A Girl's Turmoil

Chapter 31 - Love's Quarrel

As the raining snow begins to ease, the cold wind remains persistent in bringing the chill throughout the colorful city on this twilight day. Christmas atmosphere passed a while ago, but the citizens are full of jolly till this day. However, not all people enjoy this Christmas. This was particular for a certain man drinking a shot of whiskey in his chair, gazing quietly at the city lit with thousands of different lights. He could feel the alcohol warming up his body as the room was getting a bit cold. Cards, ashtray, money, and papers were left on the table behind him, alongside a loaded gun on the corner of the table.

Two of his goons enter the room with an edgy look over their faces.

"G'day, boss."

"Ah, you're back," he put down his glass. "Any news from the Yakuza?"

"Well, things going slow there, I'm afraid, boss," one of the goons said. "They're going low as tight as a hard rubber, and we unable to work some things out there."

"Shit," the boss swore. "They're still stuck with what happened to Sungeo?"

"Yeah, Uchiyama-sama," the other goon replied. "After what happened to him at his compound, they all fear that they will be the next target for the Sentinels."

Sashiga places his arms on his table. "What about our boy in the department? He got something on this Sentinel?"

"He didn't get much, but he thinks that even the detective also doesn't know much about the Sentinels' identity or even their next movement," the first goon replied.

"Kuso!" Sashiga bowed at the table, snapping his fingers to run his thought. "Wait, there was a blonde among those vigilantes, right?"

"Uh, yes, boss. The news even covered that."

"Then, we may have something to look at," Sashiga then rested against the chair. "Tell the boys to start looking for the blonde. Make sure to be quiet about it and don't be rash about finding her. If you have to, stake out any blonde who seems suspicious."

"And when we find her, sir?"

"You know what to do with that bitch."

"Very good, boss," the goon nodded. "I'll tell the boys."

"Wait, one more thing."

"Yes, boss?"

"You guys knew Shiba?"

"Oh, that woman. We all heard about her. News that she's still in town but don't know exactly where she's staying."

"Good, I need you to look into her as well," Sashiga told them. "Sungeo had told me he did a little visit to her establishment, but he didn't tell me where it was. I got a feeling she knew something about Sungeo's death."

"Got it, boss. Is there anything else you need?"

"That's all for now, boys. I'll call you if I need anything."

"Yes, boss," the goons nodded respectfully before leaving the room.

Sashiga then turns at his window, scratching at the scar on his left cheek. He grabs his shot glass which contains half of the whiskey. Taking another sip, he furrows his eyebrows at the events that had transpired. First, his friend Jin died from a supposed weapons transaction by the Sentinels. Secondly, his close friend from the Yakuza died at the hands of the same vigilante. And from the way he sees it, they might be looking for him.

He merely grits his teeth. "Let's see how long you can hide, little shit."

---

New Year celebration has passed, and a new bright day emerges. In the early days of January, all the students begin to return to school to start studying once again. Most students had hoped for a more extended holiday but understand that they will need further education in the future. Few didn't really mind going to school again so that they could meet their friends again after a long time. As for the blonde Oomuro, she hopes for the snow to last much longer after January.