M-yes, after all, the Tokyo of this world is very similar to the Tokyo of mine. And this is despite all the differences in history. That's about what I thought, sitting in a family cafe on Omotesando Street, in the Shibuya district. As in my world, this street stretched from the Omotesando metro station to the Meiji-jingu Mae station. And she would be as faceless as most others, if not for one "but". This street led to the Meiji Temple, Tokyo's largest Shinto shrine. But in this world, Emperor Meiji is one of the most popular in Japan. And his story is radically different from the history of my world. What's his name. The whole history of this Japan went differently thanks to this ruler. So it is not surprising that this street has historical significance and is very popular here. And where there is popularity and crowds of people, there are those who want to make money on it.
Now I was sitting in one of the great many local cafes and waiting for Nakata Akemi, who was not in a hurry to meet. She was already ten minutes late, and after another five I decided to get out of here.
"Wow, I managed. Long-legged trash."
Entering the cafe and taking a quick look around the room, Akemi headed to my table. Interestingly, I have not seen her blockheads. It is not a fact that they are not somewhere nearby, but they did not catch my eye. Meanwhile, Akemi, elegantly sitting down at my table, stared at me with green eyes.
— Well, hello, baby! You've chosen an interesting place to meet.
— There are no cameras here, and many people wear masks. Unlike the place you chose. — Of course, it's rude to go straight to you. But who is she to me? Nobody, almost an enemy.
— Hey, hey, more respect for your elders. — Oh, you should know my psychological age, auntie. — You're not old enough to talk to me in that tone yet.
— You tell my bruises. My shoulder is still aching," I lied without batting an eye.
"Thank you for staying alive, kid," she replied, suddenly becoming serious.
— Already.
- what?
— I already told you. And he even thanked me by buying great sneakers for his nimble legs.
— Well, you… Well, impudent! That's just the need to be arrogant in moderation, because I can be offended. Will I be able to do something to you or not, the tenth question. But it's just stupid to start an enemy out of the blue.
— I agree. Only I robbed you, and you wanted to torture me. So you and I are not comrades anyway.
— But we can become them, and in the future, friends.
— With a lady who tortures children? Don't make my sneakers laugh.
She only grimaced at my words. Yes, I know she wouldn't do that, she would have thought of something for sure. You never know how, in her opinion, you can intimidate a child. And that's why I'm poking her in this episode right now. Let her be ashamed once again and not forget that in front of her is an eleven-year-old boy. I wonder if she will let down the brakes, apologizing for that incident, or will she continue to keep the brand.
— Well, what can you do. I'm not like that, life is like that.
Heh, still the second.
At this time, a young waitress of about sixteen years old came up to the table and put my order on the table. Ice cream in a bowl, vanilla, with chocolate chips, yum-yum. Ugh, I'm talking. I was not fond of ice cream in my previous life, and in this one, too. And then I ordered from nothing to do and got into it. I ordered it again — and now, I'm getting into it further. I hope it's just that this dessert is great here, and not the body of a minor demands its own.
— Oh, Heavenly Spouses! Kid. We're having serious conversations here, and he's cracking ice cream. I looked up. Akemi looked at me with a smile, resting her chin on her crossed palms. — What's your name at least, boy?
Here, a galim divorce! Well, she doesn't perceive me at all.
— Are you kidding me? You're kidding me. Call me, like everyone else, a Dwarf.
— Well ... dwarf, let's still talk seriously. You stole something from me, and if the documents, as I suspect, have already gone, then the money will have to be returned.
I froze with a spoon in my mouth. Normal presentations. Maybe I should also tell her where I live? Damn, I can't even find the words. I blurted out so blurted out.
— It's a funny joke, but let's talk about business anyway.
Now she was frozen. And I lost interest in the conversation. If they immediately started to bend you, then you are worthless in the eyes of the interlocutor. And with my age, it will be difficult for me to change this attitude. No, everything is possible, but do I need it? She hasn't even hinted at my dividends yet, and I already have to make a fuss? No, I haven't finished my ice cream yet.
— So far, this story does not pull a joke. — Well, that's it. I didn't put on the brakes, I didn't turn it into a joke. Now it remains to finish the ice cream and go home.
She was crucified for another five minutes. Five minutes, twelve seconds, to be exact. Just before I finished the ice cream, I pushed the container away and stood up. I didn't really listen to her, but I understood that she didn't say anything about the case.
— Goodbye. — Taking the mask from the table, I headed for the exit.
And I stopped abruptly when I felt this madam grab my arm. Forcing himself not to twitch, he looked at the woman. I almost gouged out her eyes. I don't know if it would have worked out for me, but such a desire arose. And I had a chance for a successful attempt — she hardly expected something like this.
— Let go.
— Sit down. — Pause. — Let's talk about the case.
— Go to four digits, woman, and I'll have things to do without you.
"Sit down," she said more gently. — I didn't come here to demand money from you. I really have a case for you.
And I'm just standing there watching. On her, on her hand, on her again.
"Okay, let's assume that I messed up with the money myself," she said, slowly releasing my hand. — There was no money. Hushed up.
"And this is after a five-minute monologue? You work rudely, Akemi-san, rudely."
To sit down or not to sit down, that's the question. I decided to sit down. I'll have time to leave, and so, suddenly, something interesting will say.
— Let's talk about the case.
— Just a second. I raised my hand, drawing the waitress's attention. — I hope this time the conversation will really be about business.
— Do you know the person who ordered the documents? Akemi began after the waitress took my order and walked away from our table.
— No, I don't know. I worked through the guild of intermediaries, as you are undoubtedly aware of, and did not go into such details.
— You never know. Well, what kind of documents did you steal, do you know?
— I don't know. — A provocative question. I could have looked into the folder and no one would have found out about it. I don't think she'll believe me, no matter what I say."After you... discovered me, it became completely clear to me what was inside. In any case, they would have been looking for me. And so… If you know less, you sleep more soundly.
— I understand your position, although I do not agree. And suddenly there's dirt on someone. Admit it, looking for a witness is not the same as looking for some thief.
Damn, she's right. How come I didn't think of that. And show off here threw…
— M-yes, your truth, I admit, — I leaned back in my chair. — But what is there to talk about it now?
— You're lucky here. There was nothing secret in that folder. Just documents giving the right to own the kindergarten "Three Sakura" and, more importantly, the land on which it stands. Of course, full private ownership will not come out — which is not surprising with the attitude to the land prevailing in the empire and not only — but even what is very good. In addition, the kindergarten is located in a very good place for any guild. However, it doesn't matter now.
Guilds. In my world, they would be called "criminal clans". But here the word "clan" has a very reverent attitude. But I've never heard of the Yakuza as long as I've lived here. By the way, the word "guild" is my free translation. In Japanese, "guild" sounds like "girudo". But they rarely call themselves that, the word "sege-kumiai" is usually used. And here's what else is interesting: the groups are constantly fighting among themselves, or at least messing with each other, but they have common rules and a set of laws, thus forming a structure called Garagarahebi. Or, in Russian, "rattlesnake".
A pretty waitress, this time about eighteen years old, put a portion of ice cream in front of me with a smile. Strawberry. Mm…
— Orange juice, — Akemi ordered and when the girl moved away from our table, she asked: — Do you like ice cream so much?
— No, I just rarely eat it.
— And how is it... oh, well, it doesn't matter. Let's get back to our business.
— I'm sorry, I'm really sorry for interrupting. I don't want to be rude once again, but let's still tell you right away what is required of me. I don't quite understand why I need to know what kind of documents I stole from you. I have a very specific profession — to come, to take, to leave. And I'm not supposed to know what exactly I'm taking. Besides, these specific documents are no longer relevant to the case.
— They even relate very much. I want you to steal them. This time for me.
Well, I suspected something like that. However, after a short prelude with Akemi, I thought that something else should be stolen, but from my former customer. So why not the same documents?
— Judging by your words, if he is not a fool, then he will immediately put such important papers in the state bank. Out of harm's way. And then I'm out of the game. Not my level.
— Now, if you had listened to the end, you would know why this is not so. And now you just have to take my word for it. The papers will be at his house for the next two weeks.
Eh, I hurried. And they put me in my place correctly. I really don't need this information for the case, but curiosity is gnawing. Okay, I'm clarifying and, perhaps, I agree.
— Is there any other information on the case that I
need
to know?
— In general, you are quite knowledgeable. There is a goal, there is a place where this goal is located, the approximate time the goal is there, and, of course, that the goal will be heavily guarded. The rest are little things that you will learn in a working order if you agree.
Short and to the point. Which promises to be difficult. It is more difficult than the previous one, without taking into account a chance meeting with Akemi and her big men.
— You have to promise that after the completion of the work you will no longer have any complaints against me.
— I promise.
— Since that's the case, let's talk about payment.