Tokyo in the Shadows

The stylised AR alarm clock, "made" by Renraku, wakes Kambei up in his relatively new apartment in Shibuya. A mental command shuts the small program off. The icon for "you've got mail" is blinking at the edge of Kambei's field of vision. Sorting through it doesn't take long. Mostly Adverts and news, cut down to tidbits short enough for the average sarariman to digest while his instant breakfast is being wolved down. Nothing really informative, but a big part of hiding is fitting in with the majority, so a subscription to those services is warranted.

Kambei sifts through the rest of the mail.

A new "Gojiira" simsense announced, which started a debate whether it was another veiled reference to the ring of fire, or if it depicts metahumans as a threat that will destroy the heart of Japan. MoM announced a boycot to be on the safe side, not that anyone in Neo-Tokyo cares about the organisation.

A free sample of "Unwrap me", Ai Nogami's new hit - deleted quickly.

A coupon for a free drink at "Celerity", valid tonight, 20.00. Written in blue Kanji - which means Shin Masura, the owner of the club, has work for Kambei.

A glance out of the window shows Neo-Tokyo. Without the darkness of the night and the sea of lights of the sprawl to add some luster, the town looks like the corporate playground it is, with just corporate logos adding color to a sea of gray concrete, and glass reflecting a grey sky.

It's another day in Kambei's new life.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/20/2008 - 0700

When in one of his light moods, Kambei likes to joke to himself that the worse part of being cast into the shadows was that he was really a morning person and now he almost never has anything to do in the morning. Today he was not in one of those moods. He sends a command into his commlink and the bleak view of Neo-Tokyo turns into a view of the ocean surf crashing into a cliffside with the sound to match playing directly in his ears.

Finally, about time one of these guys comes through. I was starting to get worried about my cash flow. I have to get more nuyen for that armor program Rattler has told me to get, so I can really jump into this hacking thing.

To motivate himself during his morning exercises he likes to imagine himself as the ocean, wearing away at the cliffside that represents his monolithic enemy. Lately, mostly due to his failure to unearth information on who ordered the murder of his father and the rest of his family, he has begun to imagine a vast conspiracy beginning at the highest levels of power in Renraku. He knows he won't be able to bring down Renraku, but like the ocean, he sure as hell would leave his mark.

Two hours of exercise, a whole lot of anger sweat away, and a ten minute shower later and he plugs into the Matrix jumping into his favorite nodes. He reads the latest gossip on the technomancers in Neo-Tokyo, savoring every nougat of new info - never mind the plausibility. He digests the latest celebrity gossip - a secret vice - making sure to avoid anything to do with Ai Nogami and purchases a few of the latest pop songs - another secret vice - again avoiding anything featuring Ai Nogami. After that he heads off to a few hands of poker for small change.

I really have to get myself into a good poker table and play for some real money. It's not quite as fun to do big stake gambling on the Matrix, doesn't feel the same.

Having finished off his morning routine - also ¥17 up - and coming up on noon he pulls on a pair of brown slacks, a white shirt, a thick red tie, a tweed vest and a pair of brown leather shoes and heads and makes sure his hair is just right before heading out to the local ramen shop with his recently purchase music playing in his ear.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/20/2008 - 1200

At noon, the streets are full with people swarming the foodstands. Many of those are junior employees buying lunch for their superiours who did not bring a bento, but a number are sararimen who just want to spend lunch hour outside their office. Kambei's regular ramen shop is swamped, but that's usual, and the owner is apt at handling the flood of orders. Past a young office lady balancing four "special orders" on one side, and two young men in expensive suits, probably stock brokers, making fun of their older colleague still at the office, Kambei gets his lunch with the tune of "L stands for Love", Miyu-chan's most recent hit, playing in his ears.

With some luck, Kambei even finds a free spot at a table. A mass of people pass through the shop during his meal, a constant flow of new ones replacing the ones who leave. About one hour later, the flow will turn into a trickle with Neo-Toyko's lunch hour over.

Some news pop up in his field of view during the meal. Traffic accident that claimed two lives blamed on "technomancing elements". Evo-sponsored media launching charges of corruption at the mayor that awarded the latest city computer system maintenance contract to Renraku.

Stepping out of the shop, Kambei sees two youths running past, empty hands moving as if handling weapons. Probably playing a Miracle Shooter ™ clone. It's still hours until he's expected at the club.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/20/2008 - 1300

Kambei makes sure to leave a decent tip for taking up a table for so long. He has always associated the morning and the afternoons with work and the evening with leisure. But lately with the lack of structured work he has taken to savoring his dinner AND lunch. He still devours his breakfast within minutes.

He strolls idly through the streets heading back to his apartment. He was starting to get restless, he hadn't found anything to point him towards his family's murder and he hadn't made any concentrated effort at findings anything.

Maybe it's time to start looking instead of waiting for the information to come to me, he though. Kambei stuffs his hands in his pockets and quickens his pace.

He stops at the Starbucks across the street from his apartment complex's entrance. His favorite barista is working the counter and he hesitates for a second before placing his order - as she catches him glancing at her - and he again decides against flirting with her. What would I do but bring a world of danger and secrecy into her life, he moped. She deserves better than that.

He smiles at her and gives her a generous tip as he takes his drink and heads to his apartment. A few minutes later he is flopped on his modern leather couch in a pair of boxes are jacked into the Matrix. Maybe I should go in hot this time and see if I can find more information that way, he thought. And like every other time this thought pops into his head he remembers the admonishments of Rattler to never go in hot till he is good enough and he puts aside the thought.

It's about time I start looking for what I need. I still have a whole day before I have to be at Celerity, lets see what I find.

He activates the stealth program on his custom-made commlink and begins searching for any information on shadowrunning type activity that has been linked to Renraku from a year prior to when his family was killed up to now. He wants to see if he can find any change in Renraku's pattern of covert activities since that incident that could point to a reason for the change.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/20/2008 - 1800

After hours of searching the net, a picture begins to emerge. Not a clear picture, to be honest, and not too reliable, since it's based on indirect hints and clues - not even ripples in the water, to use a metaphor one of Kambei's superiours once used, but the changes in the sunlight reflected by the water that's rippling - but a picture nonetheless.

Based upon the traces of net activity Kambei knows are related to Renraku's black ops information gathering - the routines people are told to avoid, yet fall into anway - and similar hints, there was a rise of activity shortly before the death of his father. Nothing after his death though. Whoever was his father's successor - there were three possible candidates, in his opinion, Yuuki Inoue, Takumi Sato, and Haruto Tanaka, inside the departement, unless they brought in someone from the outside - was not too interested in pursuing the circumstances of his father's death. Either because he was behind it, or because someone else higher up told him not to.

More telling is that the overall activity is still lower than before his father's death. Internal changes, most likely, or "house cleaning", still going on? Kambei knows he won't find out more through indirect - and safe - means. Not in the matrix, and the streets are never safe, despite the public perception.

It's almost time to get ready for the evening, if he wants to pass for a clubber.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/20/2008 - 1845

Kambei puts the finishing touch on his tie. One last adjustment to his vest to get the perfect fit and a final once over in the full view mirror to assure he is suitably presentable.

He retreats to the bedroom and stares once again in his safe holding all his permitted weapons. I still need to get used to not carrying a weapon on business, he thought. He closes the safe behind him on his way to the living room, grabs his subtly armored jacket and civilian commlink, and heads out to the elevator subconsciously tapping where he normally holsters his Predator.

Forty five minutes of stop and go traffic later Kambei parks his bike across the street from Celerity. I need to get a car to replace that company Lexus I uses to have. Rolling up in a bike doesn't quite hold up to pulling up in a Lexus to the valet parking. It doesn't look right to valet a bike.

It's still early and there is only a short line outside, never the less, Kambei passes a sizable tip to the bouncer and nods in appreciation as he steps through the entrance. He doesn't waste a second before ordering a beer and idly making a slow circuit of the club. He kills the remaining time before eight o'clock filtering out the background music and tuning his ears to catch interesting people's conversations as he wonders around getting the lay of the club.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 1930

The club is not yet packed, not even close to, and so Kambei catches some attention as he moves around. A group of younger women studies him in passing, and his profile gets more hits. Their conversation, which he overhears is interesting only on a personal level, but doesn't touch anything he is interested inprofessionally.

More interesting is a couple that doesn't speak - verbally, that is. From their mimic and some gestures it is clear they are communicating. They have a guarded look, and stand in a spot where they have both the main entrance and the door that leads to the staff area in their field of view. And they do not let him out of their eyes when he gets closer. Both wear casual clothes that seem armored, and just a touch out of style - like what's in the trideo shows, as opposed to what one sees on the street. The man looks slightly eurasian too, while the women seems ethnic japanese. Probably foreigners.

Two sararimen discuss the latest simporn near the bar, and the women in the club, mixing both topics as well as their fantasies and their real life up.

Back at the bar Kambei spots a woman, tall for a japanese, standing there, holding a drink in her hands and intently watching a couple - a middle-aged man and a young woman - a bit away.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 1930

Kambei concentrates for a moment and sets up a pair of AR visual indicators to correspond with the locations of the interesting couple's publicly broadcasted commlinks. Wouldn't surprise me if they were here to meet Masura, but I'll keep an eye on them just incase.

He leans against the bar and continues to sip his drink and carries on his half of a quick conversation with a computer recording informing his "friends" that he arrived early and is waiting for them at Celerity.

He sighs as he notices that the AR clock is indicating only five minutes have passes since he arrived. He nods to the tall Japanese woman as he leans against the bar - near her but leaving a respectable distance - and looks out on the dance floor. He calibrates his ears to tone down the background noise to a bare murmur and concentrate on the conversation of the gaijin and Japanese couple, the tall Japanese woman and the couple she was concentrating on. He sets his commlink to record the conversations and switches through them hoping for something of interest or at least some entertainment value. They should put things like this into adds for cyberears... they might just move a few extra units.

While he killed time he casually browses through the pubic profiles of the two younger ladies who browsed his profile when he came in, glancing at them casually. Looks like that Attention Coprocessor was worth it after-all, he thinks to himself as he splits his attention every which way.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 1940

The gaijin and the japanese are still sticking to communicating through other means - possibly the net. Of course, that's crackable, if one uses the right programs - and is not detected. Rattler would be able to do it easily, but Kambei?

The tall woman nods back, but her attention is on the couple she's observing. She's either carrying the biggest commlink under her light jacket, or she's packing something a bit more sinister, but Kambei can't make out what exactly. Most likely something blunt. The couple's conversation is mildly interesting, in a sordid way - another middle-aged man having an affair with a woman young enough to be his daughter, and telling her how he would not be able to leave his wife, or he'd lose his shot at promotion to human ressources manager at Shiawase's local powerplant. The woman looks like she's buying the story, so she's either naive, or a good actress.

The two younger women are, according to their profiles, students at the University of Tokyo. Their accent, almost but not quite hidden, shows they are from Kansai. First years, probably first time living alone in Tokyo, out for a good time. Already a bit tipsy, and giggling to each other. Interests listed - identical for both - are drawing, dancing, sports, and motorbikes. The later entry looks as if it was added recently, probably to give them a more "edgy" profile.

1940. 20 minutes to go.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 1940

Kambei is still a bit curious if that strange couple is here for business or not and continues to keep a inconspicuous eye on them but doesn't bother to listen in on them anymore. I'm not nearly good enough to even have a chance to hack in on their conversation. I'm really going to have to work on that...

He turns his eyes and attention to the sarariman and his woman and makes sure to get a good close-up look of his and her face and points of physical contact as he records the exchange and tags the file with his public profile. Just on the off-change that it might come in handy one day. Hell, maybe that lady is there for just that. He walks by her feigning another conversation with his tardy friend and he leans back with his drink in another spot at the bar with a better hearing shot of the two girls.

Kambei shifts the part of his hearing concentrating on the "professional" crowd - as he has taken to labeling them in his head - to the University of Tokyo girls. He glances at the clock in the corner of his vision - 19:43:32 - as he sipped his drink nearly emptying his glass and sneaks a glance at the two girls.

Seventeen more minutes. Damn. If this was another time and place, I'd have to see if I still had it. I bet they'd stay out all night too He sneaks another glance at them while listening on their banter and mutters to himself, "Damn it all."

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 1950

The couple lets drop two names - given names at least. The elder man is called "Souta", the young woman "Yui". The two students seem to have noticed Kambei moving closer, and started to giggle even more, sneaking glances his way, preening, and generally acting like Kimiko and Haruka, the mischievous duo from the popular "Love Road High School" series. They'd definetly stay the night, if they do not lose their nerve.

Alas, there's work coming up. 2000, time to cash in the coupon. Kambei turns to the bartender, which is already close to his spot at the bar, and transmits the coupon's code through his commlink. The bartender smiles, and tells him that his table is ready now.

A young woman, dressed in a typical waitress uniform, leads Kambei to the VIP area, prompting another reaction from the student duo, and renewed hits on your profile. The young woman - moving a bit too smoothly to be unaugmented - leads Kambei into the closed off VIP area, past the lounge, and to Shin Masura's office.

Shin greets Kambei politely, and bids him to sit. A bit of small talk follows, polite conversation about nothing, until he starts to lay out the basic information of a job offer. Not the details, which "Mr. Tanaka" will disclose at the actual meeting, should Kambei accept the job, but enough to get the gist of it. It's a search and return job - a teenage runaway. Masura hints at discretion being required, and that this would not be just a family matter, so there's probably more missing than a wayward teenager, but it's not a counter-extraktion.

Masura's offer starts at 5'000, plus a bonus of 2'500 if the matter is handled in three days.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 1950

Kambei smiles at the duo as he mofollows the "waitress" to the VIP area. Maybe if they are still here after I get the job, and there is no immediate urgency to the job.

Once in the office he bows politely and accepts Shin's offer to sit. He listens to the bare bones job description intently and makes note of the three day bonus. Hopefully he has information available that would facilitate getting this done in three days.

He considers negotiating the payment but decides against it, it's best I prove myself on the streets before I try to set my own price.

"I accept the job offer. What are the arangements for meeting Mr. Tanaka?"

[OOC] Bah, double post. [/OOC]

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2030

Shin Masura nods at your words.

"Mr. Tanaka will meet you here in about an hour."

Masura smiles, and dismisses you.

"Please enjoy the hospitality of my humble place until then, Kambei-san. Maki will inform you once Mr. Tanaka arrived."

The young woman that led you here enters again, smiling and bowing, and leads you outside. Presumably she's Maki. A faint ressemblance to Shin Masura is visible.

Outside, the student duo is still around, now in the company of two young men in expensive suits, Renraku pins on their collars. More people are in the club by now, not too many drunks yet though.

One hour to pass. Maki bows again, and disappears in the VIP area again. Definetly not a mere waitress.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2030

Kambei wonders about the Waitress - now capitalized as a formality in his mind, probably his daughter or a niece. I wonder if she is just here for show or if she can handle herself.

Putting that thought aside he thanks Mr. Masura and follows the Waitress out of the VIP area and thanks her with the appropriate level of respect. He glances around out of curiosity for the tall Japanese woman watching the scandelous couple and heads back for the bar near the mischiveous Duo.

He orders another drink he can nurse for a while, that's the one real problem with these meets in clubs. All this time to kill, and you look so awkward without a drink but you can't get drunk before you meet your client. Better watch how much I drink.

He leans back agains the bar and looks for the Duo and spots them talking to the two suits and smiles to himself, I knew those girls wouldn't be by themselves for too long. His expression suddenly goes sour as he spots the Renraku pins, drek, can't let yourself get pissy every time you see one of those. He recomposes himself as he catches one of the girls noticing him and flashes back a smile and takes a sip of his drink. He glances at his AR clock, another hour to kill.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2045

The girls giggle again, and the two Renraku employees glance back at Kambei as well, frowning, and move a bit closer to the Duo. One tries to put his arm around one of the girls' shoulder, but she backs away. More glances to Kambei, from both men and women. The one who had his move deflected looks decidedly unhappy, and seems to blame Kambei for his "bad luck", muttering something rather rude about Kambei under his breath, which causes his friend to chuckle. Both Maki and the bartender glance at the four as well, but make no move. Even the tall japanese woman looks over.

Meanwhile, something else catches the attention of most of the audience in the club - a great performance on the dance floor by a young couple. Siblings, according to their profile, and Sakura and Satoru Nakano.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2045

Kambei feels bad for the girls when he sees the Suits’ poor attempts at a come on. I’m still not convinced that it’s even a good idea to be socializing before meeting with a client, never mind, whether I should even be socializing with my situation the way it currently is, but I just can’t stand there while the Duo is being harassed and still think of myself as a man. Of course, the thought that he could be doing this just to upstage a pair of Renraku suits didn’t even brush his mind.

He puts his half empty drink on the bar and casually walks over to the four. When at the table he nods and smiles at the two girls. Not wanting to cause an embarrassing situation, and fully aware of the undue attention he may have drawn, he turns to the two suits and says, “Excuse me, but these two lovely ladies promised me a dance after I took care of my business, and I am sure you would not take offense if I take up their offer now before the dance floor is too crowded."

As he waited for the Duo and the Suits’ response he notices the Siblings and hopes that the spectacle will draw attention away.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2050



While the two suits do not look like they believe a word of what Kambei just said, there's something in his manner that makes them back off - helped along by the fact that he lets them save face. The Duo, as impressed by his manner it seems, if in a different way, smiles, and steps up, taking one of Kambei's arm each. The girls let him lead them to the dance floor, giggling again once they turn their back to the two suits.

With the attention of the club on the two sibling dancers, the scene went unnoticed by most guests. Only Maki, the bartender, and the tall woman seemed to have observed it, and Kambei may have impressed them in a positive, if small way.

Once dancing, the two - enthusiastic, if not exactly professional dancers - introduce themselves as Ayaka and Aoi, "AA" for friends. Definetly both from Kansai, reveling in the freedom Neo-Toyko offers them as students, after they studied almost non-stop for a year to pass the admittance test to the University.

Time passes quickly now.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2050

Kambei leads Ayaka and Aoi to the dance floor, not bothering to look back for the Suits’ reactions. They better get used to a lot of things not going their way if they want to fly their Renraku flag. That’s just bitterness on Kambei’s part. He used to be quite proud to fly that flag but he wouldn’t acknowledge that now.

After the first song, Kambei offers to get a drink for AA. He picks up whatever they requested and a gin an tonic – mostly tonic – for himself to not stand out while waiting for his meeting with Mr. Tanake.

After a couple more songs he pulls in the girls close to himself and speaks just loud enough for them to hear him over the music, “I need to have a business meeting in a bit and unfortunately I am not sure how long it will take. Could be twenty minutes, could be an hour. Depending on the meeting I might be able to stay out or not. I don’t know if you want to wait or not given my circumstances but I would be very happy if you were still here when I come back.�

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2115



Ayaka and Aoi, helped by the drinks the Renraku suits paid them, are intrigued by Kambei's "business meeting". The hint of danger it carries - normal business meetings are just not done at such a place, nor at this hour, where good, honest sararimen are getting drunk with their co-workers - seems just the thing the two have been looking for. They still play it coy though, acting cool.

"Well... maybe. We'll see."

The way they stick their heads together, and the hushed speculation Kambei's cyberears pick up when he leaves to get them another drink, tell another story though. Yes, he still got it. Even if they are not Ai Nogami.

The three have barely started on the drinks Kambei brought when Maki arrives, bowing, apologising for the interruption, and announces that Kambei's business partner just arrived, and would be waiting for him. The two girls muster Maki like two house cats muster a stray in their garden, but don't comment.

Maki leads Kambei back into the VIP area, to a booth there where a middle-aged man is waiting. Kambei's cyberears get interference from a white noise generator once he enters the booth - overhearing things will be hard if not impossible. A place for business.

"Mr. Tanaka" greets Kambei warmly, although it's plain to see if one knows the signs that he'd rather not be here, not hiring anyone.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2115

Kambei passes the minutes – now going by quickly – with dancing and small talk, what little is possible in a loud crowded club. When he notices Maki heading towards him, he pulls AA in close and speaks in their ears, “I have to go now for a little bit like I said. I’ll see you two in a little bit then if you decide to stay around for a little bit. If not,� he transfers his business card – Hiroshi Wanatabe, Personal Security Specialist – to their commlinks, “you have my info if you want to catch up later.�

He gives them both a smile and greets Maki politely and follows her with one last look to make sure AA were okay. Hopefully the Suits don’t decide to try their luck again.

As he heads into the VIP area he tries to quell the sudden bad mood that washes over him as he hears the first few notes of the recent Ai Nogami club-remix and filters the music completely silent. That’s the last thing I need. Just my luck.

Once introduced to Mr. Tanake he greets him politely, bowing appropriately to his prospective client and introducing himself if necesssary. “I have been told that you require some assistance. How can I be of service?�

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 - 2120

Mr. Tanaka opens with some casual conversation, your politeness seems to have put him at ease somewhat. After 15 minutes, he starts to lay out the details of the job. As was hinted at, his "niece" Ahiko Mori, age 17, has run away from home, to his family's shame. The "uncle" spends 10 minutes detailing this, dancing around the point, without giving any useful information - this must really weigh on his family.

Or on his corp. After another 10 minutes, he mentions that the dear teenager has taken his brother's commlink - with the access codes to a discrete bank account his corp has set up. Terribly embarassing, indeed, since the account was somehow forgotten on the tax sheets. While he doesn't mention it, it's clear that this was a balck account, probably used to pay bribes - or protection money.

So, the girls' family would like her wayward daughter and niece back, but also her father's property - intact. They'd be so grateful if this could be accomplished discretely. As usual, Mr. Tanaka doesn't mention money - that was handled by the fixer already.

After a bit of polite probing, Kambei gets some information on Ahiko. The girl was heavy into the indipendent rock music scene. On the picture he receives, she's wearing ripped leather, neon-colored hair, and punky make-up. The last boarding school she visited, Cherry Maiden School, had noted several disciplinary infractions, mostly for sneaking out, and suspected ties to some "bad youth" - a motorbike gang.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2120

Kambei listens to the sordid description of his client’s problem. He notes every scrap of information in his commlink – encrypted for security of course – and requests details and clarification when appropriate.

After he believes he has received all the basic information he would be provided he takes a breath and asks, “I understand that this is a very sensitive situation and I will be most discreet in my inquiries. However it would help if I could receive any additional information. Information such as any particular colors she may have started wearing recently, what kind of bikes she likes, specific bands she listens to, etc. Any information that may have been weaned from her commlink, her SIN – of course, and anything else that may prove to be useful like past relationships. I also would find it helpful if I could visit her room or any recent places she has resided in to look for any clues.�

I really hope this girl didn't get into any real trouble. There are a lot of bad places you can disappear into in Neo-Toyko...

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2120

It takes some time to get more information out of Mr. Tanaka. Not just because he's reluctant to talk about it, but also because he honestly does not seem to know much about his niece. Either he's not a relative, or Ahiko's family didn't really know or care much about her.

After 15 minutes - and a call back, from the way Mr. Tanaka started to talk about nothing in not so few words for some minutes - Kambei receives a playlist which was supposedly used on the family entertainment system, and a honda racing bike the girl placed an order for 6 month ago, which was cancelled by her father. And the names of two friends of hers, from school, Mai Mizuno and Ami Kuonji. The playlist is a spread of styles and languages that clash, with just one common link: All are underground, anti-corp. Either the girl is really independent, or this was just a provocation.

And after more back and forth, Kambei receives a note that will let him check the girl's room at the boarding school, passing for a corp employee.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2145

Kambei accepts the new information and notes it down carefully. "Thank you for the additional information. I know this is a difficult matter for you and I will try to bring it to a conclusion in good time."

Hopefully this girl hasn't gotten in too deep or been planning to do this for a while.

"I have two more things to clarify. How will I bring her to you once she has been located?" He pauses for a moment before the second uncomfortable question, "and do you have any specific instructions on what to do if she resists or whether you prefer I use my own judgment."

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2150

Mr. Tanaka tells Kambei, although again indirectly, and not looking at him while he says so, that he is to use his own judgement, and that there will be a limousine with a discrete driver coming for the girl, once she is with Kambei, since she will be "in need of some rest after her ordeal". Mr. Tanaka seems not too used to this sort of talk, although not entirely new to it either.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2150

Kambei nods after Mr. Tanaka’s response, “Thank you, I would recommend that you try to put your worries aside for now. I will contact you when I have Ahiko safe and sound. If you find any new information before the job is complete or remember anything that you think may be pertinent, please contact me immediately. The more information I have the faster I will finish this.

I’m vaguely curious what this situation is… or at least what corporation Ahiko’s father belongs to. Maybe a smaller corp without a very experienced Tanaka.

“Is there any things else that we need to discuss?�

While waiting for Mr. Tanaka’s likely nervous response Kambei found his mind wondering – an unusual event for him in a professional setting. I wonder if those two are still out there. What the hell am I thinking about them for right now, this isn’t the time for that… maybe I’ve been too much of a shut in lately? That’s probably why…

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2150

Mr. Tanaka has nothing else to discuss, and his assurance that he will contact Kambei should he happen to get more information sound like he is just being polite, but does not expect this will happen. But he does make sure Kambei has a business card with a contact number - even though it most likely is one provided by Masura, so there are no links between Kambei and Mr. Tanaka or his "family".

Not that finding out who Ahiko's father works for will be terribly difficult with a bit of matrix searching - Kambei got the credentials from her family, after all, so he can visit the boarding school.

Maki arrives again, and leads Kambei out of the room, bowing a bit deeper to Mr. Tanaka than to Kambei, both on account of Mr. Tanaka's seniority, as well as of his place as the paying client.

Inside the club, there are even more people. A slightly older crowd, compared to some of the hottest clubs, but that just means most of the people look like in their early twenties, as opposed to late teens. Despite this, Ayaka and Aoi are not hard to spot - the two Renraku suits are still staring at them, but so do three younger men wearing clothes a bit more "street fashion".

The two look a bit uncomfortable - maybe something happened? - but perk up when Ayaka spots Kambei and informs Aoi.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2150

Kambei accepts Mr. Tanaka’s assurances and bids him good day before taking his leave. He thanks Maki for her hospitality as she leads him out of the VIP area.

I’m going to have to remember to get a personal assistant like that when I make it big. I like the effect of an assistant who is clearly more than what she appears without telegraphing what that is.

As he steps out of the VIP area he immediately mentally updates his to-do list on his commlink. Do some research on the matrix for various info, hit up her dormitories for any clues and then hit the streets running.

Inside the club he bobs his head ever so slightly to the beat of a new club track by Papa Smiles – a new girl-band on the scene – and looks around for AA.

Normally he would be heading straight home to jack into the Matrix to begin his assignment but he didn’t want to leave the two hanging. I wonder if they even waited. They are probably already with a couple of other guys. It’s probably better if they aren’t here anyway, that way I can get straight to work.

After just a few steps he spots AA, smiles at them and heads in their direction. Just another step and he notices the Suits and the “street boys� still staring at them.

I hope they were alright out here by themselves. They are a bit young looking for this crowd. Wonder how old they are anyway, you can never trust a public profile. And what’s with that look on their faces, did something happen?

He smiles broadly to cover up his concern as he leans in close enough for them to hear him, “I’m glad to see you two stayed. Are you two alright?�

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2155

Ayaka and Aoi smile back.

"Of course." Ayaka sounds confident.

"Now." Aoi seems to be a bit more sensible. Emphasis on "bit".

Both girls may not have yet discovered that there were more dangerous things out in Neo-Tokyo than two drunk Renraku suits, and seem to enjoy the thrill it gives them to hang out near "dangerous" people - without knowing how dangerous those can be.

A quick glance shows that the two suits share this ignorance. Bolstered by alcohol, and prodded by their hurt egos, and lulled by the security the club provides, they seem to have missed that those "boys" in street fashion are not posers, but the real deal.

Zoku. Kambei can't place the gang sign right now, not without checking some matrix nodes, but they wear the right clothes, worn in places the factory-"aged" stuff isn't. And they feel real - the attitude, the movement, the way they cover each other. Those boys are used to the streets, and compared to the suits, they look like wolves next to poodles.

Zoku will behave in here, both to avoid a confrontation with thes ecurity as well as to avoid losing face for starting a ruckus in the club, but if the suits really want to cut in on them, they'd probably end up cut in a side alley.

Which reminds Kambei that he is cutting in. In front of him to cute girls, in over their head after they caught the wrong kind of attention, and behind him zoku. He can almost feel Maki's and the tall woman's eyes on him, probably both wondering what he will do now. Leave the girls to the zoku, and hope they won't turn them into "working girls"? Or risk trouble with the zoku?

Picture

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2155

Kambei nods and smiles, “Good.� He notices their mostly empty drinks and glances around the club as if scanning the whole place but really just scanning the Suits – which have been relegated to mostly harmless status – and the Zoku.

God damn it, this is just what I need. Why the hell did I do this? He can’t help but smile again as he look on their cute innocent faces. They have no idea the kind of trouble they could be in right now.

He leans in close and speaks a bit louder than he has to, “you mind coming with me to the other side of the club. I want to get a chance to talk without having to yell so much.�

Of course what I really want to find out is whether the Zoku follow, so I can gauge their interest in AA.

Kambei again filters the background volume down to a peep and focuses on the conversation with AA and the Zoku incase they say anything while he is walking to the other side of the club.

Assuming they’ll come along he takes one of each girls hands in his and leads the way through the crowded club to the other side trying to find a slightly quieter spot and one far enough away from their original spot so that anyone staring would have to follow to keep it up.

Kambei can’t help but keep thinking about the Zoku and what he has heard and seen them do in his recent travels through the seedier parts of Neo-Tokyo. I can’t leave them here by themselves. They’re nothing but raw meat before a pack of wolves. I can’t make an ass of myself in front of Maki either and whoever else that tall woman is. I don’t want a reputation as an idiot who’ll throw himself into a fire for a couple of cute women.

He worries more as he continues to clear a path through the crowd. [i]Father would never have left an innocent woman to the Zoku, even if he didn’t know her from a hole in the wall and you can’t either if you want to be able to live up to his name.

He glances backwards as if checking to make sure the girls are behind him despite the fact that he is holding their hand but just checking to see if the Zoku are following to keep them in sight.

So far they might just think you are an idiot who didn’t even notice them. If they confront me… what to do then…

Kambei for the first time found himself regretting not carrying a gun into the club.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2200

Ayaka and Aoi giggle as Kambei all but drags them to the other side. They still haven't noticed. Looking back, Kambei spots the Renarku suits following him, but the zoku are watching too, interested. From what he picks up of their conversation, they are wondering if Kambei is enhanced - seems at least one of them suspects Kambei is not just a sarariman. They also seem to not have laid claim to AA so far.

Maki's definetly watching. There won't be any trouble inside the club, or at least nothing that will last long. But Kambei does feel like he is getting tested by Shin Masura - and by the zoku there. Scare them off? And how? And what about the two suits?

The two girls are closer to Kambei now, smiling and giggling, and making jokes about the two suits.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2200

This whole situation has gone so far out of hand from what Kambei think it would be. This has gone from just a simple break in his arbitrary rules to try to enjoy himself and now it has turned into a test with the very real possibility of harm coming to innocents who have no idea what they are in the middle off.

Frag! I didn't even want to stay here. I was gonna ask them to head to another place with me so I could actually try to enjoy myself. I never wanted to dance my ass off here in front of a respected fixer. Now if I leave with and specially without them I'm going to look like a coward. I just need a second to think.

Realizing that leaving the club right now would definitely be considered a cowardly act by the various spectators he asks Ayaka and Aoi what they want to replace their drinks with and places their order with his own order of a Kirin beer.

Kambei wasn't very concerned with the Suits, though they could still cause him loss of face. He certainly didn't want to have two fights a pair of sararimen bolstered by liquid balls. He was sure he could break them easily enough but that was not a real option.

The zoku posed a far worse dillema though they have not yet tried to claim the girls for themselves. When Kambei overhears them discussing whether he was enhanced or not he laughed to himself silently, I knew I should have gone with the wired reflexes. At least that stuff is pretty obvious to the trained eye when you kick it on.

He is going ot have to come up with a better idea. As he chats with Ayaka and Aio he tries not to show any of his concern - though I imagine with some difficulty - while at the same time he begins a Matrix search on the particular markings of these zoku.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2215


It does not take Kambei long to identify the zoku whose members are watching him, just a few minutes. It would have been even faster if he had not been chatting with the two girls, and keeping an eye on the zoku and the two suits. The zoku are wearing a variety of colors and clothes, but one thing all have in common - a sleeveless, white t-shirt, no logo, and four silver piercings in the face, two on each brow. The White Oni.

That's good news, and bad news. The good news is that the White Oni are known for respecting style, subtlety, and general panache. The bad news is that they are also known for brutal violence against anyone that crosses them and doesn't have or earn their respect.

Yes, definetly a test. Kambei takes a quick stock of his situation. The two Renraku suits are about 5 meters away, boosting their courage with more expensive imported drinks. Their voices are harder to sort out, with a number of older businessmen and their escorts right next to them loudly toasting a successful deal. Looks like Renraku too, consultants.

Kambei's face must have shown some of his thoughts, since even Ayaka and Aoi must have picked up something, lowering their voices and asking if something was wrong. Aoi glances at the two suits, which she probably thinks are the cause for Kambei's concerns. Both girls are now a bit worried, but seem also a bit thrilled. The Trideo series have a lot to answer for.

What should he do? If he can get rid of the two suits with some style it should impress the White Oni enough, but how to do that? Intimidate them? Fake a "is this your car that was just stolen?" call for one of them? Divert their attention with a fake comm to that stunning young woman in a nearby booth who everyone who has not as much to drink as the two suits can see must belong to someone rich and important? Or try to pass as some Renraku exec higher in the pecking order than the junior duo there?

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2215

The White Oni, that’s not so bad. I think I can work a way out of this little mess.

Kambei continues to chitchat with Ayaka and Aoi. He takes his drink order from the waitress and passes the drinks to the two and takes a quick swig of his own.

He tries to smooth over their concern, “no there is nothing wrong. I’m just getting a little tired of seeing those two’s faces.�

I can’t hack any commlinks here yet, don’t have enough skills or the right program and I sure as hell don’t want to bother Rattler with this. I’ll never hear the end of it. Sometimes I really wish cracking heads was an option but this is not going to be one of those nights.

Kambei comes up with an idea he hopes will work, if it doesn’t he’ll have to think of another option. “Just give me a second girls, I think I saw someone I know.� He scans the crowd for a group of girls; they don’t even have to be too attractive – alcohol takes care of that if they are just average – and preferably something like a bachelorett party or a birthday party. Those crowds always have a few bored girls in the crowd, or ones who aren’t getting as much attention as the rest.

Having found a few potential groups fitting his description he scans through their public profiles quickly looking for someone who seems outgoing or more of a risk taker than the rest and preferably someone who doesn’t look like they can normally afford a place like this.

Settling on the most likely target he sends her an anonymous private message, “I apologize for the intrusion. I saw that you are looking bored and I have a couple friends who are in a similar position. I wanted to make you an offer. I wanted to offer ¥50 each to you and a friend if you are willing to go keep them company for an hour without letting them know you were asked to. I don’t want them to lose face in front of higher position executives. I’ll even up it to ¥100 each if you keep them occupied till your party goes home for the night.�

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2215

The face of the girl Kambei sent the PM to shows her reactions almost like a trid clip, if one knows what to look for - and has the cybereyes to catch it. There goes the "you've got mail" note, then the surprise at the anonymity, short pause while she decides whether she will simply delete it without reading, then the surprise at the offer, followed by some indignation, not too slowly replaced by reconsideration and justification. She looks around, trying to spot who may have sent the message, but Kambei is very good at being unnoticable.

From then on, it's just a formality. Kambei points out the two suits to her. The fact that they are pretty/handsome in the typical "young corp eployee" style helps a lot. After an advance payment - the girl is not stupid when it comes to money, she was obviously not born into a wealthy family - the girl and a friend of hers start out towards the two suits like guided missiles.

Alcohol and wounded egos combine, and judging from Kambei's experience, the two suits will settle for getting some company instead of getting revenge for what they see as a slight.

While Ayaka and Aoi comment on the two Renraku suits getting what they deserve, dissing both the suits and the girl's Kambei hired at the same time - they seem a bit annoyed that they were replaced as the object of the two men's attention, even though it could have been trouble - Kambei quickly glances at the White Oni. From what he can make out, at least someone there thinks that this was no coincidence, but will it be enough?

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2230

Kambei subtly watches the little drama unfold as he continues to chat with AA, getting to know them a little better and seeing if they are just out for a thrill for the first few times and what else they do for fun. While talking he stands very close to them, making sure no one in the crowd bumps into them and spill their drinks and also hoping to subtly show the zoku that he has “claimed� them.

“What do you two major in?� “Was it hard to get into University of Tokyo?�
�You two come to clubs like this a lot or is this the first time out in a place like this?� And more of the same… Kambei tries to steer the conversation so that it’s almost entirely about them.

Well, it looks like it worked… now to wait and see about the zoku.

Distractions somewhat aside and hoping the situation is somewhat resolved Kambei asks, “what do you girls want to do? You want to dance or would you rather stay off your feet?�

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2250

It's not really hard to steer the conversation to the duo. Ayaka and Aoi are most likely used to men talking about themselves first. They, thinking the threat has passed - and probably enjoying the "danger" in hindsight - cheerfully talk about a year of juko and studying. Their biggest fear apparently was that one of them would pass the admittance test, and the other would not. Now they are majoring in law and business.

From the way they dance around the question, it's also clear that this is their first time in this club, and that they have just started exploring Tokyo's nightlife. Apparently, they used to spend most of their time studying and he rest in their school's volleyball club - or watching trid.

They might be missing the activity, since they jump at the offer to dance, and Kambei is all but dragged to the dance floor. From the way the zoku watch, they are either very serious about dancing, or trying to spot signs of enhancements. Kambei also catches an amused smile from the tall japanese woman at his fate, and his cyberears pick up a comment from the gaijin to the woman he is standing with, to the extent of "all are japanese girls so forward, and it's just you that's diffoooof. That hurt."

Kambei's commlink also reports some probing of his firewall, stopped after a few tries.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2250

So it seems that they really are just a pair of “farm� girls out on their own for the first time. At least they are having fun and haven’t managed to hurt themselves yet but how long would it take before their naiveté gets them cut open for a simrig and chipfixed?

Kambei allows himself to be dragged along, though he resists just enough as they pull him along so they can feel his strength – why not have fun now that he’s in this situation – and heads to the dance floor. While not a professional dancer by any means, Kambei is fit, athletic, confident and has a good sense for picking the right beat to groove to. He leaves the flashy moves to the girls and plays his part down and tries to enjoy himself.

He has not forgotten about the zoku though and in the middle of a song he lets Aoi bump into his drink and “accidentally� drops it only to grab it in a blur of movement within a few inches of the floor.

Hopefully they take that as a hint that there’s something else going on. Who knew I’d be wishing for some flashy cyber one day…

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2320

The display of Kambei's reflexes does not pass unnoticed by the White Oni, and after a look from one of them, and a hint of a nod, they withdraw a few meters. Apparently, that was enough to make them consider what happened to the two suits as design, and not coincidence. That's one test he passed. Maki and the tall woman seem to have noticed it as well, but there's no sign if they consider it too flashy, or right.

After a while on the dancing floor, he leads the duo back to a spot near the bar. Ayaka and Aoi are flushed from the dance, and remark that they are a bit out of shape. Kambei reassures them that they look as pretty as can be.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2320

Kambei acknowledges the zoku's nod and within a few moments he feels the tenseness drain out of system. Glad that's over with. I'm not sure what Maki may have thought of how I handled them but at least it's Aoi and Ayaka won't know any better and they can go one more day without seeing the real Neo-Tokyo.

Seeing the girls all flushed and saying it was because they are out of shape, Kambei manages to resists the urge to tell them that it's probably the drinks and just decides to go with a compliment. Little lightweights, I wonder if they ever drank back in Kansai. At the bar Kambei finally relaxes and begins to enjoy himself and with his last drink he finally starts to feel the effects, if only a little bit.

Before to long he notices the time, 2335 on a Sunday night. I wonder when they have to go home to be able to get to school Monday. Not wanting to be rude, or more likely not wanting to ruin the moment Kambei holds his tongue. "Do you two want to stay here till they close up or maybe grab something to eat?"

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2335

Ayaka and Aoi ponder this for a bit, then settle for a compromise: Another round of dancing, before getting something to eat - something sweet. The music changes from a faster style to more mainstream pop when the dancing siblings leave the dance floor, and the duo takes advantage of that. The drinks affect them still, although their dancing just shows a hint of that.

A glance to the two Renraku suits shows them completely sloshed, sitting at a table, and Kambei's ears pick up a rather tall story they are trying to tell to the two girls with them - and some rumors and information about their division's office politics. Nothing that seems of immediate use - a new superiour, and increased controls on spending - but it might come in useful in the future, especially the two suits' judgement of the new superiour as someone that is more on their own, innovative side.

After about 30 minutes, with a girl hanging on each of his arms - not literally, but it does provide some needed steadying for the duo - Kambei leaves Celerity. The air outside is slightly cooler than inside, but not fresher. AA ask where he'll take them, and Kambei thinks about it a bit.

There are a number of open-air food stands, but they seem inadequate for the situation. There are also more modern places, and more traditional small restaurants. Decisions, Decisions...

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2345

Kambei makes sure to record the interesting part of the Suits’ conversation storing it for later reference. On the way out the club he nods to Maki and even the tall lady with the gaijin since she had been watching the “show.�

Outside he steadies Ayaka and Aoi – his arms wrapped around their shoulders – as he spends the moment appreciating the cool air. Turned out to be a nice night afterall. Kambei even manages to put aside the nagging thought about who the zoku ended up targetting instead.

“I think there is a French/Nipponese fusion desert shop just a block from here that’s usually open late. If you guys want something sweet, I think that would be the place to go, unless you want some real food.�

“How did you get here anyway, public transport or your own?�

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2345

The gaijin smiles broadly and gives Kambei a "thumbs up" sign, winking, and receives another elbow to the gut from his japanese friend (and possibly semi-hopeless love interest, if Kambei judged them correctly). No matter. Outside, the sky is still lit by countless neon signs and lights. Neo-Tokyo never sleeps.

Ayaka and Aoi cheer at the suggestion of the dessert shop, and start out toward it. The two girls also tell Kambei that they got here by pulic transport. Not surprisingly, since owning a car is not that common in Neo-Toyko, especially not for students - too much traffic jams, too high costs. They mention something about being on the lookout for some bikes, but it doesn't sound like an urgent project.

The desert shop - "Tour d'Eiffel", with a logo of the Eiffel tower, even though it could be mistaken for the Tokyo Tower - is not as "kawaii" as other such places closer to schools, catering to a more mature crowd. Still dominated by pastel colors, and the waitresses wear cutesy uniforms while the waiters could be on the cover of the latest Shojo-Manga. AA seem to prefer the slight "more than what I look like" appeal of Kambei, even if they missed his display inside Celerity.

Once sat down with their desserts of choice, the mood changes a bit, the chat slowing down as both girls polish off first a sundae, then some cake. The slow pop ballads playing in the background, and in the shop's AR node also contrast with the slightly edgier music from Celerity. A number of couples are here, and two groups of girls, all focusing on themselves.

Outside, the crowd that passes subtly changes, with the sararimen heading home, often stone drunk, and the night denizens coming out. The style worn by the average pedestrian changes too, street chic replacing office suits, and jewlery and make-up becoming more flashy. Shinjuku's starting to show its true face.

After about 20 more minutes, the conversation suddenly comes to a halt, as all three realise that it's time to leave "Tour d'Eiffel", but the two girls seem unsure where to go from there. Ayaka and Aoi seem to be torn between doing what's proper for a "good" (and obedient) girl, and return home, be "bad" and explore the nightlife a bit more, or be really "bad" (and daring), and see if Kambei takes them home.

"Celerity", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/20/2070 – 2345

Kambei has enjoyed the last hour and a half more than any other time he can remember in the last few months. This is the first time since he fled to the shadows that he actually feels like a real person again instead of just a machine and it felt good.

I don’t really want the night to end and it’s been so long since I’ve felt the warmth of a woman in my own home. It doesn’t even really feel like my home yet. He immediately tries to blank his thoughts as memories of Ai’s soft touch come flooding into his conscious mind. None of that tonight, that life is over now, this is who I am now.

He gently squeezes Ayaka and Aoi close to himself as they walk out of “Tour d’Eiffel� to let them close up for the night. “So, where do you want to go? It’s pretty late so I can drop you off at your home if you don’t mind doubling up on the back of my bike or I can pay for a taxi if you’d prefer that. Or we could go somewhere and have coffee or something. Whatever you want.�

Kambei would rather leave the decision up to them without trying to convince them to come back to his place. I’m not even sure if it’s a good idea for them to come over. Though they would have to leave for school by the time I have to go out on this job. What the hell would I do with two girls anyway…

"Tour d'Eiffel", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/21/2070 – 0010

For a moment, Ayaka and Aoi seem to look at Kambei as if they were seeing someone else. Did they catch a glimpse of his past and its pain on his face? Did he let something slip?

Whatever it was, it must appeal to them, since after a short exchange of glances, they press themselves closer to him, and announce softly, but with an impish undertone that they'd like to take the coffee at his appartement. For a moment, the two are not two girls looking up to the dangerous man, but two women looking at the more vulnerable man behind the mask.

"Tour d'Eiffel", Shinjuku, Neo-Tokyo, 04/21/2070 – 0010

Kambei holds them close as they walk towards where he parked his bike, letting the cool air clear his mind. Once at the bike he pauses for a moment, “I don’t really tend to wear a helmet when I’m out on the down. I hope you don’t mind.�

He grins sheepishly, “I promise I won’t crash.�

Kambei puts on a pair of shades out of habit – since his cybereyes could certainly handle helmet less driving – then waits for the girls to situate themselves on the bike and guns the engine and revs it loudly a few times for fun and pulls off onto the road. On the way home he goes through what he left out hoping there was nothing incriminating.

Guns are locked in the cabinet; closed the floor compartment; the other commlink might be out on the couch but that won’t matter too much; and the gym equipment isn’t organized but that’ll be okay. Good thing I saved that packet of real coffee for a special occasiona.

Assured that nothing could really go wrong he enjoys the rest of the ride home.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/21/2008 - 0700

Kambei is, for a chance, not woken up by his internal alarm, represented by an ARO looking like a stylised alarm clock, but by the sounds of activity in his appartement. Ayaka and Aoi, getting ready for university. Flashing back to last night, he comes to the conclusion that maybe Kansai is not that far behind Neo-Tokyo where the nightlife is considered. Ayaka and Aoi might have been naive with regards to Neo-Tokyo's clubs and dangers, but they were all but naive in other areas. He is not really sure who picked up whom in this constellation.

Giggling interrupts his thoughts, and he opens his eyes to see the two girls in his room. They bend down and kiss him on the cheek, and explain they'll have to leave early so they can change at their home before classes start - it would, according to them, be simply scandalous to wear their clubbing clothes to courses. Waving, the duo departs, with Ayaka to pop her head back around the doorframe, telling him he needs to restock his fridge some, then giggling again, Aoi shouting that the soup's still warm, and soon afterwards the door closes behind them, and his appartement is silent again. Just the smell of fresh miso soup lingers still.

And a few messages in his commlink, from the duo, making sure he has their numbers. And one from his fridge, which needs restocking. The duo has had some appetite, not surprising after last night. Quite an experience.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/21/2008 - 0700

Kambei slowly partakes of the surprise miso soup in a heavenly haze. This is not how he thought he would wake up Monday morning when he woke up the day before. Maybe he wouldn’t have to be so lonely after all if he could manage to keep his life properly compartmentalized.

I might have to reconsider what I think of Kansai. Those girls weren’t nearly as naïve as I had thought. No not at all. He opens the fridge to pour a glass of orange juice and he winces as he notices the empty carton in the trash, and they sure as hell have an appetite.

After his soup is done he decides to forgo his usual workout today, and to put aside the more pleasant memories from last night and hit the Matrix for a quick data search.

The first part of the plan is to get as much info as I can on this missing girl then when I have found all I can for now to head to her school and take a look at her dorm.

Shibuya, Neo-Tokyo - 04/21/2008 - 1000

The data search takes a bit longer than expected, and nets not much more information about Ahiko Mori that Kambei didn't know already. A few pictures of her on a party site. Various shots of young men with their arms around her. Most of the information he's after seems not to be public. But she seems to be a rather wild girl, getting into trouble with the teachers - and her family. One arrest after spray-painting obscene slogans on a wall in downtown. He gets the names of a few clubs she was seen at too.
It looks like Kambei will either have to sift through more secure matrixnodes, or get someone to do it for him, or do some legwork, and the dorm looks like a good place to start.

Driving to the dorm doesn't take long, in the lull between morning rush hour and noon. The first thing Kambei sees when approaching the boarding school is tall wall encircling the whole campus. Clean, creme-colored, but tall, and probably fitted with numerous sensors. The gates are manned by guards in uniform, armed with tasers and stun batons.
Inside the campus, a lush park greets him, going for a stretch before opening up to the main building. The buildings are old, traditional. A number of schoolgirls in uniform curiously watch Kambei arrive, then vanish when a middle-aged woman appears in the door, greeting you with a small bow. She's wearing conservative if western clothes, and an expression that looks like she's usually scowling.