Chapter 198

Hayato wanted to meet up for the completion of the gig. So rather than party, or split up we all headed across Japantown back to the expensive highrise where the TC bosses had their meeting.

 

Taking the elevator up with the entire crew was interesting. I could feel the tension ratcheting up from Hiromi and Ichi, while Malcolm was more calm, and Rebecca was expecting trouble, and seemingly happy to pull her gun.

 

The door opened to the same hallway and as we stepped out the TC guards in suits seemed to make a call, and before we reached security Hayato was there stepping back through dressed up as fancy as I had ever seen her.

 

“Motoko?”

“Hey Hayato.” I greeted back as I pulled up the net gogs from my eyes. I was still mostly fully kitted out, just the helmet left behind. She took a moment to look over me, and the rest of my chooms before seemingly smiling instead of looking uncomfortable.

 

“Good, you will make an impression.” She said and made to turn away but I coughed grabbing her attention.

 

“You didn’t tell me why we were here?”

“When I told Father I was responsible for Kanada’s death, he wanted to speak to me. You are here as I explain my actions, and proof to father that I am not without my own assistance now.” She told me and I quirked an eyebrow.

 

It was as Hayato moved forward, and we were about to go through security when a strong hand clamped down on my arm.

 

I followed the pretty chrome fingers to Hiromi who was looking as jittery as I had ever seen from her.

 

“M-Motoko?”

“Yeah Hiromi?”

“Is that… Is that Hayato… Nakagawa?”

“Mhmm!” I confirmed looking at her, and then watching as Hiromi just stilled and obviously short circuited.

 

“H-h-h-hayato n-naka, naka, naka! Why didn’t you tell me!” She suddenly came too and started hissing in a whisper as she grabbed me and shook me harshly.

 

“It didn’t really come up?”

“It’s the Heir to the Tygers! The Tyger Princess. Hayato Nakagawa the second! And you!” Hiromi backed away and started rubbing her face.

 

“Ah did she finally figure it out?” Malcolm asked, and Hiromi stilled as she turned to him at his words.

 

“You knew!?”

 

“Yeah she introduced herself, you weren’t there yet though. Ichi! I owe you twenty eddies.” Malcolm called out as Ichi was disarming to get through security.

 

“Nice!”

“B-b-but!”

“Don’t worry about it Hiromi.” I said, deciding to take a bit of action. “Hayato is a friend, and so we are going to just treat her normally. She’s our client right now, so that’s that.”

“Yes, but I didn’t know!”

 

“Well… You do now!” I laughed and guided her forward. Watching the rest of my chooms hand over their guns and weapons.

 

Soon we were through and into the large meeting room. I noticed it was much emptier than before, but some of the people sitting in the front were people I recognized from the last time, as well as another familiar face.

 

“Hey Wakako.” I greeted reflexively, and she turned and gave me a look before nodding.

 

“Motoko. Everything went well, no further bloodshed than what was expected?” She asked me loud enough that everyone was looking towards us.

 

But I had no shame!

 

“Tsk.” I offered her in turn, actually still annoyed. “As per your instructions. Moritaka is someone I can’t target, as much as I might like to finish that loose end. He’s still alive, and I’m a professional. No one else besides the target was touched.”

 

“See?” Wakako said, turning to a bald man covered in tattoos beside her. “The girl is competent, and does not allow foolish things to interfere in her professionalism.”

“As you say Mother.”

I blinked because the big tatted out TC guy didn’t look anything like tiny Wakako, but then again that fit as well.

 

Hayato did her own fake cough and glared at me, and I noticed that while I had wandered off to see Wakako, she had gathered the rest of my chooms behind her.

 

Nodding, I waved goodbye at Wakako and headed over. Earning a particularly amused scoff from the woman.

 

“Try to stay close.” Hayato whispered to me, and I nodded apologetically.

 

Then suddenly as if a switch flipped everyone stopped talking and in came Shinobu Nakagawa.

 

Hayato’s dad, and the leader of the TC. Which was still weird to think about.

 

He entered without a word and took his seat, and instantly got down to business.

 

“Hayato. You had Kanada Tsukimura killed.”

“I did.” She said without hesitation. Confident as she offered a bow in her… Kimono? Yukata? Okay seriously one of these days I was going to have to spend a few minutes and learn which was which.

“Explain.” He responded instantly with a bit of harshness.

 

“While you were fond of Tsukimura the elder, his son is not the same man.” She argued instantly and I watched as she straightened her back and continued. “The power went to the boy’s head. He spoke words that should not be spoken. That he would be the Fourth Shinobu.” She offered and there was actually a flinch among the room at her words.

 

“You have proof?”

“I do, recordings of him saying it to his soldiers while they played. It was his intention to marry me, and attempt a takeover.”

The room was quiet and then the man looked at Wakako with an upraised eyebrow.

 

“Don’t look at me. Hayato came to me requesting an assassin, and I provided. I am simply here to see the after effects.” She offered as catty as ever, and then continued to watch over the proceedings.

 

“Mother in Law.” Shinobu started wearily before shaking his head. “Please do not give Hayato access to an assassin.” The old man actually pleaded.

“I did nothing. Hayato created her own contact, I simply reminded her of the fact.” Wakako denied any wrongdoing with a smirk.

 

“The girl. Kusanagi is one of your mercs.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Yes, but the meeting between Hayato and her was not my doing, and was actually a pleasant surprise. Motoko is rough around the edges, but is a professional within Hayato’s peer group. It’s good for them both to meet and create connections.”

Wow, that was almost a compliment from Wakako.

 

“Otou-Sama. You called me here to discuss why I had Kanada removed. I have.”

 

“And this evidence wasn’t given directly to me because?” He asked back with a glare, and Hayato almost wilted, before firming up.

 

“Because, I am Hayato Nakagawa, and I can handle business for the family as well.”

 

The older man sighed, rubbing at his salt and pepper temples that once more made me stare at his face.

 

He was crazy handsome and it was cruel that he was like an evil gang boss.

 

Then again he was probably crazy handsome because of all the eddies he had because he was an evil gang boss.

 

“Then the evidence for Kanada’s death will be handed over. Unless Mother in Law has already?”

“It’s real. I confirmed it myself.” Wakako offered and the men around the room all frowned looking pissed.

 

Yeah I guess if some early twenties gonk went around saying he was going to marry the daughter of the leader, kill the leader and become the next one, and I was one of those leaders already I’d be pissed too.

 

“Then the assassination will be condoned… Forgive me, old friend.” Nakagawa whispered aloud and many of the men bent their heads.

 

Tsukumura’s pops must have been important.

 

“It seems you have an assassin on hand, Hayato. Make sure to use such a thing sparingly.” The old man added and Hayato practically buzzed.

 

“I will take that into consideration Otou-Sama… But I will not hesitate to call upon skilled mercenaries when needed.”

 

Papa Nakagawa sighed again at Hayato’s words and I had a feeling she might be using her newfound freedom and connection to an assassin to remove a few more people.

 

Which was nothing but an awesome thing in my book.

 

—–

 

“Waaa, I can’t believe we were just standing in front of Shinobu Nakagawa!” Ichi whispered once we had left the building proper and stepped into the garage.

 

“Nerve wracking.” Malcolm agreed but he stretched and seemed less bothered.

 

“Ugh I’m just glad we got out of there. Talk about tense!” Rebecca added as well, before slapping Ichi on the back. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you practically shivering as you stood there in your armor!”

 

“I didn’t!”