High & Low ~The story of SWORD~

Act 6: The Red Rum Factory

The next morning, the Iemura Group held a tense meeting. Oya High and the White Rascals refused to cooperate with them. They already knew the Iemura Group was trouble, and they weren't about to get involved with such dangerous people. Rumors had circulated that the Iemura Group was negotiating with both the Hoodlum Squad and Daruma Ikka, but it was said that the Daruma would be excluded from any potential deal. However, Noboru was determined to speak with them personally. Kasumi's father, though, had a warning for him: "The Iemura support family, but if family betrays them, they're as good as dead."

Kasumi, who was nearby, overheard the conversation. She was now certain that the Iemura Group had their eyes set on the S.W.O.R.D. region. But that wasn't anything new; the Iemura had been ruthless for years. Still, a strange feeling lingered in her gut. She knew things were about to get much worse. As the meeting neared its end, Noboru made it clear that he intended to go speak with the Daruma Ikka.

"Are you leaving again, Kasumi-san?" Kirinji called out as he was the first to exit the meeting room. "You've been avoiding us lately!" He teased her, his usual smug grin in place.

Kasumi, dressed in her signature black coat, turned to face him. "I'm trying, Kirinji-san. Leaving this place is part of my plan," she replied, her voice edged with frustration. "But you need to stop messing with them."

"We were only following orders. How can the daughter of the Iemura Leader work at those stores? And leaving home is out of the question," Kirinji commanded, his tone firm.

Noboru, who had been nearby, overheard the exchange and continued walking, his expression unreadable.

"You're not my father! Don't tell me what to do!" Kasumi snapped, her temper flaring as she noticed Noboru's presence. With a final, heated glare, she grabbed her black high heels and stormed out of the room, her anger palpable.

"The daughter of Iemura trying to distance herself from the Group," Kirinji muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he watched her leave.

At the entrance, Kasumi was struggling to put on her heels when Noboru passed by. He stopped, waiting for the others to bring the cars.

"Why are you trying to distance yourself from the Iemura Group?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

Kasumi straightened up, adjusting her coat. She took a few steps toward him, her gaze intense. "Just because my father is the Leader doesn't mean I agree with what he's doing," she replied, her voice firm.

"I don't see anything wrong with what they're doing," Noboru responded, his tone unshaken. "They just want to control everything. They have the power and the money—that's how it works."

Kasumi shook her head, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "That's the problem! That way of thinking is wrong. I don't know what made you agree with them, but before it's too late, you should rethink it," she warned him, her voice sharp with concern. She knew the struggles he was going through, especially after everything Cobra had told her. But she didn't say more—she simply turned and walked away.

Noboru stood there, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure. Her words lingered in his mind, and they felt strangely familiar.

Later that day, Noboru met with the Daruma Ikka. He had no trouble walking alone through their territory, his confidence unwavering. He approached Ukyo and told him that they should consider working with the Iemura Group. But the Daruma were not a gang to be taken lightly, and Ukyo made it clear that they had no intention of cooperating with anyone. The Daruma's leader, Hyuga, was about to be released from prison, and he had no plans to make deals. Hyuga wanted one thing: revenge.

The next day, Cobra sat alone on a bench outside the Hino Gas Station, holding the card that Noboru had given him. He was conflicted, unsure whether to call him or not. His thoughts swirled in uncertainty, but suddenly, his musings were interrupted as a female hand snatched the card from his grasp. He looked up, startled, and saw Kasumi sitting next to him, casually reading the card.