Antwon Carter; 3:40 AM.

  The bus was nearly empty with only three other passengers. And just my luck, they were all women, and I was like a beacon glowing in the dark because their eyes watched me, and I watched them from my peripheral vision. I shifted my weight and dragged my eyes to them, but one by one, they looked away. Cowards; let’s keep it that way, and keep your distance.

  I should thank Sakura for letting me go for walks; I passed that bus stop a million times and never thought anything of it. Now, I was traveling on my own… I would be alone… I would be regardless of whether I stayed.

  “Damn it, Sakura,” I whispered. My eyes started to water; I wanted you to come with me.

  I caught one of the women getting up, but there was no way we were in Gifu yet. She started walking towards me, and I went cold. I brought a knife with me for safety measures, but would it be enough?

  She sat down next to me, and I looked away. Now I was the freaking coward. “Excuse me, young man. Are you okay?”

  I searched the bus with my eyes, trying to see if the other two or the driver would react. I’m not stupid; I know there is a killer lurking around; maybe she found her next target… me. I gripped my chair, feeling sick.

  “Hey, where are your parents… You shouldn’t be traveling alone.” She felt taller than me, but I only looked at her feet. She had a tattoo of a purple flower on her ankle, which I could see because her white dress hitched up a bit when she sat down. “Excuse me… Please go home if you’re alone.”

  “Mind your business,” I said with draining confidence. But she wasn’t wrong.

  “Oh, I’m sorry… I-I just didn’t want anyone bothering you, and I was worried.” I followed her white dress to her yellow jacket and white gloves.

  “Why are you sitting next to me?” I whispered, trying not to draw more attention than I had. I dragged my eyes to her face; she was… attractive, maybe in her mid-twenties.

  She nodded towards the other women, who had changed their postures completely, avoiding any kind of contact.

  “So… is this like… a claim?”

  She smiled the warmest smile I had ever seen, which worried me about its implications.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “But when I sat down, they all turned away.”

  I leaned my head against the window, wanting this world to leave me alone, but there was no way that would happen as long as I was a boy, face be damned.

  “So… why are you on the bus at 3:40 toward Gifu?”

  I sighed. “ I’m going home early; I stayed at a friend’s house, but we had a falling out. I called my sister and asked her to meet me at the bus stop.”

  She smiled and brought her hands together. “Thank goodness; I can stop worrying. Okay, hun, I’ll leave you be.” She started to get up.

  “Hey… you’re… fine,” She paused and smiled again before sitting back down. I looked out the window. I guess the outside world isn’t that scary after all, Sakura.

  “Are you hungry, hun?”

  ***

  Rika Igarashi; 8:15 AM

  After I lost ￥50,000, I decided to follow Akemi’s “lead.” I roared through the underbelly of Gifu, which was unsightly during the day, but damn if those neon lights didn’t draw you in at night.

  I slowly drove down the waking streets to Kakamigahara; however, traveling from Yanagase and the pavilion added another 30 minutes. If this lead is a dead end, the Queens of the Iron Court will cut us both down.

  I parked my bike a fair distance away from the typical locations—the gambling dens were constantly on the move to elude the Veil, and if they didn’t want to be found by you, then you may as well chase a ghost in the night. The trick is to ask women on the way to the den, not in it.

  “Hey,” I said to a woman cleaning the sidewalk with a hose.

  “The store’s open, just make sure you watch your step and wipe your feet on the mat before you go in.” She didn’t look at me, but I could tell from the bags under her eyes that she stayed up all night. But was it for men or money?

  “You look beat…” She checked me from the corner of her eye; thankfully, I didn’t get to sleep either.

  “Speak for your damn self.”

  “Shit… I didn’t mean to cross blades; I was only saying that it looked like we both had a long night.” She looked at me, which was a good sign; scum always recognized scum.

  “What’s your poison?”

  I looked around, noticing people passing, and leaned in close; the fact that she stuck her ear out to hear meant she was as low as they can be. “Moonlace, dressed in grace.” A prayer from the underbelly itself.

  She grinned and rubbed her chin, then leaned in to whisper something to me. “You’ve got taste. I pegged you for an Udumbara.” The never-blooming flower… damn. “Come in, come in.” I entered the convenience store first, and she entered behind me and flipped the sign to closed. We walked to the counter, and she pulled out two canned drinks.

  “I was saving this for later, but drinking anything alone is a sign of sorrow, you know?” I know this drink, it’s just an energy drink made from a local factory in Gifu. “So… Moonlace Pavilion… they got any new toys?” I smiled because I hadn’t been there in over ten years, so everything was new to me.

  “This may sound strange, but I stopped going once I started my job as a teacher… I knew that eventually some of my students would end up there.” She crossed her arms; a reaction I expected. “But I… went last night; I saw one of my failing students from years ago; he was an adult now… and gave him his first A.”

  Uncontrollable laughter erupted from the woman; arms flung up, back arched. I thought she would die.

  “Tell me more… what was he like, what did he say to you; was it awkward?” She had to be in her fifties, fiending like a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl.

  I fought back the sickness. “When he was on top of me.” I licked my lips.

  “Oh,” she smiled so hard that her grin erased her eyes. “You like your kingdom conquered, too.”

  I smiled, “When he was there, he said, ‘I’ve always dreamed of putting a baby in you, so I begged him to do it.”

  “Fucking bitch,” she whispered. She popped the top of both cans and slid one to me. “Damn… that sounds hot.” She held her drink up and we toasted.

  “I was tighter than a closed clam.” Sorry Yuto. “But it gets expensive,” I said, bringing the can to my lips. “And I don’t get paid much.”

  “Then you're in luck,” she said, tapping the can. I took a sip before checking out the drink. Manufactured by The Violet Lantern. “You don’t say?”

  She shifted her weight, leaning her arm on the counter and the other on her hip. “Yup, but some strange shit happened earlier.” I leaned in, still sipping. “I was on a hot streak; the goddess's favor, and the power went out.”

  “Why is that strange?”

  “Because the power never goes out. And I heard someone yell, ‘Get that fucking gaijin.' She clicked her tongue, “A gaijin… I wonder if it was a man. You don’t see many of them around here.” I contained my excitement. Thanks for cheating me, Akemi.

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  The door unlocked and opened.

  “Grandma, we’re here!” A boy no older than 18 walked in with his… mother, maybe. His hair was longer than usual, and his eyes were—

  The sound of a can slamming against wood drew me back to the old woman across from me. She held out a single finger and wagged it while her eyes burned a hole through any notion of him. I guess it’s fine when it isn’t your blood, huh, old timer.

  ***

  I made my way to the Violet Lantern, knowing that the den was there, and if there was an incident, resolving it would take priority over moving. But I had to take public transportation to better understand how Antwon, if it was him, was navigating. That, and thieves were always an issue. Asking the driver for information would prove fruitless because shifts alternate every four hours.

  I checked my phone—no missed calls from either of them, which worried me something fierce. So I dialed Trish; it was easier getting her off the phone than Christina.

  “What!?” she answered. I hesitated—she was already pissed off.

  “Who the fuck is this!?”

  “Um… It’s Rika…” I waited for a flourish of hate.

  “Thank the divine, Rika. You could not imagine the bullshit I’ve been dealing with.” I waited for a moment; rants like this don’t just end.

  “Since her fuck toy went missing, Christina has been up my ass… call Rika this… and ask Rika that. I had to throw regalia at her and make her carry out my executions just to get her to fuck off.” I hated it when she talked like that.

  “So, how goes the hunt?”

  “Your…” I covered my mouth to muffle my voice. “Your grace, you shouldn’t speak about Carter that way—”

  “Why not?”

  “Just imagine someone spoke of your husb—”

  “I’ll fucking kill them and you! Now say something.” I hated these conversations, I… don’t know why I’m trying to temper her. I waited for permission to speak.

  “A… are you still there, Rika?”

  “Yes, your grace, I have a lead. An old gambler said he was at The Violet Lantern Den.”

  “What the hell was he doing there… this is interesting; the last time I was there, we had a blast, Rika.” Blast… my ass. You picked fights with everyone, threatened to burn the fucking place down, and didn’t pay your tab as Etsuko. I just hope they don’t remember me, or are under new ownership.

  “Subaki! Bring me some popcorn, please.” It figures that someone was in the room with her… and here it comes; the Trish only I get to see.

  “Rika, baby, I’m sorry for yelling at you.” Her voice was honeyed, but I was already bitter. I gritted my teeth to hold my composure, but I was at my limits.

  “I don’t want your damn sorry; I want your submission…” Shit. And just like that, I had played into her sick fucking game.

  “Okay… I’ll do whatever you want, just keep talking to me like that,” she said in a cute, innocent voice, almost like she was begging. Damn it all; I just want to go back to teaching my students.

  ***

  The bus stopped, and I got off. I could feel the cool breeze flow through my hair; I traced the currents with my fingers, dragging my hand down to my face. “I can’t believe that I’m doing this,” I groaned out.

  “Oh, shut up, Rika; It’s not a big deal,” Trish’s voice emanated from the front pocket of my jacket. She… convinced me… no; she ordered me to video chat the whole ordeal as if I were her fucking entertainment. I only agreed to find Carter because he is my student, and Christina… also ordered me to.

  “Look at this fucking dump, Rika. Can you believe that we used to think this was the greatest thing in the world… god, we were stupid.” Some of us haven’t grown up.

  “Your grace, this only works if you mute the phone… please.”

  “Fine, Rika! Fuck…” I waited a minute to make sure it was muted. Once I was sure, I headed in. The door was an open entrance blocked by curtains. I walked up, pushing the curtains aside, when a large, meaty hand grabbed me by the face and forced me back out. I turned, catching myself in a near fall.

  “Shit… I didn’t know you were still alive.”

  “And I didn’t know you had the steel to slither back in here after thirteen years.”

  I stabilized myself, almost stepping off the curve.

  Matsuyo charged me. I looked for something to hide behind. She threw a wide right hand.

  I ducked it and hit her as fast and hard as I could, but I could’t get good footing.

  Matsuyo came down, using her height, with an elbow.

  I dodged to her left and tried to knee her

  She moved forward and caught me, pushing me down, pressing me against the warm concrete.

  She grabbed me by the neck, feet kicking, air leaving.

  “Fuc…” She dragged me into the building. I scratched at her hand, but I was losing air fast.

  ***

  Matsuyo threw me against some old, rigid machine. It hurt like hell. I gasped, sucking in air, “S-shit, Matsuyo. I thought diabetes would have… sung your song years ago,” I braced against cold metal.

  “I’m glad you care so much, Rika. I’ve been working on it, ya know, doctor's orders and all.” She rubbed her side, “them mosquito kisses teased me. You’re not nearly as strong as that Etsuko cunt.”

  I surveyed the room, looking for a way out, but my options were limited to the door I came through.

  “There ain't no point in running.” Her fist clenched, and she rushed me again.

  Matsuyo threw another right hook.

  I braced to duck it, hoping even ground would benefit me.

  Then I felt Matsuyo’s left fist lodge itself into my right side.

  “Fuck!” My back pressed against metal, side erupting with pain.

  Another right hook collided with my guard as my arms grew sore.

  Matsuyo’s assault slowed.

  I dodged her punch, stumbling around her.

  I stomped as hard as I could on her toes.

  “Fucking bimbo… bitch!” she said, jerking her foot from underneath mine, causing me to lose footing, creating space… to breathe.

  I wouldn’t have to do this for much longer. She lost some weight, but she was still a big girl. “Why… the hell are you here, Rika?”

  “You stupid bitch… why couldn’t you start with… that?” I said, sucking air as if it were water.

  “Oh… hey, Rika,,, it ain’t nice to see you, but… come in… have a fucking drink…. On the damn house.” Matsuyo came at me again, limping. She threw her full weight at me, and I dodged around her and kicked her in the knee. She roared in pain.

  “What the hell was that?” Someone shouted in the distance. Fuck, I need to get out of here, now.

  She hunched over the machine, and I went in to blow her knee out, but the growing pain in my side made moving feel like war; Matsuyo swung around and hit me with something hard, like a wrench or pipe, against my shoulder.

  “Damn it, Matsuyo.” I stumbled back, almost falling. I held my shoulder, which throbbed in pain. At this rate, I’ll be too hurt to look for anyone.

  “That’s what you get… You fucking rat.”

  “Fuck! Why… are you doing this?” I looked back at the door, but two more people had shown up, blocking my escape.

  “You and that bitch… Etsuko owes me money… or did you forget?”

  “W-why are you lumping me into… Etsuko’s debts?”

  up slowly, bracing herself on the machine. I could hear footsteps approaching from behind. “Etsuko racked up a… monstrous debt, buying drinks for… everyone, trying to burn… my den down, and vanishing like she didn’t exist.” She took a few steps toward me. “Now, you walk in thirteen years later, as if it never happened.”

  A hand pushed me from behind, and Matsuyo pushed me back. I turned and swung at anyone close enough to hit, but they just kept pushing me around. I knew how this would end, and tried to watch for the haymaker.

  “That’s enough… This is getting boring,” the voice from my front jacket pocket said. I fell to the floor. Surprisingly, the assholes stopped.

  “What the fuck was that?” Matsuyo said.

  “Rika, stand up, damn it.” I sighed, forgetting she was even there. I worked my way to my feet as instructed.

  “Stop acting like you’re hurt and shit. Now get somewhere they can all see me.” I looked at Matsuyo, looking for permission to move, and she directed me back to the machine she had slung me into.

  “Oh, I didn’t know that you were putting on a show for your boss; I hope you enjoyed Rika’s ass-kicking.” She laughed, and so did the other two women joining her.

  I slowly limped to the machine and turned to them, feeling gloom and pain drown out the life in my face, because they have no idea what they’re asking for.

  “Well damn, Rika… do you need step-by-step instructions?” I removed the phone from my pocket, flipped the camera, and held the screen towards the girls. Matsuyo leaned in, squinting her eyes.

  “Etsuko… is that you?” I assumed that Trish nodded because recognition flickered in Matsuyo’s eyes. “You fucking dumb, cunt. When I find you, I’m going to break both of your fucking legs.”

  “Find me… I’ve never hidden… I’ve never had a reason to hide from street trash. Rika smack this ape!”

  I looked at Matsuyo like I wanted to look at Trish, and she could see my quiet resignation.

  “Ha! I think that’s a no, Etsuko. Now, why don’t you bring them skinny little arms and legs back down here to get kicked, with your damn bowl of popcorn?”

  “I’ll beat some more weight off of you, bitch!.” This was going nowhere. I flipped the phone so that Trish could see me.

  “Can we please just—”

  “Fuck you, Rika! Show me that hairless monkey, now!” I flipped the phone back.

  “Pay me what you owe, or I’m gonna break your errand dog,” she pointed her finger at Trish and started tapping the screen like she could stick it to her.

  “Don’t you put that nasty fucking finger on me!” I sighed.

  “Hey, boss. Why don’t we just kill Rika, dump her body in the river leading to the ocean, and string Etsuko’s family up one by one if she has one? She’ll pay… then.” You stupid fucking cunt.

  I wished I could be anywhere other than right here, holding this phone. And she’s going to want to be someone else right now.

  “Oh! You weasel-faced short-haired horse's ass. No one fucking threatens my family, let alone my property and lives to breathe air! But I’m not just going to kill you, I’m going to erase your fucking bloodline down to the smallest child!”

  “Yeah, let’s see you do it c—”

  “Subaki! Come here right the fuck now. You see that big-toothed weasel!?”

  “Yes, your grace.”

  “Bring her to me…. Bring her children to me… Bring her dying mother, sister, brother’s uncle’s grandchildren!”

  “Right away, your grace, I will dispatch several squads to gather her family members, and the royal guard can be there in two hours.

  “Did she just say royal guard?” Matsuyo asked. “What is she reaching for… That’s a skimpy dress… Is that a fan tattoo… Is that a Yari? Oh, shit.”

  Oh, shit…