Stories From Tokyo-To

Chapter 23: Just Got Wicked!

The cubicles and conference rooms were buzzing with artificial cheer, the kind that only ever came from forced festivities. Captain Onishima stood near the back of the crowded room, nursing a glass of some cheap cocktail that he hadn't even touched. The precinct office party, thrown by the Rokkaku Group in celebration of their so-called "21st Century Project," was in full swing.

Officials and high-ranking bureaucrats from the Metropolitan Government mingled with Rokkaku executives, exchanging pleasantries and hollow compliments. Onishima barely held in a sigh as the crowd buzzed around him, discussing the "bright and unified future" that Goji Rokkaku envisioned—a sterile, oppressive world free of creativity and rebellion.

Onishima didn't give a shit about their lofty rhetoric or Goji's self-important vision. He only cared about one thing: wiping out those damn Rudies once and for all. That's what kept him here, enduring the tedium of the suits and their meaningless chatter.

As he scanned the room, his eyes landed on someone who stood out: a man in his late 50s, the Chief Security Officer of the Rokkaku Group. He looked every bit the part—a grizzled man with a hard face, etched with years of experience and perhaps even regret. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back, and he wore the kind of tired expression that mirrored Onishima's own disdain for the event. He wasn't making small talk, wasn't laughing at the lame jokes of corporate lackeys. No, he stood alone, a glass in his hand and his eyes fixed on nothing in particular.

Onishima saw an opportunity. Grabbing another drink as cover, he approached the CSO. "Doesn't seem like your kind of party either," he remarked.

The man glanced at him, then chuckled. "You could say that. These types of events are for the higher-ups to pat themselves on the back."

"Tell me about it," Onishima replied, shaking his head. After a bit of idle chatter, he leaned in slightly. "Want to get some fresh air? I could use a smoke."

The CSO raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "Why not?"

The two ascended to the rooftop, the cold night air offering a reprieve from the stuffy office below. The city sprawled before them, its lights stretching out endlessly. Onishima lit his cigarette and offered one to the CSO who shrugged and took it. After lighting it, Onishima leaned back and exhaled, watching the smoke drift into the night sky.

"So," Onishima began, "you've been with Rokkaku for a while, right? Security must be a tough gig, especially with what the man has planned."

The CSO smirked. "Tough, sure. Micromanaging teams, coordinating searches, and dealing with threats can be a pain in the ass... But it's the kind of job where you see everything—people, situations, and plenty of things that make for good stories."

Onishima flicked his cigarette ash. "Stories, huh? Got any interesting ones?"

The CSO leaned on the railing, thinking for a moment before his grin widened. "Plenty. A couple of protesters overseas trying to hack our website's front page, a group of street punks tagging Goji's limo– Ah! And there was this adult film actor who impersonated Rokakku in one of his films."

Onishima chuckled cocking an eyebrow. "No kiddin'!"

"Yeah, we paid him a little visit during filming and let me tell you, once you see a grown man grovel at your feet butt ass naked... I was ready to resign."

They both share a hearty laugh, Onishima coughing a bit at the tail-end of his cackle.

"Ahhhh, yeah..." The CSO paused for a moment. "But there's one that stands out. It happened a few years back... involved a cop, actually."

Onishima froze mid-drag, his pulse quickening. "A cop? Like from the precinct?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"No, he was an out-of-towner." the CSO said, his tone shifting to one of amusement. "This detective started snooping around one of Rokkaku's facilities—big supplier for Goji's projects. Word is, someone tipped him off, gave him evidence in exchange for a deal. He had guts, I'll give him that. Even tried to push for a subpoena and warrant against Rokkaku."