10 The Marti-Gras Angel

Ken walked through the broken wall Georgia had cut earlier that day. The heavy rain from before had dissipated to a light shower. It wasn't until he felt the droplets collect on his face that he realized his mask had been snapped in two. He recalled his mask cracking when he fought with Hankatoba, it must have fallen off sometime after. As Ken threw the broken thing in his pocket, he felt the breeze blow against his face. Even trapped in an ally-way, the wind seemed persistent. That mostly described Neo-Tokyo, Ken thought. Windy, rainy, and seemingly always lit up by some sort of light, natural or not. While he may not admit it, Ken liked all the advertising and neon lights. It made the Neo-Tokyo feel special, and much more interesting than the advertising in the Americas which hadn't changed nearly as much over the decades.

"Look, we're just in time" Fuyuji pointed at some police cars below whose strobing red lights that pierced through the dark ally-way. A team of police officers had swarmed the main entrance to Rosette's base and they were trying to breach their way in with a large black battering ram. It was so large that it took three people to lift.

"I don't think so Fuyuji, they've got the van too," Hagashimi said. Sure enough, the door wasn't the only thing swarmed by police officers. The van they had left parked not far from the base had been surrounded by cops. There was a man standing in between the groups who kept yelling things at the group that Ken couldn't quite make out. He also couldn't make out any of their faces, but he could tell from the uniform who the leader was, his father, Kusunoki Shinegori. Rather than having a typical blue jacket with a white button-down under, his uniform had a white jacket and blue button-down. There were various other marks and insignia to show his ranking, but this difference was the most notable. He didn't say anything to the rest of the group, but he knew he had to be especially careful now that he knew his dad would be investigating their operation.

Like clockwork, Ken froze as he came to a realization. "Crap, my bike!" Ken yelled. He had brought his motorcycle to meet up with the group. To avoid suspicion he didn't cover up his license plate, but it seemed not taking that precaution could lead to his own incrimination. If his father or any of the other police officers had seen his bike, he'd be in serious trouble. Ken knew he couldn't keep up this game forever, but he wanted to end it on his own terms, and not by letting his dad take him down so early on.

"I've got to go," Ken said, turning to Hagashimi who had a worried expression.

"I understand," Hagashimi said waving him off. "The mission's done, and you can keep your equipment, courtesy of the employer."

"Fuyuji, I realize this may be a lot to ask," Ken started turning to a very tired looking friend, "but could I wear your mask. Mine broke in the fight and I'm not exactly hoping to arouse suspicion."

Fuyuji looked a little shocked, he had taken off his mask just moments before. It wasn't that he could act on the request, it's that it wasn't one he had expected. "Oh, sure. I always bring a spare with me in case one breaks, but it's kind of old now." He reached into his bag and pulled out a white, full-face masquerade featuring all sorts of different designs of spades, one taking up about half the surface area. It had been worn and it was mostly discolored, but it would work. "I've been meaning to get rid of it anyway..." He handed the mask to Ken.

He put on the mask which fit decently well. "Thanks. Hopefully, we'll work get together again sometime," he said, waving as he leaped off the roof into the air with his khami. The rushing breeze felt even stronger while he used it to glide behind the squad of police officers. Ken landed in the alley from before, not even a block away from the van. Luckily the police hadn't been messing with his bike, or so Ken thought. He, of course, would never know, but behind him involved in the investigation was his childhood friend Itsuki. She glanced back into the alleyway between the two concrete buildings Ken had parked by. Her eyes just barely caught the end of Ken's khami as they retracted and he walked his bike around the corner. A feeling of equal disappointment and curiosity filled her conscience.

"I'll be back in a second," Itsuki said to Yuu, who was also helping her examine the van. She peered around the corner to see Ken getting on his bike and driving away. She couldn't see his face, but she knew it was him. She would recognize that bike anywhere. She had been watching it for him while he was studying in the US. She sighed as she turned back. Itsuki was hoping she misinterpreted Ken, but her suspicions had been confirmed again. Ken was the Marti-Gras Angel or just Angel depending on who you asked. It was a name her class gave their mystery man. Itsuki decided not to follow Ken and continued assisting in the investigation.

"What was that?" Yuu asked.

"I thought I heard something, but it was nothing."

"Okay, whatever you say." Yuu was a little suspicious of Itsuki. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"You've just been really quiet since you investigated your friend the other day. You're always so monotonic now."

"Sorry, I'll try to be more cheerful," she responded. She hadn't meant for it to come off mockingly, but judging from Yuu shrugging her off it might have been.

Ken had walked his bike until he was out of earshot from the police squad. Once he was far enough away he started it up and made his way back to the Ishida bridge. He passed familiar buildings from earlier. On the side of one building, a group of teenagers were spraypainting a mural. Ken guessed they probably weren't getting paid to do so, and it was risky to vandalize so close to the cops. They didn't seem to care as they blasted music and kept on painting. Ken pulled up to the schute to the residential ward which he would take back to mainland Tokyo.