HA1 16.3 - Base

  The Green SUV smoothly entered the illegal parking lot undetected by security. Fortunately, its original place was still empty. After the Green SUV sat tightly in its place, Takeo and Shizuka then cleaned its interior using Axcel cleaner spray.

  Hide specifically asked them to use Axcel cleaner spray because it was the only commercial product that could remove forensic traces on human sweat, saliva, and hair. As for erasing their fingerprints, they used a washcloth moistened with some alcohol.

  Twenty minutes later, Takeo and Shizuka had already walked out of the illegal parking lot, and then rushed to the nearest bus stop. On Saturdays, the bus stop in the office district was always empty, so Takeo and Shizuka comfortably monopolized it.

  After turning her gaze to Takeo, Shizuka said, "I never thought there would be an illegal parking lot in Nichiko."

  "Well, rich people want to have some toys, so naturally some people try to accommodate it. I believe some politicians are involved in this business."

  "How do you know about it?"

  Takeo casually answered, "The rich are the ones who gave financial support to politicians, so politicians will gladly give them some privilege."

  "I see."

  After a long silence Shizuka asked again, "Why did you join the hunt with Hide? You are not the type who would use violence as an option."

  Takeo explained his circumstance without hesitation, "My parents have a debt, 8 million Dillar or 800 million Ren. The monthly installment is 3.3 million Ren, but our restaurant net profit never exceeds 1.6 million Ren.

  So, I need money to help them and I also already borrowed 3 million Ren from Hide."

  "What about Hide, do you know why he do the hunt?"

  "Nope, but I believe he is also in a pinch or he will not risk his life for money."

  Silence enveloped the bus stop again, until finally Shizuka asked another question, "Do you know where Hide hid the weapons from Villa Tigera?"

  "He hid it in an abandoned building, but I don't know the exact location."

  "What do you mean you don't know the exact location?"

  "There are more than 200 abandoned buildings in Nichiko. Hide already confirms that eleven of them are safe for us to use it, but he doesn’t tell me which building he uses to store the loots from Villa Tigera."

  Looks of surprise filled Shizuka’s face to the brim as she said, "So, Nichiko also has lot of vacant buildings."

  "I have also confirmed seven illegal parking lots and more than 500 people who deserve to lose their car, and that number does not include dirty politicians who parked their cars in their houses."

  "I see," Shizuka replied before nodding her head.

  At the same time, a Black Altiez suddenly stopped across the bus stop. The driver was a charming young woman, and Hide kissed her cheek before getting off the sedan.

  With questioning eyes, Takeo and Shizuka looked at Hide who was approaching them on cheerful steps.

  "Hide, who is the beauty who drives you?" Shizuka curiously asked.

  Hide turned his eyes to Black Altiez that gracefully drove away before replying, "My girlfriend, her name is Hanna and she works in Beauty & the Beast."

  "You're dating an older woman?" Takeo asked as shock was clearly visible in his face.

  "Yup, and it's only a four-year difference, so it's not a big deal."

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  ""I see,"" Takeo and Shizuka replied in unison, while Sayaka's image flashed in their mind for a moment.

  "Well, let's not talk about my personal life." Hide then turned his gaze to Takeo before asking, "Are you ready for the hunt in Kibou Hospital?"

  Takeo confidently replied, "Anytime, I'll make sure there is no footage of your visit."

  "Good."

  Hide then turned to Shizuka. This morning, Takeo already texted him that Shizuka would stay in the team. She also went with him to take the Green SUV in Aida City. Even so, Hide still wanted to hear Shizuka's decision directly.

  "What is your final decision?"

  "I'll stay in the team," Shizuka replied as steel determinations flashed in her eyes.

  "Do you realize that even if our target is a bastard lower than an animal, there is still a possibility we have to kill innocent people in our hunt?"

  "Yes, I fully realize the possibility."

  "Good." After a smile Hide calmly said, "Now, let's go to our new base."

  ---

  The Jazz, a mid-class U-shaped lodging house, located one block away from the illegal parking lot. It had 27 floors and each floor consisted of twenty rooms. Hide casually opened Room 2101 and let Takeo and Shizuka in.

  Although it was not spacious, the furniture in the room was quite complete, and everything was tightly covered by transparent plastic. Unfortunately, the dust on the plastic’s surface was quite thick.

  "Hide, whose room is this?" Shizuka curiously asked

  "The old bastard Toruyama," Hide replied casually.

  ""Huh?""

  While question marks appeared on Shizuka and Takeo's foreheads, Hide explained, "I copied the contents of his smartphone and found out that he rented this place using a fake ID six months ago. I also already confirmed that no one knows that he rents this place.

  The old bastard has paid the rent, electricity, water, and gas for the next eight years. He has also placed cleaning equipment and a large amount of instant food here. It's a shame if we don't use it.

  Also, although the old bastard didn't put highly valuable goods here, he did put two cars in the illegal parking lot where we borrowed the Green SUV."

  ""I see.""

  "Well, let's clean this place. Then, we can talk and share our harvest."

  ""Okay.""

  Without delay, the three opened every window in the room and started the cleaning.

  ---

  The cleaning lasts approximately two hours. Then, as Takeo poured hot water into five cups of instant noodles, Hide used a table to pick up a 40-liter rucksack from the ceiling above the living room.

  As he put the rucksack on the table, Hide said, "Let's talk about our next step."

  ""Okay,"" Takeo and Shizuka replied in unison.

  "First, let's the three of us participate in Hakka Outdoor Competition."

  "The three of us?" A big question mark appeared on Takeo's face.

  "Yes, it will become a good cover for us to increase our physical fitness and spend time together."

  "I agree." Answer Shizuka vigorously. "Twig also wants me to teach him karate."

  "I also agree, but what about our promise not to make any contact with Kirishima Family?"

  Hide casually explained, "We come as a contingent from East Nichiko High, so it's okay. Of course, I will try to sneakily confirm Yukino's situation while we are staying over there."

  ""Roger.""

  Once Yukino's name was mentioned, a smile bloomed on Takeo and Shizuka's lips. Their spirit somehow soared to the sky.

  "Also, back then when we carried out the Villa Tigera job, I think it would be nice if I had a shooter to cover my back in case shit happens."

  Takeo nodded and asked, "Do you want to recruit another member who knows how to use firearms?"

  "No, I don't. I will teach both of you how to shoot, and other practical skills that will be useful for the hunt."

  "Wait," As he gave Hide a deep look Shizuka asked, "What about your promise not to teach your skills?"

  "That promise?"

  "Yes, that promise," Shizuka seriously said.

  "I lied."

  "The fuck," Shizuka cursed before pursing her lips.

  Hide then casually said, "But just a warning, the training will not easy."

  "No problem," Shizuka calmly replied.

  "I'll bet my life on it," Takeo eagerly added.

  "Good, let's visit Isamu Sensei on Monday then."

  ""Okay.""

  "Now, let's talk about your share."

  While Hide opened the rucksack, Shizuka put a small bag onto table.

  "Hide, this is the loot from the guards, 300 thousand Ren and 160 grams of gold."

  Hide slightly nodded. "We'll use it as operational funds. For the gold, I'll turn it into a 20-gr gold bar before cash it out."

  ""Roger.""

  "I've cashed in the gold bar from Villa Tigera for a total of 37.8 million Ren. We will add 1.8 million Ren to the operating funds and divide the rest by three."

  ""Roger.""

  Wasting no time, Hide divided the money from the rucksack. Shizuka earned twelve million Ren, while Takeo got nine million Ren plus the original copy of the debt note he owed to Hide. As for the operational funds, Hide put them in one of the cabinets in the kitchen.

  Apart from asking Takeo and Shizuka not to spend their money conspicuously, Hide also asked the two not to put their money in the bank. Currently, he was considering a method so that they could obtain another citizenship unrelated to their current identities, and used it to open an account overseas.

  Hide felt that the three had to obtain a second ID as a means of storing their assets, as they were currently under Kirishima Family's radar. A family which was capable of freezing the assets of someone they perceive as a threat.

  Then, the lunch began. Five cups of instant noodles divided by three, which were cleanly being devoured in a flash.

  Shizuka wanted to order pizza, burgers, fries, fried chicken, and soda so they could continue their simple lunch into a junk food party, but Hide refused because he had to pick Aizawa up from Kitaro.

  After he gave Takeo and Shizuka the spare key, Hide immediately left the base.

  *****