Outbound

Back in Hell, Part 3

With a sense of purpose, Naoya returns to the car and starts the engine. He carefully avoids major roads and navigates through a series of back streets, keeping a watchful eye out for any signs of pursuit. Meanwhile, Ms. Fujiwara and Jun keep their heads down and try to make themselves inconspicuous, blending in with their surroundings. The car weaves through the deserted streets, its headlights cutting through the darkness of the night. After a while, they arrive at a isolated spot, an abandoned industrial area devoid of human presence. Naoya parks the car discreetly. As the car comes to a halt, Naoya turns off the engine, plunging the area into silence. He takes a moment to check their surroundings before finally exiting the vehicle. Joined by the other two, they make their way to a hidden spot near a building 1 hour away with walking where they can wait out the night in relative safety. They find a spot tucked away from sight, hidden behind a few large trash bins. It's not comfortable, but it will have to do for now. Naoya checks his watch, the time reading past midnight. He turns to the other two and says, "We'll have to lay low here for the night. Get some rest while you can." Naoya, Ms. Fujiwara, and Jun settle in their makeshift hiding place, trying to make themselves comfortable. Despite the cramped and dingy surroundings, the trio falls into a peaceful slumber, their bodies battered and exhausted from the day's ordeal. The night passes slowly, with the distant sound of passing cars serving as a gentle lullaby.

As the first light of dawn peeks through the cracks in the building, the trio stirs from their slumber. Naoya, with a tired expression and eyes bleary from lack of sleep, slowly props himself up. He takes a moment to glance at his companions and sees the exhaustion etched on their faces. As the first light of dawn peeks through the cracks in the building, the trio stirs from their slumber. Naoya, with a tired expression and eyes bleary from lack of sleep, slowly props himself up. He takes a moment to glance at his companions and sees the exhaustion etched on their faces. Stretching lazily, Naoya addresses the other two, "Get up, people. We have a lot to do." His crisp tone and commanding presence instantly snap the trio back into reality, any exhaustion momentarily forgotten. They emerge from their hideout, blinking against the morning light. Ms. Fujiwara quietly stretches, wincing slightly as she tries to alleviate the soreness from sleeping on the hard ground. Jun, ever vigilant, scans their surroundings, looking for any potential dangers. Meanwhile, Naoya looks around, assessing their next steps.

Naoya's keen eyes survey the area, taking note of their surroundings. "Alright, first things first," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. "We need to get back to somewhere safe where we can plan our next steps. We can't stay out like this for long." He adds, "To make that happen, I will be making a call to my trustworthy friend from back then." Naoya reaches into his pocket and pulls out a burner phone - an item he had the foresight to keep on his car for emergencies. The phone is cheap and nondescript, its only purpose to provide temporary, untraceable communication. Naoya dials the number he memorized long ago, his fingers moving with practiced precision. There's a tinge of nervousness in his expression as he waits for the other end to pick up, hoping that even after all these years, his old friend will still have his back in this time of need.

 After a few tense moments, the call connects, and a groggy, familiar voice answers on the other end. The tone is one of wary surprise, but the owner of the voice seems to recognize Naoya's voice and responds, "Naoya? Is that you?" "Long time no speaking, Hayakawa." Hayakawa, the owner of the voice on the other end, lets out a small chuckle, the tension in his voice giving way to relieved mirth. "Naoya, you old bastard. How did you even have the guts to call this number again after all these years?" Naoya can't help but smile slightly at Hayakawa's familiar greeting. Despite the years that have passed, the old familiarity remains. "Listen, Hayakawa," Naoya says, his voice low and serious. "Things have happened, and I need your help. Can we meet somewhere discreetly?" Hayakawa's tone shifts from amusement to alert. He pauses for a moment, contemplating the situation. "Discreet, huh? That seems serious. Sure, name a spot. I'll be there in an hour." Naoya nods to himself, appreciating Hayakawa's swift response. "Alright, there's an old café in Shibuya, near Yoyogi Park. Remember it?" Hayakawa confirms that he knows the place and agrees to meet there. Hayakawa asks, "You sure? That place is very crowded. Especially because its Shibuya too." Naoya responds, "Yeah, I know. But that's why it's safe. We'll blend in better in a crowd, and it's less likely to be monitored or ambushed. Trust me, Hayakawa. Bring the thing with you too." Hayakawa mulls over Naoya's reasoning, and, despite his slight misgivings, he ultimately decides to trust Naoya's judgement. "Alright, I'll see you there. But Naoy, if this is some kind of setup, I'll kick your ass." Naoya smiles wryly at Hayakawa's threat and says, "Of course, just like old times. See you there." With that, he disconnects the call and turns to Ms. Fujiwara and Jun. They both look at him questioningly, waiting to hear the news. Naoya looks into their expectant faces and says, "We're meeting Hayakawa. He's a contact from my past who can help us. We're going to Shibuya, near Yoyogi Park. The café there is good cover and less likely to be under watchful eyes." Both Ms. Fujiwara and Jun nod, trusting Naoya's judgement and relieved to have some measure of safety after the long night. Together, they begin their journey towards Shibuya. As they walk, the hustle and bustle of the city fills the air, providing them ample opportunity to blend in with the crowds.

"I am honestly not sure if we should take a subway there or a bus or anything like that. Probably not safe at all" Naoya says. Jun pipes up, his voice filled with pragmatism. "You're right. Best to avoid public transportation as much as possible. There's too much danger of being recognized or tracked. Walking is the safest option for now." Agreed with Jun's assessment, Naoya nods his affirmation. The trio continues their walk, their pace steady and unhurried, moving through the crowded city streets. Every now and then, Naoya can't help but glance over his shoulder, looking out for any potential threats lurking in the shadows. As they approach Shibuya and start walking towards the café, the trio finds themselves weaving through the throngs of people, blending seamlessly into the crowd. While they feel somewhat safe in the anonymity of the crowd, the tension still hangs heavily in the air, a palpable sense of danger lurking just around the corner. Finally, they arrive at the old café. As promised by Naoya, the place is bustling. People of all ages and walks of life are milling about, enjoying their drinks or small bites while chatting cheerfully. With their hoods up and faces hidden, Naoya, Ms. Fujiwara, and Jun enter the cafe and look around, trying to spot Hayakawa among the crowd.