Venom

Success

She was in the car that day. By her father’s side. Always by her father’s side. That was why everyone knew her as daddy’s girl. No one had ever seen them without the other. So it only made sense that he always took her everywhere.

To close of a deal, work, parties and handle business. He had told her that, “This will be your life one day. Better get used to it now”. And she was getting used to it, but always had a caretaker watching her. Bodyguard, but her father wanted her to see her as family. Karou’s mother at the time.

During that time she had been unlucky to meet Takahiro. She didn’t like how the man looked at her, and how he looked at her father at the time. She didn’t know the meaning of sinister at the time, but she knew later that was what it was. He’d just stare at them for some time which scared her, and then smile.

He reminded her of all the vultures she had seen on geography channels. Just waiting for their prey to die. She scared him, but her dad was there to protect her.

She had only seen him twice and she could tell that her father and that man, which she had learnt was Takahiro weren’t friends. Both parties looked ready to fight, but she wasn’t ready to see that yet. But Sachi was. Well still too young in her position but she could witness it. She had begun her training at thirteen.

She was always taken away and her father would come back and pick her up and they’d leave. Not what children should be exposed to, but it was normal for her.

It had been a normal drive back after her father closed of one of their deals when it happened, and they weren’t prepared. The car at the front screeched to a halt, then their car also hit something and collided with it, and then the one behind them.

Their car spun around before coming to a halt, and again they were hit from the side sending them into a summersault. Her father held her tight trying to shield her while she screamed. Reika was saying something but she couldn’t hear.

The car stopped. Upside down. She opened her teary eyes to see blood on his face and that wanted to make her cry louder, but he covered her mouth.

“Reika” he rasped out.

“S-sir” she replied.

She could hear gunshots and she held tighter onto her father. Reika removed her seatbelt and she crawled out the window and stood on shaky legs. A few seconds later she was down. Megumi wanted to scream, but her father covered her mouth.

“Dad” she whimpered.

He smiled at her and he handed her a box. “Don’t forget everything I taught you. That is the only thing that’ll keep you alive”.

She cried into his hands. Tears and snot landing on his hands.

“Protect your sister” and he pushed her towards the body of Reika. She landed on the woman’s legs, but she still had a clear view of the car. She would have jumped back in, but she stilled all movements when she heard footsteps crunching on broken glass.

She stopped breathing. Survival instincts that she had been taught. She saw the legs by her father’s side bend and then the face that had really scared her. Takahiro with those same eyes.

The bullet went through her father’s head and the blood also got on her. She swallowed her scream and made her eyes go unfocused. She could feel him look to her and she hoped she didn’t show any signs of being alive. He didn’t pay her any attention. He stood up and walked away.

She laid there, still holding her breath for a few minutes before she got up and went to her father who was already dead. She made a call and before help arrived she cried her heart out. When help arrived Sachi was part of it, and she lost it on the spot.

The scream of loss and pain and she turned violent on everyone. That was when she went mad. The name mad one was formed. Unfit to rule the gang. And all eyes turned to the youngest. Sachi was bound to her bed while everything took place. Her training and everything. No one knew if she’d ever be normal again.

And the box that she had been given before his death was meant to be her birthday gift. And now that gun would only serve one purpose. A white revolver. Very beautiful, portable and easy to handle. She’d use that to get her revenge, but things change.

Just like the way Sachi improved after years of treatment. She wasn’t completely sane, but was getting there. She wasn’t expecting Takashi to walk into her life, but he did and now he was going to help her.

She swung her blade and loved hearing it slice air. Only if it was flesh. The flesh of Takahiro. She dropped the sword back on its stand after sheathing it and left to go find Takashi. After he had proved her wrong, he had told him to work with Karou. To see how his devices could benefit their gang.

They looked cute and she realized that Takashi was actually smart. She had heard about his father before, so if he had learnt from his father, why wasn’t he recruited by her father? 

She shrugged. Her father did things his own way.

VVVVV

“So you just turn the canister like this” Takashi showed her. And the thing was actually making a small beeping noise. She refused to be impressed.

“Then wait three seconds before you throw it” and he did that, and a gas cloud filled the area he threw it to.

“What does it do?”

“It stuns your opponent for a while. Temporary blindness just like multiple camera flashes”.

“Okay, but I’ll still choose brass knuckles over this any day”.

“It wouldn’t kill you to admit things, will it?”

“It won’t but forget me ever being nice to you” she smiled and then walked out. And as she did that, Kenji walked in. His exceptional mood changed.

“Well you seem to be having fun. You’re so good at it that if I didn’t know, I’d think you’re completely loyal to Megumi”.

“First I’m loyal to no one but myself, and second you never did find solid evidence that I was with Geiru” he explained.

“No I’ll give you that” he smiled. “But don’t think that I can’t just turn things around and it won’t be in your favor”.

“But I am here for a whole other reason. What you’re doing seems to be working”.

“What are you talking about?”

“Being this dangerous new guy. Nothing turns Megumi on more than danger, and you got that dangerous thing going on for you”.

Well that seems to be working more than his actual attempts at flirting. He wasn’t even sure she could see it.

“It’s good. She gets this look in her eyes when she thinks about you”.

“How do you know what she’s thinking?” he was confused.

“We have this connection” he replied simply.

“So what do you hope to gain out of this? Making her fall for me?”

“That’s for my own amusement” he stated. “Now carry on. She’s looking for you”.

And he didn’t need to be told twice before he left his presence. Everyone just had something weird about them in this house.

Kenji smiled to himself. Megumi needed a little love in her life, and he wasn’t going to be around her anymore, so she needed someone to keep her stable. It wasn’t the normal type of love because she wasn’t normal. Just look at the type of company she kept, him included.

Most of them were ruined and he didn’t want that for his dear love Megumi. But he still wasn’t sure about Takashi. He had seen what that boy was capable of now. He wasn’t just a weak stupid thing, but a very smart guy who could kill with so much as gas which one couldn’t see, but only smell.

But he knew what Megumi was capable of, and he knew she could hold off against him if the need arises. The problem now was he didn’t know if Takashi was innocent or guilty. Geiru had messed up herself, but Takashi hadn’t. And they had been many opportunities for him to mess up, he had made sure of it but nothing came out. It was fruitless.

Only time would tell. Megumi would tell him of any change.

Takashi found Megumi by the pool. She did a lap and then back to him.

“Took you long enough” and she stepped out.

When he was done staring, he looked back to her face. “What?”

“We’re going somewhere. Just the two of us”.

“Would that be wise?” he asked.

“Yes. I can protect myself and so can you” she said.

That didn’t seem smart. Red Dawn wasn’t their only enemy, right? Couldn’t be, right? 

“You can and we are going somewhere. Just us. Dress appropriately and not in a way that’ll draw attention”.

“What’s wrong with the way I dress?” he asked.

“Nothing” she shrugged. “Just you keep wearing leather jackets like it’s still the nineties” and she walked away.

When he was done, he had changed. He waited for her and she came out. Completely changed from how she dressed normally. She always had on that wool coat she loved so much, boots combined with her fishnets and then she absolutely loved clothes that hugged. If she wasn’t wearing jeans, she’d wear shorts or short tight skirts and also tight shirts. So yes she always looked good even if her fashion sense was unique.

But now she was just dressed simply and everything covered, but nothing would ever be able to hide how blessed she was in whatever dress. She had on a light floral dress with boots and her hair up. She looked nothing like a gang boss. Just an innocent and beautiful young woman.

He did miss her heavy lipstick though. 

He was staring and to another girl if a guy kept staring like that she’d know she was being checked out. But Megumi wasn’t like most girls.

“So what are we doing today?” he asked.

“Do you have protection with you?”

“Excuse me?!” he asked scandalized.

“Yeah. I have my gun. Do you have your stuff with you? Your tiny gadgets?”

He sighed. “Yes I do have them” he replied.

“Good. Because today you are going to need it. To prove yourself and your loyalty”.

Takashi paused. “You don’t still trust me” he stated his face neutral.

“I don’t trust anyone. And you know that” she said walking down the steps and he followed. He had really thought she had let it go and it was way past them. Well this was a surprise.

“Can you ride a bike?” she asked.

“Y-yes?” he was unsure. Lee had shown him once and he had learnt, but he wasn’t sure if a bike should be given to him.

“Good. Our cover today is lovers and we just want to get away for the day” she said and presented the bike that was in the courtyard to him.

“If you wanted to get some alone time to me, you could just have asked”.

“Your jokes aren’t funny” she stated.

“I wasn’t trying to be funny”.

“Just get on and then we can go” and she got on first patting the front so he could sit”.

“Do not in any way hurt me. You will pay” she said.

“Yeah I know that. Where to?”

“Just drive and I’ll tell you where I want to go”.

VVVVV

That was how they arrived in the parking lot of a grand looking hotel. He had only seen this on TV before, but now he was going to walk in.

“Let’s go” she interlaced their hands and she smiled at him and they made their way into the building.

“Stop looking around” she hissed harshly.

They approached the counter. “Good morning, we have a reservation for the love suite under the name Nakamura”.

“Oh yes! Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura. The love suite. The key” she handed it to Megumi, who took it with a smile.

“Thank you so much. Let’s go” she pulled Takashi along to the elevator.

She dropped his hand immediately as they entered and looked at the key. They got to the room and she opened it.

“Lovely” he stated marveled at the size and design of the room.

“We’re not here to enjoy ourselves” she said.

“Then why are we in a love suite? That’s a really big signal” he wriggled his brows.

“We’re here because in the next room is Takahiro. You know him right?”

“Takahiro, your rival. Leader of Red Dawn. I was there during your whole fight with Geiru” he said.

“And you still need to prove to me that somehow you weren’t involved with Geiru, and that whole trying to take me out”.

“I wasn’t” he said.

“Prove it!” she ordered her eyes filled with rage and her hands in fists. “Takahiro is in that room and I can’t barge in there and start firing. He’s got his goons with them and they’ll have me down before I get close to him. You have poison, you have gas so do something to him in that room and take everyone out”.

“H-how will I do that?” she was making him really nervous. If Takahiro was there and they were here, anything could happen. If he got suspicious….he won’t be able to survive another battle.

“You said you have protection with you” she said. “There’s a vent in there and it connects to that other room. You can throw in anything that can take out everyone in that room”.

“Y-ye…but…how….how do you know all that?” he sputtered.

“I have my ways and do what you need to do and we’ll be able to see it front row” and she got a laptop from the nightstand and sat down on the bed.

“How did you…..what’s happening?” he asked.

“Didn’t Karou talk about this with you?” Megumi asked with a blank stare. “Get to it” she crossed her legs.

Takashi had to take a deep breath as he got on his knees and looked into the vent. Why they were connected? He wasn’t even going to start. He had bigger problems now. Like now. How he couldn’t kill Takahiro. Why would he want to do that? He wasn’t the enemy and that was just between them. And Takahiro had given him this opportunity, and Geiru had died because of him. How could he kill him, a friend of his father after giving him this opportunity?

He could see feet and hear voices. Megumi made a noise that was somewhere in-between a laugh and a scoff. 

“What type of woman would willingly want to be with that beast?” she asked herself.  

“How many are there?”

“Nine goons and then Takahiro and the woman he’s with”.

“So a total of eleven” he murmured.

“What are you going to do?” Megumi sighed.

He removed his jacket and then brought out a smaller canister than the one he had shown Karou. He twisted it, then there was a tiny cloud before he pulled back the steel barricade and put it in there, and closed it back and then he walked back to Megumi silently.

Megumi had her eyes on the screen.

“How long will it take before it works?” she asked.

“It won’t take long” he said sitting down beside her.

“What will it do?”

“This will clog up their lungs, and then cause a lot of internal injuries due to it being too harsh, and will cause them to bleed, and it’ll only take few minutes before they choke out”.

She silently watched the screen and Takashi just sat there silently. Not forgetting that Megumi still had a gun.

She was excited. So excited. All her life she had been anticipating this moment and it was unravelling before her eyes. She had a view of everywhere in the room. She didn’t focus on his goons writhing on the floor. She focused on one of the divided screens that had Takahiro, and she could see him holding his throat. If only she could hear. 

She would want to hear him cough and see the life leave his eyes and if it was so good, beg for his life. But this was better. He wasn’t expecting it. He didn’t know what hit him. The news of his surprise death would rock the underworld. This was thrilling. This was better, and this was currently happening.

She looked at all the screens and no one was moving and she closed the laptop. She looked to Takashi. It was possible because of him.

“Can we go in?” she asked.

“It wouldn’t be a good idea. The room is still contaminated and not to forget the cameras. If we go in there we could be labelled as suspects”.

“You are right” she sighed closing the laptop.

“What about the cameras?”

“They are cameras in every room. I was given the link” she shrugged. “I just feel so…happy right now. So fulfilled. Thank you. It really wouldn’t be possible without you, just seeing his expression is enough for me”.

“Well it was nothing” he shrugged. Smiling a little at the praise. No one had praised his abilities before. Aiko didn’t know about it, Lee didn’t like it and there was no one else. Takahiro acknowledged his talent, but receiving praise was new.

“With you as part of Phantom we’ll be unstoppable”.

He sighed.

Then what happened was totally unexpected. She cupped his face and kissed him. He held her wrists on instincts and she pulled back.

“Do you want to go back now or you want to stay here for a while?” she asked.

“Is that a suggestion?” he grinned.

“It isn’t” she said. “It’ll just be too suspicious if we leave just like that. So quick”.

“Then what do we do till then?” Takashi asked placing his hand on her shoulder.

She cupped his cheek and kissed him again.

VVVVV

Sachi couldn’t believe it when Megumi told her. She had hugged her sister for the first time in a long time, and she hated physical touch after that day. 

“You should have seen his face” Megumi said as they held onto each other.

“You were there in person?” Sachi asked.

“The next room. If I was there I would have suffered the same fate and not to talk about how I could have gone to jail. The captain can’t keep protecting me”.

“Did you hear him?” she asked shaking and squeezing her sister.

“No. But I saw his face. It was enough for me. Father died unexpected and you should have seen the look of surprise and disbelief when he couldn’t figure out what was happening. It was refreshing and beautiful. Bulging eyes and veins. Don’t tell me you still doubt Takashi”.

“Well after what he did, how can I still doubt his loyalty?” she asked. “But I still need to see the video”.

“I’ll show it to you later. But this calls for a celebration”.

“And what’s going to become of Red Dawn?” Sachi asked.

“If they’re smart enough, they’ll run an autopsy and see its poison. But they can never pin it on Phantom. No one knows that Fujiwara had a son”.

“So who will take over?” Sachi asked.

“I heard he had a son, but there’s no proof of it”.

“This calls for a celebration” Sachi said getting to her feet. “It’s been really long”.

“And now it’s going to be the best. I’ll make sure that they get started on it right away. And make sure our guest of honour gets treated right” and Sachi left.

Megumi smiled to herself and then Kenji walked in.

“There you are. All smiles” he stated.

She looked at him and stood up. “I finally did it” she said.

“I heard” he smiled pulling her close.

“How did you hear that so quickly? I haven’t told anyone”.

“Well you know…”

“I have eyes everywhere” they both said and she had her arms round him.

“You should have seen it Kenji. He really deserved it”.

“I wish I could have” he said. It seemed Takashi wasn’t what he thought he was. He had been wrong. Oh well.

“Where are you going?” she asked taking in his getup.

“Leaving” he replied. “I’ve overstayed my welcome”.

“No you haven’t” she said vehemently. “This is yours just like mine. You’re always welcome”.

“Well that may be so, but I have to go” he said.

Megumi sighed. She wasn’t s spoilt brat anymore. She wouldn’t get what she wanted all the time anymore.

“At least stay for the party” she begged.

He placed his hands on her cheeks and caressed the soft skin there, and smiled looking into her eyes. “I can’t. I’ve already served my purpose”.

“Which was?”

“Help you in your time of need and look where that got you? And now Takahiro is dead. What you’ve been chasing all your life, finally accomplished”.

“But I was getting used to you being here. I-I thought you wanted…”

“You know how I am Megumi dear. I only want what’s good for you”.

“But you are….”

“I’m not Meg. No matter how much you try to argue with me”.

“That’s for you to decide” she said.

“Have you forgotten what happened when we were together?”

“I haven’t and you didn’t see me complaining”.

“We’re toxic for each other” he whispered. “And you have Takashi now. A nice guy, smart, talented…”

“A kid who I don’t like. Where did you get that idea from?”

“Your face shows you’re interested” he teased.

“Well you’re reading my face wrong”.

He leaned in close. “I’m almost right a hundred percent most of the time” and he kissed her.

“I love you” she said when they parted. “And I won’t stop” she said and buried her face in his neck.

“I love you too” he said.

There was a knock on the door and they stepped away from each other.

“Enter” she said composing herself. 

“Mistress Congratulations on the win” she smiled.

“Thank you” she smiled.

“I have an order to pick up” she informed her.

“Well I am leaving. You can accompany me” Kenji said.

“Already? Can’t say I’m not surprised” she had a very sarcastic look. “I’m ready when you are” she said stepping out.

“Well them this is goodbye Megumi dear” he smiled holding onto her hand one last time…well before they meet again. Which he was sure they would do.

“See you later Kenji” she squeezed his hands.

“Hopefully you will make a mistake and need me to come clean it up again”.

“I hope so too”.

He let go and stepped back, then walked to the door. “Let’s go shadow” he told Karou who followed with a face.

Megumi sat down heavily on her chair. She wasn’t in the party mood anymore. Kenji, her first love, her only love was leaving again. Yes it was healthy for them to break up because she hadn’t had anything like that since her father, and then latched onto him like a leech. Became so dependent and it would have gotten so bad that she would only breathe if he said so.

And they both had bad habits that would probably kill them. He had ended things so easily much to Sachi’s delight. But no one would take Kenji’s place in her heart. She had kissed Takashi because of gratitude and that was all that happened.

But now she had to go find him. He was the guest of honor anyway.

VVVVV

“This is where you get off” Kenji said.

“Thank you” she said.

“Is it really wise to go pick up an order by yourself?” he asked.

“You care? Cute. I can take care of myself”.

She opened her door and stepped out of the car banging the door shut, and approached the club. It would be easy. Go in, get her order and go back in time for the party. Her Mistress had finally accomplished what she had set out to do all her life. Now she could take a load off.

When the bouncer saw her, she was led to the back and waited. While waiting she looked round the empty wide space. Probably abandoned.

“Karou. What do you want today?”

She looked to the man approaching. “Aoish” she said. “Why would I be here if not for the usual” she said a hand on her hip.

“Your boss always wants new toys” he said and he snapped his fingers.

“She’s paying, isn’t she?”

And she was presented a heavy looking bag.

“Do you want to test then?”

“I’ll test them when the time is right. A pleasure doing business with you” she said and walked away in the opposite direction.

She’d have to leave using the club. She stepped in and had to make a path through the moving bodies. To her clubs weren’t the best place to run a business.

And she saw something. Something that she would always be able to pick up no matter where she was. She couldn’t believe it and she almost dropped the bag she was holding.

She stood rooted to the spot, unbothered that she was being hit. She looked up at the second floor and her hands instinctively looking for a phone that wasn’t there. She needed to talk to Megumi now. She left following the route she had used to come in.

Unaware that she was being followed.

‘It couldn’t be’ that was the only thought as she came out. She needed to get back immediately. Something wasn’t right. 

She finally found her phone deep in her pant pocket and she just got it out, when a shrunken came out of nowhere slicing her palm, making her drop her phone and her bag.

She turned to the culprit who didn’t look guilty.

“Who are you?!” Karou demanded.

“So proud” Jun said taking a stance. “We have unfinished business”.

She had a gun and she couldn’t actually see one on Jun. But the staff she held looked really promising. She should end this quickly and get back, but that choice wasn’t in her hands currently.

Jun attacked and Karou knew better than to turn her back on her.

She dodged the staff which was clearly aimed at her head, neck and torso. She got out her gun and just like her phone, it was hit out of her hand, but this time on her wrist and Jun delivered a kick to her side, and that knocked her off her feet.

“Last time we fought you made a fool of me. This time you won’t get away and maybe my boss will be happy”.

VVVVV

“…..and none of this would be possible without none other than Takashi Fujiwara himself. Applaud him”.

Takashi smiled.

Megumi’s smile broke due to her coughing.

“I think you’ve had too much to drink” Sachi told her.

“No I haven’t” she denied. “And can you define too much” and she was coughing again and Sachi moved to take her glass, but she didn’t relent.

“When do we get to see the video?” a random voice asked.

“We’ll see it when we’re complete. Karou isn’t here yet” she said looking around.

“And she’s not answering her phone” Sachi said.

“It’s already set. Until she’s here” again another coughing fit and then she stumbled into Takashi’s side, but Takashi caught her.

“Okay enough for you” Sachi took her glass.

“I’ll take her to her study” and he supported her up the stairs. Megumi surprisingly didn’t put up a fight.

Takashi took one look at all the guests of what he could say was his party. All surrounding the TV so they could watch the fall of their enemy Takahiro. They would be in for a surprise. All of them.

Takashi finally made it up and to the front of her door and he pushed it open, dropping her on the closest chair.

“I think I had one too many” and she coughed again.

“I can tell” he said.

“I didn’t see you drinking though. Why?”

“I didn’t care to drink tonight” he shrugged.

“Even when it’s your party?” she asked surprised.

“Yes. I didn’t want to drink”.

She laughed and then she made a pained face, and coughed again. 

“What’s wrong?” he asked looking at her table, and it was just his luck he found a stopwatch.

“I don’t know. My s-stomach hurts and I….I” she took a deep breath. “What?” she asked confused. She tilted her head to the side so it rested comfortably on her shoulder “Why is it so hot?”

“How much did you drink?” he asked placing a hand on her forehead.

“Five….six?” she said after a long pause.

“And how do you feel?”

“My stomach hurts and I’m hot” she whined pulling the collar of her dress down. 

“Do you feel headaches, nauseous anything like that?” he asked.

She coughed again and looked up at him.

“Yes” she replied. “H-how do you know that?” she wheezed standing up from her chair, and just took a step and then she fell and Takashi didn’t bother to help her. He balanced himself on his toes and still had the watch in a countdown.

He patted her head as she was on the floor shaking.

“If you didn’t have too may drinks, this would have been slower” he said.

“W-what are you talking about?” she asked softly.

“Well poison that’s all” he patted her head again and then grabbed on and pulled her up, and put the timer in her face. “The venom of a Redback Spider causes all the symptoms you’re having now, and can kill a human under an hour. You ingested five to six doses and that could accelerate your death” he grinned.

And then she threw up just before his feet.

“How could you?” she wheezed.

“Why would I want to kill you?” he asked tapping his chin. “Maybe because you’re a gangster, and had a completely heartless father who goes around killing people who rejected his offer…”

“W….” she broke off into another coughing fit.

“Your father is already dead and you were the next thing I had to my revenge. You wanted yours and I got mine and now I can sleep peacefully”.

She tried pushing strength into her arms so she could get up, but she gasped and landed on her face, in her own vomit.

“But don’t feel left out. You’re not the only one” and Takashi went to her table and he turned the computer towards her and her eyes widened as she saw her gang, her gang die out before her eyes, and this time she could hear everything.

She looked to Takashi disbelief in her eyes.

All of them in pain and vomiting, and convulsing, until they stopped moving. She looked for Sachi in the frames, but she couldn’t find her. Probably among the pile in the living room, the kitchen, the stairs. Just scattered everywhere and then back to Takashi and she tried to get up again.

“It’s no use Megumi, you’ll be dead soon. Don’t fight it” he whispered patting her head again.

“You….you…” she wheezed.

“Was with Geiru all the while? Actually with Takahiro? Never loyal to you? Was actually part of the plan to take you out? Yes to all of it. Not only is this for me, but also for my parents and Geiru. You’ve been killing all your life” and he smiled looking into her eyes his hands moving continuously over her hair.

“Did you really think you would die a peaceful death?” he asked. “And just before you leave me…” he could see her eyes dimming down and her cough was getting worse. “Remember that whole thing in our suite, when you thought you saw Takahiro die?”

She was convulsing now and he wasn’t sure she could concentrate anymore. The smoke that came out didn’t get to that room. It was just us and remember the day you gave me those test subjects and the last I told you had hallucinations? You were given that”.

“I was scared that it wouldn’t work. Buy you must have wanted it so much that your brain produced it for you”.

“It’s like you said Megumi, you make them see what they want to see and not the real thing”.

The watch made a sound showing it had stopped counting.

Everyone must have drank a lot for it to take effect that quick.

He placed his hands over her eyes and he took in her appearance. Sweaty and stinking because of her vomit. A little bit swollen and the look of pure pain, with the way her eyebrows were scrunched up.

He stood up and looking around there was nothing that caught his eye to take. He wasn’t a thief like the rest of them, so there was no need to take anything.

He walked out of the room closing the door. As he walked down the hall to the stairs, he began to see the bodies and also the stench of sweaty bodies and vomit. They littered the stairs and the living room. All of them on each other like sardines.

Before this would have bothered him. He didn’t like killing, he didn’t like violence. But seeing as they were gangsters, how they had done much worse. This was justice. He had only wanted to kill Megumi, but seeing as they were all the same they all had to go.

Megumi said she didn’t trust him, but in the end she had let her guard down at the last minute. And he had been able to strike like the cobra he was.

He had already packed his things. His jacket that Megumi didn’t like was very roomy and his gadgets didn’t take that much room. He made sure he cleared out all his things so what happened here wouldn’t be traced back to him.

So this was how the great Phantom fell?

He fished out the keys from his pocket and set his eyes on the bike of earlier. Megumi had been so generous to invite the entire staff. Because he was struggling not to step on them even as he descended the steps. There was no looking back now. He had done what he needed to do and now he could get out of this disgusting world.

VVVVV

Karou threw her opponent onto the ground. She was skilled and was making her waste time. She needed to get to Megumi now. She was in danger.

She groaned as she was punched between her legs. And doubling over she was punched in her face, and Jun was on her feet pulling her by her hair. She had dropped the staff earlier, and now she could feel the cold gun against the base of her skull.

She speared Jun catching her off guard and assaulted her face, stunning her for a while before she could get up and get the staff, but Jun was faster and held her back by her hair forcing her to the ground.

Inside her jacket she could feel the canister she had snatched and she reached for it slowly, and Jun aimed her gun. Karou twisted the top and there was a click that stalled Jun, and then she threw it.

Jun dropped her gun as both her hands went to her eyes.

Karou kicked her in her face and it was funny that she couldn’t do anything. Funny and good for her because Jun was one tough opponent. 

Jun attacked blindly.

She dodged her kick and found the staff and swung it, hitting her behind her head and Jun fell flat forward.

She dropped the staff and picked her bag up. She couldn’t afford to look for her phone right now. Takahiro was alive, when Megumi claimed he wasn’t. She had never trusted him. 

VVVVV

Takahiro looked at his right-hand with a lazy smirk.

“You look horrible” he stated.

She just rolled her eyes, but he didn’t see it. Her head was still throbbing and she could feel it getting bigger, or was it bigger?

“How hard was it for you to kill someone?” he asked.

“She had a device and I wasn’t expecting it” she admitted.

“Or you’re just not as good as you claim. This isn’t the first time that someone escaped from you”.

“Next time….”

“They will be no next time” Takahiro said sternly and that was when Jun looked to the TV in the room her expressions escaping her for a while.

“He actually….”

There was a knock.

“What is it?” Jun asked.

“Takashi is here boss”.

“Let him in” Takahiro said before Jun could answer. She opened the door and Takashi walked in. Jun was wary. He had somehow managed to kill Megumi and her whole gang. How did he pull that off?

“Like I said” Takashi handed him something.

“What’s this?”

“I felt you’d want to see the moment she died”.

“I only wanted you to kill Megumi. Not her whole gang”.

“Well that was what I had hoped. But things changed and she did kill Geiru”.

Takahiro grinned.

“So what now?” the man asked tossing the drive to Jun.

“Well I took out your rival and my parent’s murderer. I’m free to do whatever I want”.

“It’s a shame your gift will be wasted on nothing” he sighed.

“I told you I’m not a gangster” he said.

“Your father would be proud” he said.

“I know” he replied standing straight. “Thanks for telling me, and accept my condolences for Geiru”.

“Don’t worry about it” Takahiro smiled and held his hand out. “Hopefully we…”

“No” he cut him off. “I’m not getting wrapped up in this again. Your life isn’t meant for me” and he turned around. “Thanks for telling me though. In the end we both got what we wanted” and he stepped out.

“So arrogant” Jun commented.

“You know what they say. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”.

“But there’s still that girl….”

“What’s one girl Jun?” she asked.

“Well she was able to beat me and she survived” she didn’t want to say it, but she had to.

“Yes she was able to beat you, but she’s all alone and you don’t think that all the people Megumi had wronged wouldn’t take the opportunity to take their anger out on her? She’s alone without a gang to hide behind” he laughed.

“Don’t you think she might go after Takashi?”

He gave her an annoyed stare. “And I’m meant to care? He can take care of himself, can’t he?” he asked sitting down. “I know your pride is wounded, if it makes you feel any better you can go after her yourself”.

“That’s the problem. It’s like she disappeared”.

“Then she’s dead then. Not our problem” and he turned back to the news.

‘Megumi Hirose daughter of the late Isami Hirose has been found dead in her family mansion along with several others. Bodies up to forty and still counting. Cause of death unknown. Why anyone would want to kill the young heiress is an ongoing investigation. But this is a death that will leave a mark on the community’.

Takahiro turned the TV off and everything just felt peaceful. He really deserved a pat on the back, and now things could go back the way it was and meant to be. No more Phantom, no more problems and he was at the top.

VVVVV

“You’re leaving?!” mother and son asked astonished.

“Yes” he replied simply.

“Why?” Aiko inquired she looked on the verge of tears. “Did I do something wrong or….?”

“No. You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re the best. Both of you and I can’t keep living off you”.

“I’m not complaining about that Takashi. You’re my son and….”

“Why do you want to leave?” Lee cut in before his mum could begin her lecture.

“While I was….working I realized something. That’s there’s more to life more than these four walls of our apartment, and I want to experience that. I’ve seen things and I want to know what else life has to offer”.

He wasn’t lying. He had seen things. Things, inhuman things he wished he could unsee, and he was running away. As cowardly as it seemed he was. He wanted to get away and start anew. There was blood on his hands. Innocent or not it was still blood, and that was a part of his life he wanted to close. It was in the past.

“But you just came back” Aiko said. “I missed you, can’t…can’t you stay longer?”

He wished he could. But he couldn’t. Growing up in an orphanage and meeting Lee in a playground, and then his mother which led to his adoption. He loved the two of them and all the years that they had spent together. But he just couldn’t be with them. He didn’t want to taint any of them. Nothing stays hidden for long.

“I’m sorry” and he hugged her.

When Lee was finally able to get him free from their mum’s strong hands he went to pack.

“Where did you get the bike?” Lee asked. “It looks cool”.

“I know. My former boss gave it to me”.

“Nice” he said. “So this job of yours is done?”

“Yes” he replied. “It paid well” he smiled softly.

“It still doesn’t make sense you want to leave”.

“Lee…”

“Listen Takashi if you’re in some kind of trouble I can help. I can talk to….”

“I’m not in any trouble Lee” he assured his older brother. “I just can’t stay here anymore. I feel suffocated and I’m not sure I’ll ever get this chance again”.

“Will you come back?”

He wasn’t sure if he’d ever step foot here again. But if he did, it’d be for a very good reason. “Yes” he replied.

The brothers hugged and soon the family of three were outside, as they watched him sit on his bike.

“I love you” Aiko said.

“You too” and he stepped in it and he drove off.

He wasn’t sure where he’d end up, or what he’d do to get money to sustain himself. He didn’t get money from Megumi or Takahiro and he had refused money from Aiko, but she had been relentless and then from Lee and his savings. That’d get him somewhere.

He’d just keep his eyes forward. Everything that happened was behind him. The deaths, the murder. He had ended it and closed it and it was time to begin anew. But he wouldn’t be dropping his gadgets just yet.