Erika clung close to YF but otherwise did not speak as he led her through the lobby to the main entrance. When he arrived, Kigali and Mizuno were waiting outside, the former standing next to YF’s old police scooter and the latter leaning against a new black sports car. Mizuno pushed off from the vehicle and turned to the back seat, pushing the button to open it and bowing as the door rose. “Please bring Ms. Ueno this way.”
YF obliged, leading Erika over to Mizuno’s car and guiding her gently into the seat. Mizuno closed the door.
“I added some more things to your bike,” said Kigali, patting the police scooter. “Mizuno left it with me and I couldn’t help myself. It’s got good bones, fits more in it than you would expect.”
YF glanced from Mizuno to Kigali. “I thought you were trying to go legit.”
“Oh I did for a while,” Kigali admitted. “But when what’s legit feels worse than what isn’t, well, you know.” He grinned. “Besides, you are who you are.”
“Oh but we are a legitimate business, Mr. Sakai, as I’ve already told you before,” said Mizuno.
YF turned to Mizuno. “Nice car, Yaguchi?”
Mizuno smiled gently. “An Inferno Mark III. Being vice president has its perks.”
“While it’s good to see you all I have to be somewhere quickly, and I don’t think I’ll be able to take the Raisen.”
“The oyabun thinks it’s best if Ms. Ueno is taken back to her hometown in the homeland,” said Mizuno. And we were tasked with bringing her there safely.”
“That’s exactly where we were headed.”
Mizuno raised an eyebrow. “You’re going as well, Mr. Sakai?”
YF nodded.
“Shall we be off then?” asked Kigali.
“I need to make it to Maehama by the thirteenth hour. But I’m worried we won’t make it if we take a detour through the country roads,” said YF.
“We can take the main highways, so long as we overcome some difficulties,” said Mizuno.
“Checkpoints? Traffic?” asked YF.
Mizuno laughed. “No those are small issues. But Blue Rose personnel will arrive here soon. And we will have to outrun them.”
YF glanced uneasily at Mizuno’s car.
“Do not fret Mr. Sakai. I will take good care of Ms. Ueno,” said Mizuno.
“This sounds very risky,” said YF.
“You should have more faith in us, Mr. Sakai.”
YF exhaled deeply. “One last ride then?”
Kigali nodded. “One last ride.”
***
By the time they reached the highway, roadblocks had already been set up to effectively lock down the villages. Mizuno led the charge up the multiple ascension ramps to try to find a level without them, speeding along the highway shoulder with YF and Kigali following close behind. Every so often Mizuno would brake and push any cars that were in his way, then continue on as if nothing had happened. As they continued to climb, YF realized that they were quickly approaching the top three levels.
“What are we going to do about the autodefense turrets?” asked YF across the comm.
“I’ve got that covered,” said Kigali.
As they approached the first automatic checkpoint entering the first of the top three levels, Kigali activated form tracing forcefields for both bikes and Mizuno’s car. Turrets with four guns each rose from their underground compartments and took aim at the three motorists.
“Don’t flinch,” said Kigali.
When they came into firing range YF suddenly felt the uncomfortable pang of multiple bolts smashing into his body and bike, with the subsequent explosions so blinding he could not see where he was going. He did everything he could to keep his handlebars straight as he continually sped forward, zooming past the gate. When his vision cleared he could see a reading on his bike for the forcefield strength, which had gone dangerously low, to about five percent. As they pulled out of range of the guns the forcefield began to regenerate itself.
“There’s only enough for three recharges, so we have to make it count,” said Kigali.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“And Mizuno?”
“I have more capacity here Mr. Sakai. It was for Ms. Ueno’s safety, as I’m sure you’ll understand.”
“Good.”
YF pulled the throttle and sped past Mizuno on the long straightaway leading continuously toward the west. After going for ten more minutes and turning at the first bend, a massive barrier rose from their level straight up to the bottom of the next. A dozen men in black armor raised their rifles at YF and fired at him, eating away at his forcefield.
“Road barrier! Ascend now!” YF yelled into the comm as he pulled off toward the ramp. YF dodged the next set of bolts just as his shield had dwindled to exhaustion, pulling up the ramp to the next level. He broke to a halt halfway up, watching with anxiety as the shield recharged. When it had hit forty he tucked himself in and pulled on the throttle, popping a wheelie as he made for the next gate. The turrets showered bolts on top of him as he went past them. When he arrived at the first straight stretch of road, he could see that his shield was down to one percent. Up ahead, Mizuno and Kigali had continued on without him and were fading into the distance.
“You all right YF?” asked Kigali.
“One recharge.”
“You need to save that. Stay behind.”
Just then YF saw five vehicles approaching him quickly from behind.
“Our friends have arrived,” YF announced.
“When I say pull to the right, pull to the right,” Kigali ordered.
“How tight we talking?”
“Your faceplate needs to scrape the ground.”
“Wai—”
“Now!” Kigali yelled.
YF pushed his handlebars down and forced himself not to flinch as his knee guard and faceplate scraped against the metal, sending sparks flying in every direction. Just as he righted the bike a loud explosion could be heard just behind him as the three trailing cars were ejected high into the air. YF brought the bike back to the center of the road and pulled the throttle. A bolt whizzed past his helmet and exploded against a barrier up ahead. A second bolt hit him square in the back.
“Got three,” said YF.
“I’ve got a few more charges but they aren’t going to fall for it again. We need a different plan,” said Kigali.
“I’m on it,” said Mizuno.
Up ahead, YF could see Mizuno turn the car in a full half circle. Two turrets shot out from his front bumper, an array of lasers tracking points on the road before launching multiple missiles. YF ducked as they flew overhead, slamming into the lead car and sending it rolling across the highway.
The final car emerged from the smoke, with multiple bolts landing on YF’s back as the passenger of the vehicle shot in his direction. Up ahead, the turrets of an automatic barrier rose up, firing at Mizuno and Kigali as they passed through.
“Dodge, YF, dodge!”
YF ignored Kigali’s call and sped up toward the barrier, his pursuer close behind. When he came within firing range of the turret, YF suddenly veered to the side and broke hard, forcing the car to fly past him. He then quickly accelerated back behind the car, activating the turrets which fired through the car, shattering all of the window glass before ripping off the frame. The car went into a tailspin along the road. When they reached the other side, YF pulled away from the flaming vehicle and accelerated toward Mizuno and Kigali.
“Whoooo yeah!” Kigali called through the comm.
“Good news comrades. Maehama is up ahead,” said Mizuno.
YF looked up as he came up over a rise in the road, the setting sun behind them lending a pink glow to the harbor in the valley below. Lights in the city flickered on as the darkness set in. In the far distance, the home island could be seen beneath the clouds.
***
YF decided to stay on the vehicle deck of the ferry, watching anxiously as the boat drew nearer to the home island.
“I never got to use these.”
YF turned to see Mizuno handing him a cigarette. In his other hand, he was holding a wine bottle and a beer bottle.
“People say you can get really hooked on those,” said YF. “But it doesn’t really make sense when you think about it. Vape box shouldn’t be any different, but somehow it is.”
“It’s definitely different from a vape box,” said Mizuno. “Keep two in your pocket at least.” Mizuno pulled out another loosey from the pack sitting in his breast pocket. “When the time comes I’m sure you could use a few minutes to calm your nerves.”
YF took the two cigarettes and shoved them in his pocket. Mizuno handed him the beer.
“Still a chance to be brothers?” asked YF.
“I think the ritual is redundant now,” said Mizuno with a smile.
YF took the bottle and popped the cap open, taking a swig from it until it was halfway empty. He then handed it back to Mizuno. The latter took the bottle more quickly than YF had anticipated, downing the rest. Mizuno tossed it overboard, watching as it spun rapidly before splashing into the ocean.
YF raised an eyebrow. “People surprise you.”
“It’s been a long few months,” said Mizuno.
“So when did you bring Kigali on board?”
“He was always there, doing a bit of work for us here and there. But he does good work, it was only a matter of time before we required more of his services.”
“Where is he?”
“Sleeping on a bench. He’s had much work recently.”
The lights from Ikusayama danced over the horizon like fireflies. A cooler breeze than before blew over the ship. Soon it would be autumn, and the leaves in Ikusayama would turn colors. It was one of the few things he liked about visiting. YF looked up at the sky. By that time there was only a faint glow above, and he was sure that when they arrived it would be completely dark.
YF leaned further over the side of the boat. “Mizuno.”
“Yes?”
“If I don’t make it back, make sure Erika and the kid are well taken care of. Please.”
Mizuno undid the wine cap and chugged it about halfway, handing it to YF. “You have my word.”
YF nodded and took the bottle.
***
“So that’s how it is,” said Kawamata. YF glanced from Erika sleeping in the master bedroom to Mizuno and Kigali who were sitting outside in front of the genkan. He turned back to see Kawamata with her teacup covering her mouth, as if she had forgotten to drink it. YF’s father in law poured himself another cup of tea.
“Hajime-kun, I need you to watch over our daughter for a while,” said Kawamata.
Ueno frowned deeply, spilling a bit of his tea as he set it on the table. “Naomi—”
Kawamata raised a hand. “You know my decision is final.”
Ueno gazed at YF.
“Don’t blame Yasu-kun,” she admonished. “We’ve had trouble with our new neighbors at the work site for a while. It turns out they have been more disrespectful than I realized. Kawamata’s hand was steady as she finally took a sip of her tea, but she had a dangerous flicker in her eyes. “I’m unhappy about the way they’ve troubled Erika.”
“How long do you think the planning will take?” asked YF.
“Oh we should leave tomorrow. We don’t want to keep our guests waiting.”
Something about the way she said it sent a shiver down YF’s spine.
“How are we going to do this? Who’s coming?” asked YF.
Kawamata blinked. “Well everyone’s coming. And we’ll greet them with heavy firepower of course.”