Kirikawa lineage [Side Story 1 End]

"Damn, this place is an underground mega-lair!" Iori gushed.

"This is merely a villa, but it can serve as an HQ," Jijiji stated.

Jijiji had brought the three to an underground Japanese-castle style building. Lanters lit the walkways while masked ninjas stood guard, further adding to it's mysterious and enticing atmosphere.

"Now first, I'd like to speak privately with you, Iori," Jijiji nodded.

Once the two were alone, Jijiji asked her the big question. "How many have you killed? And before you try and play dumb, I can sense how much someone has killed."

Seeing no way out of this, Iori let out a sigh and laid the truth bare. "Ever hear of the case chiller?"

"The mysterious serial murderer? Yes I have."

"Uh... That was me."

To Iori's surprise, Jijiji didn't seem surprised in the slightest.

"That would explain your prowess. Who taught you?"

"Self-taught."

"And any intention of killing again for the clan?"

"Nah, last time I killed, I swept my mom and sis into it."

"So it is regret, yet you engage in battles against those with DESPERs, yes?"

A malicious smile appeared on Iori's face. "DESPER matches don't count as murder though."

Seeing Iori's true personality laid bare, Jijiji finally had an idea of the kind of person she was. "Well, your type is more common in our clan's history than you might think. Oh, and naturally you can't blab about clan secrets to friends and viewers."

"So an NDA? Though aren't those- GEH!?"

Before Iori could react, Jijiji flicked her in the forehead and pinched her tongue. "This technique will make it binding. Though you are free to tell all you're a Kirikawa and keep that stream up of the DNA reveal test."

"DAMN WELL BETTER BE ABLE TO!"

"Oh, and if you wish to return to your place, we've already constructed a tunnel to and from the villa to it."

"SECRET TUNNLES!? Now we're talking!"

"Guards are posted so you can't sneak in any friends, though you'll be permitted to allow them to use just the tunnel to and from your house and Harold's."

"Seems like this deal might not be so bad."

"Now before we part, could you fill me in on the dynamics of your family?"

"Wanna know how they were? Well I'm the only one left now, but my family was pretty poor, but we were happy until that piece of shit Segawa fucked everything up."

"The current Governor Segawa?"

"Nah, Rio Segawa."

Jijiji shook his head as he recognized the name. "So that's what spurned your killing instincts."

"Yeah, oh and if you can give me an NDA, my NDA to you is not to tell any of my friends, including Carol and her grampy, about what I did."

"Why do you feel the need to hide it from fellow kin?"

"Might be too big a shock. Besides, I'd rather tell her myself first."

"Very well."

The next day, Mimoko scowled as she found herself at Iori's place. "And just what was it you called me over for?"

"I got ninja tunnels! Now follow me over to Carol's!" Iori grinned as she opened up a hatch on the floor.

Mimoko begrudgingly followed, and in an instant, she found herself at Carol's place.

"Wow, really is like a vaccum tube. So ready to stream? I brought the game," Iori grinned.

"But we'll only have 3 people, unless Lame-tani is with you," Carol sighed.

"Your grandpa doesn't play?"

"No, and even if he did, he's getting training from Jijiji."

"And he's 70 right? Damn."

"He was moving a bit faster and steadier than usual, so maybe it's working."

"Well it's good that your grandfather is doing well, but just why am I being drafted to play a video game with you?"

Iori grinned and flashed her phone. On screen was a notice for an upcoming event titled, "Streama festivalen". "Me n' Carol got invites to this and I'm assuming there's gonna be prizes so we're training up with the games we think will be part of the challenges."

"Wow, I wish you took your chess this seriously too."

"I could beat you."

"You win and I'll play for the whole night."

Iori gleefully accepted, but much to her dismay, Mimoko thrashed her.

"You're not the only one that's studying for a big event. The international grand chess tournament will be coming up so naturally I'm studying up on all the potential opponents I'll face in the qualifiers for the national team."

"Ugh, guess we play online with randos," Iori sighed.

[Side Story 1 End]