The neon sign of Shiro’s Diner flickered against the darkened Los Angeles skyline, casting a pale glow onto the near-empty parking lot. It was just past 2 AM, and the streets were quiet—too quiet. Inside, the scent of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee mixed with the faint aroma of grease and nostalgia.
I slid into their usual booth in the back, the red leather seats cracked with age. Kai was already there, scrolling through data on his tablet, a half-eaten plate of fries in front of him. Yumi sat across from me, her fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of tea, eyes scanning the room as if expecting trouble to walk through the door.
Before I could answer, Naomi slipped into the seat beside him, tossing a napkin onto the table. Naomi Fujimura was sharp, fearless, and frustratingly good at getting information before anyone else.Iwasn’t sure whether I trusted her yet, but she had proven herself useful more than once.
“We’ve got a bigger problem than just names,” she said, nodding toward the paper. “That’s a list of shipments coming in through the docks. Artifacts. And not just any artifacts—cursed ones.”
I unfolded my napkin and studied the scribbled list. “Who’s moving them?”
“That’s the thing—we don’t know yet,” Naomi replied. “But whoever it is, they’ve got deep pockets and no fear of consequences.”
The server, a wiry older man with salt-and-pepper hair, approached, setting down a round of drinks and plates of food. “On the house, kids,” he said with a knowing smile. “Kazuki family always eats free here.”
I exhaled sharply. “Yeah. That’s why we’re here. We need to decide if we’re reaching out or taking them out.”
A waitress in a faded blue uniform stopped by our booth, flipping open her notepad. “The usual?” she asked, smacking her gum lazily.
I nodded. “Cheesecake pancakes, poached eggs.”
Kai snorted, adjusting his glasses. “D, I don’t know how you eat that at two in the morning.”
“Tastes better when it’s late,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “What about you?”
“Hash browns, extra crispy, and black coffee,” Kai replied, already distracted by his tablet.
Yumi barely looked up from her mug. “Oyakodon.”
Naomi smirked, resting her chin on her hand. “You always order that. You ever try switching it up?”
“Nope. And I don’t plan to,” Yumi said flatly, taking a slow sip of her tea.
The waitress scribbled everything down. “And you, sweetheart?” she asked Naomi.
Naomi tapped a finger against the table. “French toast, extra syrup. And a side of bacon.”
Kai chuckled. “Sweet and salty, huh? Figures.”
“Says the guy drinking tar for coffee,” Naomi shot back.
The food arrived a few minutes later, the smell of fresh syrup and sizzling bacon filling the air. I dug into my pancakes, the rich cheesecake flavor melting on my tongue. For a few moments, we just ate, the tension in the air settling into something almost normal.
Then my phone vibrated in my pocket.
I set my fork down, wiping my hands on a napkin before pulling it out. One glance at the screen, and my stomach twisted.
“I’ll be back,” I muttered, sliding out of the booth.
Yumi arched a brow. “That looks serious.”
“It is,” I said, stepping outside into the cool night air.
The LA night air is always cold in January. With my mind in chaos, I decided to dial a number I hadn’t in years.
The line barely rang before a voice answered, low and cautious. “Didn’t expect to hear from you, Kazuki.”
“Didn’t expect to make the call, Ryuji. But I need information.”
“The Yamato Group’s been dealing in things they shouldn’t. Artifacts. Cursed ones.”
I tightened my grip on the phone. “I need specifics. Who’s supplying them? How deep does this go?”
A pause. Then, “It’s bigger than you think. They aren’t just smuggling—someone’s backing them. Someone with real power. If you’re getting involved, be careful.”
I exhaled, switching to Japanese.
“時間がないんだ、龍二。曖昧な警告はいらない。使える情報をくれ。”
“I don’t have time for vague warnings, Ryuji. Give me something I can use.”
Another pause.
“それなら、日本に来い。答えが欲しいなら、自分の目で確かめろ。でもな…”
“Then come to Japan. If you want answers, see it for yourself. But…”
“何だ？”
“What?” I pressed.
“笑顔で近づいてくる奴ほど危険だ。気をつけろ、カズキ。”
“The ones who smile at you are the most dangerous. Be careful, Kazuki.”
The call cut off.
I stared at my phone, jaw tight. This wasn’t just about smuggling anymore. This was something bigger.
Yumi stepped into the doorway behind me. “That didn’t sound good.”
“It wasn’t,” I admitted. “We need to move faster. Something bigger is coming.”
