We're done. For now.

Sasha gets up to leave. She looks back at you and opens her mouth to say something, but she stops herself and thinks. “Good night, Warren.”

…

…

In the morning, you break into your routine and go to the theater. But, 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 some low-volume conversations, but it was quickly hushed when the manager continued to speak.

They were still going to practice in the mornings, so a small group of guards would still be kept around to keep them 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 proven to be correct. The manager announces that Mikka and Kenji will be permanently kept members of the staff. At the same time, 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 can tell he doesn't have any crude intent with her, but as the conversation continues, his gaze becomes softer. 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 return 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 in 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—”

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

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

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

“I really 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 eyed you suspiciously. “What exactly am I getting involved with?”

“Ah,” you brush your hand over your head. “The less you know, the better… probably.”

Scarlet, now with a bit more caution in her eyes, nods and promises to keep you posted on anything she hears. When you part ways, you sit on the bed and sigh. The window is tinted slightly orange as the snow reflects the dull street lights…

The next few days go by without an event…for the most part. Kenji keeps a close eye on Mikka, so it’s hard to continue working with him. Mikka tries a couple of times to go out again, but Akiko and Kenji don’t just drag their feet but also downright reject the offers towards the end of the week. Kenji grows distant from you and gets in your way every time you try to open dialog with either of the girls— especially Sachio.

One evening, just after finishing dinner, Mikka visits you in your room and steps inside as quickly as the door opens.

“We need to get Kenji off our tail,” he says. “Soon too. I’ve got a line of guys willing to lay down G’s for Sachio.”

“Easier said than done,” you shift your feet. “Do you have any plans?”

Mikka adjusts his glasses and brushes back his balding scalp. “That's why I’m here now. I’ve been lacing some medicine I’ve been giving to Sachio. But, unfortunately, the last time I tried to give it to her, Kenji swooped down and interjected himself between us.”

“How’d you get away?”

“Didn’t have to do anything drastic,” he says, relieved. “He just kind of pushed me away with words, and she went away. But, anyway, listen. I need you to do everything you can to get her away from her friends. Trick her, or-or something! And give her these.”

Mikka hands you a pill bottle and explains to you that they’re special…it’s meant to get her addicted to them much quicker. Unfortunately, she’s become dependent on them and will begin working against herself to feed her desire. You look at the pills and gnaw at the insides of your mouth.

“What will happen if I get caught with these?” You ask, taking the bottle and setting it aside.

“Well, nothing, probably. I don’t think anyone will notice that they’re tailored. I’d just avoid getting caught while you’re carrying them, though. Just a thought.” Mikka ends.

“I’ll keep you posted on my progress then,” you tell Mikka.

Mikka gets up to leave but stops just before he opens the door. “Does anyone else know about this?”

Scarlet enters your mind, but her name doesn’t leave your mouth. “No.” You lie.

When Mikka leaves, you sit at the foot of your bed and exhale. This feels like a bigger deal than it did when he first offered the deal. You’re alone in your room again as your thoughts swell in your mind. You haven’t had to deal with a covert operation like this before; there is only one silver lining: your name isn’t signed on any papers.