When Both are Wrong

Chapter 5: The Job of Leisure

The contract with The Purple Hyenas were a bit more restricted. They made sure to leave in the part about not giving any hints, but in all it was almost similar to that of The Ivory Rose's. Keiji had to admit, even though the two gangs were enemies, they were very similar in terms of actions and intent. They did have their differences though. The Ivory Rose's members seemed more polite and orderly while The Purple Hyena's members seemed more rough and wild (their dens reflecting as such).

Keiji was currently walking back to The Ivory Rose's base because he was given the job to collect more info on them, if he could. Keiji already had a hard enough time trying to relay to them the info he had already. Nonetheless he retrieved more info like they asked, The Ivory Rose gang none the wiser.

When he had returned to them with the information, it took and hour and a half for everything to be told. They got info on where The Ivory Rose's wealth was and in return Keiji got more info on where they would be during their heists. Plus he got a lot of money from it too and that was for sure going into Shinji Gichi's bank account. He had plans for that money, plus it could be used when he was left without a job.

Keiji returned to his alias facade, walking around the city and going into shops to observe their products. The Purple Hyenas had instructed he do this since he walked around a bunch. They figured he could help make their heists somewhat easier by making them more quiet, undetectable; hidden.

"Hey Shinji!" Keiji looked over. It was a man who owned the store that recognized him. "How've you been? It's been a while." Keiji smiled at him. The shop was a family store, its owner a father with a loving wife and 3 children. The man's name was Sukeo and occasionally Keiji would come in and chat with him. They had happened to meet when Keiji was much younger. He was only 9 when he was sitting in the alley next to the store during the winter. Sukeo came outside to dispose of the trash when he saw him and took him in to shelter him from the unforgiving weather.

"It sure has!" Keiji would be sure not to let The Purple Hyenas rob this place. "Not much has been happening besides getting a few odd jobs." "You still haven't found a solid one yet?" Sukeo asked in disbelief. "Nope. Still lookin'. Though I have a feeling that I might find something big." "Really? Is that so?" "Yep. But if you're so worried about me never finding a job, why don't you hire me?"

Sukeo laughed a bit. He's had this bit of conversation pop up a lot. "I wish I could bud, but this is a family run store. You know that." Keiji chuckled back, "I know." They continued on with their blissful chat, reminiscing here and there. In the end Keiji had to leave, stating he had a job appointment to attend. They both said their goodbyes, Keiji noticing the kids hiding behind the counter and waving at them too, Sukeo looking back at them and laughing.

Keiji decided that would be the thing that would cap his little peruse of the town. It was already getting late by the time Keiji reported back to The Purple Hyena's den. Keiji pushed open the metal doors without much of a care, treating the place as if it were his own familiar home.

"I'm back!" He announced. Some of the members greeted back and continued on with whatever they were doing while some others walked up to greet him. "So, find anything new? Any suggestions?" The Queen asked smiling. "Yes actually. I guess hyenas don't have the best sense of smell when it comes to hunting out prey. You guys overlooked some of the stores on your search and also didn't look out far enough. The stores will help fill your vault of items."

The Queen tilts her head up and hummed, a familiar tick of acknowledgement that Keiji picked up on. She looked to the side and back to continue eye contact. "I'll just have to scold them for being so blind-sighted. Excuse me." She left him to gather the gang members that went out scouring the stores. She brought them into a back room where Keiji presumed that that was where she was going to lecture them.

With nothing else to do, Keiji wandered back over to his hotel, where he was now currently staying due to an agreement made with The Purple Hyenas. Well, that was after he got some free boba.

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Sorry for not much happening. I said (not promised) that I would post the next chapter today and I did. I'm currently tired.

Also, Sukeo is made up of the the characters "suke" which means "help" and "o" which means husband, man. I couldn't think of anything else. His name was made last minute and I think I did a good job given that the character's name Tokoyami from the anime translates to Crow Man.