FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

As lieutenant of the Obakimura family, Kiryu rarely ever came to the Toho Clan headquarters but it always astonished him every time he visited. The grand pagoda of black-lacquer tiles and austere wooden front, in a courtyard of stone lanterns and flowing ponds, made him feel some deep reverence in the depths of his soul as he stepped out of the car and walked with Sanjin beside him.

Both stood in their suits and their finest shoes much to the patriarch's chagrin. A few of the other patriarchs were around, mostly on their own business but one was especially prominent, a cockerel in a red suit that Sanjin averted his eyes from.

"That fuckin' cock's here," he pulled Kiryu away, "don't make contact with him 'til we're done with our meet."

"Welcome sirs." A crab in a butler's uniform bowed to them. "Shisa-sama is waiting for you, please come with me."

Following the crustacean whose long coat-tails swept over the back of his red shell, they walked up the mahogany stairs and headed to the meeting room of nearly two-dozen chairs where the patriarchs would usually meet. Beyond this they found themselves in the Fourth Chair's personal office with velour carpet, and black sofas framing a glass table where a small tray of vodka could be seen.

"Ahh, my friends." The lion-dog greeted them from his cherrywood desk. "I have some drinks for you, I hope your journey went well?"

"Good as it can be in a damn limousine," said Varan shaking his leg, "damn thing's fallen asleep."

"Thank you for receiving us, Shisa-sama," Kiryu bowed deeply, "Obakimura-san has told you about-"

"Yes," Shisahara nodded, "Gihei Ighorashi, I've done some research before our meeting and have the results here."

Rummaging through a drawer he bent downwards as Kiryu saw the old newspapers and photos covering the wall behind the desk, along with an old samurai sword, calligraphy banner and the grand emblem of the Toho Clan above them all.

One of the photos was remarkably well-preserved in sepia, showing a near-identical kaiju to that of Shisahara in a samurai uniform, standing next to a bashful-looking cow in peasant clothes. The warrior proudly put his foot upon a concussed bucktoothed reptile in a commodore's outfit, with stubby snout and shaggy hair covering his face.

"I don't recognise that one," Kiryu muttered.

"Oh?" his clan lord looked up behind him. "Ahhh yes, I just had it restored, that is my great-grandfather back during the Nagamugi Affair."

"Is that...the First Chair?"

"Indeed, that is Hisamitsu Shisahara. My grandfather, his son Azumi, took the picture, he was fascinated with photography and through some contacts I managed to make a copy."

"A copy?" Sanjin snorted slumping on the couch. "Why not get thuh real thing?"

"Because the original's in a museum," the Fourth Chair brought out a folder, "much as I would love the original, I wouldn't want to deprive the public of such history."

"Understandable," Kiryu squinted closer, "who are the other two?"

"The one on the right," the dog-lion took the photo off the wall and pointed at the bull, "that's Ernest Duncow, a beast from England who wanted to study and learn about our culture. He became very close friends of my family, in fact you see how he's rubbing his fist?"

"Yeah?"

"Because," Shisahara pointed down to the unconscious brigand, "he had just knocked out Charles Jabbert Woxingham, a commodore from the English Navy who insulted my great-grandfather over the right of way on the roadside."

"Hhhheehehahaha, shit are you serious?!" Sanjin cackled looking over. "You tellin' me sum civilian just cold-cocked a damn general?!"

"Apparently so!" the Fourth Chair put it back on the wall. "It makes a very good conversation starter, and a significant part of Japanese history."

"Sure got yer gums flapping, not that you need help wi' that."

"Yeees anyways let's get to the matter at hand."

Walking out from around his desk, Shisahara beckoned Kiryu to sit down opposite of him on the sofas, opening the folder on the table showing two golden dragons. One was Gihei, the same several horns cresting like a golden flame with pale white eyes and dark pupils; the other Kiryu did not recognise, having two perfectly-straight horns and black eyes with red pupils.

"The Jinuchu Clan," began Shisahara, "as far as we know they are being led by two chairs. Gihei Ighorashi, who owns Crown Enterprises, and Doi Ighorashi, who owns King Financial."

"Are they brothers?" Kiryu asked.

"If they're both Ighorashi then yeah," Sanjin nodded pouring himself a drink, "they were always tight-knit, that's a family I ain't heard in a long time."

"Why, were they famous?"

"They once controlled thuh whole o' Kansai, don't quite recall thuh previous patriarch but it wuz definitely an Ighorashi."

"They were thought to be destroyed in a clan war," said the Fourth Chair, "a bloodbath within Osaka that took the combined efforts of both Tokyo and Osaka PD to quell."

"Tokyo police?" Kiryu also took a drink. "That's a long way for them to travel to deal with Kansai affairs."

"Because one of the other groups the Jinuchu had been fighting owned business here, so that involved Tokyo police. Now."

The shisa flicked over the next page to reveal a company factsheet, as well as its logo and branding with several photos of its offices.

"You mentioned King Financial, and how according to Cafe Alps' staff Gihei has some pull with them to be able to rent their space."

"Yes," Kiryu nodded, "what's this company actually do?"

"They're an investment firm primarily, venture capitalists who obtain funds from corporations, to make investments in other companies with potential."

"That sounds pretty above board, why would they risk shaking hands with a thug like Gihei?"

"Because they're also thugs too," said Shisahara flicking to the next page of various articles, "rumours have circulated around King Financial's reputation, threatening rivals to back out of property auctions, atrocious slave labour with their staff, and tax evasion through foreign accounts."

"Huh...if we all know about that then why haven't they been arrested?"

"Through silencing others." Sanjin drank up his vodka. "I heard thuh name come up often in news where creatures made lawsuits against King Financial, but then suddenly back out a few weeks later. If that Gihei sunuvabitch is with 'em, I bet you ten-to-one he's thuh reason why those lawsuits disappear."

"I agree," said the Fourth Chair, "we don't actually know much about Crown Enterprises, other than the fact they operate out of Yokohama as their main port."

"Which means precisely jack shit since everybody operates outta Yokohama, s'like findin' a pebble in a mineshaft."

"Is it a shipping company?" Kiryu took another sip.

"On the surface it appears to be," the dog-lion turned the page to another company sheet, "everything is above board, surprisingly little spoken about it and everything is left intentionally vague. Word doesn't travel far out of Yokohama and unless you're actually there on the ground, we won't know much since business there tends to be very tight."

"Why, is there some kind of blackout?"

"We tried to establish ports in Yokohama when our clan moved to Tokyo but it was rather difficult with gangs established there at the time, so for convenience sake we have everything come out of Shimizu."

"So we don't have any sources." Kiryu leaned back finishing his glass. "I just remembered something, Gihei told me he was the left hand of the Jinuchu Clan."

"Ohh?" the Fourth Chair raised his brow. "What are you thinking Kiryu-san?"

"A left hand means a right hand and a supreme leader, that's like three creatures isn't it?"

"Hmmm...now you've got me curious, I'll try to dig up more research. Have you had any further luck with the Host?"

"We're backin' off fer now," said Sanjin refilling his glass, "thuh cops got real twitchy when we kept showin' up so we're playin' it safe, but if we happen to cross paths on the out an 'out then we bring 'er in."

"Very good." The Fourth Chair put his folder back on the desk. "As for the Jinuchu Clan, we cannot take any interference from them lightly, if they stand against any of our businesses, we shall be forced to fight them."

"Will you tell the other patriarchs Shisa-sama?" Kiryu asked straightening his suit.

"I will inform them yes. King Financial owns many shares in Tokyo properties, we'll all keep our eyes peeled."

"Thank you." Goji bowed as Varan joined him. "What about the body in the sewers, did you find anything else?"

"The police have been very quiet concerning that," said Shisahara rubbing his chin, "they only spoke of Tsuchimura in terms of the recent killing, but not this other body."

"I know that victim was killed different from the way the Host does."

"How'd you figure?" said Sanjin turning to Kiryu.

"The body wasn't in pieces, it was months old as well. Also the throat had been slit, that I noticed too."

"Well that definitely ain't thuh Host's M.O, an' you tell me this Gihei Ighorashi basically admitted it?"

"A waiter at Cafe Alps can back me on that," Kiryu nodded, "said I was interfering with his business concerning that body, should we tell the police?"

"...no." The clan chief shook his head. "I am certain they have more information about the victim than we do, and just as they are hesitant to incriminate us, I daresay they will be just as hesitant to bring Ighorashi in unless they have solid physical evidence."

"Understood."

They bowed to each other before getting up out their seats, Kin Shisahara heading back to his desk to put the folder in its drawer.

"I will send a message through your chauffeur should I find anything else. Until then, do your best to keep our businesses safe, and don't tolerate any of the Jinuchu's actions."

"Got it," Sanjin bowed heading to the door, "thanks again Shisa-han, you stay safe alright?"

"And you, Varan-san, Kiryu-san."

The two departed from the office and were escorted back outside the HQ. Stepping out into the courtyard, they caught the eye of the rooster in the red suit despite Sanjin's best efforts to power-walk to the car.

"HEY, Obakimura!"

"Awww fuck my ass," he groaned turning towards the brazen cock marching up to him.

"Didn't think I'd see you back here so soon, you catch that fuckin' Host yet?"

"We're coverin' thuh streets, ain't had no other murders so we must be doin' sumthin' right."

"If I had Kaijurocho there wouldn't BE any murders in the first place."

"Well if thuh Host ever come round to your neck o' thuh woods, you are more than welcome to make me eat my words, Itsumi."

"Heh, I'd rather you do your damn job back in the sticks, and leave the city work to city boys."

"I agree." Kiryu stepped forwards and loomed over the rooster. "So let us do OUR job, and you do yours, in the city."

"Uh, scuse me who the FUCK are you?"

"I'm the lieutenant of the Obakimura Family, and if you want to criticise us, you shouldn't be doing it in the courtyard like a 5-year old brat."

"WHAT, is this how you talk to your elders you shit-scale punk?!"

"Only the ones who talk like punks."

"Aaaanyways," Sanjin pulled Kiryu away, "we got business to do, back in thuh, ahem, BIG city, so y'all might wanna scoot on back to yer li'l district, Itsumi-kun."

"YOU won't be laughing when your whole family fucks Kaijurocho over!" the rooster thrust his feathered finger. "Shisahara-sama will be BEGGING me to take over and make the city run proper, instead of being driven to the ground by some sand-crawling beach-humping sandal-licking bitch!"

"Heh. That's cute." Varan walked off giving the finger. "Later cockface."

As they stepped back into the limo, their yak chauffeur drove them back to Kaijurocho without another word. Kiryu shook his head, staring out across the motorway with its hard stone-cast barriers where others cars and rickshaws rolled by at furious speeds.

"You got any idea where to start?" Sanjin asked.

"Not right now," Kiryu shook his head, "I'll do my usual routes, I've got a few things to do anyway so I'll ask around."

"Alrigh', good shit. Maybe Obara-kun might know sumthin' about King Financial, he always lookin' up shit online so he could do a li'l deep-diving."

"Sounds a good idea."

Nothing else was said until they returned back to their stomping grounds, parking at the giant red gate with Sanjin heading to the office whilst Kiryu planned to make his way down Showa Street in the east.

"Pardon me, sir."

He turned to see the yak chauffeur approach him with white gloves and a faded green suit.

"Forgive my impertinence but, I have heard in the ranks that you have become something of a problem solver in the city."

"I try to be," Kiryu nodded, "is there something I can help with?"

"Perhaps," the driver rubbed his gloves, "you see, I have a daughter, she should be almost thirty now, and she left our home after a brazen argument concerning her independence some years ago."

"Really?" Kiryu crossed his arms. "What was the problem?"

"Well...much as it pains me to say it, it was my fault and the missus', we are an old-fashioned family, we thought she was too young to strike out on her own at twenty-three and, regrettably, we did treat her as very much a child."

"So she left."

"Indeed, she..." Hakura sighed rubbing his hairy forehead, "somehow with a friend of hers she managed to find herself an apartment. She has not given us her address, and never sent a letter back...I just want to know if she's alright."

"Hmm..." Kiryu closed his eyes with a pensive nod, "she is an adult though, you should respect her choices."

"Oh but of course, I realise that now, I have made my peace with my misjudgment. But, could you just find her, and let me know that she is well?"

"Just that? Sure, you don't want me to pass on a message?"

"I would dare not intrude on her life," the chauffeur shook his head, "I fear she may still take umbrage with me and the missus, the youth of today can hold quite the grudge."

"I've known plenty elders hold grudges just as bad," Kiryu smirked, "but alright, I'll find her."

"Thank you Kiryu-san," the driver bowed, "her name is Yae Hakura, you have my number."

With a bow he stepped back into his car, the long tall-roofed limousine driving off down the road as Kiryu decided to go up Tenkaiju Street insead, having just remembered something. The Poppo convenience store glinted in the distance as a smile grew on his heart, stepping in briefly to wave to Gordon.

"Hello, Kiryu-san!"

"Hey there," he bowed to the clerk, "how are you McCartin-san?"

"Good, thank you!"

"Just wanted to let you know that I'm free today, I'll see you at seven?"

"Oh, yes, okay!" Gordon gave a thumbs up. "Do, you...h-have, a-allergies?"

"No."

"Good, I know place we go eat!"

"Nice." Kiryu grinned also giving a thumbs up. "I'll be here, there shouldn't be anything I have to do tonight."

"Okay, goodbye Kiryu-san!"

Taking his leave Goji took a long stroll down East Taihei Boulevard, the foot traffic rather low as most kaiju were still working in their offices and lunch had not yet broken. It made things easier for Kiryu to go down and check every single store front in the Toho's employ down Nagamichi Street, starting with the Pronto cafe.

"Morning!" the baboon manager waved behind the desk. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have an iced tea and uhh, an egg carbonara."

"Coming right up!"

He took a moment to savour the silence before lunch break would come rolling in and with it the wave of civilians that would be cluttering up every establishment. But that would not be for a short while, and so Kiryu enjoyed a quiet brunch with a rich egg carbonara and a cool iced tea. He did however notice one other customer. A familiar-looking sea serpent of long green body in yellow slacks and green apron, a pair of small wings stretching out his back.

"You're in earlier than usual," said Hima-san bringing the tray.

"Had a meeting up at HQ," Kiryu pointed at the other customer, "isn't that guy from Cafe Alps?"

"Oh yeah, we let them come here sometimes cuz, well, we're all just workers in the end right?"

"No rivalry at all?"

"Naaah just business, a customer's a customer, hey Tuilleksen!"

The primate waved as the serpent turned his head with a crooked smile of long curved fangs, who gasped waving back at the sight of Kiryu.

"OH, hey, good morning!"

"Hey there," Kiryu smiled, "you alright?"

"I'm good," Tuilleksen nodded, "thanks again for helping out."

"No problem, just getting brunch before the lunch rush?"

"Yyyep."

"Tuilleksen was telling me about the incident," said Hima dusting her apron, "glad we got a local hero like you, Kiryu-san."

"I don't tolerate thugs who try to threaten civilians," Gojirama nodded, "actually, since you're both here I wanted to ask about King Financial."

"Why, you looking to invest?"

"No, because I think they're connected to that thug who threatened Tuilleksen."

"That sounds right," the serpent slurped up a plate of spaghetti, "mmmm, good peppers in this Hima-san!"

"Thanks, don't steal the recipe!" the simian wagged her finger. "I dunno much on King myself other than what you hear in the news, stocks and whatnot."

"They bought shares in our chain so," Tuilleksen shrugged, "I know enough, we've met the boss a couple of times when he has his lunch."

"Not to be rude but, why Cafe Alps? Isn't that a little low-key for a CEO?"

"He likes the European aesthetic, so he can pretend to be cultured."

"Is that why you got hired?" the baboon crossed her arms. "Cuz Tuilleksen's pretty unusual."

"Hahah, yeah, I'm Danish," the serpent smiled sucking up more pasta, "it wasn't my first choice, but beggars can't be choosers."

"How long you been living here?" asked Kiryu.

"Uhhh, seven years? But I've learned Japanese for eleven."

"Pretty good." The kaiju took a moment to eat his carbonara. "What do you know about King Financial?"

"Doi Ighorashi is a bastard, he doesn't care about our chain, he just uses us for advertising so anytime we put our ads on, we have to have 'Sponsored by King Financial' in the corner legally."

"Ugh, that sucks," Hima shook her head, "so you're just a trophy?"

"Pretty much," Tuilleksen sighed drinking a can of soda, "his real choice of venue's actually the Sha-Wujing over at Issincho."

"Woah, Sha-Wujing?" the simian gasped. "That place is super posh, you have to like make reservations six months in advance!"

"Not when you're Ighorashi," the serpent rolled his eyes getting up from his seat, "he always goes on about it when he's at our place. Thanks for the spaghetti Hima-san."

"No problem, Tuillek-san," she gave him the fingerguns, "take care!"

With a chuckle he stepped out and headed down the street to his cafe, Kiryu finishing his meal and thanking Hima in turn before he left too. Seeing the horde of lunchgoers arrive, he quickly cut through Nagamichi Alley in order to reach Pink Street, avoiding the massive crowd of workers in the one street that nobody would visit during lunch.

The clubs were all closed this early in the day, giving Kiryu time to breathe and its workers time to relax with their regular lives. The neon signs looked sad and broken in the daytime, the street more resembling an abandoned theme park in its dim wistfulness before the nightlife would revive it once again. Kiryu stepped over to a doorway and lit up a cigarette to take a moment.

Sha-Wujing, he pondered to himself, not sure what I can do with that info, but any info's good at this point. There was also that old body, Ighorashi seemed really upset about it being found but...why? What did that victim find out about him?

"Well hey there sexy cheeks!"

A gold-furred kitsune came waltzing up to him, wearing a leather jacket and tight mean shorts.

"That hungry to start your training?"

"Oh, Myobi, right?"

"Myobi-CHAN," he tapped Kiryu's snout, "you know I don't work day shifts right, big slice?"

"Hmhm," Goji nodded, "I'm just taking a break, avoiding the crowd."

"Welllll if you got time to go slow, you got time to take the pole, that's what I say!"

"I know, I know, the lesson I owe you," Kiryu gestured with his cigarette, "I actually do have time now, if there's a place we can do it while all the clubs are closed-"

"OH, absoLUTELY!" the fox grabbed his arm and pulled him down the street. "Thankfully I've got a back key for just such an occasion, but remember this is your training, NOT the actual favour!"

"So you said." Kiryu silently cursed himself. "I've never done it before so I need the training either way."

"Exactly, and honestly I would have trained you first then save you for another night, are you free tonight?"

"No, I have a date."

"OH!" The kitsune clutched his breast. "Ohhhohohhh, I shouldn't be surprised with a thicc lovely boy like you, who's the lucky sweetie?"

"I'm not telling," Kiryu smirked, "I never kiss and tell."

"Mmmhmhmmmm, damn tease."

Taking Kiryu down a side alley, they went to the back of a building called " VIOLON AUTUMN" with petals of rose flying across its banner with vines wreathed around the sides. The back of it however was like any other building, old and grey with flaking paint as Myobi-chan led him down a set of stairs into the basement. A few cleaners were still around, waving to him as he brofisted and high-foured them back before opening the room towards a dark backstage.

"Hope you don't get stage fright, cutie," the fox swished his golden tail.

"I've never been on a stage before," Kiryu shrugged, "what are creatures expecting?"

"They expect you to show a lotta scale, big slice."

Through a dimly-lit passage Myobi-chan brought Kiryu to a velvet curtain, that he pulled open to reveal a centre stage with a pole grafted through its centre. In front of a medium-sized room, Kiryu saw chairs had been stacked on top of tables for the night, the lights flicking on at Myobi's touch to plant spotlights upon the pole in a lush velvet fuchsia.

"Just for the atmos, you understand," he tittered, "now the first rule of pole dancing is, of course, condition yourself right for it. It costs a HUGE amount of strength, not just to hold yourself in the right positions but also to make it look effortless."

"That makes sense," Kiryu nodded, "not exactly easy to lift your body off the floor."

"Exactly, but you'll be fine, I could tell you got a lot of meat, even under that suit that makes you look like a block of cheese."

"I like this suit, that's not going to change."

"Uuntil now!"

The fox quickly grabbed him from behind and pulled off the entire suit from his body, with shirt and all to reveal his thick rippling pectorals and a slightly-pudgy belly with sturdy abs beneath his taut fibrous arms of blackish-green. Staring at the strong smooth plated scales gliding down Kiryu's spine, Myobi gasped at the raw naked back split in half by the plates where muscles clenched to form rolling dark hills of furious strength.

"HOOOH!" the fox swept his brow. "That's...that's much more meat than I thought."

"How did you get my suit off so fast?" Kiryu looked behind.

"I'll teach you after this lesson. So, you already have the muscles for it, now you just gotta know the technique."

Walking up to the pole, the lithely kitsune pulled off his jacket and handed it to Kiryu, showing his naked chest where the fur managed to hide his surprisingly-toned muscles that shimmered like fields of wheat. Grabbing onto the pole, he lifted himself up and pressed one of his underarms against the hard steel beam, raising both his legs outwards and fully straight.

Pulling them back into a tuck, the fox wrapped his limbs round the pole with one hand still grabbing, leaning himself back until his head was upside down to face Kiryu with a smile. With outstretched other hand he stroking his fingers across Goji's hard chin as he gasped at Myobi's bare abs stretching out.

"Like what you see?"

"Uh...y-yes," Kiryu smirked, "that's impressive."

"Thank you," said the kitsune, "now, let's teach you some basic moves, I want you to do an air walk round the pole, like this."

He straightened his body on the pole, slowly spinning around with one hand gripping above his head and the other at his thighs whilst using his legs to swing outwards. He started to "walk" around the beam, his feet dangling softly before he slipped off like an angel's descent.

"Your turn," he offered the pole to him.

It was a struggle at first, largely because of Kiryu fighting against his weight to be able to move around the pole, more resembling a frog hanging off a bridge than a graceful ballerina. After some false starts, he managed to find his centre of balance and slowly but surely make his body swing in a circular motion. Myobi-chan taught him other moves over the course of the next hour, such as the basic tucking of the legs; the climb-and-hug, and the full embrace of the pole along with leg-hooking techniques that showed off his luxurious thighs even under his pants.

"Aaaand done," the fox clapped his hands, "how do you feel?"

"Ugh." The kaiju slumped against the pole with a sweaty chest. "That...was a lot harder than I thought."

"But you did well!" Myobi handed him back his suit. "You managed a whole hour without falling off the pole, I think you're ready for the big night."

"When I have time." Goji stood up redressing himself. "You going to teach me how to pull off my suit?"

"Mmmmm well, after impressing me with that whole display of muscular goodness you deserve a bonus, sooo alrighty! Come closer sweetie."

The kitsune pulled up to his ear and gave him the secret in a whisper. Kiryu gasped nodding with a smile, almost confused as he pulled back.

"That...really?"

"Mmhmm," Myobi nodded.

"That...that's oddly simple."

"It's an old secret of the city," the fox tapped his snout, "passed down by courtesans of the old temple who learned that trick to impress their guests, and since those like me are the inheritors of that profession, we know all the secrets that they learned too."

"That's impressive," Kiryu shook his head.

"No no no, now if you give me a cherry I can knot it with my tongue, THAT is impressive."

"Wait, for real?"

The saurian blinked as the kitsune grinned wider, the smile of a trickster as he took the scaly arm and walked him back out of the club onto the streets of the city.

"Enjoy your date," said Myobi rubbing his sleeve, "whoever they are is very lucky to catch a big fish like you."

"Heh, thanks," Kiryu nodded, "I'll come back for the night show in a few days, I promise."

"I know you will."

The fox waved him off as Kiryu felt more comfortable taking on the streets after lunch hour had passed, wandering on his daily route checking for miscreants or further interlopers that stepped on his turf. The dull pain in his left shoulder returned when he clenched his fist out of reflex from his pockets vibrating, pulling out his phone to see Sano's name as he headed straight for the temple.

Angy - got msg back from titan, we meet today, talk w priestess ok?

Goji - On my way, text me where we meet up.

Entering the temple grounds on the corner of Taihei Blvd. and Nagamichi Alley, Kiryu bowed to the priests tending the sand garden as they carved intricate patterns with a peaceful monotony, round-headed felines with short calico fur alongside pale shiba inus who dug and carefully raked the sands. He found the high priestess in a side room, her wings wrapped round her body as she stood in front of a small group of children whilst she pointed at a map of the world hung up on the stone wall.

"Now," she pointed at Europe, "what do we call creatures from here?"

"Beaaaasts?" they all said in unison.

"Very good," she pointed to the Americas, "aaand creatures from here?"

"Mooooonsters?"

"Excellent, now! Wwhat about Africa?"

There was a silence, shamefully so as little reptiles, mammals and pudgy larva-like insects shuffled on the floor in their kiddy-sized saris before one pupper lifted his hand.

"I-is...is it, Kiumbe?"

"YES, very good Inu-chan!" she swept her hand across the map. "Those from Africa are called Kiumbe. Those of the Middle East are known as Hayawan, and what about Asians like us?"

"KAIJU!" the children shrieked.

"VERY good, and what do we call everyone in the world together?"

"CREATURES!"

"WONDERFUL!" she clapped her four hands together. "Alright, that's all for geography today, now off to your next lesson and no running!"

"Yes Shoji-samaaa!"

They shuffled out of the room past Kiryu who stepped aside and bowed in turn to the young acolytes who tried their hardest not to barge straight through the hall with saris flowing behind. The moth Shoji bowed to the saurian as he returned the gesture.

"Can I help you young sir?" she tittered twitching her mandibles. "Need some extra credit with your favourite teacher?"

"Hmmm, I'm not sure," Kiryu smirked, "I've been a pretty bad boy, so I might need to stay in detention."

"Ohohhh don't you worry, I can keep you very busy until you learn your lesson."

Her smile widened as far as her pincers could reach.

"How are things Kiryu-san?"

"Good thanks," he walked up to her, "sadly not here for long, I need to talk with Aosukawa."

"Really? What for?"

Her eyes widened as she stared into his soul. Few creatures in the world could make Kiryu sweat with a single look, but Shoji was one of them as her compounded pupils grew bigger showing a dozen reflections.

Damn it, Kiryu grimaced, I can't lie to Shoji-sama, she can suss me out if I even try but I don't want to have Aosukawa get banished without giving her a chance to explain herself.

"It's a...private matter," he nodded carefully, "something about her past but I don't want to...humiliate her."

"Oh! I understand." The high priestess nodded much to Kiryu's surprise. "But I do have to ask, is she in danger again?"

"I don't know yet," he shook his head, "that's why I need to ask, I'm sorry but I need to be diplomatic."

"Mmmm, fair enough." She bowed walking through the halls. "I won't pry into my charge's affairs, I take it you did not either?"

"No," he shook his head following, "I saw her whilst out in the town and I need to ask about something."

"I see. She should be on the roof today, you haven't been up there in some time haven't you?"

"No, I haven't had time, I'm sorry."

"Oh it's fiiine," she took his arm with two of hers, "your flowers miss you Kiryu-san, you should come say hello."

"I'm sure they don't," he snorted.

"Why, because they cannot think?"

"No, because I raised them to be tough."

"Hmhmhm, good boy." Shoji tapped her head. "Every life is precious, even the ones without a mind possess a soul."

"I've seen plenty of mindless folks that's for sure," Kiryu chuckled as they headed up the stairs, "what about the soulless types?"

"Well...let's see."

=============

Five years ago she had been asked that question by Kiryu himself. It was also the first time she had brought him to the temple roof, the ninth floor that, if one was fortunate enough to see from a higher building, they would find but a taste of Nirvana. At the top of the winding stone-carved steps, a younger Kiryu followed Mosurakoto.

"Every life is precious," she said, "even the ones without a mind possess a soul."

"What about the ones who don't have souls?" he asked from behind. "I've seen plenty of kaiju like that."

"Even they have souls, much as one does not want to admit," she kept ascending the stairs, "the soul is but the truth of one creature, be that truth of good or evil, it is theirs alone."

"So you believe some creatures are just born evil?"

"No, not at all, I believe that all souls are a blank slate at birth, and our experiences shape them to become pure with good, or corrupt with evil."

"Hmm." Kiryu stopped on the last step. "I can...agree with that, damn this place has a lotta steps."

"I like to give boys a good workout." She grinned looking back to him.

"Is that something a priestess should say?"

"Why not? What are YOU thinking?"

"Uhh."

He suddenly clammed up as she chuckled, standing before the door to the roof itself as she opened it slowly. A blinding light came searing across Kiryu's face from the world outside as he stumbled forth with a grimace, feeling the stone turn to grass at a moment's notice when his eyes adjusted.

"What-......woah."

In this city was a garden, one that few kaiju ever saw up close but many had seen but a glimpse as a wondrous tantalising jewel in the midst of urban peaks. Every colour of the rainbow could be found across the length of a city block, the sounds of police sirens and the flapping of wings from authorised kaiju drifting in the background. The temple roof was covered by a perspex dome that trapped the heat inside like a giant greenhouse.

From gorgeous red hyacinths and orange windflowers, to vanilla-white tulips and bluebells, Kiryu stood in awe as Shoji took his hand and walked him through. Ponds filled with lilies and lotuses, columns wreathed in crysanthemums of yellow and violet, underneath which blue poppies sprouted along with black irises. At the centre of this haven, a large single cherry blossom tree stood above them, the lord of its domain with soft crimson tips peeking through its leaves.

"This..." Kiryu's mouth hung open, "this is...damn."

"The pride and joy of our temple," said Mosurakoto, "this garden has been tended for the past thirteen-hundred years. That tree was first planted by my ancestor, Enko Shojinaga, eight-hundred-and-forty-seven years ago."

"It...it's really lived that long?"

"Not exactly, sakura trees only live up to thirty years, but whenever it dies, we replant its seed in the same spot as a symbol of rebirth."

"Wow." Goji shook his head. "So your ancestors kept this place safe?"

"Since this tower was converted to a temple," Shoji nodded.

"Converted?" he turned to her. "What was it before?"

"A warlord's domain, now let me teach you some gardening."

"Why, are your assistants too busy?"

"No. I just hink it will do you some good, also you'd never say no to a lady, would you Kiryu-chan?"

She fluttered her eyes at him and rubbed her cheek against his arm, causing him to shiver with a sudden warmth as he reluctantly accepted. Taking him across the garden, Shoji guided the yakuza to a fresh patch of dirt, pulling out a packet of seeds and a small trowel from her robe.

"First you dig a nice little hole," she demonstrated thus, "then pop a seed in."

"I get that part," he nodded.

"Now you want to make sure they're nice and spaced out, if they're too close together they'll fight for the water and start to wither."

"Right, each one gets their own space."

"Exactly. I want you to plant a few of your own, and everytime you come here, I'll bring you up and you tend to them."

"Wait, for real?" Kiryu shook his head. "But why?"

"It's a good excuse to see me," Shoji grinned, "don't you like coming here, Kiryu-san?"

"I do, but-"

"Then it's settled." She offered him several packets of different seeds. "Pick one, but think carefully. The flower you pick shall remain in the garden for as long as it lives so don't be flippant."

"They're just flowers," he shrugged.

"They are not," she wagged her finger, "each flower represents something to someone, every flower in this garden represents many things such as love, grief, and happiness. There is a language amongst flowers, for example, the sakura tree represents fleeting beauty, a pure and gentle heart, such as the one who planted it. For his wife."

"Really?" Kiryu looked back to the sprouting blossoms. "But...wait, his wife, was that your-"

"Yes," Shoji nodded, "my ancestral grandfather, a military governor, planted this tree for his wife, my ancestral grandmother Mosuravati who was also the head priestess. His name was Enko Shojinaga, a kappa from Honshu, he's the one who built Enko Castle, the one that became the foundation of Tokyo back in 1162. That is also why all of my bloodline are given the name Shoji, in honour of his heart."

"Wow." His eyes drifted up to the sky. "So this tree is...as old as Tokyo?"

"Exactly." The priestess smiled. "There has never not been a tree in this exact spot, born and died watching this city grow all around it. Through strife, through war, through floods and storms, this temple has remained standing. So that is why."

He turned back towards her.

"The flower you pick, is very important here and now. You're not just planting a flower Kiryu-san, you are placing your heart in this garden. What does your heart tell you?"

She offered the packets.

"What does your heart speak?"

Several types of flower seeds were offered to him. White chrysanthemum, orange lilies, red camellia, yellow daffodils, purple wisteria and blue forget-me-nots. A rainbow of colours dazzled him with interest as his hand roamed over them, at first rather lazily drifting towards the orange lily. But the more he looked at Shoji, the more hesitant he became as he pulled back his hand and took a deep breath. He chose the white chrysanthemum.

"Ohhh." She smiled lifting her antennae. "Very good, it's very you."

"Heh...thanks."

"Now, let's begin planting."

Kiryu followed her instructions, digging a small hole and planting the seeds after which she brought out a small bag.

"Now before we water them, we have to put down the mulch."

"Why?" Kiryu asked.

"It helps slow down the evaporation of water, so we only need to water them less."

"Ahhh...huh, that's pretty smart."

"Now not too deep," she leaned over, "dig carefully around your seeds."

"Alright."

He dug a small trench around his little patch, Mosurakoto filling it after with the mulch before she offered him a watering can with levels on its side.

"Now you just want to water at least two inches, too much and the soil gets wet."

"Isn't it supposed to be?" Kiryu poured carefully.

"If it's too wet it becomes difficult to grow in."

"Then how do you know if it's too wet?"

"Like this."

She plucked a small wad of dirt and rolled it into a ball between her fingers, whilst her three other arms kept digging, planting and watering other seeds.

"Just make a little orb, then toss it on the stone. If it stays together, then it's too wet to plant. If it shatters, then it's good."

The moth threw it onto the ground where the dirt shattered.

"Damn there's a lot to remember," Kiryu shook his head, "I'm starting to regret this."

"Every relationship takes time," said Shoji rubbing his shoulder, "it might seem hard work at the start, but the fruits of your labour shall be well-received."

"Heh, fruits of my labour, huh?"

He turned to her briefly lost in her gaze, her wide blue eyes reflecting the sky as her antennae stiffened with a little flutter through her kimono. Kiryu clenched his neck before he looked past her.

"Hey, what are those?"

"Hmm?"

She turned her head towards an odd-looking plant that resembled a white upside-down bird with a single yellow flower.

"Oh, that." Her antennae drooped slightly. "That's the sagiso."

"It's really nice," Kiryu peered closer, "I've never seen that before, where'd you find it?"

"Oh, well, it was planted by someone else."

"One of the others here?"

"No...someone I loved."

A tender blush came to her cheeks as Kiryu bowed.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't ask."

"No no, it's fine, I did say every flower here is meant to last."

"So..." he pointed at the sagiso, "what does that one mean?"

"It means...'I'll be thinking of you, even in my dreams'."

"Wow." Kiryu rubbed his scalp. "That's...really specific for a flower."

"It's a fascinating language," Shoji giggled, "would you like to see the other flowers?"

"Sure." He stood up dusting his knees. "This place is amazing, can't believe I never saw it all these years."

"Most never do," she crossed two arms and held him with a third, "it's somewhat tantalising, something kaiju can see but never reach, a reminder that one must always strive to reach the best that they can be."

"Hmm...I like that." He smiled to her. "What about the flowers I planted, what do those mean?"

"Ohohhh, I'll tell you...next time you come back to water them."

"Heh, alright. Deal."

===========

So he continued to return, up to the present day where Kiryu sat down beside his white chrysanthemums next to the High Priestess.

"They're looking lovely!" Shoji tittered.

"Sure are," Goji smiled pouring the jug, "looks like the new sprouts are coming through."

"They certainly are, they've been so excited to show you their new babies."

"Heheh..." he gazed upon his chrysanthemums, "never thought about having kids."

"Would you?" she sat down beside him.

"Nah. Not one for family, how's your son by the way?"

"He's fine! Still working in waste management, he'll be applying to college soon as well, I'm very proud of him."

"Even when he's working in the sewer?"

"Well, I mean, I know I trained him about keeping spirits pure but, whatever works!"

"Heheh, that's still good of him," Kiryu nodded, "actually I know someone who works in sewer stuff, they're doing that campaign about-"

"Clean your chute, HAH!" she clapped her four hands. "Ohhh the little ones were telling me about it, they think it's the funniest thing they've heard all week, they had pamphlets and were talking about it non-stop, I had to tell them to keep a lid on it during dinner."

"Oh gods it's spreading," he groaned cupping his face, "I mean, you're already doing everything right with your water-saving tricks."

"Mmhmm, I was being eco-safe before it was cool, check it homie!"

"Please don't ever say 'homie' again."

"Ohohohoh!" Shoji patted his back. "Ahhh...I'm glad you continued to help me with the garden."

"It does help," Kiryu looked back to his flowers, "watching something you care for growing out of the dirt...makes you want to protect it."

"That's exactly why I had you here." She took his claws into her own. "Protecting with these hands, to nurture life and change in this city for the better. Even a futile gesture is worth doing, if it is the right thing to do."

"Yeah." He wrapped his large fingers around hers. "I thought the same thing."

The sound of a door opening alerted them both as they quickly pulled their hands away, seeing the young pale heron step into the garden with her sari flowing behind her.

"OH, h-hello, Shoji-sama, Kiryu-san."

"Hello Aosu-chan!" Mosurakoto waved to her. "I was just having Kiryu-san over for his chrysanthemums, you mind keeping him company whilst I check on things?"

"Yes, of course Shoji-sama."

She bowed deeply as the head priestess gave a look to Kiryu. He nodded as the moth departed, Shoji heading back down the stairs as the heron walked through the garden with a watering can, gently pouring over the flowers and checking which ones needed to be stripped of their old wilting foliage, pulling off deadened leaves to remove the deadweight, and encouraging the plants to grow stronger.

"How are you?" Kiryu asked first.

"Good, thank you!" she smiled not looking. "How are you?"

"Pretty good, thanks."

"Your chrysanthemums look really nice today."

"Yeah," Kiryu dug a small trench, "I'm glad they're doing alright, I never was into gardening but Shoji-sama taught me everything."

"I'm not surprised," the heron nodded cutting the leaves, "Shoji-sama's always been so nice, helping everyone out."

"How long have you been here?"

"Four years. Best decision I ever made."

"I bet," Goji stroked along the petals, "a nice home, food, shelter, basically a family you can always come back to."

"Yep," she sighed, "it's a real change from my previous life, when everyone was out for themselves, if you couldn't be ruthless you couldn't survive and well...that includes some other things."

"Mmmm."

"But here, all I need to do is just look after flowers, pray and spread the word of our temple. I'd never want any other life than this."

"So why would you risk losing it?"

Kiryu stood up walking over to her.

"I saw you in the Champion District, dealing something to a member of the Tunnel Snakes."

"Wh-what?!" the heron gasped stepping back. "N-no, no no no, I wasn't dealing!"

"What was it then? It seemed pretty hush-hush, did you steal something from the temple?"

"NO, I-...I would never!"

"You're lying." The reptile slitted his eyes. "I saw you, you handed something over, said it was hard to get it out of the temple, and you wouldn't get more in a while. Now I don't want to tell Shoji-sama because that means you'll be banished, so I'm giving you a chance to come clean, Aosukawa."

"...p-please don't tell her."

She wrapped her wings around herself and shivered with fear.

"I-i have nothing left, you saw those thugs trying to take me back, I-i can't go back on the streets, I'd be DEAD!"

"Why?"

"I-i...no, I can't, d-don't make me-"

"Aosukawa, please, let me help you." Kiryu offered his hand. "I don't want you to get in trouble, I don't want to break Shoji-sama's heart and you don't either. Why are you dealing with some punk in the back streets?"

"He's not a punk!" She took a deep breath. "I'm...I'm trying to help him. I've been giving him herbal sand, even though we're not allowed to take it out of the temple."

"Herbal sand?" The saurian crossed his arms.

"For our meditation chamber, we mix sand with special herbs to spread around the floor, and the scents swarm around you as well as get absorbed minutely through your feet when you sit on it. It's very soothing, but we can't take it out of the temple because it...technically counts as a narcotic by the way we process it."

"And you think, giving this to a Tunnel Snake was a good idea?"

"You don't know him!" Aosukawa snapped thrusting her head. "Saurose-san's a good creature, he might look a little rough but he genuinely wants to change himself and I'm trying to help him!"

"How, by sneaking out drugs to him?"

"IT'S NOT!"

The heron tried to calm herself with a small prayer and clasped her wings.

"It is NOT...drugs, I KNOW how creatures are on the streets, I'm not an idiot!"

"How long have you known this guy for?" Kiryu asked tightening his arms.

"Six months. Long enough to know he's serious about wanting to change, he's using the herbal sand to meditate because he's going through a lot."

"He's in a street gang."

"So that means I should abandon him?!"

"No, of course not." Gojirama rubbed his face. "Alright, look, I have a friend, who knows him, he's told me about him and he's arranged a meet-up, you and I are going to go down together so we get the truth out of him."

"I AM telling you the truth!"

"These streets are my duty, Aosukawa-san. I'll believe you on this, but I also need to hear his side of the story too, now...will you come with me and talk to him, so we don't tell Shoji-sama?"

"...fine." The priestess sighed with a heavy heart. "I'll come with you. Just so I can say I told you so."

"Not a good look for a priestess."

"Hmph."

Stepping away from the garden, Aosukawa walked with Kiryu down the stairs as they departed from the temple, managing to avoid Shoji's presence as he texted Sano to meet up in Champion District. Down to the far end of East Taihei, they slipped into the same alley she had walked down before, and into the old empty lot surrounded by walls and AC units.

A few minutes passed and soon Saurose would arrive, the tall aquatic reptilian looming over even Kiryu by a solid 2 feet in his leather jacket with leopard-spotted body.

"HEY!" he pointed a finger at Kiryu. "Step away from the lady."

"Or what?" he asked. "Are you going to start something?"

"You the guy who sent me the message about her, you tell me!"

"He's not."

Another voice came from the alley exit.

"I sent the message...long time no see Titan."

"B-buh...boss?!" Saurose turned with a gasp. "I-is that...that you-"

"What'd I tell you when I left?"

Sano stepped into the lot in his red jacket with Toho pin shining.

"You call me Spike now, or Sano since I'm not in the gang now."

"Wh-what, what's going on?! Why did you-what you doing with Aosu-chan?!"

"More like, what are YOU doing with Aosu-chan?"

The spiked kaiju pushed the tall reptile back towards the wall as Saurose put up his hands, the heron trying to run over between them.

"STOP, no don't hurt him!"

"He's not," said Kiryu putting a hand across, "don't worry, if you say he's legit, we'll see."

"You're still yakuza, I know what you do!"

"Alright," Sano cracked his knuckles in front of Saurose, "what're you doing with her?"

"N-nothing!" the spotted thug shook his head. "Why you gettin' up in my biz boss?!"

"Because Kiryu-san over here saw you dealing, now what is it?"

"It...i-it's just some medicine, that's all!"

"Medicine from a temple?" Anguirou snorted. "Come on dude, don't make me spike you."

"She...sh-she's not in trouble, is she?" Saurose looked to Aosu.

"Not yet," Kiryu crossed his arms, "I haven't told the high priestess, I just wanted to get this sorted."

"I TOLD you," she cried slapping his side, "it's herbal sand and nothing bad!"

"You said it was technically a narcotic."

"But he's not using it that way!"

"Are you?!" Sano grabbed the punk's jacket. "You better not be short with me Titan."

"N-NO, NO IT'S LEGIT!" Titan shrieked. "I-i'm just meditating, it clears my head!"

"Fuck off, YOU meditate?! You, the titan terror of Park Boulevard!?"

"I'M NOT LYING, I CHANGED BOSS!"

"OH YEAH, PROVE IT OR ELSE MY HORN GETS THROUGH YOUR SKULL!"

"I WAS TRYING TO CONVERT ALRIGHT?!"

"...wait, convert?"

"YEAH, you know...I-i wanted to go...hindu."

Saurose said this with an oddly-shameful look, Sano stepping back with Kiryu in turn as Aosukawa scowled up at him.

"I wanna leave the Snakes," muttered Taijin with a deep sigh, "it...it's not fun anymore boss, the new guy's just...just, everything sucks and I couldn't get out and if I try to leave I think he might kill me."

"But...b-but, hold up," the spikeback waved his hand, "what the fuck, you're like the biggest bastard we had!"

"Yeah when you were around. But now there's Rock, and he's even worse than me."

"O-oh. Shit."

Sano rubbed his neck with a sudden look that Kiryu knew too well.

"I know I've done a lotta bad things," said Saurose, "the park fire, the gambling hall explosion, that school bus missile-"

"Wait, school bus?" Aosukawa gasped.

"It was empty, don't worry! I never killed nobody, just committed rampant acts of vandalism!"

"Yeah that's why I thought you were in prison," said Anguirou, "after I left I heard about the school bus thing."

"Nah they never got me, but I did have to leave town for a while so I can see why you thought that. But that's not who I wanna be anymore."

"I told you." The heron grinned towards Kiryu.

"Yes, you did," Gojirama bowed, "I'm sorry for not taking you at your word."

"Soooo," the spiked kaiju turned back to the titan, "you said you wanted to convert?"

"Yeah," Saurose nodded rubbing his chest, "I got a lot of...shit, to get off my chest and Aosu-chan's really helped me find some kinda peace. You know I been through a lot, right boss?"

"Yeah, I know, but...just, kinda surprised you'd even wanna go spiritual, not saying it's a bad thing I mean hey that's great, just...damn."

"Heh, I haven't told anyone else, you know the others would laugh and beat the shit outta me, especially Rock."

"Who's Rock?" asked Goji stepping forth. "This the new leader?"

"Yeah, Rokuto Mutsuura." Titan sat down on an old milk crate. "He was a small-time dealer, then about two years back he took over the gang."

"How'd he do that?"

"He uh...well, he beat the shit outta me."

"You?" gasped Sano. "For real?"

"Yep, put me in the hospital, took over as the boss and by the time I came back, he turned us into a drug-dealing gang."

"D-...drugs?"

"That's terrible." Kiryu shook his head. "That...that's very serious, we can't have drugs on the street."

"That's why I was trying to help," said Aosukawa stepping in front, "I know what it's like to be trapped in an awful group, and if he can't change them by himself, then the second-best option's to help him leave!"

"So Aosu-chan told me 'bout the temple," said Saurose rubbing his knees, "said no one can touch you, cuz of some old law or whatever."

"You get it now?" she took Kiryu's hand. "I'm sorry I took herbal sand from the temple, I know it's not allowed but I was just trying to help-"

"Alright." Kiryu sighed clasping her winged fingers. "I'm sorry, again, I believe you now. I guess, Sano maybe we should-...Sano?"

They looked towards the spikebacked kaiju who was now staring at the wall deep in thought. Kiryu saw his fist shaking with a soft quelling anger that rippled through his arm.

"Saurose." Anguirou turned towards him. "Get me a meeting with Rock."

"Wh-what?!" he gasped. "Boss, n-no, no he would-"

"DID I STUTTER?!" He slammed his fist into the wall. "Get me. A fucking meeting, with Rock."

"What...what are you gonna do?"

"I'm getting rid of the gang. Once and for all. I can't let this go, you get that right Kiryu?"

"Hm." The lieutenant nodded. "I do. Saurose, I'm sorry about all this, but could you please arrange a meeting with your boss?"

"Are you serious?" the tallest kaiju shuddered. "Boss, he's gonna kill you, I don't wan-"

"Hey." Sano punched his arm. "It's me, remember? I'm a yakuza, not some street punk, besides not only is this personal, but if our gang's dealing drugs on the street then it's the Toho Clan's problem now, cuz WE run these streets, now would you rather wanna deal with us, or with the police who WILL fuck you up harder and send your asses to prison?"

"...yeah." Taijin nodded. "You're right. Alright, I'll set up a meeting for ya, I'll let you know the usual place."

"Cool." He nodded back. "Alright we're done here, Aosukawa-san, I'm sorry about all this."

"No no, it's fine," the priestess bowed, "if you can help him in any way, I'd be really glad, but please don't get yourself hurt."

"He won't," Kiryu smiled, "once Sano-san sets his mind to something, no one can stop him."

"Fuck yeah."

The Toho boys bumped fists, as Saurose said his goodbye to Aosukawa before he went to arrange a meeting. The priestess walked back to the temple with Kiryu and Sano escorting her, as they stopped at the entrance to the front zen garden where she bowed to them both.

"I'm sorry again for worrying you," she said.

"It's fine," Kiryu bowed in turn, "I won't say anything to Shoji-sama, I promise."

"Thank you. Lemme know how it goes."

"For sure," Sano winked with a thumbs up, "take care alright? Thanks for helping my boy Titan."

She smiled and headed back in, as the two males sighed and walked to the front of the Millennium Tower.

"Can't believe this shit," Anguirou shook his head, "I didn't mean to drag you into this-"

"Hey." Kiryu patted his chest. "I'm your friend. We drag each other into our messes, it's what friends do."

"Yeah...you're right, thanks."

They gripped each other's hand in a hard flex and slapped the other's shoulder.

"So what now?" Anguirou asked. "Don't got much else to do until Titan gets back to us."

"Well I have business tonight." Kiryu popped his collar. "I have a date."

"Wait, WHAT? Since when, who?!"

"Since a couple days back, you remember that guy from the Poppo store?"

"Wait...that dude who sells you sake?" Sano scritched his head. "Damn dude what you do, collect like six-hundred coupons?"

"Shut up," Kiryu slapped his chin, "I'll be busy the rest of the night but, I wanna ask you something. If you hear anything about the Jinuchu Clan, Kamoebara, or Gihei Ighorashi, you text me."

"Wait, who's Ighorashi?"

"Varan-san will tell you more, just keep your eyes peeled."

"Got it. I'll see ya after your date, loverboy."

Smirking to each other they soon parted ways, as Kiryu went to finish the rest of his route before he got himself ready for the date. All he could hope for was a quiet, normal night for once, before he would have to face any future incidents.