—The Blue Princess is approaching from the outside! She's quickly overtaking Star! She's going for the lead, closing in on the favorite Fesenver!!—.—Ooooooooooohh!!!!!!!!!!!—
Three months had passed since Ikki arrived in 2004, and as per Ikki's original plans, he started betting the moment his account was unfrozen, but there was one problem he forgot.
He was underage; he couldn't make big bets at any racetrack without consequences, which is why:
—We won again, Ikki-kun!—
—Well, it's an acceptable result, Nao-san—.
—I wonder how you know which horse is the winner—.
Nao Hirose is the woman Ikki saved from being beaten to death by her now-imprisoned husband, whom she is divorcing. Another detail about Nao Hirose is that she has three children: one aged 14, another 12, and another 8.
—Let's go, Nao-san, claim the money so we can leave—.
—I'm coming—.
Contentedly, as if it were a routine chore she did every time she came to the Racetrack with Ikki, the two, after receiving the briefcase with the money, would first go to the bank to deposit it into two accounts: 25% for Nao and 75% for Ikki, who provided the initial money.
-The investment is going swimmingly. It's a good thing this Nao wanted to repay the favor for saving her life when I asked her to accompany me to the Racetrack for the first time.-
—Where are we going now? It's late, and my kids should be returning from school soon—.
—Then let's go home. I don't feel like betting anymore for a while; with the money I've earned, I have enough for the rest of my life without working, plus I earn commissions by leaving my money in the bank—.
—I see. So, what do you want to eat today—
—Some pork chops or ribs wouldn't be bad—.
—Then let's stop by the market—.
Ikki, already used to being taken care of by Nao, who was a kind person, left her at her house with the shopping bags to go to his own.
Storing several things in the fridge, Ikki looks at the Cat Fairy lying on the couch with an open map of Russia.
—And did you find Tamara, Cat Fairy?—
—Huaaa, nyaaa… I found her, she sure took a while, nya—.
He said, massaging his eyes as he fell asleep, taking the map to look at one of the marks that read 'Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky'.
—So it's here; now that we've located her, the problem is the trip to Russia—.
—Didn't you already solve that, nya—.
—...I'll go see my friends tonight—.
—I don't know if making friends involves breaking their arm and then threatening them… nya—.
—You don't understand anything; that's how men forge their friendship. For now, we'll continue with the steps carefully, as I don't want to be thrown in jail for falsifying documents—.
—Nya… And what are you going to do next?—
—What do you mean—
—You've gotten very close to that family, nya—.
Having no answer, Ikki simply took out a canned tuna to give to the Cat Fairy, but it pretended to be indifferent, making him take out another can. The Cat Fairy reacted by taking it in its soft paws.
—...Aaaah, you know it doesn't matter when you want to look away from reality; it will hit you with its full weight if you keep ignoring it or plan to stay here until the war starts, nya—.
—I might have grown fond of them, but I don't plan to stay here; at most, it will be about three years to train in different martial arts and weapons—.
—Whatever you say, nya—.
Having no more interest, he grabbed his cans and took them to the furniture; Ikki, for his part, went to take a shower and then went to Nao's house.
{A few hours later}
—Fuuuua, delicious roasted ribs—.
—Thanks for the compliment. Ken, help me clear the dishes—.
—Coming, Ikki nii-san, are you staying to help me with my homework—.
—I'm sorry, but I have some business outside—.
Ikki told the boy who was still going through puberty; his name was Ken Hirose, he had short black hair like Nao's, but his eyes were honey-colored like his father's; at the same time, some cuts could be seen on his cheeks and chin from having shaved.
—Eeeeehh, Onii-san, aren't you going to play—.
—I'm sorry, Aoi-kun, but I can't—.
Aoi Hirose, the middle child, had longer hair, with strands covering his ears and his whole forehead; besides looking messy, it was a dark greenish color like his father's, and his small, sleepy eyes that were barely visible were amber like Nao's.
—!...—
Feeling his shirt hem grabbed, Ikki observed a smaller child with a box.
—...Koji-kun, what happened? Were you bothered at school again?—
Maintaining eye level after crouching, the shy Koji, holding a board game, asked quietly:
—No, Onii-chan, aren't you staying to play with Koji?—
—I'm sorry, but I can't. I have pending matters that I can only resolve tonight, but we'll play tomorrow—.
—Really, pinky promise—
—Pinky promise—.
Smiling at him, Ikki stood up, stroking his long black hair, which reached his shoulders. Behind his glasses, his eyes were light amber.
—Nao-san, thank you for the meal, it was delicious, but I have to go run some errands—.
—I see, but you have to go out so late? Isn't it very dangerous—.
Denying the concern of Nao, who was the perfect housewife, she wiped her wet hands before approaching Ikki, who was already leaving, and she went out to bid him farewell.
—...Try not to be late. If anything happens, you can call me anytime—.
—Don't worry about it. Well, I'll be going—.
Waving goodbye, Nao stayed watching him leave before going inside and continuing with the household chores to then rest and put her children to sleep.
Traveling in a taxi, the Cat Fairy sitting on his shoulder, Ikki with his phone in hand listened to what it had to say.
—Don't you think that lady is growing very fond of you, as if saving her left something more than gratitude—.
—Mmm, I don't think anything like that will happen, and if something like that did happen… well, we'll see—.
He replied in whispers without much hope that it would happen. Still, what the Cat Fairy said about Nao made Ikki think, but he quickly dismissed it, as he could only see her as a maternal figure.
Walking down the main street of Kabukicho, the neon lights illuminated the streets: food stalls, Karaokes, bars, traditional bars, wholesale stores recognized throughout Japan. Continuing to walk through the bustling, still healthy, nightlife spot, as he continued, things began to change from businesses you would find anywhere in the world to an adult world, with illuminated signs of girls offering services for affectionate conversation, alcohol services, masseuses, soap baths, S&M, fetishes from the most common and going up.
Passing that district without anything catching his attention because he knew what he had come for, unlike the first time when, as he walked, he was recruited by men offering short-term girl services.
—I think this is a good spot, no people or cameras—.
—I checked, there's nothing to worry about, nya—.
Everything settled, the bracelet began to throb, releasing white flashes, the figure of Ikki wrapped in light showing the shadow of a man changing; lowering a few centimeters, his chest inflated with two mounds expanding the blouse, his waist tightened and his hips widened, showing the curvilinear silhouette.
The bracelet calming down, the adolescent figure was revealed, large, cheerful eyes with light blue irises. Pearly skin, comparable to milk; hydrated, soft to the sight and touch, and with a natural hazelnut fragrance. Brown, straight hair that reached her redeeming buttocks that her navy blue skirt couldn't completely hide.
—Yosh, let's go, Cat Fairy!—
—Nya, your change of mood really throws me off every time you change—.
—You think so, ehehehe, I think it's natural. Let's stop talking about me, let's go to the meeting—.
With light steps, the graceful young lady dressed in a sailor uniform emerged from one of the many buildings that looked solitary, but behind every door was a closed world that had no name: sex, drugs, power, mafias, libertinism—nobody knows anything and nothing is known.
Attracting the gazes of men passing by, Kaede was still hesitant, but not showing it on her face, she continued her way until she reached an apartment building, but her destination wasn't up, but down.
[Bar; Blue Moon]
—Big Guy, you seem fine… and is your boss around—
Smiling and in a good mood, the Big Guy, as Kaede called him, shuddered upon hearing her voice, so much so that he began to sweat.
—Mi-Miss Kaede, it's a pleasure to have you back. My boss already informed me and has been waiting for you—.
—Oh, then let's not keep him waiting… But Big Guy, you don't have to be nervous around a delicate girl like me; you'll make me feel bad about the past—.
—Hahaha, don't worry, Miss Kaede, I'm the one who sweats a lot over small things… Please, come in—.
Not wanting to insist on the matter either, after hearing four knocks on the door, the Big Guy opened it, revealing an empty bar with a person sitting with their back to them. Entering, the Big Guy closed it at the same time, staying outside guarding the door.
[Guard]
I've been in this shady business for twenty years, five years since the boss hired me for saving his life from some hitmen who wanted him dead because his area of influence clashed with others, here in the red-light district of Kabukicho. I was previously in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 'JGSDF'. But that's a thing of the past that's only remembered with a few drinks.
The boss, as he is known by everyone, has this bar which is a cover for not-so-legal business. During the day, there's almost no problem, unless it gets into a gray area, but everyone involved knows the unwritten rules. Nighttime is the real game; young women come to relax with their partners or alone, and there's always one or two who have too many drinks; of course, I don't plan to miss the opportunity when I have free hands. Sometimes I do the right thing and call a taxi to take them away; otherwise, we have a hot night. To avoid problems, I film them and take compromising photos so they don't talk; at the same time, I take their cell phone number to extort some money from them if I see I can take advantage of the situation.
It was a week ago, it was a hot afternoon, unlike this night where the Blue Moon bar was closed for maintenance; but the truth was that large sums of money were being moved, checking the new merchandise of girls working for us, and false documentation.
I had already heard rumors of a woman so beautiful she would make you choke on your own saliva; she always wears a sailor uniform, but her notoriety is not only the beauty that attracts the eyes of both sexes, but because she is looking for something throughout the red-light district of Kabukicho, but no one dared to speak, either out of fear or pride; it is only known that wherever she is, she always leaves the place as destroyed as a tornado.
I didn't say this out of pride, but I was born with good hearing; I recognize the footsteps of the people who come, and even more so when there is an echo in the spiral staircase, in a closed space like this. That afternoon, no commitment had been scheduled or confirmed, as the meetings with the managers in charge of their establishments had ended that afternoon.
Light steps, like feathers, but carrying a certain rhythm; I knew immediately that the person coming knew how to fight, and very well.
—So that's the place the rumors were about… Hey, Big Guy, is your boss here?—
A beautiful woman appeared in my sight, long legs, covered by thigh-high stockings, a short skirt, creating that attractive exposed line between the stockings and the skirt. Curves where they should expand and contract where they should. Mounds that stretch the fabric of her blouse to the limit of her size.
—...Who are you? Why are you asking for the boss?—
—Oh, excuse me, I'm Kaede Sakurai, I've come to do business with your boss. Would you let me pass—
My instinct at that moment told me not to fight with that girl, nor to provoke her, and my instinct never fails, although I couldn't feel the bloodlust that soldiers like me had experience with from the battlefield, I had an unpleasant premonition beneath that friendly smile.
—...Let me call him—.
—I'll wait—.
My boss, who had no problem accepting jobs with enough profit, let her pass. About ten minutes passed, and when I heard the Boss scream in pain, I prepared to enter, kicking the door with all my might with a weapon in hand. I entered, only to receive a blow to my hands, feeling as if I had been hit with a concrete pipe; my wrist was almost dislocated, and I saw a shadow in my periphery. The only thing I remember next was the tremendous blow and nothing else; checking the cameras, I realized that a kick sent me flying a few meters, and my boss, for his part, had his arm broken.
I remember that when I woke up, or was woken up, with a cast on my neck, I saw my boss smoking a high-quality cigar in his armchair. With a calm voice, as if he had lost a poker game, he clearly told me:
—Next time she comes, let her in after knocking four times on the door—.
[Returning to the present]
Smoking a cheap cigarette, he rubbed his neck while exhaling smoke through his nostrils, the Big Guy muttered to himself:
—I hope things go calmly this time—.
Meanwhile, inside the bar, the relaxing Jazz music and a scent of cinnamon enveloped the place. Kaede sat across from the boss, who served her a sealed cola.
—The documents you asked for are ready—.
The boss said, placing an envelope on the table that Kaede quickly opened, nodding with satisfaction when she saw that everything was correct.
—An excellent job—.
—I'm efficient, now for the payment—.
—As you can see, I can't carry such a large sum of money with me…—
—...—.
Narrowing his eyes with a cold expression, while Kaede, with a spring-like smile, handed him a piece of paper she had in her skirt pocket.
—The same as the last time, here is the money in the bank, ready to be withdrawn—.
—Okay… The passport is genuine, you won't have problems if they investigate in depth. The visa… It wasn't easy, but I have contacts who have it at the Russian Embassy. The papers you gave me are inside the envelope, and the account is at a Swiss bank, as you requested. Do you need anything else, Miss?—
Looking more closely at what the boss said, she opened the passport where Ikki's photo was. Also the password and account number for the Swiss bank. Regarding the paper, Kaede kindly told the boss, who still had a cast on his arm:
—Nothing else, well, I'm leaving—.
—Why don't you stay and we can chat? You haven't opened the cola I gave you either, maybe you don't like it—.
—...I'm distrustful of guys like you; since you offer it, I'll take it, but who knows what you put in it—.
—Hahaha, how distrustful, with the strength you have and the reputation you've earned these weeks—.
Without saying anything else, Kaede, with the envelope and the cola in hand, left the bar.
One week later.
—Fuu, fuu… I didn't think it would be so cold; it's a good thing I brought warm clothes—.
—Nyaa, if it were up to you, you would have come in light clothes, you should thank Nao-chan, nya—.
—...—.
Having no way to counter the claim, the Cat Fairy chuckled mischievously.
—Now why don't you say anything, nya. Pu pu, well, Nao-chan is very attentive to you, as soon as you told her you were going to travel, she got sad, but when you told her you would keep in touch, she cheered up, nya—.
—It's just gratitude…—.
Trying to cover the sun with a finger, Ikki could not hide that Nao had feelings more than gratitude for saving her from being killed.
-Nao-san has been behaving in a closer way, even to the point of leaning her breasts against my back or holding my arm to hug it with her body. Aaaahh, the truth is I don't know what to do. I know what she feels is not true love, I think it's more a psychological state like the suspension bridge effect from having saved her.-
—Hehehe, she even checked your suitcase when she saw you were traveling with light clothes, she bought you cold-weather clothes, and she even dropped you off at the airport, only leaving her children to eat, nya—.
He enjoyed Ikki's uncertainty, who ignored him. Ikki walking through the airport, pulling his suitcase and adjusting his scarf, a gift from Nao.
Traveling in a rented car on the road, while listening to upbeat music so as not to fall asleep and his co-pilot, the Cat Fairy, keeping him in conversation.
—I didn't know you could drive?—.
—You learn if you work in a car workshop…. Are we going in the right direction?—.
—You're on the right track, but I'm hungry, where are we going to stay?—.
—I exchanged yen for rubles at the airport, so we'll have money, we'll stay in a hotel and then go look for her—.
—I like the plan, I'll look for a hotel with a good view—.
—Go ahead—.
Following the Cat Fairy's directions, after checking into a hotel; leaving his suitcase in the room, he proceeded to go and get fast food from KFC, to take away.
—Where… are we going…—
—...Keep going straight… turn here until the next intersection… This way, the other is against traffic… Three blocks to the right and look for parking…—
—Mmm…—.
Eating the crispy pieces of chicken, with french fries and a large cola, Ikki, after parking, continued eating with the Cat Fairy until they were full.
—Fuuull…—.
Burp!
—...That was good, I was hungry—.
—Nyaaa, junk food is the best…—.
burp!
—...nya—.
—Where did we have to go?—.
He asked languidly, watching the snow fall.
—Transform, and let's check the map—.
—Let me rest a little—.
—Nyaa… you're right—.
Taking it easy, both fell asleep with the heater on, leaving the car smelling of KFC chicken.
Music!Music! Music!
—Ikki… cell phone, nya—.
—S-siii… hello, who is it?...—.
Answering sleepily, an angry female voice was heard on the other side of the speaker.
—Ikki-kun, why haven't you called? You know how worried I was—.
—...O-oh, Nao-san, I'm sorry, I had fallen asleep after the trip—.
—I-I see, I'm sorry if I woke you up… How are you?—.
—Huaaa… I'm fine, I'm renting a room, and I think it's time for them to serve food—.
—I understand, I'll call you tomorrow, rest—.
—Yes, I'll call you tomorrow—.
Being somewhat cold in how he treated Nao, he grabbed the Cat Fairy by the neck to transform into Kaede.
—Mmmmm, my ass is already numb, come on Cat Fairy, show me the way—.
—Fi-five more minutes… It's cold!!—
—Stop complaining, my legs are exposed, move. Ussshh, it's so cold, I feel like my legs are freezing—.
—Quickly go back to the car and change, we left some clothes for that, nya—.
—Y-y-you're right, uuuuurr, it's so damn cold, what's the temperature—
—...Minus three degrees, nya… Hey, Kaede, why don't we go back to the hotel and leave it for tomorrow, according to this, it will be a sunny day—.
—...Shut up and let's go—.
Forcefully refusing, she adjusted her pants, which were much larger than Kaede's, having to roll them up, and she also had to use a belt so they wouldn't fall down when she walked. The same happened with the undershirt, a shirt on top, and a jacket layered over that. The only thing Kaede didn't have to fix were the shoes, which were almost the same size as Ikki's.
—Let's go—.
—It's very cold outside, let me get in here, nya—.
Getting inside the jacket, since it had more to lean on than Kaede's breasts, they both went out.
—Fuuu, it's still cold, but it's more bearable… Okay, where are we going?—.
—...Keep walking to the blinking lamp and go through the park—.
At a fast pace, a Kaede bundled in double clothes, unable to bear the cold that penetrated the fabric and froze her face, having to repeatedly rub her hands and caress her cold cheeks.
—N-n-now?—.
—Follow this path, and you can find a secluded house—.
A few minutes of fast walking, Kaede looks at the neighborhood where there were barely any lamps illuminating the road, being mostly dark.
Meow
—!...—
Coming out of nowhere, a cat with enough fur to look like cotton candy, Kaede, surprised by the cat that assaulted her, began to back away while saying:
—Hehehe, a surprise attack, let me tell you that I am an expert fighter… Stay away, I have a weapon! If you get close, I will shoot you! iiiiiii, d-damn it, d-do you really think I won't use it?—
—What the heck are you doing, nya?—.
—N-nothing, cough I was simply startled by how sudden it was…—.
Unable to finish speaking when the cat jumped on her, Kaede rolled in the accumulating snow and kicked forward as if her life depended on it.
—Stop, Kaede, we passed the house!!!—
—...—
—Stop, I'm getting dizzy!!!—
—...—
—Ugh, I'm going to vomit—
—! Aaaaaa—
—! Kyaaa—.
She crashed into another person, falling to the ground.
—O-ouch, that hurts! Hey, watch where you're running, you could hurt someone!—
—I-I'm sorry, b-but a beast wanted to eat my brain, and-and I had to run away—.
—Aaaaah—
Meow
—iiiiiiiiiiii!!! The beast's minion…—.
Terrified, Kaede, not caring who the person she crashed into was, did not hesitate to hug her, trembling with fear.
—...it's just a cat—.
—Y-you're wrong, those beasts eat your brain while you sleep, they look cute on the outside, but the truth is they are aliens who want to invade the planet. While you sleep, these monsters commit their misdeeds by brainwashing you with their tails through your nose—.
—Aaaaaa… Achoo, achoo, get out of here, it's gone now, could you let go of me, or my butt will freeze—.
—Sorry…—.
Helping the girl she crashed into stand up, Kaede, who could only see the woman's silhouette, did not stop hugging her arm, as she feared the cat was nearby to ambush them.
—Hey, let go of me already—.
—N-no, if I let go, that beast will come for me once more!! What was that?!—
—It's just the snow falling from the branches… Aaaa, what's your name? Do you have your parents' number so they can come see you?—.
—...My name is Kaede, and I'm visiting the country… I don't have parents—.
—I see… you speak Russian very well, where are you from?—.
—Japan—.
—You've been taught well, I barely notice the difference… What are you doing in these parts? Are you sightseeing and got lost?—.
—Not exactly, I went out for a walk, I'm staying in a hotel—.
—If you have somewhere to stay, what are you doing in this desolate place late at night?—.
—I went out to clear my head, and what about you? What's your name?... Where are you taking me?—.
Regaining some rationality, Kaede realized that she had been hugging the girl's arm the whole time and that they were walking towards a small, desolate house with faint light filtering through.
—You calmed down—.
—Uh, ah, yes, sorry for the trouble… My name is Kaede Sakurai, and yours?—.
—Alisa Volkova… Did you see a cat again?—.