Information Overload

"Something on your mind, Princess? You've been quiet since we arrived at Charlotte's office."
Xianshi finally released my wrist from his grasp, taking a step back to study my facial features.

Having now broken through my own trance, I managed to lift my head just enough to make eye contact with him through my messy bangs, noticing his concerned expression. I decided to start with the simplest question on my mind.

"Xianshi... who exactly is this Sora girl I keep hearing about? Not only did Harumi mention her before, but now Takeshi and even you. What relation does Sora have with... my mother? Is she my mother?"

"You don't need to concern yourself with Sora. She's a long forgotten ghost; the accumulation of many bad mistakes personified."
Xianshi sighed heavily, offering me his bike helmet before plopping down on the padded seat of his Suzuki.

"But every time I hear her name, the speaker always refers to me in some way! Harumi said the name Umeda Sora, and commented on my hair being the same color as hers! Some of Charlotte's first words to me were 'Umeda? You definitely share a resemblance.' But I don't have the slightest clue about Umeda Sora!"
I huffed loudly, silently refusing to accompany him on his bike until I had answers.

"It's really none of my business to tell you about Sora, Princess. You can ask all you want, but I'm not required to tell you a thing. Now, either give me my helmet back or come with me to Masaaki's shop for my new suit."
Xianshi seemed irritated as he started his bike, motioning for me to hop on.

That's right, Masaaki! If Xianshi, Harumi, or Charlotte won't tell me about Sora, maybe my good friend Masaaki would have some interesting information. Given Xianshi's attitude, I might have to be discreet when asking.

I fastened the helmet strap tight around my chin, plopping down behind Xianshi on his bike and hugging his waist extra close. I noticed earlier, when I was fighting him, that Xianshi's scent was that of comforting, delicate florals. For a gruff man in his early thirties, he had such a delicious scent to him that I was sure he would have a flock of ladies lining up for him just from the smell of his coat alone. Even I had felt a bit weak just being snuggled up to his strong back. Maybe if he had put more effort into his appearance, he would have been quite the playboy among the older women of the red-light district, unlike Kazuya, who smelled strongly of tobacco and iron. Kazuya definitely had the face of a celebrity, attractive down to the structure of his bones, but Xianshi had him beat in terms of personality. Both men are married, but despite not having met Kazuya's wife, I could tell that Xianshi was quite fond of his.

What am I even thinking? I shouldn't be crushing on men over twice my age, especially seeing how unforgiving most of them are. Maybe Harumi was right; I should focus on girls instead. Men are... violent and temperamental, whereas most of the girls I've met so far have been sweet and alluring... like Nozomi and Harumi. Charlotte is an exception, of course; that wicked demon.

* * *

Arriving at Masaaki's clothing store, Xianshi walked right up to him without hesitation, unlike how Kazuya seemed to back off when Masaaki made comments about his handsomeness. Xianshi seemed much more comfortable in his own skin, not even flinching as Masaaki used his hands to explore areas on his body, saying,
"This is standard procedure in my shop."

"It's been quite some time, Masaaki. I didn't think the day would come when I met you under these circumstances, getting fitted for a suit that belongs to the Bara-gumi,"
Xianshi said, almost chuckling.

"Haha~ I kind of wished the day would never come~ How's the little boy doing? Is he eighteen yet?"
Masaaki grinned with soft eyes, hemming the sleeves of Xianshi's new coat.

"Shut your mouth already. If anything, he's closer to eighteen months than years, you pervert."
Xianshi laughed this time.

"Phooey~ You know me, always keeping an eye on handsome faces~ Speaking of, you've certainly got to shave that stubble on your chin, Wang Xianshi~ It makes you so much less attractive~"
Masaaki giggled.

"I'm not trying to impress anyone, you pervert. Hurry up and sew; I've got duties now that I'm property of the yakuza."

After some time, Masaaki finished Xianshi's suit, giving me time to come up with a plan to ask about Sora. As soon as he finished, I gently grabbed Masaaki's wrist.
"Masaaki-chan? I think I left something in your break room the other night. Mind helping me find it?"
I gave him a very pleading look, hoping he would catch on.

He studied me for a minute before sighing.
"My little Mika-chan~ I'm simply not interested in sleeping with you~ You may be confused, given your age, but I'm a man's man! Xianshi called me a pervert, but this is crossing a line~"

"What?! Gross, just ew! I would never dream of something so... grotesque!"
I shouted, feeling embarrassed that my plan had backfired.

"Oh? Why did you give me such a darling gaze then? Sure, I'll help you search~"
Masaaki booped my nose with his finger, pulling me into the back rooms while Xianshi gazed with a troubled expression.

Once I finally had the stage set, I stood before Masaaki with a dangerous glint in my eye. I didn't want to appear intimidating, or like I wanted to hurt him, my close friend, but I needed to get my point across as seriously as possible. I cleared my throat and said,
"Masaaki. I need you to be completely honest with me."

Masaaki smiled softly, sitting down with his legs crossed.
"Mika-chan, you don't need to stare so hard~ We're friends, so I'll tell you whatever it is that you want to know~"

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, softening my eyes and nodding.
"Right... Um, do you know a girl by the name of Umeda Sora? Who exactly is she?"

Masaaki froze for quite some time, his own eyes seemingly growing a bit larger with every second.
"Umeda... Sora? Yes... I knew her~ It's a shame what happened to her, and at such a young age~"

I extended my hand out to his shoulder, raising my voice.
"Please, Masaaki-chan! I need you to tell me everything! Who was she?!"

Masaaki gently removed my hand from his arm, looking slightly puzzled.
"Why would you need to know anything about Sora? She's been dead for thirteen years, probably since around the time you were born, Mika-chan~ She was a very adorable prostitute, but often mingled with the wrong crowds~ I really shouldn't be telling you about such a vulgar tale~"

"Prostitute? Masaaki-chan... why won't anyone tell me about her?! I've asked so many times, but nobody wants to tell me! As an Umeda, I think I have the right to know, even if she isn't related to me in the end!"
I shouted, feeling like my eyes were about to flood with tears.

Masaaki's face relaxed, and his eyes seemed to bulge out of his head as he gulped. I had never seen such a horrified expression before, especially coming from someone so comedic and calm. The grief in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine as he asked,
"Mika-chan... Did you just say your last name is Umeda?"

I froze for a second, trying to recall if I had ever given him my full name before.

Wait, did Masaaki-chan seriously not know I was Umeda Mika? Now that I think about it, when we first met, I told him my name was Mika, and he explained what my name meant in the Japanese language, but never once did I mention my last name. When I got my first cellphone, we both put each other down as Masaaki-chan and Mika-chan rather than our surnames. Even when I had spent many nights here in this very room with him, painting our nails and talking about what happened to Nozomi, I still never thought to mention my full name.

"Yes, that's right,"
I responded, calmly.
"My name is Umeda Mika, and I feel like just maybe, this Sora girl was... my mother."

I had never seen an adult cry before. Not during my days as a vagrant; not during my days as a lapdog. Adults had always been the ideal images of cool, composed creatures to me, and I had never thought that something as simple as admitting my last name would cause my close friend, Masaaki, to burst into sobs. He covered his mouth with his hand, tears and snot rolling down his face as he pulled me into a hug. I thought that getting his fluids on me was disgusting, but I sensed that he needed this hug more than I did. I wrapped my arms around him, allowing him to stroke my hair with his free hand.

"Mika-chan... it's a miracle you're standing here before me. I want you to listen to me very clearly~"
Masaaki pulled back, smiling down at me with gentleness

I stayed silent, nodding my head.

"I won't tell you a thing about Sora~ I have no right to~"
He sniffled.
"But... there's someone who will tell you everything if you ask. When you go to see Charlotte tomorrow, tell her that it's time you want irezumi. Once you secure your appointment, ask Enki about Sora. It's best you hear about her through the person who was closest to her."

"Enki?"
I asked, tilting my head.
"That's a bizarre name."

Masaaki laughed, nodding and pulling away.
"A bizarre name for a bizarre woman~ Go now, Mika-chan~ Xianshi is waiting for you~"

I bowed my head, heading out to the storefront where an unamused Xianshi sat with his cellphone in hand.
"Find what you were looking for, Princess?"

I nodded, putting my bike helmet on and stepping out into the red-light district.
"I did find it. Now, since I don't have a place to sleep, you'll be responsible for finding my lodgings for the night. As your superior in the Bara-gumi, you're now my lackey."

Xianshi muttered under his breath,
"Geez, can't argue with that logic."

I followed Xianshi to his bike, letting him guide me toward tonight's safe haven, a small manga café in Akihabara because Xianshi was supposedly in cahoots with the owner, who allowed me my own room next to Xianshi's for the night. There was full access to the self-serving drink station, as well as a voucher for a free meal. I, of course, went with melon soda and a bowl of tonkatsu ramen, but it tasted subpar compared to Hidaka Jin's. I had a lot on my mind as I read through a volume of Gintama in my cozy little space.

I have to meet with Charlotte tomorrow to schedule an irezumi appointment with a woman named Enki. Irezumi, meaning tattoo. I would be getting my first ever tattoo at the age of thirteen, but it seems like a small price to pay for information regarding Umeda Sora. I've heard that tattoos hurt, but they certainly couldn't hurt more than having metal wires burn into my flesh. Speaking of, maybe I'll copy Harumi and get barbed-wire to cover up my scars. I think with such cool tattoos on my body, I can find the confidence to perform my duties.