Kenji reports it, and the group is disbanded.

When the management from the Katana Arts Studio found up about what was prevented, they ordered an immediate withdrawal from everyone still inside the hotel and to meet in the theater. It seems that they've got their own personnel tucked away. There's less than a dozen, which explains their need to hire more before going beyond the regular American borders. They didn't speak a word of English, which made you relay on Kenji even more to translate before all the dancers got together to hear the official report.

The news, was taken rather hard. Especially for Akiko and Sachio since they had been with both of the men that were killed in "self-defense" while they were practicing their routines. Not to mention, went out drinking and singing them the night before. Kenji took full responsibility, allowing the impact on the RTE outfit to be softened. His background extensive background must've traveled even deeper than you thought, because once he started speak to the managers and directors, they seemed to have trusted and believed him fully before the offer for the recorder was made. Another order is made - everyone besides you and Kenji are **** out. The vast majority of the security are now regular, field-gray uniform soldiers. The tension becomes so thick in the room that every step is wadded down.

After a few hours; the conversation between the officers and the Japanese managers continue to spill into further disputes. It's calm and collected, but the more they talked the less interesting the whole situation got to you. Inked names and paperwork was never on your list of fun jobs. You start lounging around and drinking lightly while the morning start to spiral down a path of words, pens, and new promises. The rush of the gunfight had long worn off. Even the shock of the news had faded away once the talks went to shut doors. Now under a more watchful eye, under regular Japanese guards and standard RTE uniforms. Everyone remained in the main lobby like cattle; grazing on snacks as though it was grass.

You started to field strip your Glock on a counter when a voice comes up from behind you. "Hey."

When you turn around, you see Akiko with her hands folded behind her. An instant sensation of butterflies flutter in your stomach. This was kinda embarrassing honestly. Your work with Mikka wasn't mentioned, but it doesn't take a genius to piece together some of the parts of the events from the night before. Akiko's expression is dull, yet curious. "Hello."

She strides over and rubs her arms, careful not to stare at you as you put together your gun. "So. What last night just one big lie?" She comes out, not bothering hiding anything.

You stammer and look away. "Not exactly."

She sucks in her lips, narrowing her gaze, desiring more of your feedback. It isn't long before you chase yourself. "I was offered something more. Something worse." She prompts for more.

"I was offered money and tried to get Sachio into a bad situation," you paused, looking around. If anyone heard what you were telling Akiko, you might be strung up and killed too. "Last night, when we were leaving I realized I couldn't go through with it, so I told Kenji and he put an immediate stop to it. Violently, but it was quickest and easiest route."

Akiko nodded. "I heard Kenji's recording. Why'd you even consider the offer?"

Greed? The money sounded good. Excitement? This side job wasn't exactly all that fun. It was in the heat of the moment too. But was really enough to justify getting Sachio and Kenji drunk? No. It wasn't. That didn't stop you from telling her that though. She listened intently, and didn't interrupt you even once as you told her what was going on in your mind. When you get to the end of your story, she cleared her throat. "I don't agree with anything you did. I find it absolutely disgusting. If it weren't for you redeeming action of telling Kenji..."

Akiko trailed off, thinking for a moment. "If you didn't tell Kenji, I wouldn't be talking to you right now."

And who knows where Sachio would be right now? "Ah, well...It's done. I'm glad I stopped it when I did."

Silence ensues, but you break it. "What's next Katana Arts and your show bizz?"

"Ha? Oh, with the weather being as bad as it is; we were expecting to unwind anyway. We'll do our routines and group practices still, but we are likely looking at a whole lot of freetime now." There's no indication of a smile on her face as she says this. It seems she's actually kinda saddened by the newly given downtime. Or perhaps she's still bitter towards the earlier events, which deserves more attention still. "Maybe Kenji can take us around town and let Sachio and I do some sightseeing or something."

"I'm pretty sure any outside activities will be secured by your home guards now. You sure that Kenji or anyone else in the RTE is gonna be used for escorts still?" You ask her, making her look up at you. "I doubt the RTE will just relax either. They'll be sure to interview all of us."

"You're wrong." She says. "Kenji really does have connections, and after this huge reveal, I bet Katana Arts will try to recruit him when we leave."

You remember Mikka going on about his background. Does Akiko know Kenji personally too? Her eyes have drifted somewhere else. You asked if she knew Kenji, she shook her head. "Not really. I don't know him as well as Sachio did. Her family used him as a-"

She stopped. "I shouldn't say. They were childhood friends though, so they are more familiar with each other. That's all I'm allowed to say."

"I see." Your lips puckered while your brain becomes wrapped in thoughts. "Who'd you want from the RTE regiment to be apart of your guard?"

This question seems to make her smile a little. She looks back at you. "Kenji, obviously. I suppose I don't know how many of the others Mikka had around his finger. Look at Zuprik for an example...At least you had a big enough back bone to stand up to them. Even without knowing Kenji was fully on your side."

"Even after telling me my actions were disgusting? And non-redeeming?"

"Hey!" She said. "I did not say it was non-redeeming. I said it WAS the redeeming factor. I do have my doubts though, but you aren't completely untrusty worthy...Kind of the opposite, sticking up the way you did."

A subtle blush goes over your face. Hearing Akiko praise you was kinda embarrassing for some reason. "You're not so bad, Warren. Thank you for doing what was right for Sachio."

Seeing Akiko now, with her tiny smile and fixed stare was worth the gunfight. You scoff to hide your flushed cheeks. "I could have stopped it sooner."

"But, you did the right thing in the end, and that's all what really matters." She corrects you. "She's in good health. Plus, this'll make Kenji super protective over her, she got what she wanted, one way or another."

You both laugh somewhat shortly after you agreed to her statement. When you stop, you continue to look at each other. She clears her throat and brushes back her brown hair. She moistens her lips and leans into the table. She's expecting you to carry on the conversation...