Contrary Expectations

Traffic was a nightmare as expected. Morning traffic in Shinjuku was stuck bumper to bumper. It would be an hour or more before they reached their destination. A long drive, especially with the new company. Any company in his car was a new experience. Solo was his usual work style. This was something he had to adjust to.

Miho sat quietly in the passenger seat of the tiny, but slightly sporty car. It had the energy of wanting to try hard, but didn’t have enough money to commit to the effort. A half measure for sure.

She only made it three lights before turning to look at Yori. “Do ye not have a home?” While the front of the car was clean, almost sparkling, the backseats were covered in boxes, blankets, leftover food boxes, plastic bags and a dozen other things that should be in the trash. It was only thanks to the two air fresheners that it probably didn’t stink.

“My work requires me to be on the go and ready to act at a moment’s notice. I don’t exactly have the luxury to just stay home and be out of reach.”

“Then maybe cleanin’ up once in a while if you’re gonna be living out of your car so often.”

He wanted to snap back at her, but it was hard to argue with. There were often times when he had nothing just waiting. It probably could be tossed out. It was just easier to toss it behind him out of sight. “If you’re volunteering to help when we’re staking out.” She turned a little sour seeing that her suggestion flipped around. He grinned a little before turning back to the road.

The two hours passed in relative silence. Miho kept her gaze out the window rather than on him. It made for an awkward conversation. But he wasn’t used to dealing with someone else.

Yori parked in a garage, the city slowly bleeding through the gaps of concrete. A quick check of his coat gave him a little comfort, knowing that he was prepared. While Kawaguchi certainly was safe, at least from the public’s view, there were plenty of troubles hiding in plain sight. Just out of phase with everyone’s vision.

“Your friend’s here?”

“No, of course not! He runs a bar nearby; this is just the only available parking.” She nodded, scanning the area again, likely checking for escape routes and ambush points. “Remember, we have a cover to maintain. He’s not going to talk to some government lapdogs. So you’re just a hunter, like me. Play that side, and you won’t need to do much more.”

“It’s not my first time gettin’ intel from a suspect.”

“He’s not a suspect, he’s an info broker! Those are different skill sets.”

“I can handle myself.”

He groaned again. ‘She really is going to be the death of me…’ Yori tapped on the car hood before turning around. It was his reality. “Just let me do the talking if you’re just going to try threatening people.”

“I ain’t violent!” She chased after him, already leaving the conversation.

His hands tucked away in his pockets. “Says the woman who attacked me, thinking I was creeping on her.”

“I apologized! Let’s move on.”

“The job comes first. People’s lives are at stake.” Yori’s one eye narrowed tightly as his features sharpened with focus. The job was all that was important for now. That could keep him going.

Street level, they were far enough away from the high rises and skyscrapers of Tokyo. Just an average block to be found anywhere in Japan. It was places like this that focused him more. The ordinary lives of people who were clueless to the constant threat to their happiness. It had to be protected and preserved at all costs. That was worth something.

They stood outside what Yori claimed was a bar. Miho, however, kept looking back at him. “This a joke?” It looked nothing like a bar. Maybe more of a restaurant, but even that didn’t really sell it right. It could be spotted from two blocks away. She noticed it almost immediately, coming out of the garage, the garish building.

A large inflatable duck sat next to the door, towering over the two of them. There was a wide grin and a tray in hand as if it was serving. It might have even been considered a mascot had the branding on the shirt it wore tried to match the establishment itself. The name of the “bar” was Seafoam Dreams, a confusing name, but the shirt said “Mikey’s Pizzeria”.

Yori chuckled a little, seeing her trying to make sense of the duck still. “It doesn’t get much better inside. But just remember it’s a front. He runs a legitimate business.”

“When he’s not sellin’ secrets to the highest bidder.”

“Like any good businessman.” With that, he opened the door for loud sugary J-pop to be screaming out. Nearly belligerent yelling seemed to be accompanying it. It sounded more like drunk ramblings until entering the space to see that they were just teenagers trying to badly sing along with the song and arguing over the lyrics.

More bright colors and assortments of collected stuffed animals were packed on the shelves along the walls. It was a mess of designs and visuals that almost melted to become one with how nothing actually made any logical sense or consistency. It was random, persistent chaos. A child-like parade of toys that could have been mistaken for a playground were it not for tables and servers. The patrons weren’t even all teenagers; there were some adults in suits that looked very out of place, enjoying the atmosphere nearly as much.

She leaned over to Yori, whispering to him. “This is where he is?”

“I make no judgments for his taste.” Yori stepped to the counter with a line of barstools. He rubbed a finger along the menu as he gave a slight glance over to the middle-aged man finishing giving a pair of teenage boys their meal.

A well-polished gentleman stepped over to them. “How may I help you today, sir?”

“I’m looking to throw a party.”

Miho glanced in silence at Yori, seeing him become more serious even surrounded by the joyous emotions of the customers. “We have a few rooms that can be reserved. What sort of party would you be having?”

“A promotion. There’s going to be quite the gathering.”

“That is most wonderful. I believe we have something to accommodate that. If you’re going to be having such a large guest list, you would like to have a personal server for your event. It would cost more.”

“Yes, that’s a thoughtful recommendation. Someone who can deal with some overworked salarymen blowing off steam.”

“But of course, if you wish to see the venue before making your reservation.”

“Please!” They motioned back towards a door that would have been thought to have gone to the kitchen. Yori led with Miho following quickly, still trying to read the situation. But it became clearer as she watched.

Through a side hall, the gentleman opened a door to a small room that clearly wasn’t suitable for holding a party. Only a round table and a few chairs furnished the space, with no escape other than the door they entered through. “I shall go let them know, please wait, Mr. Saioji.”

“Pleasure as always, Mr. Kamio.” They got a polite bow before departing with the door closed.

Miho scanned the room again, keeping her hands in her small jacket. “Hidin’ in plain sight.”

“It’s how things are done here.”

She flicked her hair back with a bit of a sigh. It was a lot of work and secrets. More than she had to deal with on a regular basis. “Ye ever think it’d just be better if the whole thing just got out?”

“History tells us how we deal with those who are different.”

“Your history.”

“You’re all human as well. You can’t escape that nature.”

“We have bigger problems to deal with than prejudice.”

“How enlightened.” Yori didn’t press it further. While he didn’t know the complete history of Mado, there was enough common knowledge that it was a far from accurate account of her side. Their side was just as problematic, even if it was for different reasons. But they had to deal with the one that continued to infect his side.

Before Miho could respond, the door opened, immediately grabbing their attention. At the threshold stood a man on the shorter side dressed completely head to toe as a clown, make-up included. A wide smile painted over his lips like he was ready for a kid’s birthday.

Miho glared over at Yori. “This is a joke. You’re payin’ me back for earlier.”