Chapter 40

“My business with you is P-I-N-K-U”

---Kabuki-cho---

---Shinjuku, Tokyo---

[Bunny Girl Library]

9:30PM

Most newcomers might think that they have wandered into the wrong establishment, but for regulars at “This Library” this is a sight that is all too familiar for them. The moment one enters its doors the eyes are greeted by a beautiful usherette in formal librarian attire, greeting you with an elegant smile, assuring the guest that they have indeed arrived at the right place, before leading them deeper into what seems to be a regular library.

Which it is.

For the first nine yards.

Upon entering the double doors on the far side from the entrance the level of illumination dims down to a relaxing mood. The bookshelves and tables from the library remain, but they are now arranged to fit a more different ambiance where the furniture encourages “privacy” for its different patrons with single and group use purposes. Also the solemnity of the library from the front drastically changes to a more sultrier mood and the librarians who serve to assist now wore costumes appropriate of the namesake of the establishment.

A feast for eyes as one can indulge in both literature and carnal impulses.

But the guest for today is not interested in such debauchery.

The guest for today has a more urgent interest and as such, has requested a different audience as she is escorted deeper into the backrooms of the establishment.

A darker, seedier place. Where the fragrance of the librarians are replaced by the repulsing stench of tobacco and the stimulating sounds of modern electronica gives way to a more soothing lullaby from the bygone era of Enka.

And in the middle of it all. Fifteen men standing engarde, neatly surrounding a figure in the shadows.

As she makes her way step by step, the music slowly fades, the men respectfully disperse and the lights shine bright, bringing the dark figure into the light.

A figure with a youthful glow despite the appearance of his age. His wrinkles mismatching his lively posture and grey’s of his hair fading with his radiance.

He is the man they all call. Mister Asia

And standing before him, his guest.

His prodigal daughter.

Valentina Fe.

…

…

‘It has been a while, my child.’

‘You never tire of theatrics don’t you?’

‘War never starts with the first shot, child. The first to inspire awe in their enemies wins the conflict before blood even sheds.’

‘Hmph… So I am the enemy?

‘Yes.’

‘Very well.’

‘Child, I have been aware of your return. Ever since your feet had touched Nippon soil.

You’ve been here long. Might I ask why?’

…

‘I missed the roads. I missed the cars. And I missed my old rivals.’

‘Well said.

For a moment there I thought you might lie.

You know well you can never do such a thing under my watch.’

‘Oh I can.

But it is useless to do so.

So I didn’t.

…

‘Heh… but you still lied Fe - san

You didn’t miss anything.

But rather, you longed for everything.

Might I guess.

Is it because… the quality overseas…

Did not match your expectations?

…

…

…

‘Yes.’

‘And you went back to confirm these feelings?’

‘Yes.’

‘Hmph… you did cause quite a stir upon the old clubs.

I hope you found your answer.’

‘No.’

…

…

‘And this is why you have asked for an audience?’

‘No.’

‘Fuuu~

Even after all these years you still manage to confuse me with your antics.’

‘I have come to claim ownership of your promise.’

…

…

…

‘Is it already time?’

…

…

…

‘You bow so solemnly.

Are you not afraid of your exposed neck?

I can easily have you decapitated.

…

…

‘Brave.

Perhaps, you are not a child anymore.

Valentina Fe.’

‘I am not.

And though I am thankful for your recent help with my businesses…

I am afraid I must invoke the promise now.’

‘Hmm… and why should I agree to it?’

‘That car.

I know you did not plant it to spy.

Am I correct?’

…

…

‘Very good.

But not good enough.

Your instincts are sharp, but it is sharp because you know me.

You know my intentions are fake but you do not know my intentions, that are real.’

…

…

‘Tell me Fe - san.

Who told you?

Was it that old [Bishoujo]?

…

…

Her eyes widened as she took a step back in surprise. Quickly she realized her break in formalities, as she recomposses herself and averts her eyes away from Mr. Asia. As he gives her a smug expression after exposing her hand.

Leaving her fuming in silent rage.

…

…

‘Yes. The blonde.’

‘Ah.

How I miss her beauty.

Despite her age. She never faltered.

Has she ever told you… The purpose?’

…

‘No.’

‘Ah. I see.

Such are a woman’s emotions. Fickle, unrefined.

You agreed, because you desire.’

‘Yes.’

…

…

‘Well.

This I tell you.

That car is there to spy. And it spy’s so I can block.

That [Bishoujo] knows.

Which is why she can steal without worry of retaliation.’

‘I must say. Once again Asha-sama.

Color me impressed.’

‘Cut the flattery.

But I like it.

I like how you have grown.

It seems that [Buta Yaro] child has disappeared.

And a fair maiden has taken place.

Still.

The maiden is far from reaching the likes of that [Bishoujo]

You and the other one who followed your return.

You have both grown.

Though you, much later than the other.

I bet that blonde has those men beside her fooled.’

‘The detectives?’

‘Precisely.

Though I am also impressed they managed to figure me out.

Sadly they only know what I let them know.

But I am impressed they found the crumbs that I lay.

Fe - san.’

‘Yes?’

‘Knowing what you know. Would you risk claiming the promise?’

‘Yes.’

‘Even if chaos will befall your land?’

‘No.’

…

…

‘I do not know the full picture.

But I do know that blonde is using me and my desire to further her goals.

And though I may not know what her exact goals are.

I trust her goals.

Afterall.

All of the people who have saved my life,

None of them had let me down.

This I believe is true.’

‘Let you down so far… Fe-san

And what happens when you eat those words?’

‘Then I shall swallow my pride with dignity.’

‘Very well.

You have my permission.’

‘Thank you very much.’

‘So.

What is next for you?’

--

Mr. Asia smiles, raising his hand to snap his fingers.

At the signal, his bodyguards all dispersed around the room and started to dismantle the furniture and background pieces around them. Val could only watch patiently as she rolls her eyes knowing this is one of Mr. Asia’s “theatrics” thinking that he must’ve prepared in panic after getting word that she arrived in Japan a couple of weeks ago.

‘Poor guys… he must’ve drilled them non stop for this measly visit.’ She told herself as she watched the men rebuilding the room around their boss. Converting the backroom into a makeshift izakaya with a long table in front of them to seat all the people who are in the room at the moment.

Even though there is a perfectly functional bar establishment just outside the door where she came from.

‘See? Amazing isn’t it?

Perfect coordination!’

Mr. Asia boasted.

‘Aha… It seems we’re done with formalites.’ Val replies in english, following Mr. Asia’s lead.

‘Yes! Yes my dear! It has been awhile.’

He said as he approached her for a hug.

Val, feeling uncomfortable and awkward, gave him a half hearted embrace, leaning in her upper half to catch his embrace whilst still keeping her feet two steps away.

The other men in the room who saw, could only hold their laughter.

He grabs her by the shoulders and pushes her away so he could clearly see his former apprentice’s face. He smiles dearly as his gaze locks on to her eyes, as if he was seeing one of his own blossoming into maturity.

‘Now. Let us drink!’

…

…

…

‘Suraidingu Sekushī?’

‘Yes.’

Val replies after inquiring about a certain name. Interestingly, Mr. Asia seems to be unaware.

‘I do not know.

But you say the lead driver used to drive an R34 just like yours?’

‘Yes, though I have no idea if that car is still functional.’

Mr. Asia drops his elbow on the table to rest his cheek on his fist. Scanning his memories for any faces he might’ve known. Val on the other hand looked hopeful but knows in the back of her mind that even if she finds the said group, it would still be impossible to attain her motives.

‘What color? License plate? Any identifying scratches?’

‘It’s factory gray. Wakaba mark on the bumper.

Plus. It's an all girls group.

The Second in command is a Gyaru. The Lead was an unremarkable woman during the day who dressed scantily at night but only during meets.’

The old man squints his eyes whilst rubbing his beard. Val can already feel his frustration building inside his chest with every passing moment he spends diving deeper in his thoughts.

‘All girls?

How could I have missed them?’

‘Bingo…’ She thought, correctly guessing the old man’s reply, as she beams back in contempt seeing his expression change with a lecherous aura.

‘But the name…

They drift? With an R34?’

‘Yes.

All of them have cars with four wheel drive.

It’s their pride and joy being the only group who does so--’

‘How impractical.’

Mr. Asia quickly interjects. But his expression lightens after hearing Val’s last piece of information.

‘Fu~ If they are drifting un-driftable cars then I assume they always kill their gearboxes.

They must be well off.’

‘Huh…

Come to think of it.

Yeah.’

Val replies after realizing Mr. Asia’s epiphany. Meanwhile the old man opposite where she sat suddenly pulls out his phone and calls someone. For some reason he decided to keep his voice low so as to keep Val from hearing what he was saying, which she found strange, but after the call was settled, he just puts his phone back in his pocket and smiles, looking like he had resolved something.

‘Who knew that person was actually close.’

‘Really?

Then why were you not aware of it?’

‘Fu~ She really is an unremarkable woman. But because of what you said, that view has changed now.

Truly a surprise a decade in the making.’

Mr. Asia said pleasantly surprised as he gulped down another cup of warm sake before taking another skewer of grilled pork from the table. He then nods in appreciation of the food’s taste before looking back at Val, now with full seriousness in his eyes he asks:

‘What is your intention for this woman?’

Val was taken aback with his sudden threatening voice. In her mind she thought she might’ve said something wrong, but as reflected in her previous sentences, she couldn’t find any source to trigger such hostility. With no other choice she sighs and answers the old man, leaving her fate up to the heavens.

‘Nothing, I just have a score to settle.’

‘A score to settle?’

‘Yes.’

‘What is this Fe? A grudge match?’

‘Yes.’

‘I see.

I apologize for the hostility, I thought of something else entirely.’

Val squints her eyes in suspicion.

‘Something else?’

‘Never mind that.

As I said. I apologize.’

Val sighed to show her being inconvenienced, but at the back of her mind she was curious as to what was the “something else” that the old man was thinking.

‘Anywho.

What is this grudge match?

Former rival?’

‘Yes.’

‘Hoho… Interesting.

And here I thought your only rival was Lorano-san.’

‘Yes but this woman was the only one who beat us both.

I want to meet her again.

Settle things.’

She takes a swig from her bottle of beer. Slamming it down with a loud refreshed sigh of satisfaction as she recounts something that made her drown in nostalgia.

‘Settle things? But you are here alone?’ Mr. Asia replies.

‘I know, but I am also here on Lorano-san’s behalf.’

‘I see.

Well then. I assume you still have a week in your stay?’

‘Yes, I do.

But it would be nice if I could get in touch with her soon.’

The old man raised his cup towards Val before downing its contents in one gulp.

‘No worries.

But as for tonight, we drink!’

‘YES!’

The whole room exploded unanimously.

…

…

‘Come to think of it we never got to solve the other two names in that website eh Lando?’ Bert asks out of the blue as the pair sit in waiting by the dinner table whilst Miles serves her cooking.

‘A5?’ Lando asks.

‘Yes. both pan seared to medium and medium rare. Enjoy.’ She happily answered both Lando and Bert respectively as she proudly placed the centerpiece on the table. A smoking saucer of fresh gravy.

‘Damn… but back to the question, Lando. You got a lead on it before little miss chefy, here, arrived?’ Bert continued instigating as Miles rolled her eyes telling him to take a bite out of her cooking first before forcing the question.

‘Got no idea… really.’ Lando responds with a mouthful of gravy and steak.

‘Aww dammit… I was really curious… Miles?’ Bert asked as Miles pointed to his plate, threatening him to continue.

‘That’s A5 wagyu from Japan. Eat before asking anything.’ She promptly responds. Watching Bert devour a slice before continuing. ‘Anyways, I thought you’d never ask.’ She continued.

‘First and foremost where do you guys plan on starting if, per say, I didn’t show up when I did?’ She asked.

‘Hmm… I reckon the other two were his left and right hand men so I’d figured we’d start with the ones closest to him.’ Bert answered.

‘Yeah I’d say a husband and wife combo since the names were Toro… what is it again?’ Lando stammers as he tries to remember the names.

‘Toro nana and Toro dori….’

‘Yeah them! Thanks Bert. So obviously Dori means drift so someone in his ranks who also races and the other one must be the Dori guys' partner so yeah. If we had to start, that was the plan.’

‘Huh…’ Miles looks at Lando, contemplating on what he said. ‘You’re 25 percent right. I’d say if you continued your search you’ll take six months to find these people. But most likely you wouldn’t even find them.’ She replied.

‘What? Why?’ Asked Bert.

‘Why would you think the other half was the spouse of the first? I think the word “nana” threw you off.’ Miles replies after taking a hearty bite and a swig from her glass of red wine.

‘Then what then? Now even I, am curious.’ Lando chimed in, leaning towards the table, looking intriguely interested.

Miles then generously slices up the fat cap on her cut of steak and proceeds to display the sliced portion in the middle of the table.

‘First of all, tuna can be considered the fish version of a steak. So with this in mind look at this scrumptious part of the A5. The fat cap, the juiciest, fattiest, tastiest part of the cut.

Now, tuna has the same part in it called “Toro”. The most expensive, fattest, richest part of the whole fish.’

‘Ahh yeah I’ve tried one of those. So far nothing came close to it’s taste.’ Lando responds.

‘And nothing ever will.’ Miles seconds. ‘Anywho, continuing… In the context of the names involved, what would the “Toro” mean then?’

‘The richest, fattest, expensive… So you mean the MVP?’ Bert answered.

‘Correct.’

‘Okay good, so we’re correct, they're the top dog, so what now? We've just confirmed what we already know. We’ve just come full circle.’ Lando irately replies as Miles holds up her hand against his face to stop his further criticism.

‘You’re not getting it.

It’s a title. And titles can be earned in multitude by multiple people or--’

‘By one person.’

Bert interjects. Miles approved.

‘So you’re saying Toro Dori and Toro Nana are just one guy?’ Lando reacts.

‘Yeah.’

‘Then why the fuck put both signatures at the end?!’ Lando annoyingly raises his voice in response.

‘I dunno… To fool people who are snooping around? I mean hey, they fooled you two numbskulls.’ Miles haughtily replies, pointing her glass towards the two from across the table.

Bert sighs, shaking his head at Lando. ‘Anywho, so Toro Dori is the drift king. What about Toro Nana?’ He asked.

Miles smiles after gulping down the remains of the wine in her glass as she looks at the two old men infront of her, anticipating her prized answer.

‘Nana is a place. A strip of road in the Kanagawa area called:

Nanamagari.’

She spoke, but it seems the two were still buffering the data that she had provided, seeing the both of them wearing confused looks on their faces.

‘And to add to this, it’s not drift king.

It’s queen.

So with that said, the person you are looking for is:

The Drift Queen of Nanamagari.

His first ever, Champion.’