KAGEYAMA PAVILION – MORNING
Malpoyl stood before the pavilion door, arms crossed, gaze empty. The rising sun tinted the garden with an orange glow.
Nazuna knelt before him. She adjusted his zori – the traditional sandals – with precise, almost tender gestures. She didn't look up.
"Faster."
She sped up.
"You're slow."
She didn't answer.
"You can't even do your job properly."
She bit her lip. Finished tightening the strap. Stood up.
Malpoyl didn't look at her.
He got into the black car. The door slammed.
Nazuna stood there, on the porch, watching the vehicle disappear down the driveway.
---
THE HIDEOUT – YAKUZA BUILDING
The building was massive, gray, soulless. Men in black suits smoked in front of the entrance. Hard stares. Hands in pockets.
Malpoyl's car stopped.
He stepped out. His magnificent yukata, with dragon and scale patterns, contrasted with the grime of the place.
He entered without a glance at the guards.
The room was smoky. Men in suits sat on black leather sofas. Whiskey bottles on the coffee table.
Malpoyl sat in an armchair, at the center. He crossed his legs.
"You're late," he said, his voice icy.
A guard stepped forward.
"Who are you talking to?"
Malpoyl looked up.
"Your boss. Not you."
The guard clenched his fists.
"You want to get smacked, kid?"
Behind him, the boss's voice snapped.
"Shut up."
Onizuka entered. A tattooed giant, his face scarred, his fingers covered in rings. He sat across from Malpoyl.
"Excuse my men. They don't know who you are."
Malpoyl didn't answer.
The door opened again.
Perfecto entered. Calm. Smiling.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
He sat between them.
"I'll be brief."
---
THE PLAN
Perfecto pulled out a map and unrolled it on the table.
"Silva – Midas's partner – will go to this location."
He pointed to a disused parking lot near the port.
"Your gang – the Pelé Trolls – will be waiting for her. You will capture her. You will eliminate those accompanying her."
Onizuka nodded.
"Then you will store her here."
Perfecto pointed to another spot. A dump. An isolated warehouse.
"No one will come for her. At least, not immediately."
Onizuka raised an eyebrow.
"And Midas?"
Perfecto smiled.
"Midas will try to find her. But when he does…"
He turned to Malpoyl.
"…you will be protected by the Kageyama clan."
Malpoyl crossed his arms.
"Silva must be tortured."
Onizuka's eyes widened.
"Tortured?"
"Until she loses the baby."
Silence fell.
Onizuka looked at Perfecto, then at Malpoyl, then at Perfecto.
"Are you serious?"
"Perfectly."
Onizuka scratched his beard.
"The amount…"
"Doubled."
Onizuka gritted his teeth. He looked at his men. He looked at Malpoyl. He looked at Perfecto.
"Deal."
Malpoyl smiled.
I'll prove to my father that I can elevate the clan.
Perfecto smiled too.
They've just signed their death warrant.
---
THE TRAP
Perfecto walked out. He dialed a number.
"Silva."
Silva's voice, on the other end.
"Perfecto?"
"Come to this address. Midas needs you. Urgent."
He hung up.
He knew Midas wasn't there. He knew Silva would come anyway.
Because she loves him.
---
SILVA'S APARTMENT – MORNING
She got ready quickly. A jacket, pants, sneakers. She was about to leave.
William was there. Leaning against the wall.
"Where are you going?"
"Perfecto called. Midas needs me."
William narrowed his eyes.
"Perfecto?"
"Yes."
"I'm coming with you."
"It's not necessary."
"I'm coming."
He looked at her.
"Perfecto is shady. He always has been."
She didn't answer.
---
THE PARKING LOT
Perfecto waited for them, leaning against a car.
Silva got out of her car. William behind her.
"Come quickly. Midas needs us."
Silva was about to rush forward.
William held her back.
"Stay behind me."
Perfecto smiled.
"So… I've been exposed."
Gunfire erupted.
A burst. Several bursts.
William positioned himself in front of Silva.
BAM. BAM. BAM.
He collapsed. Riddled with bullets.
"WILLIAM!"
Onizuka's men surrounded Silva.
She couldn't scream. A bag over her head. Arms too strong. A car speeding away.
Perfecto watched the car drive off.
He looked at William, on the ground, in a pool of blood.
"…Too bad."
He turned on his heel.
---
MIDAS'S APARTMENT – SAME MOMENT
Midas sat on the couch. Silva's sister – Amélie – was across from him. They were discussing the baby's name.
"Julie," said Midas.
Amélie smiled.
"Julie. That's pretty."
"You think?"
"Yes."
They laughed.
Midas's phone vibrated.
He answered.
"Hello?"
Sharky's voice. Cold. Grave. Almost bereaved.
"Midas."
"Sharky?"
"William is seriously injured."
Midas stood up.
"…What?"
"He took bullets for Silva."
Midas's heart stopped.
"Silva?"
"Kidnapped."
Silence.
"Midas?"
"…I'm coming."
He hung up.
His golden hands trembled.
Amélie stared at him, wide-eyed.
"What's happening?"
Midas didn't answer.
He walked out.
The door slammed.
Amélie was left alone.
In the silence, the ghost of Midas's mother, frozen in gold, seemed to be watching her.
---
TO BE CONTINUOUS…