Friends In High Places

I arrived at Ninagawa Charlotte's office in Arakawa-ku early in the morning, Wang Xianshi having acted as my personal chauffeur when I reminded him of his position. I had made it a point to tell him that I was his superior, which didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. In fact, I would say he looked a bit happy every time I said he was below me. Perhaps he was a masochist? Whatever it was, I was riding the high that I finally had an ally to control, and one that secretly wanted to assist in my plan to kill Charlotte at that.

Once again, the secretary didn't give Xianshi a second glance as he made his way to the elevator unannounced, I walked right behind him with confidence.

I knocked firmly on her door, only entering when her voice said,
"You may enter."

When I walked in, I caught a glimpse of Harumi covering her nude breasts with her blazer, sitting directly on Charlotte's lap while fixing her messy hair. I could only assume what had happened moments before my arrival and did my best not to stare at Harumi's plump, panty-clad bottom as she straddled my Oyabun.

"Mika-chan! I haven't seen you in a while, girl! How's it hanging?"
Harumi grinned cheerfully, slipping into her bra before prancing to my side to ruffle my hair.

I couldn't help but smile at her touch, looking up at her with trusting eyes.
"Harumi-chan!"
I admired her friendly, carefree attitude as she rubbed my scalp. I had discovered so many secrets of hers over the past month and found it inspiring that she had the power to smile so lovingly after everything she had been through. It gave me hope that eventually one day I could smile that brightly after my goal had been achieved. I had lost Nozomi as a friend, harmed Jin, and even caused Kazuya and Xianshi trouble, but it felt like nothing compared to the past that Harumi had been hiding from me.

"You've got business with Charlotte, yeah? I'll talk with Xianshi in the hall, so take your time."
Harumi threw her arm around Xianshi's shoulder; he had been blushing a bit while trying to keep his gaze respectful. As Harumi walked away, Charlotte let out a small click of her tongue.

"Why is it that you always bother me when I have free time, puppy? We haven't had sex in weeks, and now your unsightly face is here to turn me off."
She spoke with irritation evident in her voice.

I took a step closer, bowing my head.
"I apologize, boss. I'm here to request another favor. I understand that last time I was quite disrespectful, so I wish to atone by taking my loyalty to the next level."

"You say that, but your eyes are as angry as ever. No other Kobun has ever visited me as much as you; they all go to their captains for trivial crap... but you're different. Very well, speak."
Charlotte sighed, lighting the bowl of her pipe with a match.

"To atone, I wish to obtain irezumi tattoos. It's come to my understanding that there is a woman by the name of Enki who does tattoos for the Bara-gumi? I wish to schedule an appointment with her."
I raised my head, staring at her eyes with malice, not even trying to hide the hatred that she knew I was bottling up.

"You're just a teenager, puppy. There should be no reason for you to get irezumi at your age, let alone from a professional like Enki. I see no reason to fulfill this request. If you're trying to prove yourself to me, you can forget it. Results speak louder than aesthetics. I hereby deny your favor. Now, send Harumi back in."
Charlotte waved me off, not even bothering to look in my eyes while she adjusted her kimono a bit lower on her slender shoulders.

"Boss!"
I shouted.
"I'll pay for the irezumi myself! I just want to know where Enki is! I really need to-"
I stopped myself before I could reveal the truth.
"I really... want irezumi tattoos."

"Much like Masaaki, she resides in the red-light district. Even if I told you where, she doesn't accept walk-ins, nor does she appreciate seeing teenagers asking for adult services. Without an appointment from me or Kazuya, you'll never get your precious irezumi. Good day, puppy."
Once again, Charlotte waved me off.

I bit my own tongue to hide what I really wanted to say to her.

You wicked bitch!

I began to storm out of her office when Harumi entered, still only wearing her underwear and blazer. She put a hand on my chest, slipping a piece of paper into my breast pocket before saying,
"Thank me later, Mika-chan,"
and resumed her position on Charlotte's lap.

I exited the office, placing my hand over my breast as Xianshi finally turned his head to face me; an unamused scorn plastered on his face.
"Finally, I was having a hard time looking into her eyes rather than her thighs."

"You're a married man, Xianshi, and a sex offender at that. You should have no right staring at a goddess like Harumi with such lust. As your superior, I'll see to it that it's chopped off."
I pouted, looking away from him as I walked away.

Disgusting.

"You'll see to it that what is chopped off?! Princess, what are you planning to chop off?!"
Xianshi raced after me, an apologetic tone gracing the simper on his face.

Ignoring his distress, I took the small paper from my pocket, opening it up to read an address. Below the address were the words,
"Enki's tattoo shop, Kioku."

I smiled, stuffing the paper back into my pocket and silently thanking Harumi for eavesdropping.

If Charlotte won't book me an appointment, it would be best to avoid Kazuya as well. They think very similarly, so taking my chances with a walk-in might be my best bet. I'm sure if I let the name Sora slip, maybe Enki would hear me out. Masaaki did mention she was the closest person to Sora, after all.

"Xianshi, you bastard, take me to the red-light district, please."
I finally spoke to him as we exited the building.

"Bastard? So I'm a bastard now? Is it because I was looking at Harumi's legs? You're cold, Princess."
Xianshi sighed, but didn't deny my request. He allowed me access to his motorbike once again, driving me toward the place I had business to attend to. Having a personal chauffeur was beginning to be a blessing, even if he was the lowest of the low.