrary, it means the tabloids will only get more aggressive with their efforts. I'm used to this, but Zane? I worry how he'll handle it.

###

Making my way to the studio, I prepared myself for my encounter with Zane. With the rainy season upon us, the skies were gray and pouring. As such, I opted for more grip with some black boots, pairing them with dark beige pants and a coat. Sunglasses weren't needed, but I wore them anyway, perhaps for style, perhaps because I'm just so used to wearing them when outside in public mode.

I didn't notice things out of the ordinary on my way over, but when I got to the studio, I spotted the usual suspects. The black trench coat, long hair, it's Ruma mill central. I consider myself a rather civil woman, so do pardon me when I use the term, "cockroach" to describe them. Like a roach, they're revolting, despicable, and just won't die no matter how many times you step on them. There was once an incident where my agency had to file a suit for slander on my behalf when they went too far with spreading rumors about me.

Considering it's them that are likely the driving force behind the rumors with Zane, I'm fearing the lengths they'll conjuror falsehoods about him just for some petty clout.

"Hey look! Chika Tetsu! Ruma has it you were rizzed by a government agent, a government agent that knows how to play some mean b-ball," Kasuga snickered as she charged right up to me.

"Oh? That fan's an agent? Well, fans come in all walks of life," I smiled.

"Hmm, then why's he here now? Seems sus. There some drug deal going on with you all?"

I hate this woman. She'll provoke you to no end, all in hopes of you lashing out at her, preferably physically. This is trash in the skin of a woman using said very skin as a sticky trap for clout. I don't know what led to her becoming like this, nor do I want to know. All I know is that when she wants drama, she'll throw herself on you to make some happen.

"I SMELL COKE! COCAINE NOT COLA! COPS! FRISK JOB!"

I wish I had immense physical strength. All because I spilled some sugar on a table and was holding a straw in one hand, this bitch decided to smear as a drug addict. I thought it would be open and shut, but at the time, it seemed everyone believed Ruma mill, or perhaps, Ruma mill made it seem that way. I didn't know it then, but once the lawsuit began, I found out the company was backed by the powerful Usagi family. They've got members in the diet, foreign embassies worldwide, and naturally the criminal underworld. Though I doubt the majority of the family is hellbent on destroying me, one member certainly is, and she's wielding Kasuga as a weaponized puppet to do so.

"Chika... Oi, your eyes red under those shades?"

Persistent maggot. In times like these, just ignore her.

I attempted to walk forward, but as expected, Kasuga physically blocked my path. I didn't care, I just kept walking, attempting to push her aside with my body. Her heels must've been magnetized with the ground as she just wouldn't budge, and with her standing right in the doorway with her arms outstretched, there was just no getting around her. Thus, I tried to leave, but once more, blocked. This game of chase would turn in my favor though.

With Kasuga zipping back and forth, I thanked the fact that these boots were flat and sturdy as I waited for the moment to unleash a sweep kick. With the wet ground, Kasuga quickly lost her balance and fell to the ground.

"OW! MY LEG! YOU BROKE MY LEG! CRIMINAL! ASSAULT!"

But I was already running inside. I doubt her leg was broken, or even sprained for that matter. Even if it was, I could deal with that level of scrutiny, welcome it even as it would hinder Kasuga's stalking capabilities. And most importantly... better I be the target of the tabloids than Zane.

^^^

THAT FUCKING WHORE! MY ANKLE REALLY IS BLEEDING, DAMMIT! Ah... This is going to ruin you, Chika. I bet you hate me to the point where you're fine with drawing blood from me, but oh Chika, sweet, sweet, Chika. The law don't work like that, and Madam Bun knows the law.

I bet since I had no phone in hand, Chika got the bright idea she could get away with shoving me, but I always come equipped with multiple micro cameras on my person. Even then, this place should have cameras, so all we need to do is... ...!

For a second, I felt a cold chill as I stared at a security camera at the building's entrance, dangling from it's socket. Then, I reached for some of my micro cameras. Broke! BROKE! No, no, NO! FUCK! They all shattered from the fall! What kind of dumb luck is that!?

BOOM!

And then the torrential rain came down harder. I couldn't move, I was stuck there forced to get soaked as I called for an ambulance. And there wasn't even another soul around. Not now, not when I was loaded up, even the paramedics gave me odd stares when I said I was assaulted.

"Ma'am, there is some sign of trauma on your head. You were also wearing heels when the weather conditions just weren't suitable for them. This is on you," one groaned.

WHO GAVE THESE PEOPLE MEDICAL LICENSES, HUH!?

Damn you Chika, Madam Bun WILL avenge me for this!