Once they entered the hideout, Hiroshi shed his relaxed demeanor and put on a mask of coldness that Kei had only seen during some fights with gang members or his younger brothers when he wanted to assert his point of view.
This would be Kei Kazama's fate.
-Hiroshi, come and play cards, - said a guy with thick chains on his left hand, smoking a cigarette leisurely, with three other guys around a table.
The air reeked of nicotine, and Kei had to cover his nose from the strong smell entering his lungs.
-I have to see Boss Raps, save me a seat, - said Hiroshi. The twins had gotten lost somewhere along the way; there were perhaps 50 thugs around, such a large hideout, instilled a certain panic in Kei that his brother was in such a large gang of thugs. After all, he helped with some expenses like Kei's school fees and sometimes extra food when he was in a good mood.
They entered a small room with a muscular guy wearing a tight black shirt with a black sclera and white eyes. It was scary, very scary; Kei felt that if he did anything to annoy this guy, they would kill him in one blow. He had a dark premonition in the back of his mind; the windowless room became smaller with the presence of a killer in the room.
-Hiroshi, you're finally here. I hope that brat can fulfill the deal, - said the man named Hiyo Kuro. A big guy emerged from the darkness; Kei noticed he wasn't alone, and there were two others in the room.
His memory recalled that particular appearance, Kure, a clan of assassins. It couldn't be true. - he thought to himself -. The bald man continued leaning against the wall, somewhat calm; he was a giant now that his size didn't exceed four feet.
-Boss, I brought the brat you asked for; this one is particularly smarter than all the others. He's my brother, and he knows that when there are no questions to be asked, he doesn't ask them; you'll like him, - said Hiroshi, placing a hand on Kei's shoulder, squeezing it gently in a comforting manner. Kei cursed himself because his brother could feel the trembling that invaded him.
-Have you told him what he has to do? - asked Hiyo Kuro.
-Absolutely nothing, - said Hiroshi.
-You can leave, - said Hiyo.
Hiroshi's palm tightened on his shoulder; Hiroshi could only nod his head; it was better to show respect in front of the leader. He wouldn't tell his brother to screw off for some nonsense; if there was something he respected about Hiyo Kuro, it was his intelligence.
-Permission, - said Hiroshi.
-Alright, my boys will take him. We'll return him to you tomorrow at 6:00 in the morning, - said Hiyo. Kei could only shoot his brother a glance; he just held his gaze and walked out the door. He tried to move to talk to his brother, but a guy held him from behind, by the nape of the neck, and lifted him.
-Where are you going, little one? We need you to fulfill something first; you'll be back here soon if you don't die, - said the big guy who emerged from the shadows; he was bald, towering two meters, and would surely tear him apart if he revealed anything. He managed to calm down, to see the black-eyed guy smiling like a madman; what had he gotten himself into? Damn Hiroshi, damn idiot!
The bald man was even bigger than the one leaning in the shadows.
-Set him down, Bakudo, just a farewell to his brother, - said Hiyo. Bakudo lowered him gently; the giant could only nod. The dead eyes were quite uncomfortable for Kei.
Kei fell to the floor when the giant let go of him; that guy was a building. If he squeezed his head, he was sure it would be like a smoothie. He got up from the floor as quickly as he could; it was better to keep calm, but the fear still invaded him; he felt like vomiting.
-Bokudo, go and get the kid ready for our next assignment. He needs some clothes so as not to attract certain problems, - said Hiyo Kure.
-Right away, - said Bokudo.
Bokudo opened the door and nodded, leading him outside where the vandals were still playing cards. They gave him a jumpsuit with thick boots that were a bit too big for him, but nothing that bothered him too much.
-Adjust your gloves; there are some small areas with poison that you'll have to touch. Any carelessness could result in poisoning, - said Bokudo, seriously.
Kei could only sigh at what lay ahead—serious trouble. He hoped his life wouldn't end up forgotten in some alley while doing this assignment, which his brother dragged him into against his will. But now, he would have to push forward. What were his plans? Finish school, study psychology, get a job, and get out of this life of poverty. He knew that gang members usually ended up badly in the end, which is why he understood his fifth brother, who fought so hard against the first brother, Hiroshi.
-Wait here, - said Bokudo, his deep voice imposing.
-Yes, sir, - said Kei, watching the others talk about a fight against some gang or a territorial dispute, or maybe just an insult that led to a dispute, for ridiculous reasons to Kei.
The giant walked towards the exit, stopping at Kei.