Chapter Text
December 2021
“I let Tak know where to find us,” Kaito Masaharu says to the group of men around him as he puts his phone back in his pocket. The small outdoor courtyard is filled with plastic lounge chairs and metal tables, seemingly ready for an afternoon cookout.
Kaito looks at the men around him, noting the tension in their faces. Life in Ijincho has become difficult of late thanks to the rise of a new gang made up of former Yakuza. All Kaito and his colleagues can do now is wait for Yagami to arrive so they can debrief about their investigation.
“Hey, anyone hungry?” asks Kaito, trying to find a distraction.
“Yeah!” Sugiura enthusiastically replies. “I could go for that place we went to a while back, that Chinese food was amazing!”
The big man in the black sweatshirt addresses Sugiura. “It’s You Tian, just down the road,” he says. The man looks around the group, maybe sensing they need something else to focus on as well. “It’s a small place, let’s bring something back here while we wait. Kaito, you wanna help me?”
“Sure, lead the way.” Kaito looks at the other four men sitting around him. “Back in a few, gentlemen.”
Kaito follows the man in black down the stairs to Ijin Street, the heart of Restaurant Row. Sugiura jogs up behind him and Kaito glances over to meet his eyes.
“I could use a walk,” Sugiura says.
“Or maybe you’re hoping to score some extra chow?” chides the man in the black sweatshirt.
“Okay Tesso, you got me,” Sugiura replies, sounding only mildly embarrassed. The three men continue their short walk and stop in front of a red door, sandwiched between two gated storefronts, all looking equally grimy.
As promised, the inside is narrow with only a few tables. Kaito basks in the smell of oil and spices, his stomach grumbling to be fed.
“Oh! That’s the same guy that made our food before,” Sugiura whispers to Kaito as they walk over to the counter. Kaito looks to the man standing in the kitchen, wearing a leather jacket of all things, shaking a wok over a flame. He has heavy rings on his fingers and gold hoop earrings, with his black hair slicked back.
“Hey boss,” Tesso says to the cook.
“Hey boys,” the chef replies, his voice soft and friendly. “Looking for some lunch?” He lifts his chin toward Sugiura, “I remember you, you were here those two other guys that looked beat all to hell.”
“Uh yeah, I’m Sugiura. I run the Yokohama 99 detective agency here in Ijincho. This is Kaito, he and his partner are helping us from another agency” Sugiura replies, and gestures toward Kaito, who nods his head in greeting.
“Detectives huh? Must be an interesting case you’re working on,” The chef says with a smile. “I’m Zhao,” the man adds and spreads his arms expansively. “And you’re in for a treat Kaito-san, since I’m doing the cooking today.”
“Hey, I ain’t gonna turn down an offer like that!”
“We’ve got a few more guys waiting for us Boss, can we get some food to go?” Tesso asks Zhao.
“Not a problem. You three can keep me company while I work.” Kaito and his two companions find chairs by the counter as Zhao plates the dish he was working on when they came in. He walks it over to a couple sitting toward the back of the small restaurant and then returns to the kitchen.
As Zhao adds oil to the wok he looks over his shoulder to the group. “So you’re from another detective agency Kaito? Where’s that at?”
“Kamurocho. Yagami Detective Agency,” Kaito says with pride. “Sugiura here helped us with a case a while back so we’re here to return the favor.”
“Kamurocho huh? I’ve got a friend from there. Went with him maybe two years ago to deal with some family business but we didn’t get to see much of the city. What do you get up to when you’re not on some hot case?”
“Oh there’s lots to do. Bars, clubs, arcades, lots of restaurants,” Kaito explains. He and Sugiura talk a bit more about Kamurocho as Zhao heaps meat and vegetables into his wok.
“You know,” Zhao says, “you remind me of my buddy a bit. Similar beard, big guy, maybe not as stylish though. Name’s Kasuga, you ever run into him?”
“Kasuga?” Kaito rubs at his chin. “No, doesn’t ring any bells. Kamurocho’s got a lot of people.”
“I’ve heard that name,” Sugiura interjects. “It’s not Ichiban Kasuga is it?”
“Sure is,” Zhao says with a smile, looking over at Sugiura. “He came to Ijincho a few years ago.”
“Really? I’ve seen his name come up with Ichiban Holdings. It’s become a huge company here, I assumed he’d been with them for a while. It’s named after him and all.”
“Funny story really. A family here owned the company for decades and they had a shop called Ichiban Confections. When the company needed new leadership, the owner happened to meet Kasuga and brought him on board. The name was just a coincidence.”
“Geez, what are the odds? They own that senbei place by our office Kaito-san,” Sugiura explains to Kaito. He looks back to Zhao. “I wonder if everything I read about Kasuga is true though.” Lowering his voice, Sugiura asks, “is he really former yakuza?”
Kaito throws a look to Zhao. “This is the guy I remind you of?”
“Oh, I’m not sure I should say,” Zhao replies in a teasing tone, ignoring Kaito. “Kasuga-kun should be the one to share his story, not me.”
“I guess that’s fair,” Sugiura concedes.
“But enough about my friends, let’s get this food together for yours.” Zhao adds the last dish to a box and bags the stack of boxes together to hand to Sugiura. Kaito pulls out his wallet to pay for lunch while his two companions walk outside.
“I don’t want to make assumptions about you here,” Zhao says as he completes the transaction, “but you and Kasuga could have a few things in common. You might even get along. I’d be happy to introduce you before you go back to Kamurocho.”
“Maybe. I’ll give it some thought at least.” Kaito says after a pause. “Thanks for the grub Zhao-san!”
“Anytime!” Zhao calls as Kaito walks out the door.
The three men make their way back up the street, loaded with hot food, and continue their conversation.
“You said that was one your higher-ups before right?” Sugiura asks Tesso.
“You could say that, yeah,” replies the man in the black sweatshirt. “Hell of a cook though, I’m glad he still comes by the restaurant.”
“Seems like an interesting guy,” adds Kaito, “maybe we should stop by again sometime.”