"No one uses this? " you turn around to face Kuragari, arching your eyebrow. Hanma was standing by the entrance, while you took a look around the abandoned warehouse.
You had already explained your plan to him about selling fake ID's and was more than happy to help that he even offered his a vacated warehouse as your base of operations.
He nodded his head furiously and said "No, only a few of my friends know about it" That explained why there were cigarette buds on the ground. You glance at Hanma for an opinion on this and he has a disappointed expression painting his face. "Don't worry, we will upgrade it after we make money" you reassured him.
"Besides Nendou already got us an investor, we'll be meeting with him today around four. This an urgent matter " you explained your situation to him, which he understood.
Maybe Nendou dating Ai was the best thing to ever happen. He was sweet and kind to Ai, he loved her that you could tell. He was more than willing to help his girlfriends younger sister even more now and it was easier since you told him not to tell Ai and he said he would never involve Ai in things that could put her in danger.
He nodded, "you better keep that promise." You sigh wondering what your next step was in creating this business of yours. You massage your chin trying to remember how your old friend ran it after finding a base of operations.
"I'm the meantime... we need workers.... Shuji I'm sure you can handle that" you smiled at him. He couldn't refuse because you had found your base of operations and investor.
"Okay, but just don't complain about my methods" he turned around ready to walk out of the warehouse and you tail behind him, waving goodbye to Kuragari. "Just don't do anything stupid and don't mention my name while doing so" you said hoping your identity would be sealed in all this.
"What are you afraid?" he smirked at you. "Not really, i just don't want the whole thing to be traced back to me, you know if the police get involved" you replied, keeping up with his pace.
"Oh i see, you're afraid of being caught" he mused. "Exactly, so do your best to atleast find workers" you said stopping. You were about to take a different root, there was someone you needed to see and this was where you and Hanma part.
"You can count on me."
"I will partner." You emphasize the word partner to remind that you were now partners, it was another way to manipulate him into feeling guilty if he ever thought of betraying you. The word worked as a chain for him even he didn't know that. It was wrong to do that but you doubted that the technique even worked.
"HEY WATCH OUT!!!!" kids shouted as a tennis ball came flying straight at Hanma's face. You caught it seconds before it could hit Hanma, the kids sighed seeing you guys weren't hurt.
You tried to read his expression but it was unreadable, his eyes were slightly wide, he was trapped in trance as he statred at you."We're sorry" they all bowed apologizing to you two and Hanma snapped out of his trance an irritated expression plastered on his face.
"You guys almost hurt my partner" you lectured smiling at the kids to be sure not to appear threatening to the kids although. "Thank you! We're sorry we'll be careful next time!"
You laugh at that, confusing the kids and Hanma. "I'm sorry but the won't be a next time. " You hand Hanma the ball and the kids protested.
"If you guys meant that apology then you wouldn't mind giving him the ball after all you almost cost him his eye" you said and they kept quiet from the guilt they felt. "Give it to him as reassurance, I can't have my friend walking around with his life in danger" you continued.
"Whatever! You can keep it!" they shouted before they ran away from you guys.
"What you don't like it?" you ask Hanma who was just staring at the ball with the same unreasonable expression. "I'll keep it!" he said.
You pushed open the door of S.S motors to find Shinichiro lying on his back working on a bike, when he heard the sound of the bell he got up from behind the bike, a cigarette in his mouth and was surprised to see you.
"Y/n it's been a while!" Shinichiro said, taking a log drag from his cigarette. "Hey, I'm here to find out how much bikes cost and time to get to know you" you admitted walking up to him. From one look one could tell you were exhausted.
"Okay. That's new.. Why all of a sudden? I know I'm pretty interesting but this seems random" he said confused as to why you needed that information.
"Because I need to be around you because I don't the exact date of your death" you thought but you couldn't say that.
"Oh.... I've always been curious about Shin-chan " you avoided eye contact feeling slightly guilty for lying to him but it was a good lie.
He nods his head and seats back down to continue with his bike. "The bikes, it depends on the model you want to buy" he replied to your first question. You sat down next to him watching his hands work on the bike.
"Why do you want a bike anyway?" He asked his gaze focused on the bike.
"It's for someone. You know. Are you always alone?" You try to change the topic and it worked. "No, I'm actually with another kid he went to get some refreshments" he replied.
"He'll be here in a few minutes" he added. "Shin-chan your obsession with kids is concerning" you deadpanned.
"What!? It's nothing like that!" He defended himself, face flushing red from embarrassment. "Do parents just drop of their kids here?" You continued.
"What?! No.... he comes here on his own" he replied, calming himself down when he saw your cheeky smirk. You were messing with him, he could tell.
His face became serious, shocking you. "He's sister died in a fire" his dark eyes filled with sympathy for the boy.
"Oh. Okay" you said awkwardly. You didn't know what one would say to that. "You know the good old saying. Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for days. Set him on fire he'll be warm of his life. "
"What?!" Shinichiro sweat dropped cocking up an eyebrow puzzled. "You know the old saying" you replied.
"Never say that again. Ever" he said.
The door to the store opened, you looked up to see a young guy, who was entering his teenage years.
He had short blonde hair, green eyes and a large burn scar that ran from his forehead to his left eye stopping just right below it. He was holding a plastic bag as he tilted his head confusion written on his face.
In a blink of eye you were standing infront of your eyes sparkling with excitement as you bombarded him with questions. "Woah are you an Eminem fan you lowkey kinda look like him? Do you know him the GOAT of him hip hop? Maybe not exactly like him because you know there's only one Slim Shady but you are good looking."
He backed away annoyed by how loud your voice was. Shinichiro stood behind you placing his hand on your head signaling for you to stop talking and you did. "This is Inupi he's not really kin on meeting new people especially loud ones and why are you so excited?"
You let out a dramatic gasp, pointing a finger to yourself, "I'm loud?" you were shocked because you had always considered yourself to be chilled person. Shinichiro grinned plugging his ears playfully, "very" he added.
°
Shinichiro laughed as he tinkered with a bike while Inui watching in awe completely ignoring you sulking in the corner. You glanced back at the two and they were conversing about bikes.
The phone in your pocket started ringing, you swiped it out of your pocket and you tilted your head seeing the caller ID it read 'Stupid Vampire' You answered it.
"Oi, why did you call me you moron?!" you said.
"Why did you answer?! "
"Okay. Fair. But why though?"
"Huh? So I can't call you. You think you're so big shot celebrity or something!" Baji shouted on the other line.
"BRO if you ain't gonna talk I'll hang up" you tried to keep your voice low when you noticed the two looking at you confused.
He took a minute to calm himself down. "Mikey says you should get him some dorayaki since you didn't come."
'Oh, we're we supposed to go to Musashi Shrine today?' you thought. You guys would always ride around on bikes and race to the shrine, you would always ride with Hanemiya since you didn't have bike of your own.
They were fun.
"Oh why didn't he tell me himself?" you asked.
"Because you blocked him."
'oh yeah' you thought. Honestly no one could blame you, he could call you over the dumbest shit. He once called you to ask if it was possible for a fish to drown.
"No I didn't.... Oh... I did it by mistake" you laughed dryly making a mental note to unblock him later. With that Baji hung up the call.
You slide your phone back in your pocket and sat down next to Inui. "Who was that?!" Shinichiro asked.
"Baji, he wanted me to buy Jirou some dorayaki" you replied. "I guess I'll be meeting up with them later."
"We can go back together" he said sitting upright, pulling out the cigarette from between his lips he looked so gorgeous that you almost had a nose bleed, your cheeks were the deepest shade of pink.
"Oh! I can't.. I have something to do before that" you still had to make sure your first meeting went right. You needed to be there to hear and see it.
Shinichiro is so hot. "What's wrong with your face?" Inui asked with a hint of animosity laced in his voice.
"Oh nothing, it's just hot nowadays" you lie fanning your face with your hand. "You can have my coke" Shinichiro said referring to the drinks Inui had bought.
You grabbed and popped it open. You took a sip of the coke and immediately cooled off. "I will never understand people who prefer Pepsi over coke" you mumbled.
Shinichiro chuckled at that, his favorite drink was coke so he pretty much agreed. "Shin-chan what is your favorite bike?" you ask.
"A CB250T50cc model" he answered quickly not even giving it a second thought. You nod your head. You check the time and it was 20 minutes away from meeting your first investor.
You started chatting with them although Inui remained cold towards you. He was not being rude out of respect for Shinichiro.
"Inui, next time when I come hear I'm bringing Eminem best albums of all time, I'll even personally translate his lyrics for you" you stood up ready to leave.
You ran out the shop and stopped at costume store to buy a white mask with upside-down eyes and went to go meet with the client.
When you got back to the warehouse, you were surprised to see it clean a camera studio set up. "You like it?" Kuragari asked proud of his hardwork, his eyes landed on the mask in your hand.
"Yeah you really outdid yourself" you complimented as you put on the mask. "This mask is to conceal my identity, I don't my family getting involved in this" you explained noticing how confused he was about the mask.
He nodded. "He's this way" Kuragari said leading you to a small room that was supposed to be some of office, it had a glass window so you could basically see inside. Hanma was sweating across him with his naked face, his legs crossed as he studied the investor.
The were both sitted on different couches meant for two people across each other with only a coffee table separating them. Kuragari had outdone himself now you guys seemed more legit.
The client was a small feeble guy with nerdy glasses, one look and one could tell he was smart. You step into the room and Hanma's lips twirl into an amused smile at your choice of appearance. You sit next to Hanma ignoring him.
"Thank you for your patience. I had an errand I needed to run" you greet the person lowering your voice a bit. He adjusted his glasses studying you intensely. He was judging you. "It's okay aren't you quite young for this?" he asked in a condescending tone. "What could a little kid about you know about running a crime syndicate?"
Hanma got angry and punched the table, his knuckles turning red. "Don't underestimate her! You old bastard" he insulted with a psychotic grin, he seemed like he was ready to kill the man sitting across him.
You were stunned by Hanma's reaction to the insult that you almost had a loss for words but Kuragari snapped his fingers bringing you back to your senses, he was standing by the door.
You clear you throat regaining your composure. "Like he said don't underestimate us. If you're afraid of us not being able to pay you back you can always take half of my liver as payment."
Everyone gasped at this that you were willing to bet your organs on this whole ordeal. Hanma bit his lip to stop himself from saying something but it was clear he didn't like the sound of that. You place your hand on his thigh running circles telling him to hold his horses, he got the message and leaned back into the chair.
He breathed out a heavy sigh, smiling nervously wondering what the hell was wrong with himself. He had never acted like that before, he stared at you through the corner of his eye.
'Is she the problem? And she was able to calm me down' he thought eyeing her. He decided that didn't matter at the moment.
"What if we don't want your liver?" he asks clearing his throat to hide his shock.
"Then you can pick the organ. Whether it is my heart or brain" you replied determination burning in your (e/c) eyes. You weren't only doing this for your friends but for yourself as well.
Everyone would one day leave you, so you would rather be prepared for the day your parents decide to abondon you. This money would help you survive.
Everyone was meant to leave at one point but you would rather enjoy the days you spend with them everyday until that day came so you could atleast look back and you say you were happy.
He dropped his judgemental persona impressed by how far you were willing to go. He placed a brief case on the table opening it to show a lot of money inside. "I don't like doing business with kids but you're one fucked up kid"he laughs amused by this, he saw potential in you.
"This will be how much will be investing into the business, we expect a full return of our money plus thirty percent" he continued.
"That's a bit much how about 16%?" you ask leaning forward. He was trying to rip you off because you were a kid. You weren't dumb.
He was stunned a smirk crawling to his face as he stretched out his hand to shake yours. "16% and you better pay in full by next month. You're one crazy kid" he laughs a little and you shake on it.
"What will you name your organization?" he asked interested in what a kid could up with.
You glanced at Hanma to say something but he shrugged his shoulders, of course he hasn't thought of that. "Faceless?" you sound quite unsure of the name but Hanma gave a look of approval and your hand tightened as you shook his hand and repeated the name.
He smiled at the name. He left after the drop off as well as Hanma you had tried to stop Hanma but he flatly ignored you and went his way. You didn't understand what had gotten into him.
You and Kuragari were starring at the briefcase.
You give him half the money inside the briefcase telling him to go buy the supplies needed to run the whole thing and the other half you took it home with you.
On your way home you got a call from Baji once again and this time Mikey's voice boomed from the other end.
"Y/N-CHIN WHEN ARE YOU COMING OVER IT'S ALMOST DARK" you pulled the phone away from your ear, sighing at how loud he was.
When he quieted down on the other side you decided to start speaking "Oh... I can't come something came up. " You look at the briefcase in your hand that you had to sneak into your house.
Mikey went quiet and you could tell he was saddened by this, they had noticed it. You had started spending less time with them. "Y/n-chin do you need help with your shifts Ken-chin and I are willing to help. "
"MIKEY! DON'T INVOLVE ME IN THINGS WITHOUT ASKING ME FIRST" Draken shouted on the end, at the short shrimp. You smile at that, they were all together.
"But Y/n what he said is true... If you ever need help don't be afraid to ask from us. We're friends afterall" Draken spoke.
Your smile grew bigger. "It's okay. I can handle it, but thanks for worrying I promise to make it up to you soon, and I'll buy Jirou ten dorayaki when I do. "
"Really? You promise!" Mikey exclaimed on the other side.
"I promise" you had no idea these was the beginning of your many failed promises.