Inescapable

Inescapable | Fifteen

"It's kinda suspicious, don't you think? Meeting in a bar like this, instead of somewhere more open?"

"That day, we also dropped him off here. He probably knows the owner or something."

"You only made it worse, Kozume." Konoha sighed, "You sure it's alright to go alone?"

"I thought you have more faith in me."

"You sounded more and more like that woman." The blond handed him a gun, and Kozume secured it in the holster on his waist.

"Nametsu-san isn't a bad person, Konoha. Don't hate her so much."

"I just despise her attitude."

"Try to tolerate it." Kozume walked out of the car and slammed the door shut, "Well, I should go and finish this."

"I'll be outside, just contact me if anything happens."

Kozume nodded, and entered the bar, making his way towards the counter. Behind it, a black-haired man was carefully placing a bottle back into the rack behind him.

"Matsukawa-san, right?"

"That's me," the bartender replied, turning his attention to the brunet, "How can I help you?"

"I'm here to meet Iwaizumi-san."

Matsukawa raised an eyebrow, "Proof?"

Kozume turned away, pulling his hair slightly to show the tattoo on the back of his neck. The bartender accepted it before he pointed at the door on the corner of the room. "Just go in there. He's upstairs, third door on the right."

"Thank you." Kozume followed the direction until he reached a guest room, which he entered without a word. Sitting on one of the couches, was Iwaizumi.

"You're early," he noted, "What if I haven't got here by the time you've arrived?"

Kozume shrugged, taking his seat in front of the ravenette, "We've known each other for years. I remember most of your habits."

Iwaizumi chuckled, pulling out a pack of cigarette, "You still smoke?"

"Not anymore. I thought you hate it?"

"I did, but it's a good distraction." Iwaizumi sighed, lighting up one for himself, "I mean, I'm killing for a living. It gets to me sometimes."

"Well, you didn't do so mindlessly. You're no murderer." Kozume put on his glasses and set his gaze back on his old partner, "So, let's get to business. Who hired you, and what exactly do you have to do?"

"Usagi, an informant."

"She's a dangerous one, Hajime."

"I was reluctant, actually," Iwaizumi replied, "Keiji now works as an informant as well. Weeks ago, he contacted her, asking for information on you. She couldn't confirm anything about your chance of survival, but she demands payment. And Keiji forced me to do this."

"Fukurō, I've heard about him," Kozume confirmed, "Anything else?"

Iwaizumi clenched his fists, "Someone told the military that I was the culprit at Oikawa's party. It must be him, no one else was there."

"... He was friends with Bokuto, but would he go that far?" Kozume sighed, "Should I confirm this? I think I know where Bokuto and Keiji would meet to discuss all of these. Well, if they really did."

"You're going too far. Our deal was to make sure Inuoka will be able to escape, that's all. If Bokuto caught me, it's fine."

"It's just a favor for an old friend."