There were a couple of policemen circling around the abandoned car, confused on what it was doing there. Protecting said car were what seemed to be employees of the hostess club.
Carefully, Sanzu approached one of the reluctant employees, but stood far away where he would not notice the police of his presence. Once the employee caught sight of him he sighed in relief.
"Sanzu-san! I knew it would be your car! Leaving such an expensive car in the street seemed like one of your, um, antics." The employee chuckled nervously.
Sanzu hummed in response. He had guessed that the hostess club must have belonged to Toman, and was glad to be proven right. He tossed the car keys to the man, as a way to shut him up.
"I don't care what happens to the car. I need the phone that's inside it and that's it." The employee simply nodded, ready to obey his needs. Sanzu was relieved at the man's simplicity, obedient like a dog.
That's how most civilians behaved in the presence of a higher individual, their simple minds unable to contravene a direct order. "Once you fetch it, give it to me. After that do not bother me, I have business to deal with within your club."
The man gave him a brief glance of panic, as if about to object to the command. Lucky for him, he simply gave Sanzu a subtle nod and an "of course sir".
With the way he saw the employee confidently approach the police, whispering something in their ears while passing an envelope, Sanzu knew the police would leave the car alone without further issues.
All law-enforcement is good for is running around like headless roaches, pretending to follow the law but caring more about getting that extra money in their pockets.
Sanzu felt somewhat ready to continue his mission. He had no idea how long he had been distracted with both the store and now this stupid car, he just hoped not long enough to miss anything.
With hurried steps, he walked across the street, determined to enter the hostess club without any more difficulties.
The ease at which the employee recognized him made him feel uneasy.
It meant that most of the staff would let him through without problems, but when it came to hiding from view it was perhaps not the most ideal.
He did not know the layout of the club either, so he could not pre-plan where Kisaki would be and where he could hide while eavesdropping on any important conversations.
Nevertheless, he approached the entrance with confidence. There stood a man in a suit along a line of women with slinky dresses. Said man approached him, rubbing his hands together and giving Sanzu a big slimy smile.
"I'm sorry, fellow customer! We ar-" The man paused his practiced lines, his eyes bulging out when he recognized Sanzu in front of him. "Sa-Sanzu-san! We did not know you were coming!"
"Is Kisaki here?" The words practically escaped Sanzu's mouth. After all the trouble he has been through there was no way he was not going to miss whatever Kisaki was planning to do here.
"Urm well. Yes. Yes he is." The man stuttered through his words. "He ordered us, however, to prematurely close the facility. And to not let anyone in." His words got weaker as he spoke. The women at his side watched worriedly, most likely wondering if this was going to affect their pay.
Sanzu gritted his teeth, because in this present he was nothing more than a weak man, unable to object to Kisaki's orders. The workers must have noticed his change of mood, and bowed before offering a more pleasant experience on his next visit, once again avoiding eye-contact.
Sanzu knew he could not just pass through, there were too many eyes all around him watching in muted unease.
This building was owned by Toman as well, it would be unwise to go against the very organization he worked for. In that instance, Sanzu feared the consequences of ignoring Kisaki's orders.
He tried to swallow down the heavy lump in his throat, which he did not even realize had formed. Why was he sweating so much, at the mere thought of his disobedience being discovered?
All the personnel in his proximity scurried off at his change of demeanor, probably afraid of getting in his path. With the way Sanzu has been treated by outsiders and other Toman workers it seemed that his title of Mad Dog would follow him wherever he went, although this time Kisaki was the one pulling the leash.
He stumbled out of the club, not understanding his own switch in behavior.
He did not fear Kisaki, he had no reason to.
However, it was as if his body was remembering the twelve years that have gone by, the muscle memory returning with scars, all surrounded around a singular man.
It was then, Sanzu realized, that Kisaki was much more dangerous than anticipated. How could have Sanzu just brushed by the unbelievable feat that was overcoming death? Not only that but Kisaki even managed to put the entirety of Toman under his control.
The idea of slowly recovering past memories seemed not far fetched, with the way his body shuddered at the idea of his insubordination being discovered. He hoped at least it would take time before it happened, so as to not jeopardize his current mission.
The last thing he wanted was both his body and mind working against him.
What was he supposed to do now? He had no time to think about it, as a body fell from above, crashing on the concrete floor directly in front of him. The cracking of bones feeling almost like home.
"Are you fucking kidding me."
Out of instinct he looked up at the building's roof. There, he met two familiar blue eyes, which looked down at the bleeding corpse with open shock, before a scream escaped his lips.
You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Kisaki's acquaintance was Takemichi.
