Something In-Between

Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation nor do I make any money from using the characters.

NC-17

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Note: My undying adoration to my betas. They continue, with patient perseverance, to try and make this story readable.

Something In-Between


Chapter 3
Inside Informer

Inside informer
Working undercover
Where the night must fall

I’m playing games in a dangerous world
My instincts are dying
Shadowboxing in a deadly affair
It’s too late to stop trying
I’m looking for clues in a perfect crime
But watch when they cut you down
Nobody’s seen me turn that turncoat

I’ll need an inside informer
Working undercover
Where the night must fall

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

How I love my office. It had taken me a long time to get it just right, but now it was perfect.

It was a sizable L-shaped room with Persian carpets on the floor, antique rosewood furniture, priceless works of art decorate the walls and the tables. It also featured an elaborate mahogany built-in bar with the finest and rarest of scotches, bourbons, and cognacs not to mention the lesser, more pedestrian options of gin, vodka and the like.

But the crowning glory to my office had to be disarming effect of the morning sunlight as you made the turn at the bend in the “L” and faced my desk. There was a large, round window set just below the apex of the vaulted ceiling; approximately six feet above my desk. In the morning, when I scheduled almost all of my meetings, the sun would hit the window at a perfect angle, blinding anyone that turned the corner to face me. I could see them, but they could not see me through the bright sunlight.

It was unnerving to anyone coming to meet with me. I found it to be absolutely glorious.

Ah, but I fear that I have digressed. This morning, I found myself anticipating the arrival of one Takahashi Sakura, a reporter with a local, well-known entertainment magazine. What was important about Takahashi-san was that she happened to be rather good friends with Eiri. She and Eiri had gone to school together and they had something of a common bond. As far as I knew, Eiri thought of her as a friend and that was not something Eiri did lightly.

I would need to proceed with extreme caution here.

“Shacho?” Sakano said quietly behind me.

“Yes, Sakano-san?” I said as I swiveled my chair incrementally so that I could meet his eyes.

“This woman, are you sure we’ll be able to trust her? She is a - reporter - Shacho.” He looked at me with concern, worry lines creasing his forehead.

“Do you want to know why I’ll trust her, Sakano-san?” I asked as I leaned back and placed my elbows on my chair’s armrests, lacing my fingers together.

“Well,” his eyes met mine with a not-quite challenge, “yes, I would.”

I smiled at him. Sakano is an infinite source of amusement for me.

“The Takahashi family lived next door to the Uesugi family in Kyoto. Takahashi-san and Eiri-san played together when they were children. When Eiri-san was away in the U.S., Takahashi-san faced a terrible - ordeal - with a family member. A cousin, I think.” I sighed regretfully. This was an ugly story, but if Sakano was to be involved, he would need to know all the sordid details. I hoped that he would not pry into how I found out about the story.

I cleared my throat and continued, “As it so often happens when young women are – abused – her family felt that she needed special care and sent her away to an all girls boarding school.”

“You mean,” he swallowed hard and squeezed his hands together, “a reform school? That’s horrible! So she was – abused – and then punished for it?”

I nodded at him, “Yes.”

I watched the play of emotions across his face. How typical of Sakano, he was already distraught for a woman he had never met, regarding a situation that had happened over a decade ago. It was one of the things I admired about Sakano, his stark, frank emotions. Of course, on the flip side of the coin, I found his lack of control over his emotions to be occasionally disruptive.

Leaning my cheek on my right hand I continued, “Takahashi-san was “allowed” to come back home to Kyoto about the same time Eiri-san came back from America. Apparently, not long into the new school year, some of the school hooligans had heard misguided stories of Takahashi-san’s “wanton” ways and they cornered her, determined to have their own way with her.”

“That’s terrible!” he wailed. “Did she get away?”

I sat up straighter and smiled gently, “Well, from what I understand, reform school is an excellent place to learn how to fight, but she was still out numbered three to one.”

Sakano was chewing on a knuckle now, “So, what happened to her, Shacho?”

“Eiri-san happened to come along about that time. Let’s just say that the two of them together, Eiri-san and Takahashi-san made up a formidable team. They both had a lot of anger fueling their fight.” I watched as Sakano exhaled with a sigh of relief.

“If he helped her in that situation, I can see why she would be loyal to Yuki-san, then,” he nodded.

“Yes,” I said in agreement as I straightened my jacket. I did not add that I could see why Eiri would be loyal to Takahashi-san in return. Their common bond of being sexually molested, had cemented them together as friends. That was not something I wished to discuss with Sakano, not where it concerned Eiri, anyway.

“Shacho,” he said with concern in his voice again, “are you sure we should do this? This could mean trouble for Takahashi-san.”

“You worry too much, Sakano-san,” I smiled. “Don’t you trust me?”

“I, uh, well…” he stammered until he was finally saved by the bell, or in this case, a call from my secretary.

Takahashi-san had arrived.

I watched, the little thrill soaring in me, as always, as Takahashi-san turned the corner to face me and squinted against the glaring sunlight in her eyes. I can’t help myself, it is a guilty pleasure of mine, making other people uncomfortable.

“Ah, Takahashi-san,” I oozed at her, as I stood up. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“Seguchi-sama,” she stepped past the sunlight and furiously blinked her eyes into focus as she bowed to me. “Thank you for asking me.”

I chuckled, “Perhaps, Takahashi-san, you should hold your gratitude until we have had a chance to discuss my request.”

She stood up and blushed.

I gave her a bright smile and she blushed again. Ah, good. She had a crush on me. This would be easier than I had hoped.


A few days later I sat at my desk, leaning back and staring at my email. There on the screen was a pleading request from a groveling Shuichi.

Shuichi rarely groveled to me. I found this surprising turn of events to be more than satisfying. However, as gratifying as it was, Shuichi’s request did cause me some hesitation.

What on earth was that cousin of mine up to?

There were few people in the world that can give me a run for my money when it comes to manipulating people and situations. Kyosuke, when he put his mind to it, was one of those people. My cousin also had a unique flair for the unpredictable, something I could never quite grasp.

What was Kyosuke doing? And what if Nakano and Kyosuke had the wherewithal to put their heads together? That could be even more troublesome.

It had been my hope that Nakano’s arrival in London would distract Kyosuke.

Hmm. There was a picture out there, of Kyosuke and Shuichi in a compromising situation. Shuichi told me that Kyosuke had set him up for the picture and that the photograph itself was meaningless. Shuichi was frantic that Eiri would see the picture and get the wrong idea. Frantic enough that he had actually lowered himself to beg me to stop the publication of the photo.

Well, I definitely needed to see this photograph. Depending on what it actually looked like, the photo might work for me as well. But I would need to delay its publication, at least for a little while.

I was relieved that Kyosuke and I were on the same side. My cousin was someone I would not care to cross swords with in earnest.

And so, I sent off my own emails. One to Shuichi, reassuring him that I would do everything I could do to halt the blackmail-worthy photo. Or, if I couldn’t stop the publication; at the very least, I would attempt to delay it. Then, I sent off an email to Kyosuke with a query as to his end of the story concerning the photograph. Finally, I sent a follow up email to Eiri’s publisher, Mizuki-san, updating her on the Shuichi/Eiri front.

All in a days work for the label boss of NG.



“Oh fuck off, Tohma,” Eiri snarled at me in greeting.

“Good evening, Eiri-san,” I smiled at him as I removed my shoes and put on my slippers. I held up a bag of take out food, “Tonight we have Italian. I thought your delicate stomach might be up for it now.”

The cat, lying comfortably on the couch, hissed at me as I walked past. I found that the cat and Eiri were remarkably similar in their form of greeting.

I made my way into the kitchen and prepared plates and eating utensils for both of us. I watched Eiri out of the corner of my eye as he sat back down with his laptop and typed quietly for a few moments. I had managed to glimpse the open email page as I had made my way through the living room earlier.

Inwardly I smiled before I asked, “Eiri-san, have you received an email response from Shuichi-san yet?”

He looked up and glared at me.

I leaned against the kitchen counter and opened a beer, not hiding my smile now, “I see. Did he appreciate the pictures of the foul beast? What did he have to say?”

Eiri met my smile with an unreadable stare. He closed his laptop and stood up, “Let’s eat. I’m hungry.”

Well, at least I wouldn’t have to force him to eat tonight. I decided that was progress enough for one night.


A few days later, I finally received a copy of the infamous photograph of Shuichi and Kyosuke. Ah, yes, it was a rather provocative and sexy picture of the two of them. I could see why Shuichi would be concerned with Eiri’s reaction over the photo.

Eiri was amazingly possessive about Bad Luck’s singer. I found Eiri’s irrational behavior regarding Shuichi perplexing. Had it not been Eiri who had abandoned the singer? Had it not been Eiri who had broken off all ties with Shuichi? Had it not been Eiri who had been gone from Shuichi’s life for a year and a half? Why would Eiri be surprised that Shuichi would move on without him?

Simply because Eiri’s life had come to a screeching halt when he had moved to New York, why would he think that Shuichi’s life would have done the same?

Could Shuichi take one more emotional set back? Or; was it Eiri that I should worry about?

Because when all was said and done, Eiri had taken an almost equal amount of emotional bruising. As far as I could tell, other than Shuichi, Eiri hadn’t intimately touched another human being in five years.

Five years.

That was mind boggling for me. Eiri used to bed anything and everything that wore a skirt. In those days, Eiri had truly deserved the “man-whore” title Shuichi had recently branded him with.

But not now.

What had happened in Yokohama? For now, I would leave the Yokohama mystery up to Takahashi and Sakano to solve.

Almost absently, I checked my emails.

Good. Mizuki-san was about to accomplish step one from her end.

I would hold off the publication of the photo for about a week. After the photo was published, then I would allow Mizuki-san drop her bomb on Shuichi.

That would give Eiri a temporary upper hand in the Shuichi/Eiri struggle, but that couldn’t be helped. I was sure that something would happen in that bizarre relationship to cause the power to swing back the other way in short order.

Have I mentioned that I love my job?


“Tohma?”

“Ah, Suguru-san,” I smiled as I pushed send and closed the browser. I turned away from the computer and folded my arms onto the desk. “Good.”

Suguru had matured into quite a handsome young man. He was nearly as tall as Nakano, his hair was still short but now it was his natural dark brown. His fashion sense was impeccable, very similar to my own, as a matter of fact. Except for the fact that he insisted on wearing glasses. He didn’t need them, he said they were for effect only, to set him apart from Shuichi and Nakano and to give him his own style. I thought his collection of glasses were silly but then, some might say similar things about my collection of hats.

“Will you be ready for your departure, tomorrow?” I asked softly.

“Yes, Tohma,” he sat down across from me and narrowed his eyes at me. “What are you scheming now?”

“Scheming?” I said as I raised my left hand to place my chin on it. “Whatever are you talking about, Suguru-san?”

He sighed heavily and took off his glasses, “Yes, scheming. With Shuichi and with Hiroshi. You’re up to something and I’m not having it.”

Cousins that understand how I think can really be a pain in the posterior sometimes. Suguru wasn’t quite as manipulative as Kyosuke or myself, but he understood us and could recognize our motives. I would need to woo Suguru into helping me or he would be a problem as time progressed.

“Suguru-san,” I said patiently, “you know, at least as well as I do, that Shuichi-san is rather fragile right now. Wouldn’t you rather have a focused, inspired Shuichi to go on tour with?”

“Of course I would, Tohma,” he crossed his arms. “But has it ever occurred to you that all your mucking about with his dense brain might be what’s doing the damage to him? Maybe it’s your constant interference in his life that is making him crazy.”

I chuckled and tipped my head, “Suguru-san, you actually sound concerned over Shuichi-san’s well being.”

He stood up and leaned on my desk, “That’s because I am concerned, Tohma. I can’t face seven or eight months with Shuichi-the-basket case.”

I placed my hands flat on my desk and met his fiery glare as I said very evenly, “Suguru-san. Sit. Down.”

He did as I asked and I leaned back in my chair and smiled, “Really, Suguru-san, you make it sound as if you don’t trust me.”

Snorting, he rolled his eyes and looked away.

“Suguru-san,” I said quietly, “I think that Nakano-san is in love with Kyosuke.”

“What?!”

Ah, yes, that got him. A little jealousy was always an effective way to pull the under-pinnings out from someone. I always knew that Suguru was somewhat curious about Nakano but that reaction settled it.

“Er, are you sure?” he sputtered, trying to get his emotions back in line.

I smiled at him knowingly and steepled my fingers together over my chest, “So, now we need to concentrate on getting Shuichi back on track.”

“Wait,” he snarled at me, “what do you mean “we,” Tohma?”

I raised an eyebrow at him, “Suguru-san, like you, I do not relish the thought of months with a gloomy Shuichi-san. I mean for him to be completely centered when we begin our tour. Now, you may not like it and you may disagree with my tactics, but there is no question that there is only one person in the world that can work the soothing, focusing magic on Shuichi-san that we so desperately need.”

He sighed again and let his head roll back against the chair, “Meaning Yuki-san.”

Nodding I said, “Meaning Yuki-san.”

Sitting up slowly, my cousin glared at me, “All right. What is it that you want me to do?”

“Nothing, Suguru-san. I don’t want you to do anything except to stay out of it. Maybe occasionally let me know the… temperature, so to speak.” I smiled at him. “That should be simple enough, shouldn’t it?”

He gave me a humorless smile in return, and with a sigh of resignation said, “Nothing is simple when you are involved, Tohma.”

Sometimes, I find managing my subordinates to be very rewarding.


Holding the rolled up magazine in my hand, I schooled my features and knocked at Eiri’s door. The magazine had published the photo on the cover, which I had specifically asked them not to do, so truth be told, I was a little angry about that.

When I set the magazine down in front of him, I watched Eiri closely as he fought through his feelings of anger, confusion and betrayal. He looked over at his laptop and then back to the magazine, trying to decide what to believe.

“Tohma, I think I’ll need your help.” He asked quietly.

“Do you wish to go to London, Eiri-san?” I asked.

“Not right away. First, I need to find out what I did in Yokohama two years ago.”

“You don’t know?” I raised my eyebrow at him, feigning ignorance.

“I know my version. Now I need to find out Shuichi’s version.” He glared at me and nodded as he grabbed the magazine and crumpled it between his fingers. “Yes, Tohma, and then to London.”

Flinging the magazine across the room he said, “It’s time to clear the air.”

Finally.

“Should I arrange to have Mika-san come stay with you after I’m gone?” I slid onto one of the kitchen barstools and straightened my hat.

He snorted at me, “Hardly. No, Tohma, I’ll be fine.” He glanced at his laptop again and then back to me.

Oh, he wanted to ask me to help him, I could see it. Hmm. I placed my elbow on the kitchen bar and rested my chin on my hand, “Eiri-san, is there something you want to ask me?”

He glared at me for several minutes and then finally he shook his head, “No.”

I smiled, “Do you want me to check into Yokohama for you?”

He shrugged and said dismissively, “Do whatever you want.”

Laughing, I got up and retrieved a couple of beers from the refrigerator. Handing him one I said, “Well, as long as you don’t mind, Eiri-san.”

He grunted at me in response.


I left for London as planned about a week later. Eiri had still refused a trip to London so, as I sat back in the jet, I reviewed my options for applying additional subtle pressure to him.

“What are you up to, Tohma?” Noriko smiled at me over her glass of white wine.

I took off my hat and smiled back at her. Noriko was a rare person, indeed. She and Ryuichi, with the possible addition of Kyosuke, were the only people in the world that truly know me. With Noriko and Ryuichi, it was probably because we were so young when the three of us formed Nittle Grasper and we practically grew up together. They watched me go from struggling musician to label boss. They knew what I was capable of and it didn’t bother either of them.

In Noriko’s case, she was fascinated by my actions. She made it a game to try and figure out what my next move might be. And she never told anyone any part of it. Well, none of the important parts, anyway. I loved her for that, among other reasons, of course.

Ryuichi, however, was a bit more unpredictable. As I mentioned earlier, there are only a few people in the world that I feel can challenge me when I am manipulating situations and people. And as I mentioned, Kyosuke could challenge me, when he really set his mind to it. The only other person that could give me a run was Ryuichi. But Ryuichi… well, Ryuichi was a complete wild card.

Sometimes, I almost got the impression that Ryuichi was manipulating me.

“Well, Noriko-san,” I said as I sipped my own wine. An excellent vintage, I might add. “I am attempting to figure out how to lure Eiri-san to London.”

She grinned, “To get him back with Shuichi-kun?”

“Yes,” I said as I stretched my legs out in front of me and crossed my ankles. “The two of them are proving to be quite stubborn these days.”

Leaning back in her seat she continued to smile, “I saw the tabloid picture of Shu and Kyosuke-san. Were you behind that?”

“No, I’m sorry to say, I wasn’t.”

“Really?” her eyes widened, “I thought for sure that was you!”

I shook my head, “Kyosuke-san gets the point on that one.”

“Ah, so I see. Your cousin, though. That does explain it.”

“How so, Noriko-san?”

She laughed, “Being devious must run in your family.”

“Devious?” I said as I gave her my most innocent look, “Why Noriko-san, you wound me.”

Her pigtails swung with her laughter and she said, “So what’s your next move? If a risqué picture of Shuichi-kun making out in an alley way won’t get Yuki-san to move, what next? Maybe a porno movie?”

Porno movie? With Shuichi and Kyosuke? Hmm, I did have a recording… I shook my head, “No. No porn.”

“Huh,” she smirked at me. “It might be hot.”

“Perhaps.” I decided I would try out a thought on my band mate, “But I was thinking something a little more emotional. Something to help heal the breech between them instead of tearing it wider.”

“Why Tohma,” she said as she blinked her eyes in surprise. “That’s very touching. Very thoughtful, indeed. I can’t wait to see what you have in mind.”

A few minutes of silence passed before she spoke again, “By the way Tohma, if you were hoping to sooth and heal, why would you let Ryuichi get to London before we did? Ryu’s arrival surely rocked the London boat.”

“Well, Noriko-san, as you know, it’s not as if I have much control over Ryuichi-san’s actions,” I leaned my head back to look at her. “And as you know, there are more people than just Shuichi in London right now.’

She began to chuckle, “I see. Kyosuke-san ticked you off with that picture, didn’t he?” She nodded, “Ryu told me of Hiro-kun’s feelings for your cousin. That’s why you let Ryu go to London without much of a fight. You knew Ryu’s appearance would shake things up with Hiro-kun and Kyosuke-san.” She was laughing out right again, “You really are the King of devious, Tohma.”

“Why thank you, Noriko-san,” I smiled at her.

“You’re very welcome,” she grinned back at me.

Ah, Noriko. She always knew exactly what to say to make me feel great.


Kyosuke met us at the airport and was unusually terse with me.

Noriko and I parted as she took the limo that waited to take us to our hotel. I left with Kyosuke and, as I interpreted from the look he gave me, we had some business to attend to. Before leaving, my band mate winked and grinned at me as she slid into the limo, “I’ll be waiting to see what’s next, Tohma.”

I dismissed her teasing with a wave.

As we drove to his flat, Kyosuke he informed us that Shuichi had received a rather cryptic message from Mizuki-san earlier in the day.

“Mizuki-san?” I asked innocently, my eyes wide, “Eiri-san’s publisher?”

Kyosuke tried but he couldn’t stop his smile, “Yes, Tohma, as if you didn’t know every move everyone is making at the moment.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” I leaned against the armrest but I met his smile with one of my own, “There are a few people that tend to keep me on my toes.”

“Such as Sakuma Ryuichi?”

My smile widened, “Ah, yes. Ryuichi-san does tend to bring out chaos in every situation. I hope he has not been too problematic for you.”

He grimaced, “Not really. Shuichi seems to have a good grasp on what makes Sakuma tick. But I don’t think it’s been the easiest thing for Hiro to deal with.”

“Ah,” I said slowly, “And how is Nakano-san?”

We came to a stop light and my cousin turned his head to look at me, his green eyes sparkling from the street lights, “What, exactly, are you asking me, Tohma?”

I continued smiling at him.

“Do you want to know if Hiro-kun and I have slept together?” he grinned at me as he leaned closer. “Do you want me to tell you what makes him scream? Or what happens when I put my…”

“Okay,” I interrupted him with a chuckle. “Okay, I surrender. I’m sorry about Ryuichi-san.”

“Tch,” he shifted gears rapidly, popping the clutch and simultaneously pressing his foot on the accelerator, causing the car’s tires to scream into action and forcing me to gracelessly grab at the seat and the door for support. “You could have at least warned me that Sakuma was coming. Nakamura almost killed him while he was attempting to break into my house. Where would Nittle Grasper be without their beloved freak show of a singer?”

Well, I’m afraid I had miscalculated there. I had forgotten about Nakamura and Tony. They were Kyosuke’s constant “neighbors,” hired by Inoue Rynosuke to keep his son… safe. I wondered if anyone living in the house with Kyosuke had picked up on their constant presence. The two do know how to be discreet, but they were seen occasionally in Tokyo before now. I would be surprised if Nakano had not figured it out.

Kyosuke continued with his tirade as he effortlessly wove the car in and out through thick congestion at hair-raising speeds, “But let me guess, you were mad about the tabloid photo of Shu and me and felt the need to be petty and get even with me, right? You are so transparent sometimes, Tohma.”

Have I mentioned that when he tries, Kyosuke is a match for my manipulative skills?

“Over reacting a bit, aren’t you?” I tried to regain some control in the situation and at the same time to calm my fear that Kyosuke was attempting to kill us both.

“No,” he growled at me as he shifted the gears again and – increased - the speed of the Jaguar. “Just sexually frustrated, thanks to your meddling.”

“Ah, I see,” here was my way back into his good graces. “Perhaps I can – ease – your suffering by relieving you of Ryuichi-san?”

“Please,” he smiled.

The car slowed. So easy.

“And maybe you can take Shu for a while as well,” he grinned.

I sighed. Not so easy, after all.

“What about Suguru?” I asked with curiosity.

Kyosuke smirked at me, “I’m sure you are well aware of Suguru’s infatuation with Hiro. And me, too, by the way. That young man is as quiet as a mouse when he’s around. I think he’s hoping to catch the Kyo and Hiro show.”

I swallowed, “And, you wouldn’t mind I take it?”

“Not at all,” he chewed on his lower lip and smiled out the window. “Suguru could use a little - corruption - in his life. He’s just so rigid.”

I could see the wheels spinning wildly in that kinky, twisted mind of his. I wanted to ask what Nakano thought about Suguru watching. Or Suguru, for that matter. But I thought better of it. Kyosuke would not hesitate to tell me, in exhaustive detail, simply to get a reaction out of me. I felt that some things were best left unknown.

Clearing my throat, I changed the subject, “So what was Mizuki-san’s message to Shuichi-san?”

He looked over at me again, “Aren’t you really asking me what Shu’s reaction to her message was?”

I tipped my head, “I’m not sure I’m following you, Kyosuke.”

“All right,” he said patiently, “I’ll play along with you. Mizuki’s message informed Shu that a woman by the name of Suzuki had been fired for actions unbecoming of an editor or some such thing like that. Apparently, this same Suzuki woman sent a written confession about attempting to seduce Yuki-san. Oh, excuse me; let me clarify that, attempting to seduce Yuki and failing.”

“Really? How sordid.”

“Uh-huh. I guess the woman tried to seduce Yuki twice. Once in his own apartment, I’m told,” he smiled at me. “But I’m sure you wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“Now that you mention it,” I scratched my temple. “I do remember Shuichi-san reacting in a rather violent manner, involving Eiri-san’s car and a baseball bat. Apparently, Shuichi-san’s rather extreme actions were over some misunderstanding concerning a nearly naked woman in Eiri-san’s apartment.”

Kyosuke broke into laughter, “So… that’s why Shu went totally psycho on his car? That was why Yuki felt it necessary to drive my Mitsubishi and that’s why…” He glanced at me, his laughter fading, “Did you see his car afterwards? How bad was it?”

“Destroyed, for the most part,” I answered.

Grimacing he said, “Well, I’m not sure how I feel about that. Part of me finds it very entertaining, after all, he did touch my car. But on the other hand, that lovely Mercedes did not deserve such treatment.”

We had a few moments of silence in honor of the ruined Mercedes.

Finally, I broke the silence as I prompted, “So, Kyosuke about Mizuki-san’s email…”

“What about it?” he smiled at me.

I sighed, he was so difficult, “What was Shuichi-san’s reaction to the email?”

“Oh,” he turned the car suddenly and we screeched to a stop. “We’re here. You can ask him yourself, Tohma.”

I found that dealing with Kyosuke could be quite - challenging - sometimes.

We stepped out of the car and into the total chaos that was my cousin’s home. I found Ryuichi, Hiroshi and Suguru all convened in the living room playing a video game. Apparently, the game required everyone to shout at the same time.

As I took in the unruly behavior of the three, Shuichi came charging around the corner yelling that it was his turn. He crashed into me at full speed causing both of us to tumble to the floor.

“Oww!” He complained as he sat up, rubbing the back of his head.

Looking over at me, he grinned as he jumped up and helped me to my feet, “Oh! Sorry about that Tohma.”

Brushing off my jacket he said, “Hey, I’m glad you’re here. I have a problem that maybe you can help me resolve.”

Hmm, Shuichi requesting a favor already? Well, that was an unexpected and possibly rewarding surprise.

“What can I help you with, Shuichi-san?” I smiled at him, adjusting my hat.

He smiled in return and motioned me towards the back of the house, “Come on, I’ll show you.”

As I followed him down the hall, I realized with sudden assurance that London might not be the difficult challenge that I feared it would be.

All the better for me.

TBC


Lyrics for Inside Informer written by Steve & Martin Young (Colourbox)