About twelve li higher up the mountain the street lamps suddenly disappeared. YF turned on the infrared sensors and increased the power of the AC fan, hoping he would be alert enough to notice any wildlife emerging onto the road. Years ago a colleague of his had died hitting a full grown buck in the west — something many eastern drivers are not used to. YF looked toward the passenger’s seat and behind him, noticing everyone had fallen asleep. Two hours in, YF pulled over at a rest stop which was really a covered hole in the ground with a few parking spaces. He, Eiji, Ken, and Mohan took turns using it while Saru and Ken smoked next to the car. Two more hours later, they eventually reached their cabin.

“So, YF,” said Eiji. “What’s the plan?”

“There’s a local onsen a bit down the road,” YF replied. “Was going to take us to an izakaya after that. Tomorrow we’ll hike to the top and take the tram back down.”

“Guess we can see Mt. Fumi in the distance,” said Beef.

“Maybe not in the summer,” YF replied. “But we’ll get a good view of Hinode. I reserved a private observation point. Should be good.”

“It will be,” Eiji reassured. “Shall we go then? Let’s take the bathroom towels here.”

“Where are Saru and Ken?” asked Beef.

“Probably smoking,” said Mohan. He looked at YF and Eiji. “You two go first. I’ll bring the others later.”

YF rolled his suitcase to the side and followed Eiji with his backpack over to the first floor bathroom, where Eiji started to hand him the longer towels inside. YF pulled his clothes and other articles out, tossing them onto the couch before loading the bag with the towels.

“Just bring yourselves,” Eiji called back toward Mohan. “We’ll have the towels.”

“Sure,” Mohan replied.

The two then exited the cabin and set off down the road toward the onsen. On the way, there was enough clearing in the trees to see into the valley below and to the mountain across. Eiji nodded with satisfaction. “One of these days, when I make captain, I’m going to get myself a cabin out here.” He stopped in the road, staring between two trees to a mountain in the distance. “Think it’ll help Kaede and me refresh.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” said YF.

“Heard you got a new place in the city,” said Eiji.

YF’s heart fell into his stomach. “Just renting,” he lied. “You know they kicked me out of the old apartment and gave me a wad of cash. Decided to blow it all on the guys and a decent place to stay.”

“Yeah,” said Eiji. “I hear you. If you need help with all that though let me know.”

YF made a mental note that he would have to do something about the condo soon before people realize he owned it, and that that was out of reach for most people in his age range and with his income level. The two of them continued on in silence until they reached the onsen.

“One thousand DTKs each please,” said the oba-san at the reception desk.

YF swiped her the money and they proceeded to the men’s locker room after the receptionist had registered their fingerprints. YF removed his clothes and stuffed them in his locker. He waited for Eiji to finish before sliding open the exit door and leading the way to the shower area right before the baths.

YF sat down on the plastic bench and filled his bamboo bucket with hot water, pouring it over his head slowly.

“So you heard about what’s going on when you get back right?” asked Eiji.

“They’re talking about the villages now?” asked YF.

“Well all of your IDs now have access to government firearms, at least up to Class B.”

YF thought about how he had unlocked the rifles for Uwada and his men. “Oh really?”

“Yeah. A few of our guys are going down to train the different departments. And then they’re constructing koban throughout the villages.”

The koban were small police stations holding one or a few people usually found in the ward proper but not in villages like Itsugo. YF always wondered why drones were not good enough for such things.

“And?” asked YF.

“You’ll probably be stationed at one.”

YF instantly thought about the worst streets of Itsugo Gochome. If his koban got attacked or bombed within the first week he wouldn’t be surprised. But if it didn’t perhaps it would be even worse — inviting suspicion of his ever deepening ties with Reina and Viper Sect.

“I hope Kuroda has the foresight not to arm the koban units,” said YF.

Eiji scoffed. “Why would he not? You want to die?”

“We walk into sectarian territories all the time without arms and so far no one’s been

killed.”

“But that was before the evictions and the riots,” said Eiji. “What do you think will happen when the people can’t get food and they blame you for it?”

YF thought recalled his conversation with Uwada. “When my time comes my time comes,” said YF. “The law of the street has been that the Sentinels and sectarians talk it out. I don’t see anything good coming out of a change in paradigm.”

A half dozen men with tiger marks on their backs with fan patterns along the sides of their torsos suddenly slid open the paper screen door and stepped into the shower area. Eiji instantly dropped his head toward the faucet, eyeing YF once to indicate all the talk of sectarians and police needed to stop. Eiji and YF finished washing up quickly and walked to the bath area, entering the one with a digital display reading “45 degrees”.

“So an izakaya after this, huh,” said Eiji.

“Right,” YF replied. “I do think they have some sushi or other things for hotter weather. It’s more known for winter food. But then again, most of the stuff out here is.”

“Makes sense, with ski resorts and all.”

YF nodded.

“Oi, nii-san.”

YF tensed up as he looked up to see one of the sectarians eyeing him.

“Could you scoot over so my brothers and I can get in?” the large man with the tiger markings asked.

YF frowned.

“Come on,” said Eiji, moving over.

YF followed.

The six men entered the bath and surrounded the two of them in a ring.

“Mi-chan was so tough on you you lost the energy to speak,” said the man who had spoken to YF.

The other five men burst out laughing, with Eiji smiling slightly out of politeness. YF did not smile. By the way the man who had spoken addressed the man who bowed slightly, it was obvious which was the elder and which was the older brother.

“She doesn’t choose just anybody though, little bro. It means you’ve done a good job.”

“Or maybe you suggested she thinks he did a good job,” thought YF.

The aniki stopped laughing. “Oi, nii-san.”

YF could feel the sectarian’s eyes on himself.

“Yes?” asked YF, looking up.

“Your frown’s been growing deeper every second. Am I troubling you?”

“No,” said YF.

Eiji tensed up but did not look toward YF.

“That doesn’t sound like the truth,” said the man. “I can take an insult. But I won’t stand by a lie.”

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“What is it you want from me exactly?” asked YF.

A low “oh ho…” echoed around the bath.

“Hey man…” Eiji rested the back of his hand on YF’s shoulder.

YF felt two strong hands clamp onto his shoulders. “He’s been under a lot of stress planning the groom here’s bachelor party,” said Mohan. YF looked up to see Mohan signaling toward Eiji. “And I think it’s a bit too hot outside for a bath like this, wouldn’t you agree?” Mohan followed up.

“Yeah it is,” said Eiji, instinctively rising up and climbing out of the water.

“Fellas, we’re going to go to the rotenburo to catch some fresh air and cool ourselves off. I hope that’s not a problem for you,” said Mohan.

The aniki of the group nodded slowly at Mohan. “Sure,” he said.

“Come on let’s go,” Mohan lifted his hands off YF and started off toward the sliding door that led outside.

Right after YF got up, one of the subordinate sectarians rose from the bath, water dripping down his body as he eyed YF up and down. Ken, Saru, and Beef suddenly emerged from the shower area, walking after Mohan. The man who had stood glanced at Saru before turning back to YF, this time with a glint of hesitation in his expression. YF tried not to show his contempt, climbing out and following behind the rest of the group.

When they reached the covered structure safely out of earshot from the indoor bath exit, Mohan sat down cross legged on the wooden planks. “The sectarians out here are not polite like the ones back in the capital. It’s best to be careful.”

“Who said the fuckers back in the east are polite?” YF murmured.

“Hey!” Eiji gripped YF’s shoulder hard, eyeing him seriously. “You’re either going to chill the fuck out right now, or I’m pushing you through the entrance of the next soapland we walk across.”

YF frowned.

“Don’t be selfish. This is my time. Mine,” Eiji repeated.

YF nodded while looking down. “You’re right.”

“I know,” said Eiji, letting go.

“You all right there pal?” asked Saru. “Not normal for a bit of stress to get you like that.”

“I’m fine,” said YF. “Don’t worry about me. Let’s just cool off and get back in the water.”

“I’ll have your back if they come out,” said Ken.

Eiji shook his head. “Don’t encourage him Ken.”

The rest of the time in the onsen passed with mostly Mohan, Beef, and Saru talking with the other three remaining silent. When Saru announced that he was hungry, they all got up and headed for the shower area. When YF passed through the indoor baths, he noticed that the group of sectarians had already gone.

***

The six entered the Shilla barbecue shop about an hour later, with YF having already made a reservation while the others were still changing.

“This way please,” said the waitress. She led them to a private area where YF and the others removed their shoes and stepped onto the tatami.

When everyone was seated by the low table, YF raised his hand. “Sumimasen, six nama-beers please.”

“Hai, shosho omachikudasai,” she said before typing something into her terminal, rising, bowing once, and exiting the room before sliding the door shut.

“Man we need to let loose,” Mohan announced, spreading his legs and placing his hands

on his thighs. “Too much stress from work.”

“You can have my beer,” said Saru, looking toward Beef.

“You’re not drinking?” asked Beef.

“I feel too sick from last week.”

“That’s pretty unlike you,” said Eiji.

“Thanks,” said Beef with a serious face. “But I think it’s best if I don’t drink too much.”

There was an awkward pause for a while before Saru spoke up. “Maybe after I eat some of the meat I’ll change my mind.”

“That’s the spirit!” Eiji yelled out.

“Six nama beers,” the waitress announced as she entered the room and placed the glasses in front of each person. “I see you didn’t order from the kiosk. Could I take your order now?”

“Twelve chicken breast negi skewers,” YF started. “Pork intestine, pork stomach, pork belly, tripe, chicken heart, liver.”

“Isn’t that…” Beef started. He looked around at the rest of the party.

“Oh right, could I have those in reverse order please?” asked YF.

“Yes, no problem. So that’s twelve each of chicken breast negi, pork intestine, pork stomach, pork belly, tripe, chicken heart, liver, in reverse order?”

“Right,” said YF.

“I understand. Please wait.”

YF nodded to the waitress as she left.

“I’m need to go for a fuck after this,” Saru murmured.

“Think that’s a bad idea,” said YF.

“Says the guy who lives in a strip club.”

“I mean it’s not like Lydia wants us with her girls.”

“She said she was fine if she didn’t know about it.” Saru turned to Beef. “What about you Beef, you coming?”

“Think I’ll pass,” said Beef.

Saru sighed and leaned back into his chair, pulling out two vape boxes and handing one toward Beef.

Beef shook his head. “I’m all right, thank you.”

“Man!” Saru exclaimed, startling everyone as he slammed his hand on the table. “What’s gotten into everyone?”

“I’ll come with you!” said Mohan raising a hand.

“Actually on second thought, I will too,” said Beef.

Saru tsked. “What? Not good enough for you?” Saru took a drag from his vape box and blew the smoke toward Beef, who turned to the side to avoid it.

“Look we’re old men now,” said Mohan raising two hands. “After a trip as long as we’ve had it’s hard to get it up these days. I think Beef is just tired.”

Saru nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

Mohan grinned. “But I thought about you wandering the streets looking for a good place and stumbling into some random shop. That just won’t do. So I will take you. I used to come out here for business a lot so I know where we need to go.”

“Oh?” Saru raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve got a place,” said Mohan. “And I can help you meet Kane-chan. She’s a real looker.”

Saru grinned widely. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Excuse me,” said a voice near the door. It wasn’t the waitress.

“Come in,” said Eiji.

The man slid open the door.

YF turned and saw that it was one of the sectarians who had been at the onsen. “What do you want?”

“My aniki would like to speak to you. To apologize about the events of today,” he said with a bow.

Eiji looked around. “All…of us?”

The man nodded. “Yes, if you have the time, please.”

The six got up from their seats with some hesitation, filing out of their booth and over to the one nextdoor. When the man who had come to them opened the door to that room, the remaining five sectarians from the onsen were all seated seiza on the provided cushions. The entire room was filled with smoke, and the leader of the group still had a real cigarette in his mouth. He took his cigarette out and crushed the end of it into an unused teacup.

“A real ashtray is hard to come by these days. You only get them at the family office.”

“Were—” YF started before catching Eiji’s glance from the corner of his eye. “Would you like to speak to us, Mr…”

“Niizuma,” said the man. “Yes I thought I’d make amends from the events of earlier. It’s not proper for those who walk the extreme path to have disputes with civilians.”

Eiji, YF, Mohan, Beef, Ken, and Saru remained silent.

“But what’s this about going to soapland?” Niizuma continued. “I heard one of you knows the ins and outs of town.”

“I am somewhat familiar with the area,” said Mohan with a wide smile that was obviously fake. “I thought I’d treat my friend to some fun. It’s been a rough few weeks, and he’s worn out.”

“I’m very well acquainted with Kane-chan myself,” said Niizuma, taking out another cigarette. One of his subordinates held a lighter under the cigarette for a few seconds before Niizuma removed it with two fingers and blew smoke into Mohan’s face. “But there are better places in town. Why don’t I take you all on a personal tour? You might see the area a bit better that way.”

YF grabbed the portable order kiosk at their table and swiped it against a plate of kara-age fried chicken, shattering the plate against the wall. All five men stood up, with Niizuma instantly raising his hand to calm them.

“Intimidating my friends is a poor way to make amends,” said YF. “You will apologize to him right now,” he said, pointing to Mohan.

“Sit down,” Niizuma ordered his men, who obeyed with clenched teeth.

Niizuma blew out a puff of smoke, motioning for YF to sit down at the one empty space at their table. YF remained standing.

“See we have a problem right now,” said Niizuma. “I called you over to make amends. But you insult me by wasting good food and giving me orders. Then you reject my invitation. You know that in our world, such things cannot go unanswered.”

“Who instigated by blowing smoke in my friend’s face?” asked YF.

“This is about the woman, isn’t it?” Mohan interjected. “We can go somewhere else, I know other places and you don’t need to bother wasting your time touring with us.”

“Your friend is sharp,” said Niizuma, pointing two fingers still clutching the cigarette toward Mohan. “Things can always get a little unpredictable when a special woman is involved.”

“But you haven’t taken Kane-chan out of the life, despite your affection for her,” said YF.

Eiji closed his eyes and inhaled deeply in frustration.

YF stared Niizuma in the eye, who glared back. “I propose a wager,” said YF. “We will have a fair fight. If I win, my friend can have his time with Kane-chan without harassment. If you win, I’ll skip town.”

Niizuma thought for a moment before blowing a cloud of smoke to the side. “All of you will get out of town.”

Eiji clenched his fists.

“Deal,” said YF.

Eiji glared at him.

Saru stepped forward toward the table. “This is my dispute, I should handle it.”

“No,” said Niizuma, crushing the second cigarette into the teacup. “I believe this is really Mr. Aggressive’s dispute. Am I wrong?”

“My name is Sakai,” said YF.

“Mr. Sakai then.” Niizuma stood up, removing his blazer and handing it to his subordinate. “I think we should take this to the back.”