The next day.
Out far into the city past Ushin, the lights of the city were immaculate and beautiful; they radiated perfection and a loving light bloomed from. Their bulbs. The buildings were massive, a claustrophobic feeling came over those that stared at them; they're massive condense architecture. All of them were soo tight to togther that seeing one away from the flock almost look put of this world.
The City was separated into three large sections, the upper class, middle and lower. Cars moved through the streets, the rain of the day gave it a gloom and sort of somerset feeling to the world around them. During that day Mr.Nakayama was driving through the streets with Mr.Miyuki.
"Nakayama?" Mr.Miyuki asked
"Yes?" He asked as he stopped at a stoplight.
"I understand going aginst the chef and wanting to still work on the case a bit, but..." Mr.Miyuki said as he tapped on the dashboard.
"But what?" Mr.Nakayama said
"But why in the hell did we have to bring her?" Mr.Miyuki said point back, to which the two men looked back and stared at Mrs.Mihara who was sitting in the back seat, she was on her phone when she looked up at them. She gave them both a small wave.
"I told you already, she knows the human behavior and mind, beyond that too. If we can get any kind of help catching this lunatic it may just be here. Besides the doctors in there highly recommend her for something like this. Say she's the best they got besides the head doctor." Mr.Nakayama said as the light turned green. He then proceeded to drive, making a left down a another street.
"Is she going to be...psychoanalyzing? Cause if so I'd rather not be. I heard a few things?" Mr.Miyuki said
"Hopefully nothing bad, I assure you that psychoanalyzing benefits the person being analyzed far more than you realize." Mrs.Mihara said as she put her phone in her side purse.
"Geez, you sound like your son." Mr.Miyuki said as he sat back down in his seat facing the road. Mr.Nakayama then began to tune them out.
"Speaking of my dear boy, I heard about him and that Takashi boy getting some one on one time with you. How did it go Mr.Miyuki?" Mrs.Mihara asked, Mr.Miyuki stared at the road hard. His mind racing at the thoughts of his discussion with Kibe, how cold and distant he came off. The boy was weird, abnormal...alien even.
"...Hes, something else. Can't say he's perfect, cause I don't know anyone who talked like that." Mr.Miyuki said
"Well, he use to he a little...different when he was younger." Mrs.Mihara said, Mr.Nakayama then started to pay attention to what their conversation was.
"How different?" Mr.Miyuki asked
"Well, when he was just a boy, he was so energetic. He loved playing ball, oh he was so good at it. You could see him throw it so far. He was also very friendly. He loved people and loved making friends.
..." Mrs.Mihara said as her tone got a bit low, her face got low too. Looked a bit sad as she took off her glasses. Mr.Miyuki looked in the mirror at her.
"...Mihara, I didn't mean-"
"But he's different now, much more formal and well-behaved. He's turned into quite the perfect gentleman." Mrs.Mihara said, her change of tone going from sorrowful to something more indifferent and almost distant to her son's supposed change. All three of them then arrived at one of the suicide crime scenes. Police weren't all too there, but a few officers were present. Mrs.Mihara exited the car after Mr.Nakayama and Miyuki. As she got there she saw all the police lines, and officers there taking notes, getting evidence and of course studying the crime scene.
Mihara's eyes observed the scene and took mental notes of everything.
"You know you're not supposed to be here Nakayama. How in the helk are we even supposed to get close?" Mr.Miyuki asked, Mr.Nakayama eyes moved up the building, the scene of the crime. Mr.Nakayama took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Mrs.Mihara looked a bit confused at Mr.Nakayama as she leaned to Mr.Miyuki.
"What is he doing?" She asked
"Hes doing his thing." Mr.Miyuki said, as he did Mr.Nakyama would see red flashes going through his darker vision, Mr.Nakayama began to feel a burst through his brain, like a earthquake of immediate awareness. As he did he'd open his eyes. As he did he saw the world as black and red, the innocent were dressed in red. Demonstrations and showing themselves as the embodiment of their own fullness and life while the black silhouettes showed the more, grim and darker aspects of humanity. Walking scum. As he did it was almost like the entire world began to remind. In that moment he saw red silhouetted figures walking around the streets, he saw as they walked amoungest the streets. He watched as families, single men and women and even some children walked around.
Thats when he saw them, black silhouettes. He could sense what actions may have been taken by them, they're intrusive thoughts now his. He could read and see what they want and need. As he looked at them he saw one silhouette walk into the building.
"I'm here to deliver a message, a message of certainty. One that will haunt you forever.
And your only escape, is death." Mr.Nakayama thought to himself, thats when he'd open his eyes again.l and he'd back outside the building with the police and Mihara and Miyuki.
"Someone came here, and they delivered a message from the white rabbit personally." Mr.Nakayama said
"So he does have others beyond those we caught. Where in the hell is getting this help though?" Mr.Miyuki asked confused
"Maybe he has friends?" Mrs.Mihara proposed
"No, this man works alone for sure. If he does have aid, it is all temporary. He plans to strike again. Soon." Mr.Nakayama said
"How can you be certain?" Mrs.Mihara asked
"Because...I would." Mr.Nakayama said as he turned around and looked up at the skyscrapers. The rain fell on him like drops of wisdom, like as if he had been walking through something and now had been exposed to the source.
"Does anyone have a clue where Takashi lives? The boy we brought in a month ago." Mr.Nakayama asked
"No clue, I could ask, but then the chef would ask. And you know he put you off the case for a while Nakayama. There ain't nothing we can do right now besides check these places out." Mr.Miyuki said
"Then thats when we'll do it. The white rabbit is looking for my attention, every step hes tried to distract me. Though now I believe he wants to show me something. He wants to show me...how dangerous he really is. That I should stay out of his way." Mr.Nakayama said
"Dont let this son of a bitch get you Nakayama, we'll just have to show him otherwise. You know I got a feeling, I got a feeling that just maybe hes obsessed with something else.
Isn't it a coincidence that one of the boys from the school was dragon gang? That Ryota guy." Mr.Miyuki said
"There is a dragon member at Sawa high?" Mrs.Mihara asked
"Yea, he was part of the gym class activity taking place that day. Funny enough he wa some of the few who at the poison, but he was also the last we found." Mr.Miyuki said
"You think the white rabbit is after the dragon gang? That he set that whole thing up just to get to that boy." Mr.Nakayama asked
"I think he's trying to kill two birds with one stone, at the hotel they were there on business, but they didn't say what. I think its got something to do with the play, but we don't have any evidence to get a search warrant on Takashi or even enough to tell hes with them.
But you know how we can tell?" Mr.Miyuki asked as he put his finger up.
"The White Rabbit." Mrs.Mihara said
"Bingo." Mr.Miyuki said, Mr.Nakayama looked at both of them before turning around and watching the police tip they're caps to them and drive away. He then turned back to the two.
"If we can split up his focus, he'll slip up. That will give us a lead.
But it'll need to be done before the play of Shadow's Kiss. Otherwise he'll have taken out both. As I reckon that both of those parties will be there. Now Miyuki I shouldn't ask-"
"Don't bother, you helped me get this gig. I don't know what you saw in me, but you still do and...I think I'm starting to see it too. If we're going to do this. Then we'll need two sets of eyes. You go ahead and pursue the Takashi boy and I'll focus on the dragon gang.
Once he slips up, we'll be get closer and the closer we get...the more clumsy he'll get." Mr.Miyuki said as Mr.Nakayama nodded.
"Then let's set the bait. If hes looking to catch some dragon gang, then we'll need to bait him out." Mr.Nakayama said
"But surely he won't take it, whatever he's looking for must be more specific. He wouldn't just hunt down any old dragon gang member." Mrs.Mihara said
"Thats what he wants us to think, but really any dragon gang member can get him what he wants. Its only a matter of when...and who." Mr.Nakayama said as he then walked to the car.
"Do you got an idea?" Mr.Miyuki asked looking at him.
"I got two." Mr.Nakayama said as he got in the car the two then followed him and got in. The car woukd drive off down the street.
Someplace else, at Kibe's home in his basement. Kibe was sitting at his desk in front of his computer, he fiddled with a pencil as he watched his screen go over information on Mr.Nakayama and all information about discoverable on the web. While Himmy was sitting on a chair laying back.
"The detective plans to stop me from peering more into the information that Ryota holds, I know he intends to prevent my movement. My eyes set on two targets, how can I possibly choose just one?
Hes trapped me, trapped me into making a decision. Well done. Nakayama." Kibe thought as he then looked over to his bag where he could see his white Rabbit mask sticking out. Himmy looked over at him, thats when she saw Kibe staring at her. Her eyes looked away. Kibe would get up and walk over to her.
"Dont you have some people poison?" Himmy said annoyed as she looked away, thats when Kibe would grab her chin and turn her to him.
"I didn't poison those people." Kibe said
"Then who did?!" She asked
"...I don't know. At least not yet. Whoever it was kept they're intentions mysterious, but hes apparently obsessed with me. Or something like that." Kibe said
"I can't imagine someone being obsessed with you, just seems in they're best not to be." Himmy said as she jerked her face away. Kibe put his hand on the couch. Himmy laid back, her mind and emotions all spiraling.
"You feel it don't you? That everything is about go up in flames, but I want to assure you Himmy. That I'm the one in control of this fire and only I can choose how wild it will get." Kibe said as Himmy's eyes looked to him, Kibe's cold gaze was staring down at her. That look once again piercering into her. Reading her. His hand then went up the chair and to the back of her head. Himmy closed her eyes in fear.
"I want you to know though, that if your part in this isn't played right, I'll have to burn you. Just like how you burned Juo all those weeks ago." Kibe said, Himmy opened her eyes, tears filling them as she was reminded of him. Kibe then moved his hands over Himmy's eyes. She grabbed his wrist in shock.
"What are yo-"
"Close them, I want to help you see it." Kibe said, Himmy's hands shakily let go of Kibe's wrist. Thats when she began to see flashes in the darkness, like as if someone was taking pictures of her. She then saw herself. Himmy looked at herself, as sue moved so did the other her. That's when she saw Juo come behind her and rest his arms on her shoulders. As she saw them, she saw the other her and Juo put on their mask. As they did they'd be bombarded with gunfire until the two would fall and drop dead. Himmy covered her mouth in shock. She wanted to open her eyes.
"Dont open them, what your seeing is exactly the outcome of what would have happened had you stayed.
You and him both would have perished, a world without me. Without the one to guide you, he never really had your best interest at heart Himmy. I knew when you laid eyes on me that you wanted freedom, that you wanted real dependency. Someone who could really show you the way out of this hard life and the sooner you accept that you are responsible for Juo's death. The easier it will be for you and me." Kibe said, thats when Himm turned around and saw Kibe. He was standing behind her.
"For you?" She asked
"I care about you Himmy, but I won't be able to help you if you can't first help yourself. I refuse to be associated with someone who can't see they're own faults. To which you are filled with plenty of them." Kibe said
"I...I..I don't know what to think anymore, I don't know what I'm supposed to do? People keep dying! I just wanted money, I just wanted to live! I-" thats when Kibe would wrap his arms around her slowly. Himmy's tears falling and dropping into the darkness around them. Kibe's cold gaze looking past her and yet at the same time, it seemed like it was always on her back. Like a ghost. Like a camera.
"Don't think." Kibe said, Himmy's hands hesitated, but they slowly wrapped around Kibe too. Kibe's arms squeezed her.
"Rely only on me. Nothing else. Everyone will just throw you away, like your mother did. Like Juo did. I won't, I see promise in you Himmy. Value. I see what no one else does." Kibe said as Himmy's tears rushed down her face; burying her face into his chest.
"Tell me, what do you see?" Kibe asked, Himmy then looked up and saw Kibe in the distance.
"Just you. I only see you." Himmy said
"Good. Now open your eyes. " Kibe said, Himmy then opened her eyes, her tears rushing down her face. She breathed heavily as she gripped the chair, Kibe's hands on her shoulders. He looked down at her from behind, his hand then grazed her cheek.
"So long as you see me. There won't be anything to worry about." Kibe said as he then walked over and grabbed his bag. Himmy wiped her face with her sleeve.
"Where are you going?" She asked
"The detective is intending to put me into a corner, I will assure him that I have no intention of being in one. Which is why I'll be going out to pay a visit to our good friend Takashi." Kibe said, Himmy watched as he began to walk towards the door to the basement.
"Himmy listen carefully." Kibe said, Himmy looked at him.
Later that day at a café, Takashi was sipping some coffee as he looked at the news on a small TV. His eyes staring at it. He took a sip from his cup as he kept watching.
"Nori Kibe, could you possibly be doing such atrocities? Just to reach me? What more will you do to get the truth. Not even knowing who the real one was to invoke such a thing." Takashi thought. He looked around and saw everyone coming and walking out, the place was packed with people. Some were studying students, some were adults and some were students his age. Takashi looked at them and sipped his cup.
"Everyone here is wearing some kind of a mask, coming her show the beauty of it. They're progress of denial and trickery. For what are humans if not posers. So caught up with what they want to be they don't even know what they are or are to be." Takashi thought to himself.
"Greetings, mind if I sit here?" Said a familiar voice, Takashi's entire body stopped. His eyes then slowly looked up and saw it was exactly who he was afraid it would be. Nori Kibe, standing there with his usual straight posture and holding a small cup.
"..."
"May I?" He asked
"S-Sure." Takashi said as he motioned to the chair next to him. Kibe walked over to it and sat down. He placed his cup on the table in front of him and then set his bag down beside him. Takashi and Kibe sat in silence for a few moments before Takashi watched Kibe drink his cup.
"Why are you here?" Takashi asked puzzled
"I heard this place makes some excellent green tea, so I had to give it a try for myself. You know they say-"
"Not the damn tea, I mean how the hell did you find me?! I've been out of school, this is one of my favorite places. My records and information is nowhere on the internet. So I'll ask again, how did you find me?" Takashi asked as Kibe set his cup down and licked his lips.
"I need to talk to you Takashi, the information. I know you don't intend to give it up, but I need you to know that what you know is information beyond you.
You have two options, either you can never spread it, relinquish it and never speak of it or you don't and what happened next will be on you." Kibe said
"Are you threatening me?" Takashi asked with astonishment and frustration.
"No." Kibe said
"..." Takashi looked at Kibe as he stared at him.
"What is it that you care about Takashi?" Kibe asked
"What?" He asked
"If it the play? Where everyone prances around wearing their faces on silver platters of deception and ignorance? Or do you care about the life that was given to you. The one you so gracefully have.
So often do people not understand what it means to live and what it means to go on living. Its a declaration, a sign that you love life. Though some soil it with they're wicked deeds and ugly personas. So what is it you care about?" Kibe asked
"...I care about getting you out of my hair once and for all! Consider this the last time we meet Kibe. I'll finish that play and it will show, and since you care so much for the information I have. Why don't I make it a line in the play too huh? How does that sound to you? Mr.Machine." Takashi smirked as he looked at Kibe, but when he looked at him he saw something new. On Kibe's face was now not indifference, but actual slight frustration. However the moment lasted for only a moment. Takashi then stood up.
"I know where you live Kibe, come for me again. And I swear to you, I'll make you pay. You don't want to make a real enemy out of me do you?" Takashi asked, but Kibe just continued to stare at him with a cold and unmoving expression.
"What no smart remarks? No speech? No comeback? Or maybe you've realized how insignificant you are in this whole endeavor." Takashi said as he then proceeded to walk away and leave the store. Kibe watched him walk past the window, sharing one last stretch of eye contact until breaking off. Kibe too a sigh, he then finished his green tea and set it down. He leaned back in the chair, his head looking up at the light above him.
"...Idiot." Kibe said. Kibe then closed his eyes.
Flashes of the past flooded his mind, it was his old home, far away from Japan in France. Right in the heart of Grand Est, they all lived there. His father and his mother Kibe. He was happy there. He'd come to Japan go visit his family and of course at times when they were here. He'd be attending school. That's how he met Mi.
It was simple.
Then it happened.
BANG
BANG
All it took was two bullets for it all to come to a end...he didn't even remember his name...did it matter?
...No, it never did he figured. Thats when Kibe would get up and grab his bag, he then checked on his phone and went to social media, he looked up Takashi's parents. They were well known, one was a actress and the other a businessman working on stocks. Supposedly without him, many companies would be under. There are rumors his wife gives him aid in his business too...though she might be working under the rug.
Kibe looked at they're latest feeds, as he did Kibe would check himself into a hotel in the city. He'd set his bag down and sit on a chair in front of a desk. As he did, he then felt his head, he grabbed a strain of it and saw it. He stared at it for a moment. He then looked outside and saw it was getting late.
Somewhere else. Down near the more popular places of the city. Crowds of people were walking around and chating, dinning and doing business. One woman was walking down the street, she was wearing a beautiful blue dress and heels to match, her eyes were like diamonds. Glowing a bright blue that went with her blonde hair. She walked around like as if the world owed her it's attention, every man and woman nodded to her and praised her beauty. Mrs.Otsuka.
She opened her phone and looked at it, she scrolled through her messages thats when she'd suddenly trip over herself and fall down.
"EEEK! Damnit. I just finished fixing myself up and everything!" Mrs.Otsuka said as she picked up her purse and started picking up her things, she reached for he lipstick when a hand would pick it up first. Her eyes looked up and saw a man with a uniform, black and white with a stripped tie. His hair was brown and had emerald green eyes.
"Oh, thank you." Mrs.Otsuka said with a smile, she then stared at the young man some more.
"Wow, hes very charming, looks so handsome." She thought
"Forgive me, I saw you fall and well...thought I'd help." He said
"Thank you so much." Mrs.Otsuka said as they both got up. The young man looked at her and then looked shock.
"Now wait a second, are you the famous actress? Mrs.Otsuka? The one who played in the Archer's forge?" Asked the young man.
"Why yes I am, good eye." She said with a smile
"What are you doing out by yourself? You must be getting a cab or something. Where are you going?" He asked, she let out a loud sigh as she looked at him. The two started walking.
"I went to an appointment, I wanted to look nice for my husband's get-together this evening, but when I finally finished that damn sleez-bag didn't even order me a cab! But I hoped it wouldn't be far, shoes what I know eh? Hehhe." Mrs.Otsuka chuckled, the young man looked at her.
"Well, if you'd like. How about a bite to eat first? Then I can drop you off." Said the young man.
"Would you? That would be lovely! But I don't even know your name." She said, the man looked at her with a smile.
"Its Nori, Nori Kibe." Said Kibe. The two would later visit a dinner, Mrs.Otsuka and Kibe sat at the window booth. They both drank some wine while having some fries; though Kibe didn't eat any.
"Mmmm, I love wine, espically white. White has such a rich taste to it. Its like sipping from angel tears, but with bitter coals in them. Oooooh I love it! What about you Kibe? What do you like?" Mrs.Otsuka asked as she put her face in palm.
"What I like? Hmm, I guess just cooking and playing the violin. Though I'm not too good at either.
I mainly just dabble." Kibe said
"Hmp, I know someone else who dabbles in things." Mrs.Otsuka said as she sipped her wine. Kibe stared at her some more.
"Nothing done to her, that or its hidden under makeup. She's not too proud, but very unhappy too. Marriage troubles is the last thing I'd call it. From the looks of her she knows he's a cheating snake. Her blue outfit reflects her past. Sorrowful struggles paint her every movement, though she would never show it. She's evolved past that.
Though her bones still creak from those older times, from those days when all she knew was work." Kibe thought to himself, he looked at his cup of tea and at himself.
"Will I ever look at myself with these eyes...Will I ever see just what kind of character I may indeed be. No, I think I'd be afraid. To look into myself and see what looks back.
...or maybe...I already have seen it and just maybe, it-"
"Kibe?" Said Mrs.Otsuka, Kibe then looked at her. A little shocked he spaced out.
"You looked like you were in a daze, dream anything good?" Mrs.Otsuka asked
"Apologies, I didn't meant to doze away." Kibe said
"Dont apologize, I think its cute when men let out they're more curious sides. What were you thinking about?" Mrs.Otsuka asked, Kibe looked at her and then to his tea. His face showing momentary conflict.
"I feel like...I'm slipping away. The further I pursue things the more and the more I believe I'll stop being anything like how I used to be." Kibe said, Mrs.Otsuka then lifted her head her eyes getting a bit wider as her curiosity spread.
"I want more than anything to do him justice, to be as simple as he was. Heheh, But somehow." Kibe said as he looked at his hand, even now he was psychoanalyzing things. He looked at his hand and saw no flaws, no bumps, no bruises and no signs of poor sight. He was perfect.
"It seems that I can't. Something deeper inside me, keeps telling me to go beyond. Not through wants or needs, but because that is part of my very being. It goes beyond being merely human.
I don't think I even am anymore." Kibe said, Mrs.Otsuka looked at him and then down.
"I see, so you and I are the same." She said to which Kibe looked at her suprised.
"Yo-"
"I feel the same way about acting!" She said, to which then Kibe's face began to form back to his indifference. His eyes moving to his phone for a moment.
8:00
"Two hours, the theater is about a 30 minute drive." Kibe thought to himself as he put his phone away.
"I look into myself everyday, but does my husband see that? No! All he ever ask me about are if I'm going out wearing this or if I'm really going to do my hair like that. Its never enough for him, I got into his because I had a calling. Something within me, I don't know if you could call it my soul or if its my brain playing tricks in me, but I just got this thing in me.
Kinda what you just said yaknow, its calling me to go beyond humanity. To go beyond raw skill, to make acting what I am. Who i am." Mrs.Otsuka said
"But your husband won't let you express that side of you." Kibe said
"Tch, he rather me dance for guest and friends. He wants everything, he feels so damn invincible. That big business he runs.
Gosh sometimes I wish it would all go under." Mrs.Otsuka said
"And what about you? What happens to you?" Kibe asked
"Me?...We married out of interest. We believed we could further one another, of course love and lust were there. Though it was never that great." Mrs.Otsuka said as she drank her wine some more, Kibe finished his tea.
"...I don't know what I'm going to do." She said, Kibe looked at her. The place was empty by now, hardly anyone in sight besides someone cleaning tables.
"My two boys, they're all I have now. My husband hasn't touched me in months...I know he's been sleeping around, but I haven't said anything. Takashi has grown up so nicely, hes such a bright boy. You almost remind me of him, but you look so much older than him. Very mature too and then there's my youngest, Tuo. Hes such a cute one. Hes only a a year old now.
So cute. I want to take them away from this place, Japan feels so...claustrophobic. At least now it does, I feel like I'm always next to someone even when I'm not. The poverty levels are only going to increase and the worse things get. The harder it will be to hold on to the things we enjoy, that I enjoy.
But that man, he just dosent care, so long as money is what it is." She said, she then poured herself another glass as Kibe stared at her, it wasn't a cold stare though instead it was a simple look of understanding.
"...Oh but who am I kidding, I've been so caught up in the luxury life too. What can I say?" Mrs.Otsuka said as she took a sip from her glass. Kibe looked outside for a moment and saw it beginning to pour down. He watched as people walked in the rain, none seeming to have umbrellas of use. He then looked back to see Mrs.Otsuka sipping more of her wine, her face getting flustered and more red than before.
"You need to regain your power, it seems its been lost or better to say its been taken from you." Kibe said
"It does feel like that..." Mrs.Otsuka said
"Power is something we have when we come into being. Once we do, it acts like time and trust. Though unlike the others, its not as expendable. Power gives us strength. Makes us who we are, without it we lose a part of our footing that keeps us, once gone so may we be.
Your a strong woman Mrs.Otsuka, I know you can grow from this. Become better. You have such a brilliant mind and a gorgeous smile. It'd be a shame for it to go to waste on such a heartless crowd. " Kibe said
"Ah, a very insightful philosophy Kibe, I'm honestly impressed. Your very sweet, I appreciate you. I mean that." She said, thats when Kibe looked to his phone, he then got up.
"You'll have to excuse me for a moment, the time nearly escaped us. Wait outside for me. I'll be right back and then I'll drop you off." Kibe said
"Oh my your right, I had completely forgotten. Thank you so much!" She said getting. She then walked out of the restaurant. Kibe looked at her and then looked to the kitchen behind the counter.
Mrs.Otsuka would wait for a few minutes, she tapped her foot on the ground.
"Geez, you tell a guy he's a little cute and then he just dissapeares...
His eyes seemed so...full. I haven't seen a man's eyes like that in a long time. Hes so...mesmerizing. He spoke to me without even mentioning my career all too much, instead he listened to me. He actually listened to me. He talked to me instead of talking down to me." She said, thats when she saw Kibe walk out and look to her with a smile.
"Sorry for the wait the bathroom was a bit dirty. Shall we?" Kibe said as his arm went out to her, she smiled widely and clung to.
"Lets." She said as the two then went to the car and drove to the theater. Once they got there they saw how packed it was. People everywhere dressed up nicely and formally. Some even wearing mask. Kibe and Mrs.Otsuka looked around at everyone. It was a very fancy theater. Lights blaring and so many security guards. There had to be over 30 of them there.
"Wow, what a place." Kibe said
"Yea, my husband had it built a long while ago, all so talent like mine could be shown to everyone in Japan." Mrs.Otsuka said
"Just whats showing today?" Kibe asked
"Oh its a bit of a opera thing, we have a singer from the UK that came over to sing for us today. My husband intends to settle a bargain with another stockholder here. I guess he brought me to guarantee it works." She said, her voice a little low. She then looked to Kibe who stared at her and then back to the theater.
"Well, I guess I better go, will you stay?" She asked
"I don't have any funds big enough to get me in here, seems like a dream to just see all this. I wish I could have gotten pictures...my sister would have loved to have seen the inside of this place." Kibe said a bit down, Mrs.Otsuka looked down a bit. That was before she got a fabulous idea.
"Hey! How about you come in as my plus? Huh? That way you an get all pictures you want!" She said
"What? But don't you have a friend you want to bring in besides me? Seems like a waste of a plus one." Kibe said
"You can't be serious Kibe. You and I are friends! Don't worry they won't question a thing." She said as she left the car, people began to take a few pictures of her before moving on, Kibe fixed his uniform a bit as he got out and grabbed his bag with him. She then wrapped her arm around him as the two made they're way to the entrance. A security guard stopped them.
"Ticket or cash." Said the man
"Hes my plus one, my husband Mr.Otsuka is waiting inside for me." She said with a snappy voice.
"Ticket or cash." He said again
"Hes my plus one smart-ass! Now let us in!" She said again, her tone getting more aggressive. The man looked at both of them and the to Kibe.
"Bag." The man said as he extended his hand to Kibe, Kibe was about to give it to the security guard. Though Mrs.Otsuka then jerked Kibe back with a scoff.
"You don't hand him anything! We're going inside! If you want to go and tattle on us then go ahead and tell my husband. You'll probably find him im the ladies room." Mrs.Otsuka said as she and Kibe walked inside, once they did they immediately felt the warmth inside and the sounds of people chattering all over. Kibe looked at all the people. Mrs.Otsuka squeezed Kibe's arm, she almost didn't want to let go. Her eyes looked at him. He looked like he was always thinking, always focused. A man with a lot on his mind.
"Well, I best get back to my husband. I good you enjoy everything. They have some seats up in the theater. I'll wave to you from my place in box 5 with my husband.
Enjoy the show." She said as she squeezed his shoulder and walked away. Kibe looked at and then back to everyone else. He took a deep breath and then immediately began to think on what he had to do. He looked over and saw that there were waiters handing out hors d'oeuvres and appetizers to people. Kibe then looked through the crowd and saw Takashi there, he was speaking to other polish and poggish students. They all were wearing luxurious and fur-textured uniforms. Kibe walked around the theater, there he saw many places.
He saw a indoor restaurant, 3 sets of bathrooms, the place had 3 different levels and finally a garage where people parked they're cars. Kibe looked around the garage and saw two men smoking near they're cars.
"I can't wait to see this show! My goodness do I hope Eldama sings tonight." Said a girl and a few others as they walked past Kibe, he watched them and then walked back inside the theater. As he did he then walked over towards the restaurant, there he saw a bar area, a pool table in the corner and in the other corner was a smoking area.
"This place is massive, nearly over 200 people in here. Takashi's family is here, but the only face I know is his and his mother's." Kibe thought as he then checked his phone and looked at some photos and information about Takashi's grandfather. Otsuka Fumio. Kibe went to the restaurant and ordered himself some green tea and as he sat down he began to read about the man. He sat down and continued to read as other would drink and chatter around.
The show wouldn't start for another hour as Kibe sipped the last of his tea after reading for about several and a half minutes. Kibe then got up and began and got himself togther, realizing some action had to be taken.
Across the theater Takashi was with some more admirers when his mother came over.
"Now, when I finally got the part I-"
"Takashi your father has called for you." Mrs.Otsuka said
"Alright, I'll be there in a-"
"Now." She said, Takashi rolled his eyes as he waved goodbye to everyone and followed his mother to the second floor. There he saw all of the other rich families. But most importantly he saw they're mask they all wore, he saw them playing as humans. They had all disregard their personalities in order to buy themselves a better one, a better persona that gave them somehow a better sense of purpose? No, a better sense of being maybe.
They weren't people anymore. They were characters. Eventually as they walked Takashi and his mother would approach box 5, he saw as his mother walked in and past two security guards. He looked at the curtain separating him and the impending conversation on the otherside. He'd take a deep breath before stepping in. As he did he'd see his mother sitting down on one end drinking and his father sitting on the other with a woman in a red dress and with blonde hair holding his plate of drinks. All while classical music was played by the chorus below them on the stage. Takashi took one more breath.
"You called for me?" He asked
"Do you know why we have what we do? Why we're at where we are?" Asked Mr.Otsuka, his fingers tapping on the arm of his luxurious chair. Takashi looked at his fingers and then to him. His father had combed back dark hair, his body almost built like a wall. He was tough and very outward about it.
"...Yes." Takashi said, his mother rolled her eyes as she took more sips from her drink.
"Then please explain to me something, how or why do I so often hear bad news from you recently? First the police look into you and now this thing with this guy." Mr.Otsuka asked
"Hes not just some guy father, this guy is a meddeler. Ever time I look over my shoulder he's-"
"I don't care what hes doing, just be sure to keep his ass away from me. Understand? This gala gathering isn't just for show, I have people to talk to today.
You have this play coming up, you wanted it to prove yourself so do that. Show me you can handle this shit on your own. If not...well then I know what to do next don't I?" Mr.Otsuka said as he drank from his glass and shooed the woman away, Takashi stepped to the side to avoid her as he kept eye contact with his father.
"Where's grandfather? He said he'd be here." Takashi asked
"Hes downstairs, probably enjoying himself. Be sure to keep your bullshit from reaching this place. You know what I mean." Mr.Otsuka said
"Yes...don't worry. I have my own guests here tonight. They'll make sure to stop him if hes even spotted a mile away from here. He's not getting close." Takashi said, his father nodded as he then shooed his son away. Takashi walked out of the box and then got his phone as he walked down a hallway.
"Bo, where the hell are you? Pick up." Takashi said as he continued walking through the halls. As he did, he'd pass by Kat crouched on a chair. Had sort of ragged black dress with black sneakers. Her fingers were tapping on her knees as her eyes darted around. Her eyes looked to each person who walked past her.
"Mmmm, every single person here is going to die." Said Kat, her cold eyes looked over and saw a woman walking with a man, she was clinging to his arm while her smile was wide and eyes fluttering. The guy's eyes were looking at her with a calm and joyful expression. Kat watched as he touched the girl's shoulder as they walked. The sounds of classical music in the background gave everything weight, every action.
"She is going to die. He intends to kill her in the back of his car after the show. His hands are big, strangulation. Hes doing it for the heck of it.
She isn't his first. She won't be his last." Kat said, she then got off of the chair and began to make her way downstairs. She looked around at how crowded the entire theater was.
"You could kill someone right out in the open, but it wouldn't even matter. Cause in these walls. No one wants to believe murder exist. They're above it they believe, if death was a person they had tried to buy him already.
Such incompetence." Kat said as she kept walking and as she walked past the indoor restaurant she'd look over and see Kibe. Though he was hard to pull away from the crowd, but she knew it was him.
"Kibe?" She thought tilting her head. Kibe was sitting there as he looked at his empty cup, thats when someone would put their hand on his shoulder. Kibe turned his head and saw it was nonother than Kat.
"Kat." Kibe said
"Nori Kibe." Kat said
The two would be sitting across from each other, Kibe sitting straight whole Kat would be crouched in her chair looking at Kibe.
"So tell me, what brings you to such a pompous place like this? Don't tell me your here to enjoy these disgusting luxuries. They're nothing impressive." Kat said
"Unfortunately not, I'm looking to deliver a message. I attempt to convince someone earlier to come forward with something of vital importance to another. Though it would be transparent that he wants nothing to do with common sense." Kibe said as he folded his arms turning his head.
"Was it Takashi?" Kat asked to which Kibe would look to her.
"I knew I was right. He was mumbling about you earlier." She said
"How'd you hear that?" Kibe asked
"Outside of here near the dumpster, I was digging through it when I overheard. Just like I overheard you." She said with a smile, Kibe's eyes were locked on her. Her smile wide and eerie.
"Are you going to kill me?" She asked, but Kibe didn't answer.
"I'd prefer if we could stay as distant allies. I don't really care about what it is you want to do, just so long as you keep killing people." Kat said with a wide smile
"I hadn't intended to harm anyone today." Kibe said
"Oh don't say that. Pain is such a good teacher, I remember when I once stabbed my mother in the leg with a kitchen knife. She learned something that day." Kat said
"What was the lesson you taught her?" Kibe asked
"I taught her that day that I was insane. A natural born too." She smiled, Kibe just looked at her and then got up.
"As unfortunate as it is, I have to go. I have things to do and the show will be starting soon." Kibe said
"Kibe." Kate said, He turned to look to her.
"Dont ever feel like you have to worry about me, Being a agent of chaos as I am. I never intervene when its being caused." Kat said, Kibe's focused on and her eyes remained on him. Kibe then walked away and left the restaurant. As he did he looked around and was overhearing discussions around him. People talking eagerly about the show to come and others talking about drams and finances. Kibe's eyes scanned each of them and could tell what each's profession was. One blonde woman was clearly wearing a wig, her nails were well done and almost perfect, he also noticed her eyelashes and her makeup was thorough. Kibe's eyes focused on her before he continued on his way.
The makeup woman would later go to her vehicle in the parking garage, she'd finish her drink and then place it in the top of her slick car. She'd go to grab her purse from her side and open her car with her keys. As she got in she'd close the door and sit in the front seat. She'd take a short breath and then bend her head down and take off her wig which hid her much more black hair short hair. Thats when a black gloved hand would come from the backseat and cover her mouth with a cloth. She'd struggle viciously, but after a few seconds she'd pass out.
At that moment the girls who were around the makeup woman came out to the garage, they all were chatting and talking, thats when they'd see the woman step out of her car fixing and straightening her hair.
"Ayaka! Hey girl! We still going to the club? This show is already starting to bore me out of my mind." Said one of the girls, thats when Ayaka would look at the girl and smile.
"Sorry. You guys will have to go without me." Ayaka said as she walked past them, the other girls looked at each other confused. Later on just a few minutes before the show would begin. Mr.Otsuka would be dinning with some women and men. Giving a speech about his latest stock achievements and climbs.
"As many would say, man is nothing without wealth and wealth has no meaning without man." Said Mr.Otsuka said as he finished everyone began clapping they're hands. Everyone shook his hand and gave the man praise.
"Your mind is sure a sharp one Mr.Otsuka, I do infact believe you might just be one of the best in the business." Said a short haired man as he shook his hand.
"Well as many would say, a bright mind knows not always clouds, but the dirt and ground too." Mr.Otsuka said, thats when two men in white rabbit mask and suits came over to him.
"Excuse me, Mr.Otsuka?" Asked White rabbit #1
"Thats me." He said
"Well its a pleasure, we've read and looked at your work. Your a real inspiring man." Said White rabbit #1
"Thats great to hear, you know I'm selling my new book on game theory here today. A little study on the prisoner's dilemma. I'm sure your aware." Mr.Otsuka said
"We are yes, I don't mean to cut you off sir, but we're really here to introduce someone to you. A find young woman has been dying to meet you." Said White rabbit #2
"Well I'm never aginst meeting fine young ladies. Who is she?" Asked Mr.Otsuka
"She's a hair lady. She designs hair and works with make-up. She's worked on a few sets and even movies. Her name is Kin Ayaka. Please." Said white rabbit #1 as the woman walked over, Mrs.Otsuka looked at the beautiful woman walk over. She didn't have much going on with her, but her eyes. Those emerald green eyes. They caught his attention immediately.
"Well its a pleasure." Mr.Otsuka said as he bowed, Ayaka bowed back.
"Greetings, Mr.Otsuka." Ayaka said.