Brothas

Too Much Glass

[City: Salem, Illinois, Time: 8:15 A.M.]

[Location: Kebo's Penthouse Apartment]

Mine's perspective in the parking garage with Ichiban's former subordinate, Jo Sawashiro:

After finishing my chores, including taking out the trash, I headed back to my apartment from the parking garage.

But as I was leaving, I got this creepy feeling that someone was watching me or approaching from behind.

Then, out of the blue, Jo Sawashiro, Ichiban's former subordinate, emerged from the shadows.

He had a plan to get Ichiban back, claiming he had forgotten his place, and had nothing to do with him.

To intimidate me, he snatched my phone, crushed it under his shoe, and demanded to know Ichiban's whereabouts, threatening to kill us both if I didn't comply.

Now, stuck in the parking garage on an endless morning, Jo blocked my path. I froze as he crept up behind me, brandishing a katana.

My heart was racing, and fear gripped me as I unexpectedly crossed paths with Jo Sawashiro.

As I stood there, paralyzed with fear, I knew I had to stand tall, no matter what.

Jo sneered, "Come on, boy, time's running out. Start talking. You'd better tell me where Ichiban is if you want to stay alive."

I mustered a laugh, scoffing, "You're serious? You want to know where Ichiban is while you're trying to kill me?" I stood my ground, "You're out of your mind."

Jo pressed the katana against my throat, his blade inches from striking, and hissed, "Shut the fuck up! Tell me where Kasuga is, or I'll kill you both, you sons of bitches!"

I shot back, "I'm not telling you a thing, you bastard!"

Jo's katana hovered at my throat, his sneer twisting his face. "Don't play dumb, motherfucker! You think you can outsmart me? Tell me where Ichiban is, or you're dead."

Frozen in terror, I had two options: surrender or fight back.

I shook my head, trying to muster courage, and spat back, "Get the fuck out of my penthouse."

Jo's blade pressed harder against my skin as he snarled, "That's not how this works. You'll tell me where Ichiban is, or you're both dead."

I stood firm, Jo's katana poised to strike, as I repeated, "Leave now. I'm not playing games." A shiver ran down my spine as I stood alone, desperate to protect myself.

Jo still wanted to kill me, his katana trembling with anticipation. "I told you, that's not how this works. We'll settle this today."

I stood tall, my voice firm, "Hell no."

Jo's response was cold, calculated, "We're doing this now." With that, the brutal fight began, a nightmare that started the moment I met Jo.

(A few hours later with Ichiban)

Later, back at my apartment, Ichiban waited anxiously for my return.

As he sat there, he couldn't shake off the feeling of worry for my safety, "Damn it, Kebo, where are you?" he muttered to himself. He checked his call list and tried to reach me, but I didn't pick up.

Instead, my voicemail kicked in: "Yo, this is Kebo. Sorry I can't answer right now. Leave a message, and I'll get back to you ASAP. Stay healthy, take care of yourself, peace out."

Ichiban recorded a voicemail message, his concern evident in his voice, "Hey Kebo, it's Ichiban. I hope you're okay, I've been waiting for hours, and I'm getting really worried. With everything that's been going on, I just want to make sure you're safe. Please call me back as soon as you can."