Roughly ten minutes after they'd settle into the hotel room, Shira busied herself preparing some folders, papers, and some photograph. Renji, on the other hand, stood in the middle of the room still clutching his duffel bag.
Then, she looked at him as if she's just realized his existence.
"What are you standing there for? Put your stuff down, wash your face, or whatever—"
"O–oh… right."
He turns to the only empty bed and dropped his bag onto the mattress. Shira had already claimed the window side. Renji sat down and immediately sank into the mattress with a satisfied groan.
"…Bed's… comfy."
Shira didn't even look at him and shot a warning. "—Except sleeping, or I'll kick you."
"…Yes, ma'am…"
A moment later, she was already out the door, and he had no choice but to follow. Their footsteps echoed down the hallway.
"So, uh… where to now?"
"Food nearby. Meeting one of ours."
"Aight."
That was all she gave—the ride down the coastal road was easy, roughly 10 minutes from where they stay, and the street at night wasn't particularly busy, when they turned into the izakaya district where Shira directed him to go, Renji rolled down his windshield, the streets tightened into a jumble of paper lanterns, steam, and laughter spilling out of half-open doors.
Hmm, such a delicious smell… it's from that one? and that one…?
Renji's eyes wandered—grills smoking on street corners, cramped bars glowing warm.
I'll try those after this… while waiting for Miss Shira.
Then Shira's finger flicked toward a dim spot at the edge of the strip they just passed. "Ah, we missed it, it's that one, with the blue tarp."
"Eh, that one with no customers inside?"
"Yes."
Renji turned the car around and stopped in front of the place. Shira unbuckled and opened her door. Renji stayed put, hands still on the wheel.
"Hey," she said after thinking for a bit, "you're coming too."
"Huh? Me? Here?"
She gave him a sideways glare. "You really enjoy making me repeat myself today a lot, don't you? It's getting annoying."
"…Okay, okay. Usually you guys told me to stay in the car… can you blame me…?"
Locking the car, he followed her inside. Sure enough, no other customers—except one in the corner, where Shira was already heading. A man sitting—late forties, bald, broad shoulders filling his jacket, a pale scar running down the side of his head like a knife mark.
He stood as they approached, bowing slightly to Shira.
"Miss Shira, good evening. Wait—this guy…"
Then his eyes landed on Renji. His stern brows dropped into a scowl.
Renji's own face soured. "Geh!"
Wait, this man is…!
Both recognized each other instantly.
"—You're that damn driver who fed me bullshit the other night!" the man barked, stepping forward. Renji immediately stepped back.
"Oh, looks like you two remembered each other. Jin, this is Renji. Renji, this is Jin, Mr. Jinnosuke Iwata—the poor man you drop into a predicament with your… improvisation." Shira wore a playful smile as she sat down and opened the menu.
"Tch." The man named Jin didn't sit. His glare didn't even leave Renji. "Miss Shira, the hell is this guy here for?"
M-m-my thought exactly…
Renji weakly raised a hand. "M–maybe I should eat outside? Somewhere else—"
"Sit down," Yet She cut in, her tone carrying no room for argument. "…It's fine, Jin."
"…Fine. If you say so." The older man lowered himself slowly into his chair, clearly unconvinced.
Renji sat awkwardly beside Shira, Jin's glare burning into him like a dagger. After they made their order, Shira sighs. "Let's clear things up first."
Both men shifted their eyes toward her.
"Jin, that night Miss Reika was there, she just fell asleep in the car. She's been pushing herself too much lately. Renji tried to reach me, but I was… occupied. Hence the outcome as of now."
"Tch, that Reika never takes this seriously."
"…What's done is done. And Renji—Jin was our point man with that client. You can imagine how well your little ad-lib played out for him."
"…I-I'm sorry… Mr. Jin."
The older man only scoffed at him.
"… Renji is Miss Reika's new driver," Shira added while rubbing her shoulders.
Jin smirked, bitterness in his tone. "See? Your boss keeps playing around. Even picking someone like this as her driver..."
"Heheh, she's your boss too," Shira reminded him lightly. "And that's how it is."
Renji lowered his eyes, the air thick enough to choke on. Fortunately, the waiter arrived with their food, interrupting the stale conversation.
"—Let's eat." Shira clapped her hands softly, for a while the only sound was chopsticks against bowls. Renji ate like a stray pet who wasn't sure he was allowed to.
Finally, Jin leaned forward. "Miss Shira, I'd like to get straight to business, but…" His eyes flicked uncomfortably toward Renji, who is munching on his oden innocently.
"It's fine. Go on."
"…" He nodded once, then after emptying the sake in his cup, he took out some new stash of folders from his side, and opened it above the table. "—5 days ago, our men noticed something. You've read the report."
"Yes, this one, right?" She tapped one photo of a container with the logo of. 'Hisoka Pharmaceutical Co.' "The cargo listed as waiting at Kanmon is actually sitting in Shimonoseki Newport, on that reclaimed artificial island."
"Correct, matches the contract specs. We can't verify quantity yet."
"They said 50 units total," Shira said while fiddling with her chopsticks. "Around 30 visible in this picture. If the client… Nakai… act this way. Safe to assume the rest should be nearby in the different port warehouse."
"That's what I thought too, they split it. And actually put an effort to guard it—do we keep eyes on it, or get up close? Miss Shira?"
"Who's guarding it?"
"They wore a Japanese dock crew uniform, but the thing is, all of them seems foreigner, and the clear giveaway is they're fairly geared up." Jin shows Shira new photos from his folders.
"…This looks like PMC…" Shira scanned several grainy photos of foreigner men, at least it's clear that they're not Japanese origin. "But… how did Nakai pull this off?"
"I bet they subcontracted a legitimate, Japanese-registered security outfit. The firm holds the permits, pays the fees, files the reports. All the boxes get ticked. But the men on the ground? Ex-foreign military contractors hired through the Japanese company's payroll. Hired as 'consultants' or 'trainers'—officially, nothing illegal."
Shira leans back and lets out a long breath. "So they bought paperwork. Classic. But that still doesn't explain why customs kept their heads down. You don't just park a stack of guarded containers and expect the inspectors to look the other way."
"Heh, guess Nakai isn't your ordinary pharma distributor."
"If private military is guarding it, then we investigate ourselves. No point keeping watch without knowing what's actually inside." Shira plucked a hanpen from her bowl, chewing in thought.
"Understood, but… I should remind you, they're 'geared' up," Jin replied grimly. "At worst, the entire Newport's security may be swapped out for similar team…"
Shira's eyes narrowed. "All the more reason. They rushed this contract, eager to use our route. Even after being stood off, instead of calling off the deal, they settle to wait for us. Assuming we won't refuse… or… maybe he doesn't have any choice."
"Yeah, the money's good, too good for 'overstocked medical supplies.'"
"Any intel on the PMC rotation, Jin?"
"15 to 20 men per rotation, shifts every six hours."
"… Are we on the clear?"
"We've kept distance. Oh, but we do have an actual KHX shipping schedules, from one of the battery companies through Newport if you want a cover, their crates already sitting on the Newport since last night, we can visit within these 2-3 days."
"No… If we're coming from front door like that, it'll make them tighten security even more… no way we can closing in on their package like that." She flipped a page. "And… Jin… do they 'know' us?" Shira asked in a meaningful tone.
"Most likely yeah."
"Which means someone from our patron referred us to them," Shira muttered while flipped another page.
"Maybe. But Nakai seems convinced we, KHX see them as just another pharma company, as far as I can dig out from him the night Reika should sign the deal."
Shira's lips curved in a cold smile. "Wow… this Nakai sure is underestimating us, huh… it's almost cute that he thought we wouldn't notice—"
"Heh, those kinds of clients, yeah. Who didn't want to pay the 'extra' price for what he actually keeps inside." Jin too, let out a mocking laugh.
Holy crap… what is this…?? Espionage episode? Is it really okay for me to hear this???
Renji's scalp prickled. Sweat rolled down his back as he sat frozen, chopsticks halfway to his mouth. After listening this far, even he could already paint a picture.
Inaudible mumbles escape his lips, "Feels like a damn movie setup…"
But Jin's head snapped toward him, catching his words. "Ha? What was that!?"
"N-nothing, sir! Just—talking to myself!"
Jin's scowl deepened. Shira, however, chuckled softly into her sake cup.
"…So, Miss Shira, what's the plan?"
"We'll go in, after making sure what's actually inside, it could give me some leverage to play with Nakai."
"Copy that, time?"
"11 pm. How many options we have for the route?"
At Shira's question, Jin took out his tablet, and showed her the overhead map of Shimonoseki. He zoomed in at the Newport, and tapped at the single connecting bridge from the city main road.
"First. Causeway from Kazanamino intersection, single choke point. Second, by water, we circle the port from Akada's shore."
His rugged finger tapped on the underdeveloped area beside the causeway, still covered with trees and tall grass.
"Do we have men there?"
"No, since it is the best vantage, I'm scouting that place myself."
"Good. We'll go from there. Prep one fast boat. Small, quiet. And bring the X-ray cam."
"Understood, Miss Shira."
After finishing her meal, Shira stretched her arms lightly, closing the folder. "Then it's settled. I'll take my leave here. Good work, Jin. Rest up."
"It's my duty," he replied, bowing slightly.
Shira turned to Renji, who was quietly sipping his tea. "Let's go."
Renji scrambled up, bowed awkwardly, then followed her out. Though, Jin ignored him, already pouring some more sake into his cup.
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What was all that about earlier…?
Inside the car, Renji stole a glance at the woman beside him. Shira leaned against the headrest, eyes half-closed—not truly asleep. For the first time all day, she looks not as guarded.
"…Miss Shira… d-does this… logistics thing… always get this extreme…?"
One eye flicked open. Her answer was flat and unbothered. "What? You mean inspection?"
"…That was about inspection…?"
"Well, yes. If the deal's suspicious, I need to confirm the cargo myself."
"...I-is that so…"
The conversation died there, Shira closing her eye again, retreating behind silence. Renji's throat tightened, but something about her making Renji wonder.
… Does she want me to keep asking? Or does she want me to shut up…?
By the time the car rolled up to the hotel, the dashboard clock blinked 22:15.
I-in the first place… why did she let me hear all of those…?
'What' and 'why' was the only question stuck inside his head ever since they left the izakaya.
After arriving at their room, Shira strode ahead, tossed the keycard onto the desk with a careless flick, then rummaging her bag for a change of clothes.
"I'll take a bath first."
"B-b-bath…?"
The word slipped out of him like an idiot echo. His mind betrayed him instantly. Images bloomed without permission—Shira in a towel, steam rising off her body, her long hair sticking to her skin—
She cut the thought short by disappearing into the bathroom with click of the lock.
The sound of running water filled the room. Renji sat stiffly on the bed, every second dragging. His imagination refused to listen to reason, painting scenes behind that frosted door.
… Why she's so casual about this?! I'm a man too you know!
"Haah… knowing her… I should be glad she considers me a human, I guess…"
Renji's earlier thought of what and why, shifted into stupid-flustered boy mode, especially with every intimate sound leaking from the bathroom—the water dripping, the rubbing—then silence, followed by the hum of a hairdryer and rustle of a towel.
And then, the door opened.
H-here she comes!
Shira emerged, but not the way Renji had foolishly pictured. She was fully dressed—a neat brown buttoned shirt, long loose-fit pants, sleeves rolled up just enough to bare her wrists. Even in comfort, she looked orderly, composed. A towel hung over her shoulder, the last concession to casualness.
…Oh.
The sigh left Renji before he could stop it. Something in his chest sagged with disappointment.
Yeah… why would she comes out wrapped in towel… I should be better than this…
She ignored him entirely, moving straight to the desk, spreading folders and contracts as though Renji's existence faded from the room.
He still sat on the edge of his bed, twisting his fingers together. "…Th-then I'll take a bath…?"
"What? Whatever. It's yours."
"O-okay…"
"What a stupid question."
Renji walked lifelessly into the bathroom for a quick rinse. The same hotel soap wrapped him in her scent, clinging to his skin. Just like that, when he came back out, toweling his hair, it felt strange. As if they shared something secret now, their body both carrying the same faint fragrance.
I thought this would be exciting… but why am I not excited… more importantly…
A hot water right on his face seemingly yanked his focus back on track.
About earlier… why—
He takes a look at her by the desk, still on the same position, focused on the photo and stacks of documents.
Nah… I'll ask later…
Instead, he climbed onto his bed and took out his small, worn-out journal—his handwriting came out crooked, tired, barely legible. Notes about the day so far. And when he reached several pages before the back cover, his pen stopped moving.
"Hmm, about time I get myself a new book…"
Soon, the words ran dry, he shoved the journal aside and reached for his phone. Blue light burned against his eyelids, scrolling past meaningless feeds and some videos.
His body was heavier than he realized. His muscles ached from hours driving, every blink dragging longer than the last. Before he knew it, the phone slipped onto his chest, the hum of the air conditioner drowning into static, and sleep pulled him under without warning.
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