The Border of Asakusa (Benimaru x Reader)

The Academy Showcase (Pt 6)

"You and me both, Ace." You froze at the sound of his voice from down the hall.

"What are you doing here?" You asked the shadowed man.

Beni's arm curled around your waist "He helped with the interrogation." You looked at your partner in disbelief, but he nodded in confirmation.

"I've been monitoring most of the players here." Joker glanced down in reference to the ballroom. "I intended to leave you alone, Y/n. But uh- You told me your dad was retired-"

"He is." You reassured.

Joker shook his head. "He's not."

"What the hell do you mean he's not-" You pulled your phone from your wristlet.

"Don't. Not right now." Joker stepped out of the shadow with a hand outstretched to you, revealing a perfectly tailored tuxedo, and cut hair shaggily disguising his eye patch. He looked like he did when you first met him so many years ago. Honestly... he looked great.

"Jo, what's going on?" You asked hesitantly.

"Jo?" Beni looked at you with a raised eyebrow.

"He's been contracting with Haijima. For a while now, it seems. He's a primary contact for Licht's spy activities. He picked Vic up from the airport and punched the sonofabitch in the face." Joker looked to Mara. "Which was..." He did a chef's kiss.

You smiled at that before you blinked yourself back into your frustration. "Why didn't he tell me? Where is he now? Don't tell me he's still with Vic..." Beni's hold tightened around you.

"He is. Licht is getting questioned by Vic in your Dad's office. Vulcan hacked into the Haijima security to give Burns eyes and ears on the conversation."

"What??"

"Do you want me to go get him?" Beni asked calmly as you looked at him with panic in your eyes. "Just say the word and I'll get him out of there-"

"I don't recommend it." Joker interrupted. Beni rolled his eyes to look at him. "They're about done with their inquiry anyway. Licht's just got a couple broken fingers and a little first-degree burn."

"Still. You just left Licht there? You weren't going to help him?" You accused.

Joker shook his head with a dark slow chuckle. "Funny that you ask that before you ask why he's getting punished/interrogated." Joker clapped back. "The little set up for you and Konro at the tournament was his idea."

Beni's eyes flashed their ruby glow. "What."

"To his credit, it was in an attempt to deescalate the government officials proposing they just kill you, Y/n. Which, they tried and failed to do anyway."

"Then why the hell would Vic torture Licht for that?" You looked down.

Joker stepped closer to you with his hands in his suit pockets. "Because his idea gave you a platform, and you did exceedingly well with it. You and Konro shifted the general disdain and condescension the empire felt toward Asakusa and turned it to admiration and potential gratitude with your offer to train the kids. The empire knows you now, and likes you." He eyed up your skirt. "And that gun you have just peeking out of your dress is quite-" Beni narrowed his eyes at Joker in a warning, and Joker lifted his attention from your thighs back to your face. "-*ahem*. Quite desirable. It's much harder for the government to get rid of you, and you're now a much bigger issue to their precious order than they anticipated. Idiots." He rolled his eye and shot you a charming smirk. "Obviously they didn't do their homework on you."

"God fucking damnit. Now what, then?"

He shrugged. "You've got Mr. Almighty, Gaku, and Oze's whole team dedicated to your protection. You'll be fine."