The Namako Incidents

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Hariko led the way. The three of us—Kiryu-san, Kiyoshi, and I—followed her lead for about half an hour, until we were in front of what looked like a dilapidated house. We were suspicious the whole journey, wary that someone might be watching us.

Kiryu-san and I didn’t know what to expect when we were at our destination, but Kiyoshi did, judging by the look on his face.

So, here we are. Let’s get started, shall we?

You sure you led us to the right place, Hariko?

Y-Yeah? T-This here’s the place. I’ve delivered stuff here before.

I believe her. I’ve…been here before too.

C-Can I leave now? I really don’t think I should stay here any longer.

Fine… You’re free to go.

Hariko immediately booked it, and she was gone like the wind. I couldn’t even get a word in before she left.

Looks like you’ve got quite the past, Kiyoshi. I don’t get it though. What kind of history do you have here?

…If I’m right, this place…

Before he could say anything, we heard a rustling noise.

What was that?

The rustling grew louder, and it suddenly culminated in a…

We turned our heads behind us, and a man with claws growing out of his knuckles leapt from the bushes at Kiryu-san!

Kiryu-san dodged to the side, and we got a good look at our assailant: he had black, unkempt hair, a lanky but toned build, and webbed feet. The man was a frog vulcan, and his “claws” were made out of electricity.

Kiyoshi charged at the vulcan and tried to slash him, but he dodged and zapped Kiyoshi with his claws. Kiyoshi fell on the ground, and the vulcan pinned him with his foot.

Kiyoshi tried to escape, but the vulcan zapped him again.

Looks like you brought company this time, Kiryu-chan.

You know him?

Of course. He’s been on my radar ever since I started this investigation. You can drop the honorifics, Kashiwagi.

You’re so cold, Kiryu-chan. Cold as ice! You haven’t even introduced me to your new friend! The name’s Kashiwagi Daijin.

…Tali Mtowa.

Oh, I’ve heard of you. Homunculus scientist from Africa, huh?

I didn’t reply.

So it looks like you’re here to shut down our little operation.

I never said anything about an operation. What are you hiding?

Agh, semantics, semantics! Not like I can hide much from an ether police officer.

So you are behind something. And if it’s what we think it is… This is the seafood trafficking ring that Kiryu-san’s been investigating. That’s your operation, right?

Kashiwagi just laughed.

That’s what you call it? I’ll have you know, it’s much more sophisticated than that.

Then what are you doing? Whatever it is, it can’t be legal.

How do I put this… Wait a minute! Why should I explain it to you? Not like you’ll understand what we’re doing…

That’s it. I’m going in.

Upupup! You’re really just going to leave your friend here? Who knows what I’ll do to him? Why, I have half a mind to electrocute him to death!

Kiyoshi twitched. It looked like Kashiwagi zapped him a third time.

Hold on, Kiryu-san. I got this.

I walked toward Kashiwagi. Although I wasn’t good at fighting, I couldn’t just let Kiyoshi die. Then, I sank into the ground.

T-Tali?

I couldn’t see anything down there, but I could sense Kiryu-san’s feet planted firmly on the ground a few feet away. Kiyoshi and Kashiwagi were right above me. I just had to wait for the time to strike.

Oh, resorting to dirty tactics, are we?

A fair fight was out the window the moment you took Kiyoshi hostage.

Hehe. Of course the ether police would resort to something so slimy.

Kashiwagi fell. Kiyoshi rolled out of the way and got up.

Heh. Not bad…for a mere scientist.

You’ve got quite the sharp tongue, don’t you?

Now, if you don’t want this to get ugly, I think it’s in your best interests to let us inside…whatever this building is. Alright?

Kehehe… To think that I would be bested by the likes of you…

Kashiwagi didn’t seem to make an effort to get back up.

Know this! The ringmaster of this operation…won’t take kindly to trespassers.

Yeah, whatever. We’re not here to make friends. We’re here to stop you.

Alright, guys. Shall we?

Of course.

I tried to turn the doorknob, but it was locked. So, I readied my fists, then I punched down the door with all my might.

The three of us looked at one another, then back to Kashiwagi, who was still lying on the ground. He simply smirked at us, knowing that there might be some sort of trap waiting for us inside.

And so we walked into an unlit hallway. It would take a while to scour this place for traces of this alleged seafood trafficking ring, so we had to investigate.

…And quickly, because there was no telling if Kashiwagi brought backup.