~ Misaki ~
The air in the shelter was still, almost heavy. Ren and Makino had arrived a few hours ago. Now the four of us were sitting at the chabudai. The smell of tea still hung in the air.
"So," I began quietly, looking from one to the other. "We've been keeping an eye on him for days. Meeting places, conversations, coded phone calls. But the decisive proof was missing. The one that assures us that he's betraying us."
Haruki sat next to me, silent but attentive. Then he said: "Yesterday at noon, he met with someone - we saw the handover. And held on to it." Haruki put his cell phone on the table.
"Finally."
Makino raised a brow. "What exactly did he hand over?"
"A small package with an envelope. The contents - unclear. But the gesture is enough. And the recipient... We don't know him, but he wasn't one of us. No doubt about it."
Ren leaned forward, his gaze steady. "That's enough to inform the Oyabun."
"Exactly," I said. "We'll bring Shōgo to him soon. Quickly and without mistakes."
Makino nodded in agreement. "No room for games."
I felt something stirring inside me - a thought that hadn't let go since noon. "There was someone else."
Ren raised an eyebrow, "Someone?"
I looked at him. "A bystander. I felt him just before the handover began. He kept a low profile, stayed in the shadows, but he was there. Skillfully."
Haruki confirmed: "Sunglasses, calm look. As if he'd been there for a while."
I leaned back and crossed my arms. "I doubt he's directly connected to Shōgo. He probably belongs to the Shinjū-kai. They control Kyoto."
Makino and Ren exchanged a look - not surprised, but serious.
"Kyoto is their territory," Ren said.
Makino added: "It probably has something to do with the incident at the club. Did he possibly recognize you?"
"I doubt he recognized Misaki. But... He probably recognized me - and that's why he was watching us." Haruki replies.
I let Haruki's words sink in for a moment. Then I took a deep breath and straightened up.
"Good, we know what we need - now let's act."
Haruki looked at me, somewhat questioningly.
"Haruki," I began, my gaze fixed on him, "you stay here. You know technology better than anyone. Find out where Shōgo is now. Movement patterns, devices, cameras - anything you can find."
He nodded immediately, almost relieved. "Got it. I'll get right on it."
"Ren," I continued, "you contact the Oyabun. Tell him we have the proof - footage, observations, the handover. And that we're going to bring Shōgo. Today."
Ren was already standing up. "Will do."
My gaze slid to Makino. She returned it calmly, a slight, almost expectant smile on her lips.
"As soon as Haruki locates him, we'll go," I said. "You and me."
"Finally," Makino muttered. "About time."
Later - an old warehouse on the outskirts of Kyoto
Haruki's voice came muffled through the radio. "...Wait. Don't move."
I stopped immediately. Makino froze behind the stacked crates.
"What is it?" I asked quietly, my fingers already on the handle of my knife.
He hesitated. Then: "There are more than I thought. Eleven in total - with Shōgo. Three at the exits, two on the upper walkways, the rest spread out in the hall."
Damn.
"Looks like a meeting. Planned, not impromptu," Haruki commented. "But there's one... who doesn't belong."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
"He's standing right next to Shōgo. Not a civilian. Dark coat, clean appearance. Talks to him, no one interrupts. He's definitely not one of his men."
Makino's voice came through quietly. "Not armed?"
"Hard to tell. He keeps his hands steady, speaks calmly. But I bet there's at least one gun under that coat."
I could now take a look at the scene myself. The man was tall, slim, his movements controlled. Next to Shōgo, he looked like an examiner - not an accomplice. Shōgo, on the other hand... kept his distance. Not submissiveness, but caution. Perhaps even fear.
"Whoever this is," I muttered, "he's not one of our people. And not to the Shinjū-kai - he wouldn't be so open about it."
"That's exactly what I thought," Haruki confirmed. "I ran his face through two databases - no matches. But he fits the profile of an agent."
"Agent?" Makino immediately became more serious.
"Clean look, no recognizable affiliation, no unnecessary movements."
"I don't like it," Makino said quietly.
"Neither do I," I confirmed. "What about the conversation?"
A short pause. Then Haruki again: "I'm only getting bits and pieces. But he's asking Shōgo if the handover went smoothly yesterday. And... if anyone saw anything. He seems suspicious."
Makino: "He knows or suspects it."
Haruki: "Wait... the guy's showing Shōgo something right now. Hologram. Could be a photo... hard to tell. But it could be you or me."
I felt my posture tense. "Then it's serious."
"What now?" Makino asked calmly.
I took a breath. "We'll wait another five minutes. If anything changes - access. You go left."
Makino nodded. "Shōgo is mine."
I replied calmly, "And I'll take care of the stranger."
Haruki's voice came through clearly: "I'll guide you. As soon as someone drops off or something doesn't fit, I'll give the signal."
The hall held its breath.