After Shira double-checked the folder—contracts, manifests, and the 'evidence' neatly arranged inside. As She opened the car door, she immediately greeted by the scent of fresh morning sea.
"Wait here, Renji. I'll be a while."
"Okie dokie, ma'am." He gave a lazy salute from the driver seat.
… At this point, his antics are growing on me…
She straightened her coat and walked toward the port's warehouse district, where it sprawled with identical lifeless buildings. A gust of wind made her wobble.
"Haah… sleepy… I could really use a day or two to relax…"
Through the half-open roller shutter door, she spotted the client already waiting inside one of the office rooms—clean-cut, late twenties, good posture. When their eyes met, he stood up and walked briskly to her with confidence.
"Good morning! You must be Miss Shira?"
She glanced at her wristwatch— 10.12 am.
"I thought I was early, Mr. Nakai. You've been waiting long?"
"Not at all! Please, have a seat."
The office was stripped to bare necessity, metal desk, several chairs. Shira sat opposite him.
"Once again, I apologize for the delay, it ended up being my responsibility instead of Miss Reika's."
"It's fine, as a fellow CEO, I understand Miss Reika's position. Delegation is a sign of trust."
"The delay must've been rough on your end? Mr. Nakai?"
"Ah, just a bit of inconvenience, but I have faith in KHX. Haha!"
"Glad to hear that," Shira replied with her professional smile—polite on the surface, but void of warmth. "Then, let's not waste time, shall we? We'll talk while checking the samples."
"Of course. This way."
He eagerly led her deeper into the warehouse. Five red containers stood in neat formation, each branded with Hisoka Pharmaceutical logo.
I see… same container alright… classic trick. Sneaking one or two under a batch of many… well… it sometimes worked if you're careful and lucky…
Nakai, blissfully unaware of her thoughts, walked ahead and swung open the container doors. "We're exporting overstocked medical equipment. Everything's listed in the contract."
"Overstocked? Rare for a pharmaceutical firm to hoard. That's more of a lifestyle-brand problem, isn't it?"
"Government's fault." He gave a theatrical sigh. "They scrapped a health-care program halfway. You know how politics are. Shouldn't trust those guys these days…"
"Haha, been there. Especially during election season. But hey, you finally got a willing buyer." Shira put an act to flip through the contract pages and continue with amused tone. "55 crates to the Middle East… Well, the 'demand' is there, I suppose."
"Well, Miss Shira, I prefer to call it humanitarian aid, really. Hehe." His grin returned, salesman-smooth. "Just happened that I got a lot of 'supplies'."
Shira stepped inside one of the containers—pretending to inspect the goods which she knows, all just a cover.
…Now… let's see what else can I fish out from his mouth…
She turned toward him, asking with harmless smile. "Where are you moving the rest of these from?"
"Osaka. I'll transfer them here tomorrow once the deal's set."
"Hmm? Then why not just handle it through Osaka Port? KHX runs routes there too."
Nakai clammed a bit, his confident rhythm faltered, while his eyes began to swim for answer, and he decided to act like he was in a deep thought.
"…It's strange …Mr. Igarashi said Osaka's congested." He said while glancing sideways. "Kanmon's faster."
Genzou Igarashi… so it was you… no wonder…
"Rare for Mr. Igarashi to endorse a new client, you must be close to him, Mr. Nakai."
"O-oh—no, no. I meant I heard it through one of his… proxies."
"My bad, if Mr. Igarashi said so, then I must've missed it." Shira said lightly, letting her shoulders slump in feigned fatigue. "Seems I've got a lot to improve."
"Yes, y-yes, happens to all of us," Nakai replied, his expression stiff but recovering. After several minutes talking nothing about business, as they reached the last one, Shira nodded.
"I've seen enough. Though, it's in a good condition for 'overstocked' goods."
"Hisoka Pharmaceutical has a reputation to uphold, now, let's discuss the deal, shall we?"
They walk back in the office, she skimmed the copy of contract he holds that was made by Reika, while Nakai watched her eyes move across the pages, and exactly when she's on the page about numbers—
"From my deal with Miss Reika, it's ¥40.5 million," —he chimed in perfectly.
"…That covers freight only, you'll need to account for bunker adjustments, terminal handling, customs, inland fees—another twenty percent." Shira hummed without looking at him.
"Yes, yes, that's fine. Still within expectation." By his immediate reply, Shira shifts her eyes to Nakai's face, gauging him.
Hmm… no hesitation… not even flinching at the increase— I guess he just wants those weapons gone from Japan.
"Mr. Nakai, the rest of the contents are consistent with what I've seen today?"
"Exactly. Surgical instruments, hospital furniture, ultrasound machines, ECG monitors, a few defibrillators, and some laboratory analyzers. Everything's palletized and labeled for institutional use." He answers smoothly, like he already recited it numerous times.
"I might add. That sending medical cargo to the Middle East attracts those overly annoying customs officer at times." Her tone dipped meaningfully. "If 'anything' doesn't match the manifest, it'll be headache on your end and I can't do anything about it."
"No issues there, it's alright. Everything matches— Just ship it, my client wants it fast."
Subtleties wasted on you, huh?
Shira's plastic smile melted into one of cold-blooded predator as she put down the thick contract on her hand aside.
"Of course we will. Just letting you know… Customs and legal work aren't KHX's domain—" Her voice dips lower. "—not in our basic service, that is."
At Shira's cold stare, Nakai finally flinch.
"Y-yes, well, I already discussed that with Miss Reika. We agreed on the right price."
"…Hmmm… 'Right price.' huh," she made sure he heard every bit of her words. "Considering Miss Reika didn't know the merchandise under those medical supplies of yours."
Nakai's perfect composure faltered, the edge of his lips twitched.
"Well, Miss Shira… I planned to show her the contents myself, but she postponed—"
"Hey, Nakai," she interrupted gently. "I just don't get it. Why would the police care so much about medical supplies?"
"I-I agree, but w-what do you mean?"
"I value transparency in business. Cutting corners with me was a poor choice, not a cheap one."
"O-oh, it's about that, well, don't worry Miss Shira… I can put some extra just for you, okay—"
"—I wonder. Like how they raided your Osaka warehouse. Will they raid Shimonoseki Newport too?"
Nakai shot from his seat and stare ghastly at her. Before he could stammer, she slid a printed photo across the table—an x-ray still showing the silhouette of rifles and magazines inside one of his containers.
"Nakai… for this, we charge extra. Different category of shipment."
"You—! Where did you—how!?"
She ignored the panic and pushed a new contract toward him, already stamped and signed— along with escrow Instructions above the table.
¥75 million. Full amount upfront. Non-refundable retainer. Sign and wire it now… Ah, don't worry, It's the same account you used for the Osaka shipments—pre-cleared and active."
His mouth opened and closed soundlessly.
"T-that's absurd!! That much?!"
"…If you don't want it. Feel free to walk away. Frankly, you won't find anyone else kind enough to say yes even at my price tag…" Her finger tapped the photo lazily, like testing a piano key.
"Ggh!!" Nakai's expression crumpled, all his business-like charisma was down the drain.
"Look… I don't care how and why you had these… but since you already know the true 'capability' of KHX, I can make sure it all goes smoothly—"
"—I already paid Igarashi extra!! You people working together to extort me!?"
"I didn't even know Igarashi was involved, you paid him on your own volition. This one with me, is the actual way out of your problems."
He still hesitates, stuck between anger, about to yell and whatever else in between, and Shira jabbed the final blade into the wound.
"Decision, please. I don't have all day…" With almost a mocking voice, she added "Think of it as the 'pocket change' for Hisoka Pharmaceutical's lovely reputation."
"Damn you all! Fucking vultures!!"
Silence stretched. Until finally, Nakai snatched the papers, pulled out his phone, and made the transfer—hands shaking in frustration. He showed her the confirmation screen.
"…Pleasure doing business with you, Nakai." Then Shira left him with a smile.
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Renji leaning on the car, staring absentmindedly at the sea. despite the phone in his hand and keep scrolling without thought. Trucks come and go, stacked with crates of fish and other seafood products.
"Sushi... sashimi... huh… when was the last time I ate those…"
Then a phantom smell hit him— All of those rotting fishy stench, a very recent memory. His stomach churned.
…Nah… I don't want to see fish for a while….
"—Renji. Let's go."
The voice behind him made him startled. He turned—Shira stood there, calm as ever.
Come to think of it, how the heck does she walk around without even a sound of footsteps…?
"… Thought you'd take longer, Miss Shira."
"What? If you still want to admire the sea, you can stay. I'll take the car."
"No way. I'm already bored to death…"
"Hmm, you survived more than half a day in a trash bin and you can still feel boredom?"
"...Sheesh…" Renji slid into the driver's seat without another word. Shira followed, still smiling faintly. And they drive out from Kanmon port.
"So... where to now?" He asked while making a turn to the main road.
"We could grab a sushi. Or sashimi. Fugu's the specialty here."
"…You heard me…?"
"You said it out loud."
"…I'll pass."
"No need to hesitate. Consider it… a retrospective celebration."
"No, I mean… I'm staying away from seafood or anything swimming for now."
Shira laughed softly. "Heh, fine. Then what do you feel like eating?"
If you ask me suddenly, I can't decide… and I don't know this area either…
Until they stopped at the red traffic light ahead, Renji thought his choice, then he mumbles.
"…Burger, I think… Saw a 'Burger Planet' chain near the junction the other day."
"…What? Burger?" Shira sounded mildly in disdain. "… What about steak, then?"
Renji perked up and nods in agreement. "Ohh… Steak. Awesome." The light turned green. He pressed the pedal.
The place Shira led him to wasn't five-star, but fancy enough that no average salary worker would casually stroll inside.
They took a window table. Snow falling outside under then sun, and the air inside was warm, heavy with the appetizing scent of charred meat and aromatic spices.
"Pick whatever," Shira said, stretching her arms slightly. "Though, I'd recommend the Wagyu Shatōburian."
"… The name sounds... tasty?" Renji stared at the menu, eyes bouncing between kanji and price tags. "Guess I'll go with that one."
Shira called the waiter, gave their orders, and leaned back. Renji's gaze wandered, appreciating the interior of the restaurant, where there only two other customers on the far side from where they seated.
He spoke without looking at her. "So... everything went alright?"
"As planned."
"Cool…"
"What? You want a compliment?"
"It's not that… Just... curious…"
"Hehe… well, in a hindsight, your effort not completely useless, if that make you feel better."
"…Cool…"
No… I've got to ask this…
"Miss Shira... am I... getting involved in something… dangerous?"
She didn't answer immediately, only thoughtfully studied him for a moment.
"Let's talk about that when we're back in Tokyo, good chance since I do have a lot to talk about to you too. But to be upfront—you're a driver, just not the kind you imagined."
Renji clasped his head between his hands, fingers clutching his dark—short wavy hair.
…Are you… for real…
"Why… me…?" he groaned in defeat.
"You'll have to ask Miss Reika for that; I'm just following her words."
"I see…"
The waiter arrived with two plates gleaming with perfectly seared wagyu. The savory and rich aroma quickly overwhelmed him, Renji's mouth watered before he even realized it.
"At least a steak is better than discounted fruit everyday once in a while, no?" Shira uncharacteristically teased, trying to ease the air with a sarcastic smirk.
"Damn... you remember that?"
"Not exactly forgettable."
They ate mostly in silence after that. The meat melted like butter on his mouth, and for a fleeting moment, Renji almost forgot the stench of the garbage, the rusted metal, and the crawling bugs.
Then Shira's phone vibrated inside her coat. She took it out and glanced at the screen.
'Reika Hiraga.'
"Renji, excuse me."
"Oh, sure."
--------
She walks out from the restaurant, looking around to make sure no one close by, she answered the call.
"Miss Reika—"
"Good afternoon, Shira. How's the situation on your end?" Comes Reika voice, a soft, mature, firm, all at once.
"Yes, I've secured the deal with Hisoka, I'll handle the paperwork once I return. You can expect it on your desk within—"
Her words trailed off and stretched into a pause as her mind shifted gears.
Right… new batch of documents means I'll need to forge a service agreement, freight cost sheet, and a proof of payment to match everything else.
"—another 4-5 days," she finished after a breath, concluding her report.
"Things wrapped up faster than expected."
"Yes, and since Renji is surprisingly… useful… I plan to use the last day here for a break before we head back."
Reika let out a soft chuckle—though a forced one. Then she continued hesitantly. "… Shira… if everything's wrapped up there… could you come back to Tokyo earlier…?"
Well… So much for taking a proper break.
Shira's shoulders eased with a resigned sigh. With a weak smile, she replied in a knowing, exasperated tone, "What's this? Which boardman did you piss off this time, Rita?"
She expected Reika would've laughed—maybe even fired back with similar energy.
"…Shira…" But her voice dropped, almost straining. "Listen… it's—"
For a moment, the only sound around her was the wash of passing cars and the hiss of cold wind threading through the narrow street.
…What was that…?
Shira closed her eyes in disbelief at what she just heard, her thin smile vanished instantly.
"—I understand," Shira said quietly. Her voice had lost all trace of ease. "I'll return before sunrise."
She ended the call and stood there for a moment, eyes lingered at Renji through the window. Inside, Renji sat at the table, hunched slightly, chewing on his steak with a kind of innocent focus that didn't belong in her world.
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