Violet Machine

Division 3: Chapter 2

Kyo was swiftly reminded how misleading the name Sakura Street actually was. It was more like Sakura Canal, a long parade lined on both sides by what were meant to be hotels and fancy stores with one of Neptuna's many canals running through the very middle. Crossed over by several bridges that fit the place's Japanese theme. Planters with Sakura trees lined the Canal sides, illuminated by bright lights that bathed the area in a sensual pink glow. Most of the hotels weren't really hotels anymore, some of them still operated, but more as the love hotels Kyo knew from her family as being commonplace in Japan. The rest were refitted as bordellos where most of the business in Sakura street happened. Scattered blocks of flats were woven in, serving as home for most who lived in the area rather than just worked there. Kyo could feel the eyes of girls and guys alike sizing her up as a potential client, but she tried to not let it bother her, it was their job after all, that was until.

"Well, if it isn't little Kyo." A voice remarked, catching their attention. The voice had come from a woman in a short blue dress and black synth-leather jacket. She had a half-shaved head with lightning blue highlights in her hair and navy blue body plate running her arms, legs, back and ribs, the latter two visible thanks to the bareback design of the dress.

"Oh hey, Trip..." Kyo remarked when she finally recognised her.

"You know her?" Cameron asked.

"Friend of my cousin, was a big help in her first detective case." Kyo explained.

"I thought you'd never been in Sakura Street before."

"When did I ever say that?"

"Huh? Oh! Right, you didn't..."

"Once, I never did anything, it was for a family friend's bachelor party, I'd just turned eighteen." Kyo explained.

"Remember it well." Trip chimed in, "Lindsey introduced me as a friend, got awkward when I wandered off with Uncle Koji."

"Oh yeah! Auntie Jess was so mad on Koji's behalf, she made herself look like an idiot." Kyo laughed.

"How's the guy doing, anyway?"

"He's doing well, found a girlfriend, she's lovely."

"Cool." Trip remarked, "So what're you doing on the fun street, eh?"

"My new friend here's taking me to a place on the Neptuna side, she still hasn't told me where yet."

"And it's not a bordello." Cameron insisted, "it's sensual, yes, but it's more... therapeutic."

"Oh, you're going to Mizuhana, then." Trip deduced.

"What's that?"

"Trust me, it's better you experience it yourself." Trip insisted, "But it's a great place for comfort. I went one time when I was having stresses, it helped."

"If you say so..." Kyo sighed, "We better get going, I've got a pickup this evening so I need to get this... surprise trip, over and done with."

"Have fun." Trip said as Kyo and Cameron left.

"I didn't think prostitutes made good detectives." Cameron remarked.

"They don't." Kyo confirmed, "But they do make good police informants."

"I see." Cameron murmured, still confused on the matter.

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Mizuhana was an interesting place on the outside, a glowing light on the canal that separated Neptuna from Sakura Street. The place was clean and sleek on the inside with smooth, curved walls and pale violet mood lighting gave the place a sensual feel, exacerbated by the incense smell in the air; cherry blossom and Thai orchid if Kyo had remembered her scents right. The front desk, that took up half of the lobby defining the path towards a flight of stairs, was managed by a Tron with pink audio receptors and a welcoming smile she gave to Kyo and Cameron as they walked in.