Kibe was waiting near the railing of the second floor. He was looking at his phone, at a caller ID. It was Mi. His eyes lingered on it. He wanted to accept that he was over it already, that he had cleared his mind of her...but he knew it wasn't true. Kibe turned off his phone and put it in his pocket. He continued to lean on the rail. People walking past him, shopping and talking.
"This confliction is eating me. What am I going to do? What is this?
...Why am I struggling with this? I've done worse.
...but I've never-"
"Hey Nori!" Said a familiar voice, Kibe looked to his side and saw Kenji. Kenji was wearing a red & black sweater and a black pants. Kibe stood up as Kenji came over to give him a fist bump, but Kibe just stood there staring at him. His eyes looked down at Kenji's hand and then back to him. "Alright...sorry I forgot you were a complete stick in the mud." Kenji said
"That would imply I'm boring." Kibe said
"Well then, less in the mud." Kenji said, Kibe and him then began to walk through the mall. "Alright Nori, I've never seen you ask me for something since our first encounter, what is it now?" Kenji asked
"I'm doing some work for Kita Rin. Thats all I'll say on the matter. Important thing is, I need to convince two others to side with her." Kibe said, the sounds of people chatting and texting was in the air as Kibe and Kenji arrived to the main plaza of the second floor. There was greenery and palm trees in the center. The fountains on each of the four corners of the place sprouted from leviathan heads. People sitting on benches around the place. Kibe and Kenji walked to the center, staring up at the palm tress.
"So what? You telling me you can't convince them?" Kenji asked
"Thats not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is that I'll need others who are willing to back me up." Kibe said.
"Hate to break it to you Nori, but you don't have that many friends." Kenji said
"I don't need friends, just people." Kibe said, Kenji shrugged as he turned to Kibe completely. "Alright, what is it you need me to do?" Kenji asked.
"Theres a party here, parties are all about celebration, but most importantly they are conventions of intrest. I need you to advertise me to at least 20 people around this mall, then meet me on the third floor." Kibe said.
"And what's do I get in exchange?" Kenji asked
"Nothing. Cause last I checked, you weren't in jail and that was because of me. So consider this part of your rehabilitation. Get it done. Don't be late." Kibe said as he then walked away. Kenji watched him leave and rubbed the back of his neck. Rin was on the third floor of the mall. There she saw a giant plaza, it was like a sort of indoor carnival with how it looked. There were games, slot machines and even a stage near the back where a small concert was being held. She looked around and saw several dozen people around the place, and more were coming.
Thats when she made eye contact with the two people she came to see.
Kogure Kazutaka, he was around the same height as Kibe. His hair was dark and longer, but slicked back. With a small ponytail. He wore a red suit with a black shawl over his shoulders. He had wide, yet comforting grin. He walked like he always needed to make a statement, hands in his pockets constantly
Kogure Yūri, the sister. She was a little shorter than her brother. She had long dark hair. It went all the way to the end of her back. She was wearing a skimpy red and black dress. Her eyes were dark. She had a coy smile on her face. They both would walk over to Rin as she nods to them.
"Well well, look what the fashion disaster cat dragged in. Great to see you Rin." Kazutaka said with a smirk.
"I agree, love the outfit. You really look very...steezy." Yūri said with a quirky smirk. Rin gave a fake smile as she then looked around for a moment and noticed the security around the place. Seemed as though this place indeed was reserved for only the higher-ups. "How about we talk somewhere less open. Theres something I want to discuss with you." Rin said.
"Heheh, already down to business eh? No time to enjoy a game or two? Get a drink?" Kazutaka said, but Rin just gave him a side glance. One he was very familiar with. He sighed as he nodded.
"Ok ok, lets go and hear this." He said, tall three of them then went to this VIP section. It was a elevated lobby, away from the rest of the club. It had its own bar, music and of course poker and pool table. The lounge to sit at was this massive round table, with a booth. Kazutaka sat down and out of his pocket he got out a pale coin. One with a brain on one side and symbol of a W on the other. Yūri sat down next to him and leaned forward. Rin sat across from them.
"So tell me, whay sort of deal have you cooked up now?" Kazutaka asked as he played with his coin.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it. My father is getting old, his business is still alive however. In a few more years my old man won't be though. His current stocks are rising, but I know I can make them go even higher. Mr.Otsuka and his company may for now, be the only thing standing in front of us. But I perceive, that when I do take over my father's company. Otsuka will be backing us up all the same.
The current stage of fashion in Japan is good, but if I can pitch my new brand, new style. Then we can have every man and woman in the state, mo the country on our fingertips. From dresses, to sneakers, perfumes and even underwear. All I need is to know that you'll be behind me. Both of you." Rin said
"Wait a second, you want to go to war against your father? Then claim his empire? Seems rather forward don't you think?" Yūri said
"Hes a man of honesty, he likes it when the competition is someone who has the balls to look him in the eyes. Well that's what I plan to do." Said Rin. Kazutaka looked at Yūri who also looked at him. Rin noticed their faces. They were uncertain and looked unimpressed too.
"Look, I get it. It seems like as if there are uncertainties but-"
"But nothing. Look, its a good idea. I tell you its a good idea, but it just seems like you don't have enough...I don't know. What am I thinking of?" Kazutaka said as he leaned back snapping his fingers, the thought on the tip of his tongue. Yūri got out some lip-bomb and began applying it to her lips.
"Stuff." Yūri said, Kazutaka then snapped his fingers loudly as his sister had come to the idea for him.
"STUFF! Thats it, stuff. You don't seem to have the stuff. I mean you don't even have a folder to give is. This all seems to be just promises. I need to know that I'm investing into something worthwhile." Kazutaka said, Rin sighed in frustration.
"But, maybe if you're willing." Kazutaka said as he took off his shades and moved his hair out of his face. Revealing his brown hazelnut eyes. Rin looked at him. Kazutaka leaned forward, putting his hands on the table. His hand slightly moveing towards Rin's, she noticed and moved her's back.
"You can rehearse with me another time. Maybe somewhere more private?" Kazutaka snickered. "Do you usually take pleasure with trying to assert dominance over people, who really have no interest in you." Kibe said. Everyone jolted up from their seats, they looked to see Kibe was sitting next to Kazutaka the whole time. No one had noticed.
"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Kazutaka shouted with Yūri giving out a scream and Rin covering her mouth from the sudden suprise. Kibe looked at them as he stirred his tea.
"Don't be alarmed, it's only me." Kibe said, Kazutaka & Yūri both could feel it, sense it. It was that primal human feeling of coldness and indifference. The feeling of seeing and recognizing something that looks human, but doesn't feel or behave like it. Uncanny.
"H-How the hell did you get in here?!" Yūri asked
"In here? You mean how the hell did he get past security!" Kazutaka said, Kibe drank some of his tea as he looked at Kazutaka and Yūri.
"I just asked, you'd be suprised how far a little generosity can get you." Kibe said, Rin coughed as she then fixed her hair and fixed her posture. "Right, Kazutaka, Yūri. This is Nori Kibe. My boyfriend and partner in this business deal." Rin said, Kazutaka sniffed and rubbed his face. Fixing himself and then sitting down again.
"Well, how interesting. Kibe is it? Well. You must have some poor business sense, if your running around with Rin now." Kazutaka said, Rin scoffed as Yūri chuckled.
"Never judge a messenger by whom he messages for." Kibe said as he took another sip. Kazutaka gave wry laugh before he then looked to his sister and Rin, then back to Kibe.
"So what did she put in for you? Money?" Kazutaka asked
"No." Kibe answered quickly.
"Sex?" Kazutaka asked
"No." Kibe answered again.
"Then maybe-"
"If you're done questioning me. I'd like us to get back to business." Kibe said. Kazutaka snickered as he leaned back.
"Unfortunately that won't be happening." Kazutaka said, Kibe looked at him. "Its a full proof plan. I swear I know what I'm doing. You surely know that." Rin said
"But I don't, and I don't like going off on whims and blank statements. You see our dear old uncle may be a businessman, but he isn't a fool. And I would be one to accept an offer at face value.
Now if you excuse me, I things to do then to offer my time to a few clowns." Kazutaka said as he got up and walked away, Yūri following behind him with wry laugh. Kibe got up and finished his tea before putting it down. Rin walked next to him, her arms folded.
"Sons of bitches. Looks like they'd rather laugh in my face then try any sort of deal with me.
I sure hope you got something out of that." Rin said annoyed.
"I did yes." Kibe said as he started to walk out of the VIP section. "Wait, what was it? What did you get?" Rin asked. Kibe turned to her, hands in his pockets.
"Didn't you? Well clearly Yūri isn't someone to appeal too. She follows Kazutaka to the boot. She has her own mind yes, but not her own capability of making it up. So either he's a good leader or has been promised a larger percentage than she has. Which is what it looks like.
He's more into himself, confidence oozes from him. A sign of either a very cunning man or a spoiled one. She on the other hand is a follower. Doesn't know which side to take until its too late and by then she's already aligned herself with someone she either had slept with, or promised her senses to.
The uncle, I thought by getting to him maybe we'd get somewhere, but no. Clearly those two must get their manners from somewhere, if you want to call it that. Then it definitely wasn't from their father's side. No. I see a slight sense of dread. They're doing this for him. Not for them. If I can reel them in, then the uncle will follow behind them. Which in turn will get more partners than you imagined.
They like popularity, the spotlight. Its not my habitat, but I can work with it. I'll play their game, but do they know they're playing mine." Kibe said as he turned his head around to the massive plaza.
"What are you saying? What game?" Rin asked as she walked to him. Kibe fixed his shirt and looked deep into the crowd of people. There he could see Kazutaka and Yūri chatting it up with people.
"All of them. You keep playing their game, I'm going to play the man." Kibe said as he then proceeded to walk into the plaza, where his plan would now be brought. Into full swing.