__Part 8__
to Part 7; to Tobajan Mahjong 6; to Part 9
''Master, you did it, you did it!''
''Master, you're incredible!''
The girl still looks frightened, and she's just standing there trembling.
''Are you okay?''
''.................................................''
''Let's take her to the office for now. She needs to calm down...''
We went back to my office with the girl.
Mika and Taeko came with us as well.
The girl is looking around nervously.
She looks around eight or ten years old.
''Um...I'll go make some tea. It'll help everyone relax.''
''Oh...would you like any help?''
''She would need to work harder if you help her...and there would be fewer teacups as well.''
''What do you mean by that?''
''Do you know how many plates you broke this morning? So just keep sitting there.''
''Wahhhh...''
''Hey...You don't need be afraid anymore. Everybody here is very nice. ''
''Ah...''
''Some of them are Hitokata, but don't worry, they're very friendly. They're completely different from demons and ogres.''
''...Okay.''
''You know that we're on your side, right?''
''Yes...because that guy over there beat the scary man.''
''Hey...can you tell me your name?''
''It's Yayoi.''
''That's a pretty name.''
''Thank you!''
''Okay, the tea is ready.''
''Oh...I didn't realize that you may not like tea. Do you want juice instead?''
''No, I love tea.''
''There are rice crackers, too.''
''Yeah!''
''I was very scared. Thank you for helping me. But...''
''Can you tell us about it? Why was that man after you?''
''Because...I escaped...''
''Escaped? Who was that man, anyway?''
''He's the bodyguard.''
Yayoi trembles with fear as she speaks.
''Whose bodyguard?''
''The president of Hachibishi trading company.''
''What!?''
I wonder why I keep running into the Organization, again and again...
''Why would the bodyguard of Hachibishi be after a little girl like you?''
''..............................................''
''By any chance...were you kidnapped...?''
''I was...a hostage...''
''A hostage!?''
''My Papa's company...borrows a lot of money from Hachibishi. And if Hachibishi doesn't keep loaning Papa money...his company would go bankrupt...''
''That's why...my father has to obey Hachibishi.''
''And then, just to make sure Papa doesn't try to go against them, the president keeps me as a hostage.''
''That's horrible. The president is doing what the Lords of the Samurai period did.''
''It can't be...''
''It's not just me. He also keeps many other children as hostages.''
''The president is especially interested in me, so he always keeps me near him.''
''.....................................''
''This time, only the bodyguard was with me...and there was a chance to escape...but..''
Yayoi became frightened and put her hands on her cheek. Her eyes filled with tears.
''What should I do! Papa's company...might go bankrupt without support...''
''It can't be...I don't believe it...how could my father, who was so kind, do something like that!?''
''...It's sad, but people change with time.''
''A reason...there must be a reason for it.''
''.................................................''
''...What are you going to do? Do...do you still want to meet your father?''
''.................................................''
''.................................................''
''Sob! Oh, Papa...''
''Mr. Jango...I'm sorry...I know that this investigation is causing many problems for you.''
''A part of my heart still wants to trust my father. But it's probably just excessive optimism...''
''.................................................''
''To tell the true, I still haven't decided.''
''Master...''
Kumi looks into my face with a worried expression.
''Kumi...you said before that you can't hate humans while you love me, right?''
''Yes.''
''...As long as you love humans...I should believe in humans too, shouldn't I? I should believe in my own abilities.''
''Of course, Master.''
Kumi's bright and tender smile cuts straight through the haze that I was lost in.
''Okay...First, I'll investigate to see if there were some reasons behind everything.''
''What was the cause of the disappearance? If Yujiro Koizumi's personality has changed, what was the reason?''
''Gotcha!''
''Sob...sob...Papa...''
''Don't worry....We're going to help you...''
''...Okay.''
Tonight, Mika said that she couldn't leave Yayoi, who was still frightened, so she decided to stay in my office.
Then Taeko said she wants to stay here as well...like she was competing with Mika or something...
Uncomfortably, I spent the night trying to sleep on some lined up pipe chairs.
That's probably why I didn't sleep very well. I dreamed...about my lost friend and Shikigami...
But this time, it wasn't the recurring nightmare. I dreamed about the happy days before that incident.
Perhaps the dream was brought about by my longing.
In the dream, my best friend and Kourou were looking at me with smile, as if they wanted to cheer me up...
With a start, I woke up with tears in my eyes.
How embarrassing...I wonder if anyone saw me like this!?
Fortunately, it was dark, and it looked like everyone was asleep.
It's been a long time since I wanted to help or protect someone...
I toss about on the pipe chair, and fell asleep again...
''Good morning! Master.''
''Good morning... Something smells good.''
''Each of us made one item for today's breakfast.''
''That's great!''
''I boiled eggs.''
''There is one person that failed cooking, though.''
''...I am not good at cooking...''
''Come on, why don't we eat?''
There are many dishes on the table. What a fabulous selection.
''Wow, it's delicious!''
Yayoi is shouting with joy.
''This is the first time that I've eaten something this delicious.''
''.............................................''
''Before, the food was always fancy...but I was always with either the scary looking president or bodyguard...so I the food wasn't delicious to me...''
''I forgot to ask you. Since you were always with the president, you know where the president is, right? We need to know which branch he usually works at.''
At the question, Yayoi got a distressed expression on her face.
''I...don't know.''
''Because when we go out, we were always in the car...and the windows are all black...''
''I see...''
Children's memories are usually like that...
''Then I'll make a list of all the branch locations in Tokyo. We can try to figure out where he could be after that.''
''Okay. We'll ask around some more.''
''Okay. Good luck.''
''Master...what are we going to do with Yayoi?''
''Hmmm... It's too dangerous to take her with us.''
''Um...I can stay with her if you want.''
''Can you do that? Sorry to trouble you.''
''No, it's no bother...I want to do it...so please let me help.''
We left Yayoi and Mika at the office and left.
''Well, I'm going to the library. Good luck!''
Taeko waved and left.
The rest of us head toward Showa Dori.
''It's a surprise that Mika's father is the president of Hachibishi, isn't it, Master?''
''It's more than a surprise...''
''I feel like it's fate or something...''
''Don't you mean 'Thrill' and 'Suspense'?''
Rakushi's ridiculous response took a lot out of me...
''Isn't it strange that Mika's father became Hachibishi's president right after he disappeared?''
''In human society, is it necessary to abandon one's family in order to become a president?''
''No, it isn't.''
''Hmmm...so it's different than going into a monastery to become a monk, right?''
''Yes. That's why the disappearance of Mika's father is very suspicious.''
''I see...''
''I never thought I'd be involved with the Organization like this...I thought that I'd never wanted to have anything to do with them again.''
''...................................................''
''Come on, let's start asking around.''
With my peripheral vision, I saw a shady guy approach us.
Information Seller: ''Hey, man. Want some info?''
Information Seller: ''Only 20,000 yen.''
''What do you think?''
''Ah well...can't be helped.''
I pay the money to the man.
Information Seller: ''Thanks man.''
''Okay, here's the scoop.''
''The president of Hachibishi is Yujiro Koizumi. Right after he became president, he doubled the company's profits with bold and forceful strategies.''
''He preyed on and trampled many other companies. There are uncounted number of people or families that were hurt or destroyed by Hachibishi.''
''...............................................''
Information Seller: ''It is said that at Yujiro's side, there are always a tough bodyguard, an excellent and beautiful secretary, Yasue Sakurada, and his favorite pet Yayoi.''
''Do you know which branch he works at?''
Information Seller: ''No, it is said that he changes his work place frequently and whimsically.''
''I wonder what this means.''
''...............................................''
Information Seller: ''Well, that's all for now. Maybe we'll meet again.''
The man disappeared into the crowd after he said that.
''Let's go to the Central Square.''
''I know that this is normal...but there are a lot of people here, aren't there.''
''Human are mysterious creatures. They are fragile, but at the same time, active and full of condensed life energy.''
''Humans have short lives, unlike Hitokata. They try to make the most use of their limited time, so that there'll be no regrets.''
''...............................................''
''This place is a sea of human thoughts. There is so much energy here! I may be getting sick from absorbing too much...''
''Be careful, Kumi.''
''Attracted by the energy, a lot of unclean spirits have gathered here.''
''Really? I can't see any...''
''That's because you're thick.''
''K- Koukaku-san...''
''I might be getting sick from absorbing too much... But I don't hate this kind of energy.''
''This energy is a characteristic of humans.''
The three Shikigami start to ask around.
....................................
...........................................................................
.......................................................................................................
''Master...it seems that Hachibishi has a really bad reputation.''
''Strange company...to leave such a bad impression on people.''
''I didn't even hear one good thing about it.''
''......Let's go back to the office for now.''
''Ah, Jango.''
''Welcome back, Mr. Jango.''
''It's hard to just sit here waiting...but this is the only thing that we can do...''
''I'm counting on you to take care of Yayoi. You're probably the best baby-sitter of all of us.''
''I'm happy that I can help.''
''Can I go back to my parents soon?''
''Yes, so hang in there for just a little longer.''
''Surely my father would also...come back to our house...''
''...............................................''
''Did anything happen today?''
''No, nothing...there weren't any phone calls either.''
''Lock the door, just as a precaution.''
''Don't open the door for anyone except us or Taeko.''
''Okay, I understand.''
''Okay, let's go.''
We leave for Showa Dori again.
''Hey, you over there.''
A girl came in front of us and wedged herself into our group.
''You're in luck today.''
''Oh! I know her.''
''Taeko told me all about her.''
''What?''
''Master, can you please buy a box of matches from her?''
''If you don't buy them, she'll freeze to death on Christmas Eve.''
''I feel so sorry for the poor girl.''
''.......................................................''
''I am NOT 'The Little Match Girl' of from the Andersen fairy tale! You stupid Hitokata!''
''Eh? Is something wrong?''
''Rakushi, The little match girl is only a children's story...''
''...Miss Taeko, you liar...how could you...''
''...Rakushi, your naivete borders on stupidity.''
''Since you're not the match girl, who are you?''
''Yes, let's get back to the main subject.''
''I am working as a 'Campaign Girl' to advertise the opening of the cabaret Bunny House.''
''Campaign girl!?''
''Yes, the redecorated cabaret Bunny House will be open tonight! It's a great chance!''
''The best liquor and sexy bunny girls will take away the day's fatigue.''
''Sorry, but I don't drink.''
''Then order soda or something.''
''And...It's a great place to meet people.''
''What do you mean?''
''Bunny House is a high class membership-only cabaret. So most of our customers are executives of major corporations or celebrities.''
''Master, it sounds very expensive...''
''No problem. For today only, as an opening special, it's only half price.''
''Which major corporations...?''
''Er...like Gotsui or Hachibishi...''
I considered our options, and the danger. It was worth checking out.
''Where is it?''
''Here you go. Please take this matchbook. There's a map printed on the back that shows you where it is.''
I take the matchbook from the campaign girl.
''Bunny House will be open this evening. We'll be waiting for you.''
The campaign girl gave a professional smile to me, and went back into the crowd.
''It seems that Bunny House isn't open yet. Let's continue to ask around.''
Strange, there's a man in rags standing at a normally unused corner of the street.
The man standing there looks like a zombie.
He is so skinny that his ribs shows through the skin, and he's wearing clothes that should really be called rags.
He is vacantly looking at the sky with his murky eyes.
''Master...that man over there...''
''That man...he's not a demon or a monster, right?''
''A Hitokata that is afraid of monsters? What an idiot.''
''Wahhh...''
''Don't worry. He's human. He's still breathing.''
''That man blends so well with the landscape, that's why...wahhhh...''
''I wish there was no one there now. Now I'm scared.''
''Oh, shut up already.''
''Er, excuse me.''
The man's murky eyes moved.
Man: ''...Yes?''
''Wahhhh, I'm scared.''
''Shut up! Go somewhere else or something.''
''Wahhhh... You're mean...''
..................................
..............................................................
................................................................................................
Man: ''Hachibishi...''
The man seemed to have lost his senses, but he appears to be slowly regaining his strength enough to speak.
Man: ''My company was...brought down by Hachibishi...''
Man: ''My family was torn to pieces by Hachibishi.''
''I lost everything, and drifted...and now I am like this....hahaha..''
Man: ''That secretary, Yasue Sakurada...she's an ice devil...she didn't even bat an eye at my wife's tearful plea...''
''They're not human. They're animals!''
Man: ''I don't know who you are, or what you want...''
''But if you don't want to become like me, stay away from Hachibishi...''
''Because Hachibishi grows strong by sucking human blood...''
''...................................................''
Man: ''..............................''
Without another word, the man turns to looks vacantly at the sky again.
There are no emotions at all in his face.
''...Why don't we see if Bunny House is open now?''
We left for the cabaret.
''Master, there's an open sign on the door.''
''Okay, let's go in.''
We are enveloped by lively music when we entered the cabaret.
However, there are no customers or employees anywhere...there's no one here at all.
''Master...there's no one here.''
''I can't feel anyone's aura. Strange.''
''The door is not locked, and the sign said open...''
''Jango...''
Koukaku looks at me with a serious expression.
''This is the perfect opportunity to steal some valuables.''
''Koukaku!!''
''Why do we need to become thieves?''
''It's a joke! I'm just joking!''
''Anyway...we can't get any information if nobody is here.''
''Very strange...!''
''I don't know why, but I feel scared...''
''Oh well. We'll have to come back later.''
''You're right...''
Just then...
''My dear customers, are you going to leave without even one drink?''
Unexpectedly, someone calls out from behind us.
Surprised, we turn around...
''Hi there!''
The bunny girl who gave me the matchbook this afternoon is smiling and looking at us.
''You're...''
''I'm glad you came.''
''However, leaving without ordering anything disqualified you from being a customer.''
''...How long were you there?''
''Let's see. For quite a while, now.''
''That's impossible...''
''Hahaha. You look like someone that just got bewitched by a fox.''
Kumi whispers to me.
''Master...this girl was hiding her aura before she appeared in front of us.''
''I don't know who she is...but she's not a normal person. Please be careful.''
''Don't just stand there. Why don't you come over here?''
''Welcome to Bunny House. Let's make a toast.''
After she said that, she started to make a cocktail with a practiced ease.
''Don't worry, this cocktail contains very little alcohol. Even a child can drink it.''
''What about the other customers?''
''There are no other customers here except you. You're the first customers here tonight.''
''What time do the other customers come here?''
''Well...I don't know..''
''My name is Bunny of Spades. Do you want to know why my name is like that?''
''Yes, I do.''
''Hehehe...I'll tell you soon enough. In just a minute...''
''Here you go, one bunny cocktail.''
Bunny raised her glass.
''Cheers...for the blood that you will be spilling...''
Bunny's eyes shine with an eerie light.
''..........!!''
An unusually high battle aura begins to radiate from the girl.
My body reacts on reflex in response to the new change.
''Haaahh!''
The girl's arm moves elegantly as she begins her attack.
Zip! Zip!
That's the sound of air being cut.
The cards that she threw at me approach fast.
I dodge reflexively, but there were too many cards.
''Watch out, Master!''
I felt a number of sharp pains, and then felt the bleeding from my arms.
So she isn't just a bunny girl, after all.
Her bloodthirstiness is more suitable for a much fiercer animal than a rabbit.
I pick up some of the cards.
''These are too dangerous as toys.''
''They aren't toys. They are my important business tools.''
Razor sharp edges are hidden in the cards, which can cut through just about anything they touch.
''You're bleeding, Master. Are you all right?''
''Yeah...It's not as bad as it looks.''
''You shouldn't be too optimistic about my cards. Do you want to cut your own throat right now and save me the trouble?''
''Now you know why my name is Bunny of Spades, right?''
''You are...''
''The price of betrayal is...death.''
''Damm...the Organization finally found me...''
''The traitor Jango Abe! This is the place you die!''
''I didn't betray the Organization...I only wanted freedom.''
''Ha! What a stupid thing to say...''
''You knew that desertion is the same as betrayal to the Organization.''
''Once you join the Organization, you are never allowed to leave.''
''How can you say that? They made me join in the Organization by force...''
''If you have any last words, you should say them now.''
After she said that, she got ready to throw the cards again.
''Sorry, but I don't have such a skillful weapon or technique.''
''So let me fight with this.''
I took my mahjong set out from the holster.
''Hahaha. Fine. I accept your challenge.''
__Part 8__
to Part 7; to Tobajan Mahjong 6; to Part 9