A NEET's Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Eastern Wind

Black Lotus

Joon and Suwako stood in front of the small, mid-rise apartment as the sun began to set.

"Look, I understand we had a rough start at the airport, but I had to take action to draw their attention. My mission is to infiltrate the organization and eliminate the head of the Yakuza family, Shanghai Alice." Joon explained. Suwako could sense the genuine sincerity in the young woman's words. It was evident that she wasn't inherently evil; she was simply doing whatever it took to achieve her objectives. 

"This arrow in the Yakuza's possession... it has the power to awaken Standmaku in individuals. Two years ago, I was the unfortunate victim of a similar arrow, and that's how I acquired my abilities."

Joon clenched her teeth. "Those sick bastards... anyway, was it Suwako? We must act swiftly."

"Where should we go? It's almost nighttime..."

"Anywhere else but here! I can't risk exposing more innocent people." Joon said, attempting to walk away when her leg was suddenly grabbed. A thud echoed as she collided with the concrete floor.

"What on earth is happening?"

"Ahhhhh! I-it used the shadows cast by passing birds!" Suwako gasped, her eyes wide with fear. A massive flock of birds suddenly appeared overhead, their wings creating a large shadow that covered the ground as they flew swiftly by.

"Damn it! I can't move! This thing's incredibly strong within the shadows!" Joon struggled futilely against its vice-like grip.

"Perfect Freeze!" Suwako's Echo shouted. She activated her ability on the enemy Standmaku, pinning it to the ground. The force of the impact cracked the cement on the pavement, but it refused to release its hold on Joon's leg.

"It's still holding on, shit!" Joon cried out in pain. "My leg arghgh, it still got my leg!"

"It's stubborn! I... I have to recall my ability. Otherwise, her leg might be broken!"

"Wait...not yet," Joon said, biting her lip. "Just... just under the concrete, there's earth there. That's a good thing. I have a chance because the concrete shattered when your ability pulled down the enemy."

"Hang on, what are you talking about?" Suwako said.

"Watch!" Nearby, the tree that cast its shadow on the ground began to tremble before the leaves began to fall. It looked as if the tree was going through a process of super-accelerateagingng. Before long, the tree had withered away to a mere husk.

"Not so fast, you piece of shit!" With a sudden move, Gold Experience stomped down on the Standmaku as it tried to flee into the nearby shadows of the apartment building. "You're not going to get away this time!"

"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDAAAA!" A devastating barrage finally dissipated the Sta

"The thought of such dangerous men coming to our shores, and one more arrow? I have to let the Yagkoro Foundation know about it!"

"Hang on, I don't understand. With this thing defeated, we should be safe now, right?" Joon asked.

"Since that thing was a long-rangstand makeku, its user is most likely unharmed. He probably doesn't even know that he saw combat," Suwako said.

"You mentioned the Yagkoro Foundation... Aren't they pharmaceutical companies? Why would they care about what's going on in Japan right now?"

"Well...they've been secretly researching Standmaku for some time. I was sent here to investigate an arrow that was sold on the black market to a high-ranking Yakuza member in Tokyo," Suwako said. Suwako said as she looked up. "Specifically, I was tasked with tracking you down. But seems you found me first."

"I'm afraid... You can't report this to them, please. As I mentioned, I'm planning to infiltrate the organization to assassinate the head of the Shanghai Alice crime syndicate. If the news spreads..."

Suwako couldn't put her finger on what it was, but she had the feeling that she could trust Joon's words. There was something about her that reminded her of her friends back home, despite their earlier scuffle at the airport.

"I understand. Fine. I think I'll leave it to you. I don't know anything about this yakuza business, all I know is that they're bad news. All I want to do is go back home." Suwako said and returned Joon's lit lighter. "Here, I think that's yours."

"Thank you very much." Joon stood up. She held the lighter carefully as she walked back to her apartment building.

*****

Joon's second visit to Big Brother's cell was just as unpleasant. Even so, she waited in anticipation in front of the darkened room as she held the cigarette lighter in her hand. She placed the lighter in the small container and closed the lid as the light in the solitary confinement cell came on. Standing in the corner, Big Brother had just finished devouring a huge pizza before he turned to look at her. As he looked at the lighter, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Ahh ... you again. Joon, was it? Joon... Joon... ahhhh, what was it again?"

"Yorigami Joon."

"Ahhh... Joon-kun. Right. You were Yukari's recommendation, how could I forget." He was licking at his lips. "Sorry, tend to get a bit dizzy and forgetful after a hearty meal! Ahahaha."

"Now, I brought you the lighter after 24 hours, just as you asked," Jon said.

"You did. Nicely done, Joon-kun. This test was important. As I said, trust is so important in our organization. On the other hand, the most despicable thing you can do is to be a betrayer of trust. It's like spitting in someone's face when you break their trust. In my opinion, even God himself would be in favor of murder in such cases. That's how severe it is!

Joon felt a chill come over her before the man spoke again.

"I'm glad you're so trustworthy my right as the Senior Advisor for Yokohama, I am accepting you into our family and granting you the rank of Associate. From now on, you will be under the command of Yukari Yakumo. Congratulations to you. He let out a hearty laugh before he put a small pin into the receptacle. It was a small metal pin with the character 上 written on it, which was part of the name of the group.

"It'll be your proof to Yukari that you're the recipient of my blessing." Big Brother said before he turned to his liquor cabinet and took a bottle of sake out of it.

"Would you like a toast with me now?" He turned around, only to find that Joon had already left the room.

"That kid... heh. Did Shy keep watch over the lighter for 24 hours? Or was she hit by the arrow from my Black Lotus and became a Standmaku user? Whatever the case, she'll fit in perfectly." The hefty man turned around to replace the bottle of sake on his shelf, only to notice that the miniature refrigerator he had inside was open. Inquisitively, he peered inside before pulling out an apple.

"Damn, I have to remember to keep the fridge closed. Otherwise,se my fresh fruit will go bad." He said to himself as he took a bite out of the apple. Instead of soft, sweet flesh, it was as hard as a piece of iron. With a click, a piece of metal was ejected from the apple and fell into his other hand. Big Brother's eyes widened in fear as he realized that it was something that looked like a pin from a grenade. He looked back at the object in his hands. It wasn't a fruit, it was a live hand grenade. He didn't even have time to scream out before the weapon in his hands went off.

"When trust is broken... murder is an option? You broke my trust when you set me up for that rigged test, so I guess it's okay for me to kill you, Big Bro." Joon thought as their taxi pulled away from the prison. "I was the one who turned a hand grenade into an apple. So enjoy your last meal... And rest in pieces."