Suggest that Mikka helps her.

You ran a blank for some reason. All you can think about is your ungodly contract with Mikka. You swallow and blink. "Mikka can help." You blurt out suddenly.

Akiko tilts her head. Her brown eyes train onto yours as her mouth becomes lopsided. "Oh?"

"I think he has access to some medicine. I'm sure he could tell our boss about it too, so that way they could get someone to talk to her and what now." What you are saying doesn't seem right, but you figure you are too deep to back out now. "And, even if that doesn't work out. Just make sure you are there helping her out."

She nods, understanding your advice, but not your intentions. She lets out a soft sigh as she looks down while she looks down. "If you think that's the best thing to do for her." Akiko goes into a very deep state of thought. After about a full minute passes, she finally blinks and looks up at you. "Thank you, Warren. I'm glad you are about of our team."

Ah, ick...

When you think that, you let your eyes drift off to the side, but when you return back to Akiko, you notice that her gaze hadn't left you yet. In fact, all what that follows is an awkward staring contest. Her last sentence is rattling in your head still. Didn't she have a weird tone? You couldn't recall it without making an odd expression, so you stopped yourself and asked if there was anything else she needed. She shook her head and then left. You were left alone in your mind. You didn't like the way she let her gaze stay on you, but you suppose there anything you could do.

Akiko stood up and gave a small bow. "I'll direct her to go to Mikka then, if you think that's the best course of action."

Truth to be told, you didn't, but there was no way you were going to back out of the money. "If anything else pops up, don't be shy in telling me. I'll see what I can do to do help out."

"Of course. I'll be sure to let Kenji know as well." She turned to leave, so you followed her out.

In the morning, you break into your routine and go to the theater. Unfortunately, the weather was still progressively getting worse - so when one of the managers went ahead and announced that they were to cancel future showings, no one was taken by surprise. There were some grumbles and low-volume conversations, but it was quickly hushed when the manager spoke.

They would still practice in the mornings, so a small group of guards would still be kept around to keep that safe. You wondered who would still be around the Japanese, but you figured Mikka would be sticking around like usual. And, just before the meeting breaks, your suspicions are correct. The manager announces that Mikka and Kenji will be permanently kept staff members, while the extra guards will experience regular rotations. Teams will be small.

You shoot a look at Kenji, who is looking at Mikka, who is looking at you. This isn’t actually what you had in mind for an ideal situation. If Kenji ever found out about anything you’ve done the last few days, he’d probably cut your stomach open and strangle you with your guts. Your mind quickly spirals into thought, so the rest of the shift is a blur.

When everyone starts to filter out, Akiko goes to Mikka and talks to him for a few seconds. Sachio is nowhere to be seen, disappearing like usual. Mikka’s eyes are harder on Akiko; you could tell he didn't have any crude intent with her, but as the conversation carries on, his gaze becomes softer, and his smile starts to become less **** and more genuine.

“She needs medicine?” He asks. “I don’t want to get into any trouble, but I’ll pull some strings for you.”

Akiko bows, thanking him. “You can take your time with the medicine, but the sooner, the better - she’s so stressed these last few nights.”

“Oh,” Mikka sighs. “With the relaxing restrictions, perhaps we could go out singing again?”

“I don’t think she needs that,” Akiko straightens her back. “She needs rest and—“

“Trust me,” Mikka cuts off Akiko sharply. “She needs to unwind by hanging out with friends and drinking.”

“But I—“

“You know that I’m going to be free. Kenji too! We can plan it off either on the weekend or another day off.” Mikka offers and then looks at you. “I'm sure even Warren can come too.”

Akiko turns. “I suppose we could aim for that.”

You wished Mikka would keep fewer people involved, but maybe he had something else in mind with her? The conversation carries on with you now, a part of the circle. It spirals on without direction for a couple of minutes until you all decide to go back to the hotel. You wash up in your room, still dressed in your suit.

You lounge around, wondering what you could do. You’d consider spying on Sachio, but if you stirred any suspicion on yourself, you’d be thrown out to the wolves for sure! You let out a heavy sigh, feeling useless for about an hour before someone strolls up and knocks on your door, just as you are about to drift off to sleep too. Damnit.

Upon answering, you find a pair of vaguely familiar blue eyes behind the door. It was Scarlet. “Hello there,” she chimed.

“Mikka send you?” You ask, making room for her to walk in.

“I terminated my contract, remember? So I’m on my own.” she walked and yawned. “Everyone else is weird, and Kenji is locked away in his room. I couldn’t find an ear to talk off and didn’t want to talk to myself.”

“So you found me instead?”

She shrugged. “You’re not so bad, Warren. Not to mention, I started to think about your offer a little bit more.”

Scarlet shoots her hand out to shake yours. “I owe you one. I shouldn’t have shot you down earlier. I’ll do you a favor.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” Scarlet smiles and cocks her head. “I’m not feeling that tough, so go easy on the tasks.”

You slowly nod, making her knit her eyebrows. “Why are you up to?”

“I just need someone to lurk around for me. I know Sachio has something happening to her and--”

She smiles. “Oh, don’t tell me. Are you...are you in love with one of the girls?”

You scoff. “Professionals have standards. I don’t do clients.” You think briefly about Akiko and then shake your head.

“What is it then?” She inquired, leaning in with a friendly smile and a fixated gaze. “I’ll do it!”

“I need you to listen to Sachio and Kenji,” you tell her straight-faced. “I need to know what they are talking about. Akiko too if need be.”

Scarlet perks and then smirks. “You think Sachio is fooling around with Kenji?”

“Something like that,” you tell her. “Just keep me posted. Tell me if anyone mentions my name or anyone outside of the Japanese hierarchy.”

Scarlet snickers, not understanding the gravity of the situation. “Sure,” she rolls her eyes. “Now that I am a little more level-headed, this doesn’t seem all that bad.”

“Thanks, Scarlet. This stays between you and me, OK? No one else hears about this. No one even knows we talked about this.”

She laughed nervously. “What the fuck am I getting involved with here?”

You smile, trying to break the tension that was made after your last comment. “Nothing serious. I just don’t want you getting in trouble. You’re just a bystander in this.”

Scarlet stood up and stretched. “Well, even if I do get caught in your little side quest here, I’ll make sure I stick up for ya’.”

“I’ll hold you to your word now,” you say with a laugh but mean it. The tone of your voice tells her that there’s no sarcasm or friendliest behind your words, but she winks anyway.

When Scarlet leaves, you spend the rest of the night like the others. In fact, the next couple of days are pretty standard as far as your workload and routine go. Shows a canceled and announcements are made- smaller teams are put together, and guards will experience frequent rotations. For the dancers, practicing hours are cut, so there is a noticeable bump in the desire to explore Deadwood. Half-reluctantly, their managers allow them, but they primarily filter out with their Japanese-bred guard. Sachio started to seem more like herself, but she also kept a fair distance from you, Mikka, and Zuprik. Surprisingly enough, she also stayed away from Kenji. Kenji didn’t seem to care, but as you watched him, you realized his gaze rarely left her. Akiko continued to talk to you throughout the week, but it never went anywhere.

However, as Saturday approached, Akiko asked if you had any plans to go out again. Mikka was within ear-shot and got involved as soon as she got done speaking. There were a lot of tight smiles coming from Akiko, who slowly got further and further away the longer the conversation got. Eventually though, Mikka exclaimed and pulled a pill bottle from his coat and gave it to Akiko, who took it into her hand meekly.

“While you talk to Sachio about going out again, make sure you give her these too.” Mikka’s smile went ear to ear.

Akiko tried to protest, telling Mikka that Sachio was feeling better lately, but he didn’t take that at all. He insisted until Akiko caved and cradled the bottle loosely in her arms. “Thanks…?”

“The pleasure is mine.” Mikka placed his hands on his hips, giving Akiko a creepy smile. She looked at you briefly and then walked away.

“You’re as transpiration as dirt, dude.” You hissed, almost glaring at Mikka.

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Sachio will be hooked over the weekend. You want a shot at her if we go out again?”

“You mean with Sachio?”

Mikka nodded, his smile now toothy and at you. "You want a piece of Japanese ass, don't you?"

"I don't fuck clients." You spit. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Mikka shrugs. "Say less. I get it. Jesus, Warren."

You crane your head and shake yourself clear. "Whatever. Fuck off for now. We shouldn't be talking about this in the open anyway."

The room is obviously empty, but with Kenji on edge it was better safe than safe. Mikka looks around and sighs, agreeing with your statement without actually saying anything. You both file out and return to the hotel to live the rest of the day as if it were like any other. You eat dinner, chat with the others, and then retire to your room. There still some freetime left in the night though. You step into the bathroom and loosen your tie. You look at your reflection and sigh. You looked different...

"Alright, Warren. What should we do with our freetime?"