Chapter 42: My mask and I (1)

# sorry for the late releases, IRL stuff got in the way.

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??? POV: (I'll give you a cookie if you can guess who it is before the mid point of the chapter :D)

Today was just like any other day by the office. Picking my phone up, I saw a message from an asshole I don't want to associate with.

[Get your ass here as fast as possible, we have a problem.]

That's all it said. What an ass. But then again, this work pays bills. Can't complain too much, just have to bear with assholes during the day, and by 5, I'm a free man. Or so I thought, looking at the clock, it's 4:50. Today's gonna be another unpaid overtime huh.

A sigh escaped my mouth as I stood up from my desk and headed towards the elevator. Pressing the 12 key on the elevator, I'm starting to reconsider my life choices that lead me to this point.

I was nothing impressive from childhood till now. My teenage years are spent studying, and behaving so one day I can have a successful life with a strong foundation, in my 20s I simply work in a civil office. Nothing impressive. It just means that the country sees me as a trustworthy asset. Or so I thought.

--

The elevator gave out a bell sounding rang, as the door opened up. Another batch of people came inside, it's getting cramped, more than usual.

"Hey have you heard?"

"About what?"

"About the commissioner I heard he's in quite the trouble this time."

"Ah, you mean ---"

"Shut it, you know that walls have ears here."

"Sorry about that, anyway is it true?"

"That's what people are talking about, if you ask me he seems like the type. I heard this time he has offended the Demon King of all people."

"Do you mean [Osaka's Demon King]? Damn he's one hell of a man to be able to go for the commissioner like that. Well to be fair even we can't bring him to law. Every time we try, the case always gets cancelled before preliminary investigations."

"Of course it would, do you think the final boss will be so easy to defeat?"

As I was eavesdropp--- listening in their conversation, the elevator stopped and another chime rang, it's still the 10th floor, as 2 of my fellow co-workers get off. Damn. How long does it take to get to the 12th floor?

Still huh to think that the demon king has his sights towards us this is a bad sign. Sigh. what a headache, damn kids these days. But what he did for the Yakuza, nay, the country as a whole is good. Ironic coming from me, but that's the truth. We from the government's office can't do anything without approval and such approval even if it's approved, will take a long time to realize, but with him on the other hand, once he says something, everyone below him will take action immediately.

The difference is felt almost immediately, the difference between our ways of work can decide if a child will eat today or not, nay, it's more depressing than that, it's if someone will live another day or not. It's sad, but that's the truth. Not everyone has a privilege to wait for tomorrow.

--

As I reached the 12th floor, I went towards the front desk. A lady in a suit is sitting there, it's the commissioner's secretary. Her name was Aoi if I'm not mistaken.

"Good afternoon, is the commissioner in? I was called here."

"Yes he's in, I'll give him a reminder that you're here first. Say do you have anything to do tonight?"

"Are you trying to set me up with somebody again? For the last time I'm not interested."

"Oh? What's this? Don't tell me you've given up on finding yourself a wife?"

"What? Why are we talking about this again?"

"Hmmmmmm… it's either that or you found yourself a woman!"

"W-w-hat? Don't be ridiculous!"

"Aha! You did! You've got to tell me all about her after this."

"Tch. You're married and with a daughter you should've just spent more time with her rather than wasting your time here."

I tell her what I think in the spur of the moment, I mean she's already with a child and has a husband with a good job, although not as high paying as hers, but it will get her by. But that's supposed to be something I keep to myself not saying it out loud, her husband is the only one I could trust in this small shithole of an organization.

"Don't try and divert the topic! So who's--- ?"

"Aoi, send him in."

"Yes sir!"

I heard a voice from her telephone on the desk, it seems that the commissioner is already expecting me.

"Well catch you later Aoi"

I said as I prepare myself mentally for the session to come.

--

(WN: well your guesses here I guess)

"What took you so long?"

"Sorry I got held up."

"By my secretary? I really could have fired her if not for her usefulness. Tch."

I'm inside a luxurious office, the walls are fitted with wooden furniture, it looks like I've stepped into a movie set, a movie set more fit for an aristocrat than a commissioner if you ask me. He is sitting behind a wide desk, and his title is printed in silver on a nameplate. "Deputy Commissioner", Seishiro Munakata .

I hated the man with my guts. He earned his title by blackmailing the current commissioner, and taking advantage of his dealings. I knew it because I was the one who uncovered the original documents. I was a fool to hand it over to him, hoping that he'll be one of those men with a good heart, how naive I was back then. He now holds more power than the commissioner himself.

Hence the current situation. The current commissioner will fall if the documents leak, and by my predictions Seishiro is just waiting for an opportune moment to do just that. And the thing with the Yakuza, currently Seishiro's in bed with one from the TJC if I recall correctly, I didn't remember the name of the contact sadly.

But that's just how things are I guess, nothing I can do there.

"So you called for me?"

"Ah yes, take a seat."

As he pointed towards the sofa behind me.

"So Sojiro, how's your new station been treating you?"

Because of him I was promoted last week.

"I didn't know it came with a lot more paperwork."

"HAHAHA! It beats working your ass off in the streets right?"

Tch. I'm neck deep now, and because of that I can't quit, hence I accepted the promotion that day.

I'm fine with being found dead in the streets tomorrow, but if I knew them, they'll probably go for my most important person first. Her. I can't let it get traced back to her no matter what.

"Haha! Of course, Seishiro-san."

"Cut the formality! You and me, we make a great team do we not? Anyway have you heard?"

"About what sir?"

"It seems that a brat has managed to secure an alliance of all Yakuza's in our mainland."

That was shocking.

"From your face I can safely assume you think I'm bullshitting, but I'm not, my contact told me this up and coming [Demon King] is currently unifying the country's Yakuza one region at a time, and guess what, this weekend he'll be in talks with Tohoku region's Gumi-clan."

That's news to me.

"If he did that we'll practically lose ground in Honshu."

Well I couldn't care less about your dealings, but from what I see they're doing the public a service. But I can't say that now can I.

"But still, to think that a young kid can do all that is nothing short but amazing. But sadly that's all there is to it. We should move out soon to eliminate the kid before he becomes a problem…"

*sigh* what a great man we have as an official, offing a kid just to keep his hands clean.

"I've found out where he is heading, but I don't have any information about where he is currently living, I bet it's somewhere in kansai, but it's OA's territory, I can't get any information on them, so you have to step it up. Do this and the next Deputy Commissioner is yours."

Sighing for the nth time today, I weigh my options, it's not like I can refuse, my refusal will ultimately turn me into a target, that's just how it is.

"Ok, any leads?"

"That's good. Here." as he hands me a file.

I read the file briefly.

[

Name:

Akira Dojima

Titles:

Second Heir of the Dojima Family,

Candidate to the 6th chairman of OA,

Demon King of Osaka

Families

----

----

----

DOB:

5 may 1994, Tokyo National Hospital

Blood type: O+

Scars and marks:

None distinguishable.

-----

----

----

Known relationships:

Izanami Sugihara Goda ( Fiance )

Daigo Dojima (Brother)

]

Hmmm strange there's a lot of black lines, a lot of covered up info what's up with that?

"It came that way. From my contact."

"Why the secrecy? Isn't targeting the family easier than the kid himself?"

"It's true, but it seems that my contact thinks differently. When I asked he didn't answer."

"Any chance this is a trap?"

"None, in fact it was my idea and his money, I doubt he will be willing to pay that much for a failed mission. With his investment and my plan we will surely succeed."

Hmmm this smells fishy, and Izanami huh? Where had I heard of that name before?

"So what's the plan sir? I assume you had one."

"Yes, lets just say that there will be commotion, and we will apprehand him, by that time, you will make it seems like he commit suicide before reaching the station."

Hmmm. it's a simple framing job, not that I've done one before but...

"You can do it yourself or just make it so it can't be traced back to us, you understand how it is don't you. You move up the ladder so someone needs to take your place too."

"I understand. Anything else?"

With the talks done, I burned the documents with my lighter and placed it on top of the ashtray.

"I'm glad you understand. Do you want to have fun? We might need to find another place as the previous place is under the demon king's management."

This is the part I hated the most. The entertainment industry, the asshole in front of me usually uses his title and money to lay hands on women on the showbiz, leaving me to take care of the aftermath, or by his words. "Second bite"

A reflective scowl comes to my face, it was noticed immediately as he continued

"Ah, don't be like that I'll let you choose, and even let you play with her first! HAHAHA! What do you say?"

I need to think of something to get out of this mess, *sigh* I've made plans tonight. It's a shame that now I've got to clean up after this bastard.

As if the heaven itself listened to my prayers, his phone suddenly rang.

"Seishiro speaking."

I'm saved by whoever's behind that call.

"Ok then. I'll see you later."

He hung up.

"Sadly we can't have fun tonight Sojiro, work came up. I need a few people who I can 'trust' if you get what I mean."

"Of course, how many?"

"2 will be enough, make sure they're on our side."

"Of course, will you be using your car?"

"Yes, Of course. We don't want anyone to be aware of our plans now do we?"

"Then, I'll get it done."

"Yes, see to it."

After that exchange I leave his office, it seems that Aoi's still here.

"So how was it? Judging by your face, not good huh?"

"Mind your own business. And you need to go home, it's late don't you have a daughter to take care of?"

"I was just leaving anyway. Let's go back together."

"You do realize we take the opposite train right?"

"Details, details. Anyway wait for you downstairs!"

And there she goes. I never understand why you go for her Zenkichi. Not wanting to delay any further, I immediately contacted a colleague of mine whose justice depends on who gave the highest pay.

" 'Hunter' here, the boss wants you to escort him."

"Read you loud and clear 'Hunter', anything else?"

"You'll be using his car, and prepare more on hand cash, the boss seems to be in a bad mood, better prepare for the worst."

"Roger. So how many are coming along?"

"2 but if you think you can't handle it I can spare a few more."

"It will be done."

"Talk to you later then 'Forge'."

These days you can't be too careful. Unless meeting in person, always use codenames. Mine is Hunter. Forge is my colleague, he is the same as me I think. In neck deep and can't get out.