High & Low ~The story of SWORD~

Act 6: The Red Rum Factory

Next morning at the Iemura Group held a meeting. Oya High and the White Rascals weren't agreeing to cooperate with them. They already knew that the Iemura Group was bad news, they didn't want to have anything to do with them. There was a rumor that they negotiate with the Hoodlum Squad and Daruma Ikka. It was said to leave the Daruma out of the deal but Noboru wanted to go and speak with them. Kasumi's father though told him "They support family, but if family betrays them, they are good as dead."

Kasumi that was close by heard everything. She was sure now that they were after S.W.O.R.D. region. But there was nothing odd there, that's how the Iemura were these days. Though she had a strange feeling, that things would become worse. The meeting was almost over with Noboru telling them that he would go and speak to the Daruma Ikka.

"Are you leaving again, Kasumi-san." Kirinji said at her as he was the first to got out of the meeting room. "Lately you are trying to avoid us!" he made fun of her.

Kasumi was wearing her black coat, turned and gazed at him. "I am trying Kirinji-san. Me leaving these place is in my plans. Though you have to stop messing with them." She replied.

"We were only following orders. How can the daughter of the Iemura Leader work on those stores. And leaving home is out of the question." Kirinji commanded.

Noboru, was near by and had already listen most of the conversation. He was heading out.

"You are not my father to tell me what to do! Just keep out of my way!" she aggressively told him as she noticed Noboru. She grabbed her black high heels and walked out pissed.

"The daughter of Iemura trying to keep away of the Group." Kirinji said.

At the entrance, Kasumi was trying to wear her heels, when Noboru past through. He stopped there waiting for the other to bring the cars. "Why are trying to keep away from the Iemura Group?" he asked her.

Kasumi stood up and fixed her coat. Then she took few steps closer to Noboru. "Just because my father is the Leader doesn't mean I agree with his doings!" Kasumi said while gazing at him serious.

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

Kasumi shook her head "Wrong.! That way of thinking! I don't know what made you agree with them. Before its too late, you should rethink it." she advised him. Kasumi knew what he was through, after all Cobra had told her. She didn't say anything else and walked away. Noboru kept his gazed on her. Her way of thinking sounded familiar.

The same day Noboru met with the Daruma Ikka. He didn't have any issue to walk alone through their gang. He told Ukyo that they should work with the Iemura group. The Daruma, were not a gang you could easy mess with. The leader Hyuga was about to come out of jail. And he had no plans to start any cooperation with anyone. He simple wanted revenge.

At the Hino Gas Station the next day, Cobra was sitting outside at the bench. He was holding the card Noboru gave him. He wasn't sure to call him or not. He was still thinking about it. Suddenly his thoughts were broken, as a female had grabbed the card from his hands. He glanced noticing Kasumi. She sat next to him and read the Card.

"What?!" he shouted at her, dazing off for few seconds against her big purple-blue eyes.

"Nothing!" Kasumi answered as she sat cozier at the bench. She leaned her back and crossed her legs. While having that bad feeling she wanted only to make sure everything was alright around the Sannoh district.