“Boss, are you alright?” Marcus asked, running into Oichi’s bedroom. Oichi sat on the bed in a bathrobe, her hair wet and matted to her neck and shoulders. She looked up in surprise to see Marcus walking in and instinctively covered herself with her robe, grumbling disdainfully.
“Don’t you knock, Marcus?” She demanded. Marcus blushed and turned his eyes away, despite the fact that the bathrobe covered her well enough.
“Sorry.” He mumbled. “I just…I heard about what happened.”
“It was nothing serious.” Oichi sighed. “Just some blisters on my feet. Nothing a good bath could not fix.” She said this with a smile, but her feet were still in a great deal of pain. It was hard to stand, and the doctor had said it would be best to not do much walking for the time being. For a day or two, she’d have to endure staying at home, though it did feel rather relaxing.
“I wasn’t referring to that. I heard your purse had been stolen and a police officer helped you get it back?” Marcus explained
“Yes, that’s true.”
“And then you had coffee with him?!”
“Again, this is accurate.” Oichi answered, a bit annoyed now.
“Why!?” He demanded. “Why would you agree to that? What if he found out who you were?”
“He didn’t. I have a feeling this officer is a small fish in the P.D. Besides, I’m a firm believer in showing gratitude to those who do what is right. He helped return my purse, and the least I could do was show my thanks.” Oichi answered with a smile.
“We can’t risk that kind of exposure again, ma’am….with all due respect.”
“I didn’t have much choice.” Oichi snapped in irritation. “I couldn’t get far on my feet and he helped me, yes? I had to accept the risk of being found out. For the record Marcus, you are my friend, not my father. Don’t patronize to me.” Oichi’s eyes flashed and Marcus quickly bowed politely.
“S-sorry…I wasn’t trying to sound demanding or anything.”
“It’s fine…I understand your fear and I felt it too, honestly.” Oichi lifted her feet into the bed and leaned back against the pillow, letting her hair fall back on head of the bed and her eyes glancing up at the ceiling. “But maybe this can be used to our advantage.”
“How so?”
“If we have a pair of eyes in the police, we can use him as a buffer against them. The police force will turn into a handful before long, and we need to ensure that we know their moves before they make them. The young man is naive and unaware of my position. I think we can milk him for information easily as long as we keep my identity a secret long enough.”
“And if he grows wise to it?” Marcus asked.
“A single officer is easily taken care of.” Oichi hissed. But deep in her heart, she knew that wasn’t the real reason she wanted to stay in contact with Todd…there was another reason. One she dared not admit to Marcus…or herself. She couldn’t bring herself to imagine it or think it. “On to more important matters. We have a serious issue to attend to, Marcus.”
“What is it?” He quickly pulled out a small iPad and a stylus to take notes. Oichi waited patiently for him to get ready, and then she began her talk.
“Have you heard of a street gang called the Warrior Kings?” Oichi asked.
“They’re a group of street punks who control Lexington and Ayner districts. They’re small time and most aren’t even in their late 20’s. They spend their time recruiting out of high schools, in particular Lexington High School, hoping to be the next big name.”
“You don’t seem that worried about them.” Oichi pointed out. “Your tone seems - what is the word - dismissive.”
“Well…what do you expect?” He chuckled. “They’re just punks. Hardly organized and barely a fighting force to care about. They don’t pose a threat to us.”
“Not right now they don’t…but they also stand in our way.” Oichi answered. “The fact that they are unorganized means they are harder to truly stamp out. The fact that they are young means that they act rashly and selfishly; taking more than they need. They are a menace to the city…and no matter how far we climb in power, if they continue to harass the citizens, then we will be competing for the people’s support against their fear of the Warrior Kings.”
“…I think you might be giving them too much credit, ma’am.” Marcus laughed. “They’re high school aged punks.”
“And yet, they control two school districts.” Oichi replied. “We need the support of those districts. So we will relieve them of their burden of the Kings.”
“Ma’am…I don’t want to speak out of turn but…”
“Go ahead.”
“You’re still working to re-consolidate power right now. You still don’t have the full support of your own vassals and lieutenants. Are you sure waging an unending war is the best idea?” Marcus asked. Oichi glanced at him with a sideways glare that sent a shiver down his spine.
“Marcus, we won’t wage war with the Warrior Kings. Why do you think that I want that?”
“I’m…Miss Taiga what are you-” But he froze, his voice catching in his voice, as he realized that Oichi was grinning. Her teeth flashed like fangs in the light of the overhead lights.
“The Warrior Kings are simply bugs scurrying under foot, and waiting to scatter at the first sign of trouble. If we use force to try to crush them, we might kill a few, but the rest would scurry away. There’s a much better way to kill bugs like these.” She grinned wider. “And you’re just the man for the job, Marcus.”
“Me?” He asked, stunned.
“Tomorrow, I want you to get in contact with the Lexington school district. It’s time we got acquainted with the administrators. We can use their influence to make a few changes?”
“Hold on…how do you want to destroy the Warrior Kings?”
“Just get me in touch with the district office tomorrow. I’ll take it from there.” Marcus nodded and walked out of the room to make some calls.
“Can I…get you anything, ma’am?”
“Some tea will do fine.” Oichi answered. “Arigato ne.” Oichi sat back and smiled, already beginning her plans, once her feet were healed and where she could go…what she could change.
*********************************************************************
*RING RING*
*RING RING*
*RING RING*
Oichi groaned and sat up in her bed. It was late at night now and Marcus had long gone. The echo of the phone could be heard all through the manor that once belonged to her “husband.” She grimaced and grabbed the cellphone off the dresser and didn’t bother looking at the caller ID before answering.
“What is it?” She demanded.
“Is this a bad time? Sorry, I know it’s late bu-”
“Who is this?” Oichi demanded.
“It’s…um…Officer Todd Edwards? From the other day?” Oichi gulped in shock and sat up straight in her bed, shaking the tiredness off of her face.
“Hai! Konbanwa Officer Edwards!” Oichi cried. “Is everything alright?”
“Please, I’m not on duty right now. You can just call me Todd if you want.” He laughed. “Actually, no nothing is wrong it’s just wanted to see how your feet were doing after that barefoot chase.” Oichi blushed furiously and looked down at her covers, where her feet were hidden.
“They’re healing, though walking is a bit difficult.”
“Oh I see! Well it’s good to hear you’re healing up.” Todd laughed over the other end.
“Why? Do you often check in on victims of larceny?” Oichi asked.
“…Not unless I wanted to ask if they would like to get a drink with me.” Oichi felt her heart stop in her throat and she blinked a few times as if to shake off the nervous disbelief. "There's a great sushi place not far from where we met, if you're interested."
“I…oh I’d love to but…I don’t know if…it’s almost midnight and…”
“No, I understand. Your feet still aren’t up to snuff, and it’s probably not a good idea to go walking around right now. But maybe sometime when you’re able? I’d love to show you around New Mercia.” Todd answered politely.
“You’re a really sweet man, Todd.” Oichi smiled, finding the heat of her ears was increasing as they talked. “I…”
“Yes?” He asked expectantly. Oichi paused a moment, and frowned. This felt wrong to her. She’d just told Marcus earlier how she planned to use Todd as a means to get information, and now she was about to put all that into motion. There was no way she could hide any dates or drinks she had with Todd, and her excuse would have to be he was her eyes and ears in the P.D. But could she? A part of her didn’t want to subject him to that…she didn’t want to betray this naive young man in such a way.
And yet there was something clawing at her heart; a yearning want to see him again. A pleading in her soul. She couldn’t deny him. She could only blush and smile at the thought of talking to him again.
“I’d…be happy to have a drink with you sometime.” She finally answered.
“That’s great! I’ll let you get some rest. Sorry for bothering you.”
“It was no bother at all, Todd. Thank you.” Oichi giggled and then hung up the phone, laying back in bed, but unable to find the will or ability to fall asleep. She simply lay in her bed, smiling from ear to ear at hearing Todd’s voice.
*********************************************************************
The next morning brought Marcus to Oichi’s manor once again. This time he was careful to knock on the bedroom door before entering. In his hand was a briefcase with a laptop inside and several forms. He knocked twice and waited.
“Come in, Marcus.” Oichi called. Marcus entered, and Oichi was still in bed, her bathrobe on, but more well covered now. “Did you do what I asked?”
“Lexington District Office is willing to set up a meeting with you.” Marcus answered.
“No. You will be my voice.” Oichi explained. “It’s still too soon for the public to know I’m the face of the Taiga organization. You are a diplomatic man, and you have a strong presence. I want you to attend this meeting in my place.”
“Me!?” Marcus gasped. “But…I thought you wanted…”
“This is my plan Marcus…and I want you to follow it closely.” Oichi answered forcefully.
“Ma’am?” He sat down on the foot of the bed.
“When you meet with Lexington District Office…tell them that the Taiga organization is deeply concerned about the state of education in New Mercia, and we fear for the next generation that is being corrupted by gang activity and, more specifically, the Warrior Kings. We’d like to personally fund a series of after school programs and - what are they called - gang alternative programs…maybe a few job and college preparation clubs?”
“Hold on are you serious right now?” Marcus asked in horror. “We’re going to finance this stuff?! Miss Taiga, there’s no way the rest of the gang will want to support this!”
“We’re making more money than we know what to do with. I think investing it would be a wise thing to do.”
“But in education!? Miss Taiga, even if I could get the lieutenants to turn over a portion of our earnings to such an investment, there’s no way the district would trust us! We’re a gang ourselves.”
“How much funding does the school district get from the government itself?” Oichi asked.
“Probably not nearly as much as they need.” Marcus admitted. “It’s not an election year this year, so funds from the mayors office are going everywhere BUT where they need to go…the hypocrisy of politics is staggering.”
“Exactly. And because of that, the district can’t afford to ignore us.” Oichi replied. “A gang we may be…but we’ve built a solid positive reputation around this part of the city, and we’re well liked by the populace. That alone puts us a step above the Warrior Kings, who have done nothing but drag children into street wars and gang initiations. Indeed, they might find the idea of accepting our help to be a questionable venture…but they also know that there’s no one else in New Mercia who is as willing to help them right now.”
“…I’m still unsure, ma’am. I don’t think they’ll go for it…and even if they do, they’ll suspect strings attached to any amount of money we give them.”
“Then let’s do that famous english saying: "Speak through our actions rather than our words." Have a little faith in yourself Marcus….I wouldn’t choose anyone else out of my staff to handle this. You’re my number one guy.”
“Thank you, ma’am…and I promise to do my best. I just…wouldn’t expect much.” He explained sadly.
“I expect no more than your best, Marcus…but your best will bring excellent results.” Oichi insisted. “I have high expectations for you Marcus…but only because I know you can meet them. We’re taking our first step towards the future…and you will be the flag ship that lights the way.” Oichi leaned forward and began to climb out of her bed. “Now if you’ll excuse me…I need another bath to soak my feet. I’ll be waiting for your call tonight, Marcus.”
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