Secrets and Consequences

Kimiko Tamatsuki listened on the phone as the editor of the Shūkan Gendai gossip column, who was going over her submissions in the past few days. "So, the good news is the story is still trending... people are talking and spreading their opinions about them."

Kimiko pointed her finger triumphantly, "Yup, I had my photographer snap a few pictures with them in the cherry blossoms garden in the National Art Center in Minato; probably showing him her daddy's donation plaque or something like that," she speculated, "and some just recently when they were on their date in Akihabara, including an adorable one with cats on her lap." She paused, as if reciting some great truth, "The Internet loves cats; the ones on her lap will guarantee that picture another million shares, easy!"

"Did you find out anything else about Sakurai-san's background?" the editor asked.

Kimiko nodded anxiously, "Yup, my PI managed to get a lead on Kyosuke Sakurai's military record. Turns out I was right, and he's more than just a chef after all," she turned to a computer monitor and continued, "He had to call in quite a few favors to dig this up... Kyosuke was a US Army Ranger, 75th Regiment, Special Operations. Those are the guys that blow stuff up and kill people," she elaborated. "There's also several gaps where he was apparently assigned to off-the-books, Top Secret missions for their SAC/SOG Intelligence division, really Black-Ops type stuff."

"Crap... are you sure about this?" the editor exclaimed incredulously. He paused for a moment. "This isn't another one of your... embellishments, is it?"

"No, I swear...!" Kimiko paused. "OK, the Black-Ops stuff, maybe... I mean, I'm guessing..." she confessed, "but all the service records, totally legit! I can send you the personnel records!"

The editor rubbed his head. "Geez... what have you stepped into this time, Kimiko? Do you really want to be fooling around with someone who might have this kind of background?"

"Come on! Since when you have ever allowed scandal or threats stop us from publishing juicy news! Once word gets out that Ikemoto-san's new boyfriend was once a government hitman, that'll really make the story go blow up!" Kimiko assured.

Sure, if this guy doesn't rig your car doesn't blow up first... the editor thought to himself. 

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Kyoko sat in the guest chair as Isamu paced in front of the desk of his private office. Usually there would always be security personnel, his personal advisors, and often his legal counsel whenever he was making major decisions, but for matters such as this, it would be just the two of them.

"Kyoko-chan... I just don't understand this attitude," Isamu started sympathetically. "I understand that you're looking to find friends your own age. I can appreciate this, and I've tried to give you more space in college, but it's also just as important that you make safe and responsible choices."

"This is about Kyosuke? Why is he suddenly not a responsible choice?" Kyoko challenged.

"You literally just met the man!" Isamu pointed out. "You don't know anything else about him! What about Shingen Himi? You've not spoken to him since the two of you both started Keio," he suggested. "Or maybe Satoshi Misaki; didn't the two of you take a trip to Hawaii together last summer?"

"They're boring; Not to mention, Shingen's seeing several other girls and Satoshi's a terrible person," Kyoko countered. "Just because their families are important business partners doesn't mean their sons make great partners."

Isamu sighed, "They're respectable people, or I wouldn't go into business with their families. You're not going to find anyone if you keep having this romantic fantasy in your mind about some perfect Prince Charming out there."

"I'm pretty sure you've already conducted a background check on Kyosuke Sakurai by now, right?" Kyoko challenged. "If anything incriminating came up, I'm pretty sure you would have presented it by now."

"Kyoko-chan, it's not just having a criminal record you have to consider. We're in the public eye, whether you like it or not. The company has another major expansion coming that's going to affect the lives of a great number of people in the coming months, and how we present ourselves will likely impact that acquisition."

"What acquisition? Didn't you say you were done with the all-night big company expansions?" Kyoko asked.

"This one's not just for us," Isamu explained. "This is for the entire neighborhood. There are larger matters that need our civic support. This will be good for our company and the community."

Kyoko huffed and left the office. Isamu shook his head with frustration before calling on his intercom. He needed to consult with his staff on professional matters. Family affairs would have to wait. 

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Kyosuke Sakurai got off the Shibuya train station and made his way back to Hana noodle shop. "I'm back, Yoshi-san," he announced, acknowledging the normal daytime lunch crowd.

Yoriyoshi Osaki's barely skipped a beat, "Welcome back," as he motioned for one of the other sous chefs to take over, motioning Kyosuke to accompany him to the back. He lowered his voice, "I found out more about that package you delivered a few days ago. That wasn't just some low-level functionary you met; he was Katsumi Oyama, Daisuke's kid."

"Damn..." Kyosuke swore. He didn't need to be told how serious the matter had become. Daisuke Oyama was the head of one of the major crime syndicates that controlled narcotics in this part of town. If he didn't find a way to resolve this, he would have to either leave town or go deep underground. "Who paid for it?"

"Had to be someone in General Tanaka's group," Yoriyoshi speculated. "They're Oyama's biggest rival on the streets, so it stands to reason they'd want Oyama out of the way. Throwing Katsumi's connection of dealers into chaos would give them clear sailing for at least a few weeks, if not months before they could replace those."

Kyosuke thought hard about his next step. He was pretty certain the Oyama security personnel hadn't actually seen his face during the mission, but at the same time, not many people in the community could have pulled that hit off in the way it was performed, so his name would have been on the top of the list of suspects in the underground. "OK, let's assume it's General Tanaka's contract. So, that means they're probably going to start making a move into Oyama's territory. What would be their next move? I doubt old man Daisuke would just crawl into a hole and disappear."

"Well, go figure he'll be looking for whoever took out Katsumi, so maybe lay low for a bit," Yoriyoshi suggested. "As for their bigger move, figure they'll be looking for cash and partners to replace what they lost. 

"OK, I can't just leave this hanging," Kyosuke concluded. "I need to pay a visit to the General and figure out what my next move is, whether that's to leave town or if I have any kind of future."