Ren had told the truth, and he had lied. He would be taking his time off from his family’s work just as he had told Eileen - the woman from the café and his fiancé - and he would not be consulting his family regarding his and Angel’s partnership. The decision had already been made by Ren, and Ren alone. He would hunt the demon that had embedded itself into the one from the apartment with Angel and without his family’s help.

This had possibly been the first time Ren had been truly rebellious, and he felt it was perfectly justified. His younger brother, the one far less invested in the family’s work, was set to inherit the family’s legacy. It was a cruel joke. 

It was the poor judgment of a superstitious man.

His bloodline had protected people from demons since the early Yayoi period, their histories only well known by those involved in the bloodline’s peculiarity. The peculiarity that seemed to evade Ren Yoshimaru. He didn’t see why that mattered, nor why that led to such a devastating judgment by his father. 

He didn’t need him. Ren could handle himself. His time at the company had gotten him the skills, the means, and the connections to support himself, even if he decided to leave the company entirely. 

As for those connections, he had been in contact with one of them since last meeting with Angel, and he had scheduled a meeting with him today. He had also called Angel earlier, informing him that he had the go ahead from the Yoshimaru family to accompany him, then giving him the invitation to join the meeting.

Now, Angel and Ren were just outside the agreed meeting place. Angel stared at the building with narrowed eyes. “A poker house?” 

Ren locked the door to his car and stepped forward beside Angel. “It’s a private club with poker offered to its members.”

Angel repeated, “That’s a poker house.” He looked over to Ren and asked, “What kind of connection of yours would want to meet at a poker house? Can’t imagine much good from someone that’d ask to meet here.”

“He’s an old family friend. His name’s Dallon Brookes, and he’ll be able to help us track whatever demons may be lurking around the city.” Ren motioned for Angel to follow him in. “Just follow me and we’ll get this done quickly.”

I just hope this was worth missing class for. Angel obliged after a moment. As he did, he looked back behind him, as some strange feeling washed over him. It was like they were being watched, but no one was in sight. Must be my imagination.

* * *

The voices of two dozen middle-aged men and the smell of cigarettes surrounded Angel on all sides as they pushed through the room. His nose wrinkled at the smell.

He already didn’t like it when Ren smoked, and now he was surrounded by what might as well have been a solid cloud of smoke. This might’ve been the last place Angel wanted to be. Hopefully they’d get this done quickly like Ren had said.

It wasn’t long before they had passed all the tables, now going through a cramped hall with a series of tall, gray doors. Then they began ascending a stairwell, finding themselves in a place obviously not open to the general public.

Ren knocked on the door at the end of the second floor. From behind it a voice called out, “Come on in! Ain’t no reason you'd need to knock.” Ren obliged.

Behind the door was a large office, gaudy with all sorts of trinkets and exotic potted plants. A man sat behind the desk in a yellow suit, his black hair slicked back and his sunglasses obscuring his eyes. Somehow, to Angel, this man and his office seemed even worse than the poker house downstairs.

For how respectable Ren seemed to be, Angel seemed a bit surprised that he was so relaxed. Ren took a seat on the other side of the man’s desk and motioned for Angel to do the same. “Don’t be rude, take a seat.”

“The kid’s fine, Ren.” Dallon smiled as he looked over at Angel. “I’m not going to throw a fit or anythin’ if you don’t sit… feel free to make yourself comfortable.” Despite the man’s assurance, Angel did end up taking a seat beside Ren. He felt more comfortable that way.

“Let’s make this quick… I’ve already explained the situation over the phone, so you already know why we’re here.”

“And that’s no fun.” He laughed while shaking his head. “Look, I do know why you’re here, Ren, but since I’m doing you a favor, you might as well do the same for me.”

“We can discuss that later. This is important.”

Angel’s attention shot towards Ren as he spoke in a hushed voice, “If it’s just a favor, we might as well. We need the information from him, right? Then it’s better if we just play along. Besides, he’s a family friend, right?”

Dallon smiled as Angel spoke. “That’s right, it’s just a favor… and since I haven’t had the time to begin searchin’ for that target of yours yet, it’d give you somethin’ to do while I do that. It’s somethin’ small - so you should have it done by the time I finish my search.”

Ren narrowed his eyes at Dallon, skeptical of his words. “Are you sure about that? Last time you had me do one of your ‘favors’, I ended up going on a wild goose chase for four days.”

“This time it might take four days, for all I know.” Dallon folded his arms, though he still smiled brightly. “If what you’re sayin’ is true, then there could be a lot of signals throughout the city, and between weeding out false flags and narrowing down specific locations, you’re asking for a lot this time ‘round. ‘Sides, this time it’ll be a whole lot simpler. Got all the details sorted out this time.”

Angel tried to persuade Ren as he repeated what Dallon had already told him, “Ren, he’s doing us a favor. He’s able to track where demons might spring up, right? He’s just asking for us to do one thing.”

With a sigh, Ren reluctantly agreed. “Okay, we’ll do it. Just don’t make me regret it.”

“That’s more like it.” Dallon gave him a smile. “I need you to pick up some dry cleanin’ for me on Reagan Street, the building’s basement caved in and the owner’s returnin’ everyone’s stuff while repairs are done. Pretty simple, it shouldn't even take an hour.”

“So it’s an errand.” Ren sighed, though Angel couldn’t tell if it was from annoyance, relief, or resignation. “Alright, we’ll do it. If I’m being honest, I was expecting far worse.”

“Come on, you know me.” Dallon playfully assured him, “I wouldn’t dream of it, your father’s looked out for me since before you were born, and I’ll do the same… You’re his kid, after all.”

“That I am. Thank you.” Ren stood up and thanked Dallon again, then beckoned Angel to follow as he left the room.

Before Angel could follow Ren, however, Dallon stopped him. “Just wait a moment, kid… Close the door.” Angel obliged, though he was very reluctant to do so. “Is this your influence?”

Angel was taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“Ren’s acting differently from the last time we spoke. I’m just askin’ if that’s ‘cuz of you. He seems more approachable, more agreeable… and I’m not sure if he told you, but he’s going behind his father’s back with all this. Now, If you ask me, it’s better this way. The less he’s like his brother - like his father - the better. The man’s generous, but… cold.”

“Is that right?” While he tried to appear confident, Angel felt a weight on his soul as he thought about what Dallon had just said. Ren had lied to him about getting his family’s approval, and from what he gathered so far, that could place Angel in a problematic situation.

“He’s better off without the burden of his family.” Dallon’s smile got a bit brighter, matching how it was when they had entered. Angel supposed it was to bring some levity. “A dream’s no good if it’s not yours to follow, and nothing good comes from forcing yourself down a path… He’s better off forging his own.”

“Thanks for the advice.” Angel nodded and thanked Dallon on his way out, feeling a weight on his soul as he thought about what the man had just told him.

Meanwhile, Dallon turned back and gazed out at the city from his office and began his search. Underneath his sunglasses, his gray eyes wore a serious stare, contrasting the smile he still wore on his face.