Scarlet... But I run into someone else.

You didn’t have to think too much about how to go about this, because you bumped into Kenji in the hotel's entrance on your way out. You blink as he yanks himself back, trying to sidestep you, but you clear your throat and fall into step beside him.

“Kenji,” you say, your voice still rough with morning grit. He slows slightly, turning to face you. “I… I have something to tell you.”

He slows more, lifting an eyebrow—guessing, maybe, what’s coming. You sense he’s already half-tuned to the mess you’re digging into. “What is it?”

You glance around, checking for stray ears. Craning your neck, you grimace—two guards stride toward you on rounds, not RTE. Some comfort there; Mikka’s web could stretch anywhere. “It’s been eating at me, but it’s something you’d care about.”

Kenji’s chewing gum, but it slows. “What is it?” he repeats, sharper now.

“It’s about Sachio… uh, and Akiko.” His gaze locks on you at Sachio’s name, fierce—more than experience, something feral glints in his eyes. “It’s serious.”

He stops chewing, spits the gum onto the snow-covered grounds with a flick. His jaw clenches, eyes narrowing to slits. “What is it?” His voice is a low growl, unblinking and dark as the guards pass by, tension coiling tighter. “This goes beyond Sachio and Akiko—I’ve seen his kind before. So you better fucking spill.”

You shift under his stare—back at Tiny’s Tavern, it was hits, not honor or tangled feelings. Now it’s personal, and Kenji’s intensity cuts deep. “Mostly Sachio,” you admit after a beat. “Mikka offered me cash to distract you—get her drunk, helpless. I told him to fuck off, but he’s still circling her like a hawk. If he’s bribed me, what’s stopping him from buying other contractors Red Tie’s got?”

“I’ll kill him myself if he touches her.” Kenji’s voice drops to a lethal whisper, his head snapping toward the studio building, then back to you, eyes blazing. “He’s after Akiko too? You’ve been tight with her—what’s she said?”

“Not tight,” you mutter, dodging the Akiko truth—Kenji doesn’t need that now. His question stings, though; he’s watching them even off-duty. “Like you said, it’s bigger than them. Who else is he targeting? I told McKinley, but he wants hard proof—Mikka’s an employee, not a contractor, so he’s untouchable without it.”

Kenji grumbles, a rough sound in his throat. “Proof? McKinley’s always been by-the-book—too soft to cut Mikka loose on words alone.” He steps closer, voice a blade. “Stick with me today. Start from the beginning—everything you know.”

You nod, spilling everything you know and anything you think could be useful. You must mention Zuprik is always with Mikka, which is something to consider if Kenji decides to go toe-to-toe with either of them.

The chat continues even as you enter the lobby. A familiar figure breaks into view, and we see Akiko stepping out of a stairwell, her skirt swaying as she breaks into a soft smile. She glances at Kenji, however, and pretends not to have seen you. She’s likely more concerned about getting caught than aware of your conversation's direness.

Kenji either misses it or decides not to bring it up. As you sit down in the stalls in front of the stage, you notice Mikka and Zuprik not far from the stage, sitting down and talking, too. You wonder what kind of schemes they’re cooking up while you spill their ****-wish plots to twist Sachio into a prostitute.

Zuprik notices you and nudges Mikka, whispering something as music begins and the dancers start to practice a routine. If they hadn’t pinned you as a threat before, they have now. Kenji’s clocked in on them as well, his gaze tight and focused. “So, where are you in all of this then?”

“Scarlet owes me a favor,” you reply, eyes flicking to Akiko on stage as she starts a solo scene, an angelic display of tight body with a graceful practice. You’d like to linger there and focus on her, but you blink and looking at the damned duo still staring at you from the other side of the seats. “I’ll see what she’ll do for me.”

Kenji exhales like he has something to say, but keeps it to himself for some reason. “If you think that’s best.”

“What about you?”

“We’ll see what I’m **** to do. Until then, however, I’d keep this between us. I trust Scarlet, but let’s not go and start recruiting people for this.”

“Yeah,” you nod. “I wasn’t planning to, but if anyone pops up, I’ll let you know before getting them involved.”

“Good,” Kenji says, eyes flicking to the stage, he spots Sachio, and you think you see him fighting a reactive smile at her…