[ He notices the optimistic outlook, but isn't so convinced himself. Kiryu is quiet for a moment before a question that the stranger probably can't answer is prompted: ]
It just doesn't seem like something he'd actually want.
[ Kiryu responds, but he doubts that the man on the other end could really understand it or Nishikiyama either. He realizes that he doesn't know the person's name at the same time he senses a suspicious amount of arrogance regarding Nishikiyama's feelings. ]
Just because it doesn't seem like something he'd want, maybe there's something that's making him happy in this situation. People change. I understand you've been gone for a while already, Kiryu-san.
[ And despite Kiryu airing out his doubtsβhe knows some of it reflects on him, as the conversation goes onβMine doesn't feel hostile. He'll answer another question. ]
My name is Mine Yoshitaka. I took an oath with the boss, too.
[ The man Kashiwagi had spoke of. So this is the person stirring up so much speculation. Kiryu hesitates to pick apart what Mine says, simply because he's at his mercy. Nishikiyama is talking to Mine; Nishikiyama is not talking to Kiryu. Even if he's sure that Nishikiyama's struggling, he can't bring it up without offending his oath brother's new... kobun? How strange to picture, Nishikiyama sharing sake with someone Kiryu's never even met. ]
Your boss gets in over his head a lot. Don't let him do anything hasty that he'll regret later. You've noticed by now, haven't you?
[ His attempt to align with Mine, since they both are tied to Nishikiyama in some way. If Nishikiyama took him in, he must not be terrible. Kiryu clings to this faith. ]
[ Surely, his arrival, even more his stay, has inspired some discussion behind his back. Mine notices the way in which Kazama observes him but doesn't know what gets talked about. He doesn't think to forfeit common ground, doesn't comment, but he has no idea that Kashiwagi should be Kiryu's source of information; that Kiryu's even heard his name before. He and Nishikiyama were... are close. There's sense to his concern, though Mine doesn't share it. ]
...
[ He also weighs his answer. Kiryu isn't the enemy, he's someone Mine should talk to. ]
He's ambitious and willing to take risks. That's part of being a leader, isn't it?
[ Wariness floats in his thoughts. Unwittingly, Mine offers self-projection. Even with a gun to his head, he didn't think of disabling his support. ]
[ Kiryu will confirm that much, but there's deeper intuition that rings his concern. ]
It's fine until it's self-destructive. He shouldn't run from what's happened to him.
[ Mine seems to be listening. It's a good sign. He's more reasonable than others have painted him from the outside looking in, which Kiryu thinks to be a relief. ]
On my end, it sounds like he's using the family as a distraction. That's why I want him to talk to me again.
[ And just in case Mine thinks he's an enemy: ]
Nishiki's the best there is. There's no one better to have by your side.
[ He does listen. As a result, Mine's own opinion takes further shape. ]
You may say that, but I don't think it's true.
[ His reply's honest without elaborating too much more. Because, just like Mine himself, he thinks Nishikiyama is walking forward towards something, as opposed to turning his back on something else. One necessarily comes with the other, but Mine doesn't see that as the point being made. ]
Maybe talking to him will convince you. I'll pass on your request, like I said.
[ Again, Kiryu isn't the enemy. But is he an ally? A rival? Mine's feelings turn complicated over him calling Nishikiyama as 'Nishiki' one more time. He carves enough of a pause to adjust the conversation. ]
It's been nice talking to you, Kiryu-san.
[ Remaining civil at a distance is much easier; he'll put it back between them. ]
[ Kiryu is uncertain, but left with no choice but to accept the circumstances. He's in prison; without a choice, and without the ability Mine has. He disagrees but doesn't verbalize it. It's fine to end the conversation this way, especially if Mine will say something to his oath brother for him. ]
Thanks for that.
[ He won't hang up firstβ these are his only moments connected to the outside. ]
[ Nishikiyama reenters his office at this point. There's a can of black coffee in his hand, and he squints at Mine only after realizing he's on the phone for some reason. ]
Mine. Who're you talking to?
[ Kazama? Kashiwagi? Despite the time of day, Kiryu is not on his mind. He drops a binder on the desk beside Mine, closer and increasingly more suspicious of whoever's on the line. ]
[ Kiryu hears the annoyance in his voice. He hears something thunk loudly on a surface and even the way Nishikiyama comes into the room hot. Had he just come back from somewhere? Hearing him so accusatory like this is strange. In over his own headβ a little manic. It's different than the whining Kiryu had grown used to over the years. Without realizing it, Kiryu leans forward in his metal chair. ]
[ Kiryu's answer leaves Mine with room for interpretation. He can guess that the other man doesn't say everything he wants to. For a minute, Mine's of the mind to hang onto the conversation for a moment longer.
Then, the door opens; Nishikiyama doesn't hesitate to walk into his own space, right up to his desk. Cadence to his step, a flavor to his voice that Mine is more familiar with and used to than Kiryu. Mine lifts the handset away from his ear. He can pass on the call, not just the message, as he said he would. He still hears Kiryu speaking, faintlyβ A click. On Kiryu's end the line beeps rapidly, the call disconnected.
He looks up, from the binder dropped in front of him to Nishikiyama. He hesitates before answering, it's obvious. Mine has placed the handset back on the receiver, hanging up as if the call'd already been ended. ]
[ The name hadn't crossed his mind, but when it does, something snaps in Nishikiyama. He looks at where the phone is and swats at Mine's handβ reaching to pick the receiver back up and hit a button to redial the number that had just been received. He doesn't see Mine at all. Just color. His fingers clench the can in his hand. They tremble as the phone rings. ]
[ He stands by, dazed by Nishikiyama's prompt reaction. Mine doesn't expect it, the way he's only been letting the same call ring until it ceased, week in week out. Tension translates to his hand, Mine's gaze sinks there for minutes, it feels like, until the line chirping busy again warns Nishikiyama that no one is picking up his call. Mine isn't sure whether he should speak up, but does eventually. Maybe to placate his patriarch, divulging conversationβ ]
He mentioned they would inform him, in case you called back...
[ Nishikiyama clicks his tongue in annoyance before slamming the phone back down onto its rig. It clacks around and slides on the mount because he'd done it messily. ]
If you catch him calling again, tell him to quit.
[ He can't deal with it anymore. Week after week. Kiryu won't leave him alone. ]
[ Mine fixes the receiver, thinking to mitigate whatever resentment Nishikiyama is about to aim at him. Instead, he's released from the scenario where Nishikiyama'd wanted the conversation he'd just hung up on. ]
Understood.
[ Quietly satisfied, now Mine doesn't feel responsible for sharing Kiryu's concerns either. ]
[ Nishikiyama takes a moment to himself, gazing at the phone where it sits. Sick of the thought, he moves around Mine and the desk, lowering into the seat in front of the binder he'd brought in. His coffee can is empty, so he leaves it on the corner unattended. ]
[ Glad to have the topic abandoned, Mine feels placid in Nishikiyama's new request. ]
Of course.
[ It's what he does day in day out, on his white-collar job. It's where Nishikiyama may rely on him. Mine comes around to the other side of the desk too. He stands close to Nishikiyama in his chair and flips open the binder. His shoulders drop comfortably to skim through the pages of the portfolio. After a while his head dips in a nod, having decided. ]
I'll take a closer look, keep an eye out for any insider information that could give us an advantageβ
[ What's more: ] I'm pleased to see that you're willing to push forward with these investments.
[ His concern over Nishikiyama hoarding the money he was getting has only grown recently. This is a smart move; Mine's obviously at ease with it. Nishikiyama can trust what he says. ]
[ The territory in question. He side-eyes Mine from where he bends, wanting his opinion and advice first. ]
They seem small now, but I think with how the city's been growing they'll be relevant soon. We can sandwich the Champion District and put pressure on it that way later too.
[ Mine flips back and forth through the pages a few more times, focused on some numbers to pad out his assessment. As the century comes to an end in less than two years, the country is slowly growing out its economic setback. Buying right now has some advantages, some risks. They have money to leverage it. ]
Yes, they look good.
[ With his eyes back on Nishikiyama. Mine likes his initiative, it's not hard to tell when he stands leaning close still. ]
I'll factor that in as well. Champion District is small too, but I expect similar growth in the future. There's enough time, it makes sense to position ourselves now.
[ While the Nishikiyama Family is still being undervalued. It's the middle of the day, Mine means to go back to his office; he can do some work right away. He looks intently, trying to gauge Nishikiyama's eagerness and compare it to his own, too. Kiryu's concerns are nothing more than an annoying itch in Mine's ear. ]
I can take these with me and let you know if anything comes up. You can make the purchases soon, I imagine.
[ There are different colored tabs in the binder to separate the profiles. ]
There are two people I have some business with. I need you to bring them to me alive.
[ He checks Mine's face to see if he's up to the task. The implications of his request are mysterious and dark, and he's not sure if Mine is as eager to assist. In a way, Nishikiyama is testing him. He wonders if he can bring the same intensity he brought to the coliseum on his behalf before. ]
[ Now, Mine tries to placate himself by asking for clarification. His expression is stiff, like it typically is, but even faint dynamics get frozen in the moment. Why does Nishikiyama place emphasis on the second half of his request? He expects it to culminate with Nishikiyama opening to one of the marked pages.
Mine doesn't notice that he holds his breath until he needs to take one in order to speak up. He makes a headlong decision. ]
[ Nishikiyama hooks his nail under the corresponding tab in the binder, flipping it open to a page. There, a printout copy of a business card, medical license, and photo ID are provided. A former address, no longer accurate, is there in the records, and in the lone photograph is a man wearing a white jacket. A surgeon.
The name written is Hiyoshi Kiminobu. ]
This doctor first. He up and vanished two years ago.
[ Nishikiyama's eyes are fixed on the page. An immense hatred burns through him, but he's managed to kept his tone cold and even so far. He can't look away from the profile, and his nails scrape the corner of it restlessly. ]
All I know about him is behind the blue tab in the binder. I need you to bring him to me, Mine.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ He notices the optimistic outlook, but isn't so convinced himself. Kiryu is quiet for a moment before a question that the stranger probably can't answer is prompted: ]
Is he happy like that?
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Yes, he is.
[ Selfishly, Mine doesn't want to mention that or consider it much anymore. They were happy together a few nights ago. ]
Are you worried about that, is that why you call?
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[ Kiryu responds, but he doubts that the man on the other end could really understand it or Nishikiyama either. He realizes that he doesn't know the person's name at the same time he senses a suspicious amount of arrogance regarding Nishikiyama's feelings. ]
I didn't ask your name. Who are you?
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[ And despite Kiryu airing out his doubtsβhe knows some of it reflects on him, as the conversation goes onβMine doesn't feel hostile. He'll answer another question. ]
My name is Mine Yoshitaka. I took an oath with the boss, too.
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[ The man Kashiwagi had spoke of. So this is the person stirring up so much speculation. Kiryu hesitates to pick apart what Mine says, simply because he's at his mercy. Nishikiyama is talking to Mine; Nishikiyama is not talking to Kiryu. Even if he's sure that Nishikiyama's struggling, he can't bring it up without offending his oath brother's new... kobun? How strange to picture, Nishikiyama sharing sake with someone Kiryu's never even met. ]
Your boss gets in over his head a lot. Don't let him do anything hasty that he'll regret later. You've noticed by now, haven't you?
[ His attempt to align with Mine, since they both are tied to Nishikiyama in some way. If Nishikiyama took him in, he must not be terrible. Kiryu clings to this faith. ]
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...
[ He also weighs his answer. Kiryu isn't the enemy, he's someone Mine should talk to. ]
He's ambitious and willing to take risks. That's part of being a leader, isn't it?
[ Wariness floats in his thoughts. Unwittingly, Mine offers self-projection. Even with a gun to his head, he didn't think of disabling his support. ]
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[ Kiryu will confirm that much, but there's deeper intuition that rings his concern. ]
It's fine until it's self-destructive. He shouldn't run from what's happened to him.
[ Mine seems to be listening. It's a good sign. He's more reasonable than others have painted him from the outside looking in, which Kiryu thinks to be a relief. ]
On my end, it sounds like he's using the family as a distraction. That's why I want him to talk to me again.
[ And just in case Mine thinks he's an enemy: ]
Nishiki's the best there is. There's no one better to have by your side.
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You may say that, but I don't think it's true.
[ His reply's honest without elaborating too much more. Because, just like Mine himself, he thinks Nishikiyama is walking forward towards something, as opposed to turning his back on something else. One necessarily comes with the other, but Mine doesn't see that as the point being made. ]
Maybe talking to him will convince you. I'll pass on your request, like I said.
[ Again, Kiryu isn't the enemy. But is he an ally? A rival? Mine's feelings turn complicated over him calling Nishikiyama as 'Nishiki' one more time. He carves enough of a pause to adjust the conversation. ]
It's been nice talking to you, Kiryu-san.
[ Remaining civil at a distance is much easier; he'll put it back between them. ]
1/3
Thanks for that.
[ He won't hang up firstβ these are his only moments connected to the outside. ]
2/3
Mine. Who're you talking to?
[ Kazama? Kashiwagi? Despite the time of day, Kiryu is not on his mind. He drops a binder on the desk beside Mine, closer and increasingly more suspicious of whoever's on the line. ]
3/3
[ Kiryu hears the annoyance in his voice. He hears something thunk loudly on a surface and even the way Nishikiyama comes into the room hot. Had he just come back from somewhere? Hearing him so accusatory like this is strange. In over his own headβ a little manic. It's different than the whining Kiryu had grown used to over the years. Without realizing it, Kiryu leans forward in his metal chair. ]
Let me talk to himβ
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Then, the door opens; Nishikiyama doesn't hesitate to walk into his own space, right up to his desk. Cadence to his step, a flavor to his voice that Mine is more familiar with and used to than Kiryu. Mine lifts the handset away from his ear. He can pass on the call, not just the message, as he said he would. He still hears Kiryu speaking, faintlyβ A click. On Kiryu's end the line beeps rapidly, the call disconnected.
He looks up, from the binder dropped in front of him to Nishikiyama. He hesitates before answering, it's obvious. Mine has placed the handset back on the receiver, hanging up as if the call'd already been ended. ]
Kiryu Kazuma-san called.
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[ The name hadn't crossed his mind, but when it does, something snaps in Nishikiyama. He looks at where the phone is and swats at Mine's handβ reaching to pick the receiver back up and hit a button to redial the number that had just been received. He doesn't see Mine at all. Just color. His fingers clench the can in his hand. They tremble as the phone rings. ]
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He mentioned they would inform him, in case you called back...
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If you catch him calling again, tell him to quit.
[ He can't deal with it anymore. Week after week. Kiryu won't leave him alone. ]
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Understood.
[ Quietly satisfied, now Mine doesn't feel responsible for sharing Kiryu's concerns either. ]
I let him know that you're busy.
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I want to buy out these properties further east.
[ An easier subject for him. ]
Can you look?
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Of course.
[ It's what he does day in day out, on his white-collar job. It's where Nishikiyama may rely on him. Mine comes around to the other side of the desk too. He stands close to Nishikiyama in his chair and flips open the binder. His shoulders drop comfortably to skim through the pages of the portfolio. After a while his head dips in a nod, having decided. ]
I'll take a closer look, keep an eye out for any insider information that could give us an advantageβ
[ What's more: ] I'm pleased to see that you're willing to push forward with these investments.
[ His concern over Nishikiyama hoarding the money he was getting has only grown recently. This is a smart move; Mine's obviously at ease with it. Nishikiyama can trust what he says. ]
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[ The territory in question. He side-eyes Mine from where he bends, wanting his opinion and advice first. ]
They seem small now, but I think with how the city's been growing they'll be relevant soon. We can sandwich the Champion District and put pressure on it that way later too.
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Yes, they look good.
[ With his eyes back on Nishikiyama. Mine likes his initiative, it's not hard to tell when he stands leaning close still. ]
I'll factor that in as well. Champion District is small too, but I expect similar growth in the future. There's enough time, it makes sense to position ourselves now.
[ While the Nishikiyama Family is still being undervalued. It's the middle of the day, Mine means to go back to his office; he can do some work right away. He looks intently, trying to gauge Nishikiyama's eagerness and compare it to his own, too. Kiryu's concerns are nothing more than an annoying itch in Mine's ear. ]
I can take these with me and let you know if anything comes up. You can make the purchases soon, I imagine.
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[ He's happy with that. With Mine's insight provided, his reasoning is affirmed and he's confident that he's made a sound decision. ]
I'll leave it to you. There's something else too.
[ He pulls the binder back towards himself, flipping towards the back of it and sifting through the page. ]
I have some people I need you to find for me.
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Another person you want to buy from?
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[ There are different colored tabs in the binder to separate the profiles. ]
There are two people I have some business with. I need you to bring them to me alive.
[ He checks Mine's face to see if he's up to the task. The implications of his request are mysterious and dark, and he's not sure if Mine is as eager to assist. In a way, Nishikiyama is testing him. He wonders if he can bring the same intensity he brought to the coliseum on his behalf before. ]
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[ Now, Mine tries to placate himself by asking for clarification. His expression is stiff, like it typically is, but even faint dynamics get frozen in the moment. Why does Nishikiyama place emphasis on the second half of his request? He expects it to culminate with Nishikiyama opening to one of the marked pages.
Mine doesn't notice that he holds his breath until he needs to take one in order to speak up. He makes a headlong decision. ]
It's outside my usual scope, but I'll do my best.
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The name written is Hiyoshi Kiminobu. ]
This doctor first. He up and vanished two years ago.
[ Nishikiyama's eyes are fixed on the page. An immense hatred burns through him, but he's managed to kept his tone cold and even so far. He can't look away from the profile, and his nails scrape the corner of it restlessly. ]
All I know about him is behind the blue tab in the binder. I need you to bring him to me, Mine.
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