Locked

1

The bell always alerted the staff of new visitors to their establishment. This time was no different.

"Hello, what can I get for you today?" A young blonde asked, menus in hand. The three men in the doorway shifted inside the cramped entrance.
"Milk tea with an order of crab Rangoons." The brunette man said, smiling. The blonde faltered for a moment before composing herself.
"Where would you like to sit?"
"By the window overlooking the sea, the sunsets always catch the water. Making it blood red." He replied, making the other two look at each other in confusion.
"Right this way sir." She replied, leading them to the back room.
"What's going on, Mr. Kunikida?" A boy with gray hair asked the blonde male beside him.
"I don't know Atsushi, it might have something to do with the new job." Kunikida pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"But who would Dazai know that would be any help?"
"We're here." The waitress interrupted, before knocking three times on a wall. Said wall slid over to uncover an inconspicuous door.
"Come in." A voice came from the other side. The waitress opened it and ushered the three inside. With a bow, she scurried back to her post. The man at the desk looked over the three with rich chocolatey eyes. He snapped and two burly men slunk from the shadows.
"Boys, check them for contraband."
"Yes sir." They began to pat down the three, confiscating two knives and a pistol.
"Alrighty then, what business do you have with me?" The man leaned back in his seat, a smug grin on his face.
"Oh, are you new here?" Dazai asked, tilting his head and making an angry flush appear on the other man's face.
"We need a place to have a meeting, without prying eyes or ears. An informant recently came to us with information involving a rival gang." Kunikida elbowed his comrade's ribs, fanning out his list on the desk. After a moment's pause, the man reached over and read the demands over.
"I see. While that's all good for you, what's in it for us?" He stood beside the window, glancing at his nails.
"We have cash, plus it's one...." Kunikida was interrupted by a loud bang.
"Boss! Please don't go in there! You're still recovering!" The same waitress that helped them inside shouted, only to be ignored.
"Lydia, I won't die from being in my office." They heard the boss laugh. The door opened to reveal a young woman dressed in business attire. Odd looking green locks strayed from their confines of a messy bun and her eyes were warm and welcoming.
"B..Boss?" The male straightened up before saluting.
"Jacques? Really, I know you want my job but impersonating being the boss in front of clients breeds distrust." She sighed, hanging the coat on her chair.
"Wait, so you're the boss?" Kunikida turned, his eyebrows raised. Atsushi stood at attention, sweating nervously.
"Yes, I am. I'm sorry I was late." The young woman sat at her desk and she finally had time to observe her clients. Her eyes zeroed in on the brooding brunette, who stared back with clenched teeth. Her eyes widened for a second before narrowing.
"Dazai, what the hell are you doing here?" Her posture became rigid.
"Anzu! How are you doing? My, you're even lovelier than before." He cooed, a fake smile adorning his handsome face.
"Answer the damn question." The tension in the air became thick. Kunikida and Atsushi glanced at each other before looking at Jacques. He ignored them and kept staring forward angrily.
"So you see, we have a job and I was wondering if you're willing to grace us with your talent." Dazai said, his charming smile making the waitress who walked in blush. Sighing, Anzu scanned the papers.
"Hmm, seems easy enough. However, I can't take the job." She said, stacking the papers neatly before handing them to the blonde.
"But..." The silver haired boy started but was interrupted by Dazai.
"C'mon Anzu, are you still mad about what happened?" The brunette was beginning to lose the goofy look on his face. Her face morphed into a sneer as she slammed her fist on the table.
"Really? That has nothing to do with the situation!" Anzu hissed, her eyes glinting dangerously.
"I don't really understand what history you and this idiot share, but I want to know the reason behind your decision." Kunikida butted in, covering the other man's mouth with his hand.
"The Port Mafia is strong, stronger than you at the Armed Detective Agency and definitely stronger than us. I don't want my men killed for something so trivial." She felt her throat tickling, signaling the incoming attack. She cleared her throat trying to keep the cough from coming out. Dazai was about to retort, having licked Kunikida to get his hand away from his mouth, until she hacked harshly, startling all three men. Tears pricked her eyes as her esophagus burned.
"Boss!" Jacques ran forward but was halted by Anzu who wiped the blood from her mouth.
"A gift from one of our clients, they were very generous." She laughed humorlessly, her throat aching. Dazai fell silent at this but asked the dreaded question.
"Anzu, can I speak to you...alone?" Dazai requested, earning a tired glare from the woman.
"Fuck no! You've stressed her out enough! Boss, I'm gonna shoot these guys' asses!" Jacques snarled, raising his gun. Her lip curled as she grabbed his wrist tightly.
"Go home for the night, what I do is none of your business." She growled, releasing him. Jacques scowled and stomped out of the room, but not before glaring at the three intruders. She flicked her hand and sent the child and Kunikida out. When only the two were in the room, he leaned his elbows on her desk, much to her annoyance.
"Listen, Anzu. I know you're worried about your people, but our recent informant gave us some unsettling information. Unfortunately, it requires involvement from your group. You know I wouldn't come to you if...." He paused before crossing his legs, a serious look adorning his features. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I know, I know." Was all she said before grabbing a water bottle and downing it in a minute. They both knew that he would only come to her if the situation was dire.
"What if I make you a deal huh? You do this for us, and we'll keep you protected." He said suddenly, cutting the tension.
"And what are you referring to when you say 'this'?" She asked, leaning against her chair.
"Give us a safe place to relay information and give us some extra manpower." He mirrored her posture, grinning at her thoughtful expression.
"I don't know if I'm sold yet." She replied after a moment.
"What? You don't want a big, strong Kunikida to protect you?" He teased, earning a soft laugh.
"As if, he seems like he has a stick up his ass." He snorted and gazed at her softly. She noticed, butterflies erupting in her tummy. Her heart ached, but she would never be caught in his trap; no not again.
"Anzu...I really missed you, you know." He said quietly, making the woman go slack jawed. Memories flashed in her mind, pain and anger erupting replacing the giddiness in her stomach. This was the final nail in his coffin. The atmosphere froze immediately, making a cold sweat drip down his back.
. . . . . . . .
"I wonder what they're talking about..." Atsushi pondered before the door slammed open, Dazai tumbling out of the room. A shoe imprint on his back looked comically small compared to the seething beast behind it.
"Get this lot out of here. Our business is done." She snarled, slamming the door in their faces. As soon as the three were escorted out, Kunikida questioned Dazai.
"What the hell was that? You know we wasted valuable time on this fruitless endeavor!" The blonde growled, shaking the brunette. The man grinned and patted his partner on the back.
"Give it a few days, I have a feeling she will change her mind."
"How do you know for sure?" Atsushi asked hesitantly.
"It would be a shame not to anticipate her next move, after all; she was my fiance."