[OOC] it isn’t as much of chapter 2 than a proper continuation of chapter 1’s events. it’s like a long chapter. GOOD LUCK.

 

The Oyabun rises from his seat and turns to Mikoto.

” Let’s leave tonight. I’m only bringing you along. I can’t risk anyone of my men in this situation. Otto will manage the yakuza’s in the meanwhile, keeping it normal. It’s time for Otto to step up anyway. Im sure he can handle interrogating the new members and keeping things in check for a few days”, Kuroko said quietly.

Kuroko’s calm and composed disposition was one of the reasons why the Yakuza was so successful. He wasn’t very violent and crude. He handled things professionally and gained the respect of many. He could be ruthless when need be – but when you converse with him it was as though talking to your CEO in a company.

Mikoto put in the last of the emergency rations. It included microwavable food/ instant noodles and quite a large sum of money (approx 10k yen). It also contained two cell phones, one with a number to call the yakuza doctor (if need be), and a basic first aid kit.

“Alright. That works. I’m just done packing. I just need to pack some more clothes and we’ll be set. I know we usually travel in cars, but since we are leaving with just two of us on the down low, I have a suggestion to make, if you would be open to it….”

Kuroko looked up at Mikoto and with genuine interest in his eyes. He used his abilities of telekiniss and poured a cup of bourbon for Mikoto, sending it towards him. “Enlighten me then.”

Mikoto indulged Kuroko in his plan of actually blending in with the civilians and taking the JR line from Osaka to Shinnomiya in Kobe. There were great cars at their disposal – the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and the lightweight Toyota AE86, but it would be much more dangerous if the police noticed that their usual cars were missing. “but of course, you’d have to be in a disguise the whole way, especially with a hat. We leave at 12am to catch the last train. It’ll work. I will get us a car when we are at Kobe for convenience.”

 

Kuroko couldn’t see the harm in that and appreciated Mikoto’s resourcefulness.  He has always appreciated Mikoto for that, and for some reason has always been partial towards him – not that he makes it obvious because the mob would be in a mess when the Oyabun’s playing favourites.

–

At 11.30pm, Mikoto and Kuroko were both suited up. The Oyabun had his katana in a discreet sleeve hiding under his baggy tweed jacket. He was dressed as common as a commoner would in Japan. Fashionable, yet modest. It was weird, though, to see the oyabun with none of this facial tattoos (or any at all visible). Mikoto thought that to be ultimately safe, using make up to conceal all the tattoos was the best way to stay safe. A facial mask would be a give away. Mikoto had styled him, obviously. He was always good with such things.  His katana sleeve was like that of a backpack under his shirt – essentially his katana can be wielded if he reaches to his back and pulls it out from under his jacket. Pretty convenient and useful for discreet battles – it was one of Kuroko’s designs. Mikoto on the other hand, had his pistols and ammo  under his leather jacket. Imagine what a police man in the US would have – that was pretty much Mikoto’s get up, except that his pistol was actually customised to have the function of a shotgun at close range too. Very lethal – not to be messed with.

With a simple luggage, the two of them made their way to Osaka’s train station. It was banal and kind of funny  that the two most dangerous people in Osaka were doing what normal commoners would do. They bought a ticket at the train station towards Shinnomiya, boarded the train, and sat beside each other. Mikoto took out a pack of salted peanuts and they shared it throughout the ride. It was mostly to look normal on a train, even though it was mostly empty at the time. With the exception of an old man dozing off in a corner with a hat covering his face, a couple leaning onto each other and whispering sweet nothings, they were alone on the train.  The Oyabun made sure of their safety too by mind controlling the train attendants to make sure they would leave them alone. It was still better to play safe – there could be undercover threats anywhere. They conversed in low voices of their plans upon reaching Kobe with anxiety in their veins.

 

It turned out to be a safe and successful ride to Kobe. Turns out that the Oyabun was smart and willing enough to abandon the usual get up for something toned down like a train ride. They received a text message from Otto that they caught a spy in their new batch of Kobuns.

“Shinko’s dirty. Couldn’t take the heat. Gave his role up when we mind controlled him. Not strong enough. Turns out cops were onto your moves and were planning an ambush on the highway. Don’t worry, Shinko wouldn’t live to be able to report back to the dirty scumbag cops.”

Damn.

–

It was the next day and they woke up in a cozy little apartment they had rented from airbnb.com in Kobe. Mikoto prepared a simple fare of miso soup, natto with rice and some small dishes of meat and fish. It was the day that they would be heading to Peragon Nightclub via a rented car that Mikoto got his hands on from a guy he knows in Kobe.

They were enjoying their meal, talking quietly about their plans. Mikoto was in the midst of a discussion with Kuroko about understanding his fears when he spotted someone’s shadow outside their door.

“HURRY. HIDE NOW.”, he whispered harshly while pushing the Oyabun back into his room and locked the door. It was kind of comedic because he was wearing nothing but a wifebeater and shorts and had his hair in a mess and was being frantically pushed into a room by his Kobun (dressed in a baggy t-shirt). Life threatening mob life for people who looked nothing like that.

Mikoto was ready. As usual. Even while sleepy. He had a gun in his hand and hid behind a couch, waiting for something to happen at the door.

 

Nothing happened in the end, but the mysterious figure slid something under the door and left. Mikoto opened the door in a flurry and checked that it was safe before returning to the table, asking Kuroko to come back to the table.

“Hey, someone just slid us a note. Nothing happened. All clear.”, said mikoto as he placed his pistol on the table and passed him the note.

It was actually a flyer. Or a note disguised as a flyer.

 

They both cringed at the bad design. Turns out that the Kohusai mob had caught wind of their presence in Kobe. Nothing could escape such a prominent mob, I guess. They were like the Yakuza, but coexisted in peace in different states. They must have had their eyes and ears on look out and noticed them. Could have been the casual worker at the 7-11 down the street, or the kind old lady who was selling fruits down the street. They had people everywhere.

So now the Kohusai wanted to meet them. They extended an invitation. They were known for their trickery.

If you RSVP at 7PM,

Would you be playing into the games of the Kohusai? Was this a test?

Mikoto: Roll dice, if over 10 for intelligence, think of a plan to outsmart the invitation and catch the kohusai’s mob leader, Watanabe, unexpected. If not, RSVP at 7pm at Peragon Motel with your usual get up of weapons and the Oyabun.

Kuroko: Roll dice, if over 12 for agility, you make it through the night alright with the Kohusai. By alright I mean not dead. You won’t die so soon, but something might happen otherwise.

* you can think of a proposal to appease the kohusai beforehand. its not their fault for acting like this, you understand if you have unwanted members of another mob in your territory you’d make sure they knew their place as well.*