Lost Love

INTRO : TEAM JAPAN

conversation was interrupted by the sound of jet engines overhead. A large bag lay at the feet of Benimaru Nikaido as he watched the plane take off. Duo Lon had nothing accompanying him. Benimaru didn't find this odd. He knew this man lived in a different world than him.

”...Hospitalized?"Duo Lon repeated the question that was cut off by the outbound passenger jet."Kyo Kusanagi?""It's pretty much just a checkup. If you're trying to determine how serious things are, Shingo's far worse off after trying to stop Yagami by himself. Just his broken bones alone are going to take several months to heal."Even still, the fact that Shingo was even alive was miraculous. Surviving with only those wounds against Iori Yagami after Iori had undergone the "Riot of the Blood" was incredibly lucky. With his hands stuck in the pockets of his long coat, Duo Lon heaved a sigh."...And you're going home now?""Well, for now... There's no way he'd back out now, which means he’s going to need a team.""Is that how it is?""That's how it is."He nodded at Duo Lon with a smile, and then a moment later, continued with a straight face."...You're looking for that man, aren't you?"”That man?"Benimaru's first encounter with Ron, in The King of Fighters 2000"Don't play dumb with me. I've met the guy, remember?""...That's right."Duo Lon, a member of an assassin clan known as the Hizoku, was searching for his father Ron, who betrayed the clan. Duo Lon didn't normally appear in the open, but his recent entries into the King of Fighters tournament were most likely primarily to unearth information in regards to Ron's whereabouts.As he brushed his wind-swept hair, Benimaru said, “If I hear anything about him, I’ll let you know.”"Much obliged, Nikaido."“Don’t sweat it. But in return, if you find that kid, tell me.”Duo Lon stared at Benimaru without saying a word."...What kind of grudge do you have against Ash?"“Well, Ash did fool us all, right? I’ve got no real quarrel with him, to tell you the truth, but I bet my buddy does.""Watching out for Kusanagi again? ...You're like his guardian."“C’mon, cut it out.”Benimaru cracked a smile again and checked his watch. He stepped away from the fence he was leaning on and prepared to leave. “...It’s almost boarding time.”"Take care of yourself."Duo Lon indifferently tossed out his goodbye to Benimaru. Benimaru slung his bag over his shoulder and began walking off. Duo Lon's parting was cold and detached. Benimaru looked back at Duo Lon over his shoulder."...You know, maybe we'll see each other sooner than we think." "Even so, it will be as opponents."”...Probably." The descent of another commuter jet interrupted their conversation once again. After the jet wash subsided, Benimaru turned to speak to Duo Lon again, but he found that the tall, shadowy figure was nowhere to be seen."...Heh. I should have known.”Benimaru collected his bag again and headed towards the exit.

As someone who was unfamiliar with the peculiarities of the real estate market, Benimaru didn't know how much property in this area cost. It was obvious that it wasn't cheap, though. In order for one to own such a large piece of property in such a rich area, you didn't only need wealth, you also required power. And the ancient Kagura clan had that kind of power. Benimaru crouched by the pond in the vast garden and absentmindedly watched the koi swim. He heard the sound of silk and turned around.

"...When did you return to Japan?"

An Asian beauty in a purple kimono, Chizuru Kagura, inquired of Benimaru. 

"Just a few hours ago.""I am jealous of your light footwork."

Chizuru smiled sadly and sat at the veranda facing the garden. Japan's summer felt more humid than normal this year. But the reason Chizuru looked particularly frail had nothing to do with the oppressive humidity. Benimaru waited for the vassal who served him cold ujicha to leave and directly asked Chizuru what was on her mind.

"Are you still the same, Chizuru?”"Yes. My body has recovered, but my power is...""I see...""Oh, yes. I almost forgot something very important. Congratulations on winning the championship.""Oh, stop. I won it by default since my opponent went "missing"  in the middle of the match... You can't brag to anybody about a result like that."