Chapter 45
[63]
Wakaba stood outside of what used to be a Shido Sciences research lab, only now the building was vacated and appeared to be for lease. What the hell was happening? None of her phone calls were getting through to her Shido Sciences contacts, the facility was gone, almost as if it’d never existed.
As she thought about what could possibly be happening, Wakaba grabbed her head as pain shot through her brain.
“NO! No this-this can’t be happening! It’s too soon! I just used it!” Wakaba could feel the pressure building in her body. Her ‘other self’ was gaining her power back, and faster than ever before. Normally, it would take days for the symptoms to reappear after using her abilities, but now they were back after mere hours.
As the pain in her head dulled somewhat, Wakaba considered what to do next. She needed something to help this throbbing headache. Painkillers, she needed painkillers.
With her next move decided, she got on the subway to head to the nearest pharmacy. As she stood amongst the crowd of people in the train car, all she could think was how damn loud it was. God, was the city always this annoying?
Wakaba’s headache returned full force and she gripped the pole. Hard. So hard that the metal began to cave under her fingers as white sparks shot out from them. She needed to get out of here now, before she did more harm.
When the subway pulled to a stop, she didn’t even care where she got off, just that she escaped here. She pushed her way through the crowds of the station and reached the stairs, climbing up to the city above. When she finally reached the street level, she winced at how bright it was. This was bad, she didn’t have long before-
Wakaba’s train of thought was brought to a halt as she turned a corner on an empty street, colliding with another body. The two of them fell to the ground.
“Oh I’m so sorry, that was my fauuuu-” The man she’d bumped into began to apologize before he got a look at her, recognition showing on his face.
Wakaba studied the man, feeling she recognized him but not sure where…
The therapist! The man who’d interviewed her prior to her release was here in front of her.
Realizing that she knew who he was, the man got up to run, but he was too slow. Wakaba grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him in close. The therapist looked away from her in fear, unable to escape her grasp.
“YOU! You are going to explain to me just what the hell is going on!” Wakaba’s voice became distorted as her eyes glowed white.
“Please! Don’t hurt me! I just did what they ordered me to!” The man pleaded.
“Answer me! Why is the facility gone!? Why can’t I reach anyone!?” Her grip tightened and more white sparks flew from her blackening hands.
“They wanted this! They wanted you to lose control! It was just my job to clear you to leave! I swear!”
“Who wanted this!? Why!?”
“I don’t know! The orders came from up high! They were supposed to give you a placebo in place of your normal drugs and turn you loose! All employees were to cease further contact and relocate the facility and its assets! That’s everything I know I swear!”
Wakaba was left with more questions than answers, but she had a feeling that this particular well of information was dry.
“I believe you.”
The man let out a sigh of relief before realizing that he wasn’t being released. “Um Wakaba?” He asked with fear in his voice.
“No, not Wakaba.” She stated as her skin became pitch black and her hair a glowing white. A horrific smile grew on her lips. “I’m her better half, Ms. Negative.” As she said this, she drained the life force from the therapist.
After a few agonizing moments, the therapist dropped to the ground lifeless. His skin drained of all color and his eyes rolled back.
Wakaba’s head felt clear now, the pain from before was nothing but a memory. She felt good now, great even, and she now knew her next target. If the orders came from high up in Shido Sciences, she would go to the very top for her answers.
As she looked at the city skyline, she saw the Shido Sciences corporate building towering in the distance.
It was time to pay her old boss a visit.
[64]
Ren panickedly searched through the Akihabara streets, pushing his way through the crowd as he attempted to find the thief who took his wallet. This would prove difficult as he hadn’t even gotten a good look at the thief before they disappeared, he was just desperately searching for any suspicious characters.
When he finally pushed through the crowd and reached a clear area, he looked around hoping to find the thief, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary. Ren sighed in defeat, leaning against a wall and considered his options. He would have to tell Sojiro to cancel the card, but would undoubtedly receive an earful and may still be kicked out.
As he was contemplating this, he felt a tap on his shoulder from behind. He turned around to the source and came face to face with possibly the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and he knew a lot of beautiful women.
Dressed in a white fur coat (despite the fact that it was only mid-August) over a lacy black top that put her (very attention grabbing) cleavage on display and a pair of tight fitting jeans along with a pair of black heels. With thick flowing maroon hair that reached down her back and full red lips, her eyes obscured by a pair of black sunglasses, the woman was indisputably gorgeous. At a glance, one would think she was a celebrity or a famous model.
“Um, uh c-can I help you?” Ren silently cursed himself as his voice cracked unintentionally.
The woman’s lips curved up in a small smile, seemingly enjoying the effect she had on him. She leaned down to look at him, her heels giving her a few inches on him, he assumed that without them they’d be the same height (6 feet tall.) “Hello Ren.”
Ren was caught off guard, then immediately went on the defensive. If this woman knew his name, she could be dangerous. “How do you know my name?”
“Relax, I’m here to return this.” She reached into her cleavage, Ren looked away with red cheeks. When he turned back he saw that she was holding his wallet, brown and fraying at the edges from age, its contents empty of any bills, it was definitely his.
“That could not have been the most convenient place to keep that.” Ren said, hesitantly accepting the wallet.
The woman chuckled. “Don’t blame me, blame women’s clothing. Not a damn pocket on this outfit.” She gestured to her clothes. “Anyways onto business, I know who you are. Who you ‘really’ are.”
Ren was once again caught off guard. Who was this woman who, within 5 seconds of meeting him, already knew his secret identity? And why did she seem so familiar? That hair in particular- That’s when it hit him.
“You’re the Black Cat.”
“What you’re just now realizing? And here I thought you were smart.” She lowered her sunglasses. “I’m here to discuss the recent spike in gang crime with you. Oh and in case you were wondering, I didn’t organize that theft from you, I just happened to catch the guy and stole it back from him. I did follow you here though.”
“That’s...unsettling. We should probably go somewhere else to talk though, given the current ‘situation.’” Ren subtly gestured to the men standing 20 feet away, taking not at all subtle photos of the goddess of a woman before them, much to the aggravation of some of their wives.
“Please.” Black Cat responded.
Deciding to discuss over a meal, the pair entered the nearest place that served food, which unfortunately happened to be a maid cafe.
The two took their seats and were approached by one of the waitress-maid whatevers. “Um hello. Welcome M-Masters to our maid cafe.” The girl seemed a bit unsure of how to act. “I’m sorry, it’s just, we don’t get a lot of um, couples here. I’m supposed to be reading from a script, but it doesn’t really cover what to do in this situation.” The girl’s eyes widened. “Please don’t tell my manager I said that!”
The redheaded woman laughed it off. “No problem dear. If we could just get some water, that’d be great.”
“N-no problem!” The maid quickly walked off.
The redhead then turned to Ren, her expression becoming serious. “Alright, let’s talk.”
“Can I start?” Ren asked. “What do I call you? I think ‘Black Cat’ would be a bit suspicious don’t you think?”
“Call me Mitsuru.” The woman responded, placing her sunglasses on the table. “Now it’s my turn. How much do you know about Yu Narukami’s death?”
“Okay wow, getting right into it.” Ren was surprised by the question. “I mean, the Green Goblin killed him, right? During his attack on Shibuya where he blew up half the city. Is there more to the story.”
Mitsuru seemed annoyed at his answer. “Seriously? Naoto hasn’t told you a thing, has she? That’s just like her.”
“Wait a minute, hold up. You know Naoto!?”
Mitsuru raised an eyebrow. “Oh boy, she really hasn’t told you a thing. Yes, Naoto and I know each other, I used to work with Yu back in the day, so I got to know her pretty well. We don’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, hence why I’m talking to you instead of her.”
Ren didn’t know what to think. Why was he only being told all of this now? By someone he’d just met. How much was Naoto keeping from him?
“Alright look, there’s a lot more to Yu’s death than the public knows. The attack that took place in Shibuya was planned months in advance, by someone high up. They broke Adachi, sorry, Green Goblin, out of The Raft and gave him an enhanced version of his Goblin formula. When that turned out to still not be enough to bring Narukami down, they activated their backup plan, blowing the city to hell.”
“Holy shit. So who-” Ren’s revelation was interrupted by the waitress returning with their drinks.
“Hi again. Um, here are your drinks.” She placed the waters on the table nervously. Ren and Mitsuru stared at the girl who awkwardly stood at the table. “Oh right! Your food! W-What can I get for you? M-Masters?”
“I’ll have whatever you recommend dear.” Mitsuru said in a sultry voice.
The maid blushed deeply before turning to Ren. “A-A-And you?”
“Nothing for me, thanks.” Ren said.
“Oh don’t be ridiculous.” Mitsuru chided Ren. “We’ll have two of the special. Please and thank you.” Mitsuru handed the waitress her menu.
“Y-yes ma’am!” The waitress took Ren’s menu and hurried off.
“You’re a growing boy you know.” Mitsuru turned back to Ren. “And if your appetite’s anything like Narukami’s, I’m sure you’re starving.”
Ren was about to protest, but his stomach growled before he could. Mitsuru shot him a smug smile.
“Why are you doing that? Why tease that girl? Unless-”
“I typically prefer the company of men dear,” Mitsuru ran her finger across Ren’s arm resting on the table. “But I’m partial to women as well. Not that that really has anything to do with our conversation right now.”
“R-Right.” Ren pulled his arm back. “So who planned the attack? Do you know?”
Mitsuru’s face went from playful to serious. “I don’t have any evidence, just a hunch. I believe the one behind the Shibuya massacre was none other than Masayoshi Shido.”
If Ren had been drinking his water, he’d have done a spit take. “Shido!? Billionaire philanthropist head of Shido Sciences, Masayoshi Shido!?” Luckily Ren knew to keep his voice down, lest he attract unwanted attention. “The guy who’s in the running to be our next prime minister!?”
Mitsuru’s expression was dead serious. “Yes, no one else has the resources or influence needed to accomplish such a task. And before you ask why, I don’t know, but I’m willing to bet it was only the first step in a larger grand plan. One that I’m sure you and I are problems for.”
“What do you mean by that?” Ren asked leaning forward.
“What I mean is, watch your back. Especially after that business with Tombstone, they’re likely already planning something for us. So stay on guard and prepare for the worst.”
Before she could continue, their waitress arrived with their food. “Here you are! Two special omelettes made with *ahem* ‘wots and wots of wuv from your favowite maid.’” The words seemed almost painful for the girl to get out. Ren cringed internally, meanwhile Mitsuru seemed to enjoy every second of it.
“Thank you so much dear.” Mitsuru replied.
Rather than leaving the waitress looked like she had a question. “Umm if you two don’t mind me asking. Are you two a celebrity couple? I’m sorry, you both just have this look to you and-”
“Shhhh.” Mitsuru placed her finger to her lips. “We are, but we’d really appreciate it if you kept it on the downlow.” She finished the sentence with a wink.
“O-O-Of course! No problem whatsoever! E-Enjoy your meal!” She hurried off excitedly.
Ren gave Mitsuru an incredulous look, she ignored him and began enjoying her meal. The food looked subpar but the woman before him ate it as elegantly as one would eat a 5-star meal. At this point, he decided to give up trying to understand this woman.
When the pair finished their meal, Ren reached for his pocket, knowing full well he couldn’t pay. Mitsuru paid him no mind and pulled out several thousand yen bills and set them on the counter, enough for their meal 10 times over.
The pair exited the cafe and stepped onto the Akihabara streets. It was then that Ren got another text from Naoto. Opening the text revealed that it only read 4 words.
“Get to Shinjuku NOW.”