4th side

[masukukunai]

[It's a night that seems like any other night, because it's always night in film noir land. The air in the lounge is full of idle chatter, the stink of cigar smoke, booze, and most importantly, music. I'm decked to the nines, and, as always, definitely the finest creature in the room. Just readjust my cap a little... There. Perfect. Hanamura, you

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[fans_fire]

[No inner monologue for Yukiko. Girls like her in a town like this don't get monologues. They're the girls with too much time and too little to do, until a guy comes along with a twinkle in his eye and a promise of more excitement than they could possibly handle.

Of course, it came at a price, for the men who fell for Yukiko's charms and for Yukiko herself. It's not what girls like her are supposed to do, but it gives her her independence. Well, it trades one set of reins for another but she doesn't see that.

Tonight she's sat at the bar, making no real effort to approach anyone. Usually, she doesn't need to. But even without that, sometimes a girl just wants to enjoy a drink and listen to some jazz. And what could be wrong with that?]

[masukukunai]

[Oh man, the Amagi girl. I almost miss a beat when she walks in-- and the whole room almost misses it with me. She was a woman of fine taste and finer culture, and just as fine as both to boot if you know what I mean. Someone in the room lets out a whistle, and damn, it should have been me.]

[Sure, we know each other through, friends, acquaintances, but doesn't everybody? I only had a slight advantage in the famous Amagi challenge, and I don't think it's enough to win. Ah well.]

Hey, Yukiko!

[I call and nod at her. I can't stop playing right now, but I had to let her know I was here.]

[fans_fire]

Hello, Yosuke.

[A nod of recognition as she lays eyes on a familiar face. Girls like her don't got too many friends to speak of but Hanamura is someone she sees more than most.

She'd like to sit and appreciate the music, show further acknowledgement that he was there, but the guys are swarming and she's having to work hard to turn them down. On a working night, the attention was a good thing; when all she wanted was to relax seemed like that was when the guys who wanted to "save" her showed up. Like she was in any need of a Prince Charming.

Ah yes, the Amagi challenge. No challenge at all for the right price, but that didn't buy you the true solution. It bought you whatever time you could afford and you were grateful for it. A steady relationship just isn't in the cards for her, not right now and certainly not with some random patron in a random bar]

[masukukunai]

[As I finish off the rest of the set, more and more men start to surround her like a bunch of pigeons at a picnic. I wouldn't bet on any of them. As soon as their drinks stopped, her company stopped. Her denial was quiet, and boy did it burn. I should know, I was at the butt end of it not that long ago, and I don't think she even remembers.]

Okay fellas, back it up, back it up.

[It takes some effort to part the sea of hopefuls, but I'm good at slipping in. The guys moan and complain.]

Oh, get out, Hanamura. You don't stand a chance.

Stop shouldering in on all the girls, you cad. The only thing you can play is a bass!

Yeah yeah, right, okay. Nice to have your confidence! [I wave them away, and they call out even louder.] See ya, goodbye!

[Back to the matter at hand:]

Man. Do you get this everywhere you go?

[last_liar]

[The smoke and chatter in the air are a perfect cover for me. It's absolutely necessary not to stand out if I don't want to get pinched by the cops. Not that they'd do more than slap me on the wrists, but it would be inconvenient and scare away my customers.

I don't go too close to the stage, but close enough that I know Hanamura will see me. I've got something for him, but it can wait until after the band's done. In the meantime, I can enjoy a drink.]

[masukukunai]

[Oh awesome, it's Yuu. That guy always has a way of blending in, looking as plain as possible... Something I definitely couldn't do. But he has the goods, and he never fails. Punctual too.]

[I hate to make him wait, but-- well he's used to it. Anything to get a sale.]

Hey.

[I slip up to sit next to him a bit later. I'm always at the bar, nobody knows the difference. And really? some of them already know what I'm here for, it's that kind of a place.]

Thanks for coming here, You, uh...

[last_liar]

[I nod, glancing around before producing an envelope and setting it on the bar in front of me. I keep my hand on it, doing my best to be cautious but not nervous. People can tell when you're nervous, I know that, but it takes a lot of will power for me not to be.]

It's no problem. I was in the area anyway.

[masukukunai]

[I slide the envelope under my palm and then slide that envelope in my back pocket. Smooth, smooth. I know where this is going as soon as I'm off: rolled up in a paper and inbetween my lips.]

Thanks, thanks. You've had a drink?

[I flag down the bartender for something for myself, and anything Yuu may want. I had to pay him for this anyways, a drink on top of that was nothing.]

[eatsyourscience]

[I like to come and hear Yousuke play. We go back, him and I, and it never hurts to visit an old friend.

The nice thing about listening to a band is that you don't have to look at them. Instead, I can keep my eyes on the room, scanning the faces there, leaning against the bar and nursing the drink in my hand.]

[masukukunai]

[Oh, for the love of... Souji. That slick bastard. I can't believe I'm friends with this guy, knowing what he does, but-- ugh, he's just so damn smooth. And his operation isn't strictly illegal, and I can't say I wouldn't pay money---- blargh, let's cut off the self narration here I am creeping myself out.]

Souji!

[I slap him over the back with a little more force than necessary.] Get out, pimp, go drum up business somewhere else.

[If I laid on the sarcasm any thicker, I'd choke.]

[eatsyourscience]

[Most people don't really approve of my line of work. I'm used to that. But you should do what you're good at, right? And I'm good at attracting women who will do just about anything for me.

The slap on the back makes me cough a bit, but I don't miss a beat. I was expecting a greeting like that and I nudge Yousuke in the ribs with my elbow in response.]

Business is fine. [It doesn't need drumming up. Not in a place like this.] I came to listen.

[masukukunai]

[Souji, if I could hear your inner monolog I'd spit in your drink.]

Pffft. Listen to me, the bassist? You can barely hear me over the guitarist, he's murdering his strings tonight.

[But still, I call this guy my best friend. Oh the company I keep. My dad definitely would have disapproved.]

So why aren't you working? Day off? And you're spending it here?