Swept Away

An old business associate. (18)

"At least let me take my father's katana."

"I'd rather you don't." I answered my girlfriend.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"

Was she using bad words more often since we met? I clearly didn't remember her using 'fucking' so much before. Was I a bad influence?

"Sias?"

"Sorry Panzer Frei."

"Do NOT call me that."

"S'xcuse me M'am."

She shouted in rage, her voice slightly echoing in the empty dojo.

A bunch of weapons and clothing were disposed on the tatamis in front of us, clearly disrespecting the Dojo. But thinking about it, we did way more disrespectful things in the Dojo before.

And as we had only 24 hours before our meeting with Shikami, I didn't think Morihei-sama would have cared that much.

"No weapons. Really?" She repeated.

"Yeah, sorry. Could you listen to my explanation before you use that scalpel you're brandishing since the last five minutes."

"Talk!" She said without dropping the scalpel.

What was a scalpel good for anyway? Where did she find one? Shiwazaki-sensei? What would he be doing with a...

"SIAS."

Now that one was pretty scary I'll admit.

"If everything goes to plan, we won't have to move a finger. I'd rather not tempt Shikami and his goons to shoot us on sight because we look armed."

She took a deep breath, thank god. Still had the scalpel though.

"What should I expect."

"I told you I won't tell you."

"Sias..."

"Fine, I'll give you something, you know about our family's old deathsquad right?"

"The miniature soulless army? Maker of ghost-towns?"

"Yup."

"Shit."

"Yeah."

"Didn't it get destroyed by your mom?"

"Oh no, they were not technically part of the family, just long term business associates. They have nothing to do with the old Jourdin's bodyguards."

"Those are all dead."

"Yup." I stated again.

"What have I gotten myself into."

"You can still..."

She pointed the scalpel at my neck.

I shut up.

"No problem taking the bulletproof clothes then." By her voice, it didn't seem negociable. I didn't add anything, not wanting to get scalped, but also because she was right. There was no reason we shouldn't take the clothes. Especially considering their high quality: protecting chest, thighs and neck. Quite on the heavy side, but not so much considering the large range of protection they offered. It wouldn't stop an assault rifle, but considering we were in Japan, we should only be expecting small calibers. What's more, they were relatively hidden, we'd need to wear thick clothing, but with the beginning of spring, it wouldn't seem all that strange.

"Tou-san gave them to us." She added.

I had guessed already, but nodded nonetheless. Bodyguard teacher and all.