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The Crafty Journalist and the Spiritual Mafia – Part 03

Fields surrounded the expressway shooting out from the mountain’s base, cutting straight across the plains in a straight line. The massive soundwall designed for noise reduction did not stop the hum of speeding vehicles from traveling beyond the immediate vicinity.

Just off the highway, concealed behind a curtain of trees, three minivans were discreetly parked. Ten men from the Fujinota Future Society, sporting flashy jackets, had gathered there. Another five individuals joined, bringing the total to fifteen.

“Only five more people?”

Within the group, they naturally spoke using their native language. The Mafia man with a scar on his cheek seemed to be the leader.

“HQ insists it’s more than enough,” said one of the new arrivals. “And they don’t want us to use firearms ‘cause it tends to complicate matters.”

“Hmph.”

“You rounded up a lot of men. Is this job really that big? From what we’ve heard, it’s all about snagging some land.”

“The goal is to threaten this old man named Doyama and get some info.”

“Info? I thought it was all about buying stuff.”

“The higher-ups want to put Tokigawa in their debt, but I’ve got a different plan in mind,” the leader said, and the men exchanged glances. “I’m saying there’s more to this place. I doubt you guys get it, though.”

“I-Is it your spiritual senses tingling?” one cautiously asked.

The leader chuckled. “There’s no point in explaining it to those who don’t understand. Anyway, we’re going over the plan. Listen close.”

A tense atmosphere filled the air.

“The ten people I’m with will be Team A, and you five with the explosives, will be Team B.”

The additional five individuals had brought packages containing explosives.

“Operation starts at 22:30. Rain is forecasted.”

Heavy clouds loomed in the sky, bringing a cold chill and the chance of rain, possibly turning into snow.

“Team B, get to the designated location by 22:00 and standby. Set up the explosives according to my instructions. Team A will head to Doyama’s house. That’s it.”

“Um, are you sure about this? I don’t think the amount of explosives you ordered is enough. We can’t destroy a building. At most, we can wreck a single car. Also, the location you mentioned is quite a distance from Doyama’s house. What exactly are we blowing up and why?”

“You guys will blow up a waste disposal site.”

“What?”

“Find a few beat-up cars near the site and blow them up.”

“Wait, wait, wait. I don’t get it. Why?”

The leader pressed a gun on the man’s forehead. “You’re soldiers, aren’t you? Why are you asking questions?”

“S-Sorry.”

“But I suppose I can tell you why. I’m feeling generous today.” He withdrew his gun, and the man let out a sigh of relief. “There’s a water purification plant and a power transmission tower near the disposal site. If there’s any trouble, it’ll affect two essential utilities: water and electricity. The cops will mobilize all their forces, but at night, in the rain, inspections won’t go smoothly. We can keep most of the cops occupied there. Meanwhile, Team A will apply some pressure on Doyama.”

“I-I see. But wouldn’t it be easier to just blow up the cops?”

“If we do that, the police will launch a massive search to save face. While we’re not scared of the Japanese police, buying time is our top priority. We need to make them think that it was likely an accident, with just some possibility of a crime. Got it?”

“I see!” the others said.

“Got it! Thanks, bro!”

“All right then, standby until the designated time.”

As everyone bowed, the leader left the area alone. He took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

This should be fine, the man thought. They should be able to do their jobs well.

He deliberately didn’t mention something. Simply intimidating Doyama didn’t require obstructing the police. He had to purchase the land for the higher-ups, and creating a massive commotion that would likely be discovered by the police was unnecessary.

“We don’t know what might happen.”

Smoking his cigarette, he gazed at the direction of the Doyama residence and the mountain behind it. He had investigated the shrine earlier but found nothing. Yet, he believed there was something here.

“Maybe something that can’t be hidden completely on a rainy night.”

The man smiled.

---

In the evening, as the taxi carrying Hikaru and Lavia made its way back toward Fujinota Station, thickening clouds cast a considerable darkness around.

“Sir, could you stop here?” Hikaru requested.

“Sure thing. The station is a bit further ahead, though,” the driver pointed out.

“That’s okay.”

After settling the fare, Hikaru and Lavia stepped out of the taxi.

“Hikaru, what’s wrong?” Lavia asked.

“I saw Sasakura over there.”

“What?”

Hikaru had spotted Ayano by chance through the taxi window.

“The Fujinota Future Society is up ahead.”

“Huh? Wh-What is she doing there?”

“I guess she hasn’t learned her lesson and is still trying to cover the story. That’s the only explanation.”

Hikaru had advised her to back out of the case, but it didn’t look like she wanted to. Her thoughtless actions—well, there might be some thought behind them, but to Hikaru, it definitely didn’t look like it—was giving him a massive headache.

Maybe we should just forget about her, Hikaru thought.

Hikaru and Lavia arrived at the Fujinota Future Society to find Ayano and Kijima, who had also visited Doyama’s residence, engaged in conversation in front of the office.

“Just go away. Leave us alone!” the man yelled.

He seemed quite tired. Two junior members of the society observed the situation with worry.

“Not a chance. I’m a victim, so I have the right to know.”

“Ha, good one. We were the ones who got jumped. What’s the deal with that masked kid anyway? It looked like something out of a movie.”

“And? Who hired you to target Mr. Doyama’s land?”

“You really expect me to tell you?”

“What land was that person interested in?”

“I said I ain’t telling!”

“Downtown? Maybe even the mountain?”

“I told you already: you’re not getting anything from me!”

“You don’t know anything, do you?”

“Well… I have some idea, but I don’t know the details.”

“Then you should at least know if it’s downtown or not.”

“Why do you even want to know?”

“If you tell me, I won’t bother you anymore.”

“…”

The man fell silent.

Hikaru and Lavia, hiding behind a building, exchanged hushed whispers.

“She’s surprisingly good at extracting information,” Hikaru said.

“She sure is,” Lavia replied. “But still…”

“But still what?”

“I’m not sure. I wonder if Sasakura was just trying to find out which land they were after.”

“She already knows Marumigawa Estate is behind this, so maybe she just wants to know the specifics.”

“You think so? I guess.” Lavia didn’t seem entirely convinced.

“Fine. You won’t bother us anymore, got it?” Kijima said.

“Yes, I promise.”

“We wanted the pieces of land downtown. Especially in front of the station. And the vast parking lot behind it. Those are the main targets. We were told that if we could buy that place, the others didn’t matter.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“I see.”

For some reason, at that moment, Ayano furrowed her brows.

“Wh-What is it? I’m telling the truth.”

“Okay, fine. That’ll do.” Ayano turned to leave, but then suddenly stopped. “Oh, and one more thing.”

“There’s more? You said you’d only ask about the land!”

“Where are your friends right now? You know, those guys from the Chinese mafia. They’re a dangerous bunch. You should contact the police.”

“…”

“Well, if you won’t answer, that’s okay. I was mainly interested in the land anyway. But if those kinds of people wander around this peaceful town, the residents won’t be able to sleep soundly at night, you know?”

“…”

Ayano walked away.

“Hikaru, Sasakura just left,” Lavia said.

Hikaru didn’t follow her.

“Fuck, fuck!” Kijima cursed, staring in the direction Ayano left. “I know that. I know that more than anyone else here!”

He dashed into the office. His juniors gathered around him, but he gestured for them to stay back and entered the back room alone.

“I see,” Hikaru said. “Lavia, let’s go.”

“What? Are you sure? You didn’t even talk to Sasakura.”

“Yeah.”

They walked in the opposite direction of where Ayano had gone.

“Things are starting to make sense.”

Hikaru shared his thoughts with Lavia.

“First, about Sasakura. She thinks the Chinese mafia will attack the Doyama residence. And she has no intention of tipping off the authorities.”

“What?! That means that old man is in danger.”

“Yeah. But if the cops take action, the mafia will postpone their plan. Unlike the security guards hired by Mr. Doyama, the police carry guns, and above all, the police have a strong sense of camaraderie. If an officer gets hurt, they’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”

“I get it. So Sasakura plans to make the call on the moment of the attack and take photos herself.”

“I think so.”

“So she’s not just an airhead, huh?”

“No, I still think she’s an airhead. But if it was all just an act, then that journalist is quite something.”

The two of them contemplated their next steps. As sunset approached, the surroundings darkened.

“It’s raining.”

Little drops of rain began pelting the asphalt.

“Rain… rain.” Hikaru racked his brains. “What’s the mafia going to do if they can’t nab the journalist? They’d want to wrap things up before any thorough investigation starts. In other words, they’re running out of time.”

“Are they going to take action immediately?” Lavia asked.

Hikaru nodded. “Rain is perfect for a large group to stage an attack somewhere. There’s a high chance they’ll take action tonight. And I reckon Sasakura thinks the same.”

Hikaru decided to be more cautious around Ayano. Perhaps some of her brainless actions—not all, only some—might have just been an act.

And so, the town of Fujinota welcomed a rainy night.