Okami

“Okami? Really, I was imagining something else.” Eden giggled. It was a line simply meant to sound more realistic. Unfortunately she didn’t remember him at all. Maybe she’d have to do some snooping in Ayame’s old things in order to get a better grip on this person. 

“Anyways I appreciate all your kind words. It’s rare to find people so polite, both new strangers and old friends.” She put her hand on his shoulder, giving it something between and pat and a squeeze. She wasn’t sure if he was actually like this, but she really did appreciate his kindness thus far. It didn’t matter that she was lying to him, he was responding well and that was all that mattered. 

“Are you making fun of my name?” he asked, turning to look at her. “Do you feel like my name doesn’t match me? That’s not very nice,” he said, returning his attention back to his drink and took another sip from it. 

Okami didn’t spare a glance at the hand on his shoulder and simply offered a shrug. “You haven’t given me a reason to be otherwise just yet, so I wouldn’t get too thankful just yet,” he warned jokingly, of course. 

@mamoruokami

fear doesn’t come very often to the spellbound, but she knows how it feels like to be scared of something. it’s not the kind of feeling that she’s fond of, especially since she sees it as some kind of weakness, and god forbid that baek jiwon would ever be afraid of anything. it would be pathetic for someone as powerful as her to have fears, right? but jiwon is good at pretending, good at putting on a tough front, so even if there’s something that she’s afraid of, it wouldn’t be easy to notice. it takes a lot for her to be scared, after all. to say she’s afraid of okami is an overstatement, but she can’t deny it’s alarming that the boy knows something about her. 

they are friends, or so she believes, but even friends are hard to trust these days. “do you still remember that one time i asked you to help me with something?” she asks, red lips spreading into a smile. “the one related with haedogje pa.” perhaps she would rather have him forget about that particular favor. “i got away with it, but i have a feeling that they are still suspecting me.” okami seems like a nice guy, so she doesn’t want to assume things right away, despite the fact that looks can be deceiving sometimes. “so tell me,” the spellbound pauses, wants to look at him in the eyes when he answers her. “you wouldn’t snitch on a friend, right?”

How the two met, Okami didn’t know and quite frankly, he didn’t care either. He liked Jiwon, she didn’t annoy him or get on his nerves like other people did, and he found their conversations rather enjoyable. 

What made a difference however, was that she was in another gang. In Okami’s mind, that made his friendship limited, not that he would ever admit that to her. If asked for a favour, it really depended on how he felt. When Jiwon had asked him for a favour, he didn’t mind. In his mind, it benefited him as well so he had agreed. However, when it came down to the blame game, he covered his tracks, making him look squeaky clean whereas Jiwon’s path was more messy, unclear. It didn’t put her to blame, but she definitely hadn’t come out innocent. 

“Mm?” Okami said, a brow raised, making it seem like it as a small detail, nothing to concern himself with. “I think so. I don’t remember what I did, but I remember being asked to look into them,” he said truthfully, because if he was honest, he didn’t remember everything he did. The computer remembered for him, so he could always check on it later if he needed to. In real life, it helped make his lies more believable. “Why do they still suspect you?” he asked, curious. “You cleared your name. Are they trying to start a gang war between themselves and you?” he wondered. 

It had been quite some time since Gyuri had left the confines of the condo. She wasn’t particularly fond of straying very far from headquarters, it set her on edge when she didn’t have her eye on everything that was going on within Haedogje pa, but tensions had been exceedingly high recently and she knew that if she didn’t step away from it all, even for a moment, she would snap.

The themed club downtown was one of the few spots in the city that was exclusive enough to ensure she wasn’t disturbed, but filled with enough warm bodies to ensure that she didn’t stick out too much. The exterior was a few cracks shy of being decrepit, taking the form of a long since abandoned church, but the inside was gilded gold, and decorated from floor to ceiling with plush velvet and shiny leather, so cliche that it was almost painful to look at.

Everyone who came in here liked to play at being a vampire, so no-one blinked twice at the stone-faced pale woman with the crimson lips. She was mostly left to her own company, though occasionally some poor fool mustered up the courage to sidle over to her, drink in hand to try it on, but one sharp, cold look often sent them on their way. Curious it was, then, that one such patron not only boldly approached her, but somehow even knew her name. Her eyes narrowed a little as the syllables left the stranger’s lips. That was never good.

“Am I supposed to know who you are?” she asked, her tone dry and level as bluntly ignored his questions, not offering up a seat near her or the illusion of pleasantries. He wasn’t familiar to her, but then again, unless she had dealings with someone or they were one of her own, not many people were.

“I’ll take that as a no,” he responded, a polite smile on his lips that was anything but polite. It threw back the same sass she had given him, but to be fair, in this industry, that’s how people were. You could never be too friendly with someone you didn’t know and if you were, there was something suspicious about that. 

“No, you’re not, which there is a reason for there, but we don’t need to get into that,” he shrugged. Or more like he didn’t want to get into that, and likely she didn’t care either. He was a hacker, after all. He worked hard to wipe anything connecting to him, from Japan and in Korea. Not that he had many secrets, but wanted to cut his ties where he could, so nothing came back to him. 

“I can leave you alone, but I just thought I’d let you know I found out something about one of your members...but you seem like you want the alone time, so I can just be along my way and take my little secret with me...maybe give it to someone else instead.” Not that he would, because in his mind, no one would want it more than the leader of said-gang member. 

At the end of the day, it was all about power and although this would be power for any other gang, it would be a weakness for Haedogje Pa and no one liked for their weakness to be shown. 

“Well…” Maybe if he felt more sorry for her, he would trust her more, and maybe she’d trust him more too. Eden straightened up to tell the story, perfect timing with the incoming sake from the bartender.  “I guess this is an answer to you other question but…I don’t know. I feel like I’m not cut out for all the criticism. I’m a people pleaser and all the rejection really did a number on me. The world is a lot scummier than you’d think, even just in the world of theatre; Cruel people in the industry are one of the many frustrating things that have happened to me over the years. In fact, you’re probably among the first to encourage me this way.”

Eden tilted her head at him before taking a big sip of her drink. She was easing into her lie now. Anything to look like some pretty lost girl at the bar, a failed actress being comforted by an old colleague. If anything, he helped her look more unassuming. “I’m sorry. I know you said you recall my name but…I don’t think I remember yours.”

Okami nodded. “That makes sense,” he said, getting a vibe from her that it wouldn’t sit with her well. “Ah, well. You win some and you lose some. At least you figured that out before millions of people are criticizing you instead of a select few nobodies,” he shrugged, taking another sip from his drink. “Trust me, I know how much scum is in this work, it doesn’t escape my notice. Someone will always say something to you that goes against what you’re use to, but your call to do what you think is best.” 

At her confession, Okami couldn’t help hide the snort that escaped him. “Well, I figured as much,” he said, relieved that she didn’t remember him. “It’s Okami.”

She gave a forced laugh at his first question, it began bitter but ended sheepishly. All on purpose of course. “I don’t know you that well. I’ll need a lot more drinks before I tell you all the crappy stuff from my past.”

“As for my acting…” Eden paused, trying to layer one lie with another, “I guess I never really was that good. I mean, as you say, if I couldn’t even fool myself into thinking I was then how would I expect to perform for anyone else?”

Okami gave her a curious look, noting the weirdness in her laughter but he didn’t care enough to know. “Well, that’s your choice,” he shrugged, just as the bartender returned with their drinks. “I won’t pull it out of you, I’m not that curious.” To some sense this was an admirable trait, not pushing people to talk but to some, he knew it made him come off as disinterested or only concerned about himself, and he would be lying if that weren’t the case.

“They say practice makes perfect. You’re not Leonardo DiCaprio over night, you work for it,” he said, taking a sip from his drink. “And not everyone is the same. You may not be able to fool everyone, but you can still fool people.”

If Kyu rolled his eyes any harder, they would get stuck. He stayed where he was, knees draped over the back of Okami’s couch, his head hanging mere inches off the floor as he watched the other tap a few instructions in to the keyboard. The screen jumped to life as his friend worked, web pages closing as soon as they opened and jumbled lines of nonsense snaking across the screen.

“There isn’t a single thing that machine could find out that I wouldn’t be able to get out of someone over a quick card game, or from their back pocket.” It’s not that Kyu hated modern machines, exactly - he just didn’t see the point in them. Humanity had done without them for so long, and there were other ways to get the information and items one needed that involved more than just sitting square-eyed behind a screen. Besides, where would the fun be if his job was easy?

“One hundred years.” He reminded Okami pointedly, his right index finger extending out so he could exert enough energy to poke the other boy in the back. “I’ve been doing things my way for one hundred years, and they haven’t failed me yet. Well, barr the one unfortunate incident where I was murdered, but you can’t win every time, right?” he said with a snicker.

“Is that so?” Okami said, his tone not the least bit curious. In fact, it was more so a response that came from him expecting this kind of answer. “Can you find out where their last 50 transactions were from and to? Their account numbers? Their secret, offshore account that no one knows about where they’ve been stealing money from their employer to have for themselves?” he asked, pausing now to turn and look at the other with a raised brow.

“Because let me tell you, they won’t even remember this shit themselves. Hence, the beauty of technology remember what their small brains can’t,” he said, tapping the side of his head and returning his attention back to the screen. 

Okami smiled a little at the other’s words. Another typical response, but like always, he enjoyed his company and was never bothered by any of it. “Mm, well that’s a big unfortunate incident I would think,” he said, pausing again to fully turn and look at the other. “But just because you’ve been doing it this way for one hundred years, and it resulting in your demise, why not change things? The times have changed, you can adapt a little.”

“Maybe. I feel a little bad I don’t remember you too well…So much has happened since we last saw each other I guess.” Eden nudged his shoulder, as if he was a buddy although she had no experience with him prior. “I came here for school. I was a theatre major. You can see how that turned out. Now I’m abandoned at a strange casino bar with someone I barely recall. Not that you’ve done anything wrong. It’s just my own guilt talking.”

It wasn’t completely a lie. Ayame did take theatre but it wasn’t her major. At this point, Eden didn’t even remember what her vessel used to do. It never really mattered and certainly hadn’t mattered in a long time. 

“All I remember is that you’re Japanese and your name is Ayame and I don’t feel bad, so,” he shrugged. It was the truth in what he said, but he also was curious if she did remember his name. After all, he wasn’t Mamoru here, he was Okami, and that’s all he wanted to be known as. “Yeah? What kind of things happened for you?” he asked, curious.

“I don’t see how that turned out, actually,” he said truthfully. “You could still be a theatre major, if you wanted. You could...act away the nerves. People do it,” he offered. He wasn’t the best at pep talks. “It’s fine, like I said, all I remember is where you’re from and your name.”

Eden chuckled. She wanted to counter with some line about how it’s always the men you think you can trust that are the most dangerous, but she didn’t wish to antagonize him. The truth was she didn’t trust him due to her knowledge about their venue, but she didn’t want him to think he knew a thing about organized crime. 

“I’m just trying to be friendly. Sorry. I guess I’m just overwhelmed and a bit nervous maybe.” It was always better to act weak rather than fake confidence in her experience. 

“Maybe a drink will loosen me up. Sake sounds good.” Eden nodded to the bartender as she said it, confirming the order.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” he shrugged, and meant it. He wasn’t the one to lie, he would rather choose to be silent and not respond at all. “You’re being honest with how you feel, so why apologize for that? Why are you nervous? Am I making you nervous?” he asked, glancing a look in her direction to try to read her expression. 

“It definitely will,” he nodded, and ordered a drink for himself before the bartender was on his way. “So what brought you to Korea?”

“I guess I’m just a bit out of place. Is it that obvious? I’ll be honest and say I barely remember you. And you know that it’s rule number one not to trust people in bars that you don’t know well.” She kept her tone from being accusing, it was more of an excuse if anything. Eden then turned towards the approaching bartender as well. 

“Since you seem to know this place better than I do,” Eden said to her old ‘friend’. It was another attempt to divert the conversation while still trying to get more information on the situation, “I wouldn’t suppose you have any recommendations?”

“Very,” he responded with an amused expression on his face. At her confession though, he found himself a little more relieved. She didn’t remember him. That was good, since that meant she didn’t know his real name. Or at least, he assumed this was the case since she hadn’t bothered trying to confirm it for herself. Either way, he would take it for now. 

“Sure, but do I give off the vibe that I can’t be trusted?” he asked, a brow arched. He didn’t care if she didn’t trust him, but he was curious why she felt this way. She had mentioned not remembering him, but when they had met in Japan, everything was fine. 

“You don’t trust me but you want me to suggest a drink?” he said, amusement in his tone. “You’re giving mixed signals here, Ayame. You sure you don’t remember me? Or do you just want to pretend that you don’t? Either way is fine with me, but I’d rather honestly above all else,” he stated. Which was ironic, considering he didn’t plan on being honest with her as to why he was here and was trying to covering his own tracks up since she was a blast from his past. 

“They have sake, though. If you’re feeling a little nostalgic for something from home, so you can try that.”

She sensed some sort of suspicion with him. Maybe she was playing too dumb. But she’d already committed to it. The man seemed harmless enough, but the way he said ‘people’ set off a small alarm in her head. She was fairly certain he was part of a gang. Maybe the one that ran this establishment, maybe not. Either way, he wasn’t with her, and anyone that wasn’t with her could be a threat.

“Hey, now I’m not an idiot. I just mean I’m no expert on gambling. I’m hanging around because I find it fascinating, I guess. And I don’t really have anywhere else to be. My friend dragged me out and I’m trying to make the most of it. Even if it isn’t really my scene.” Eden sighed. She was over-talking again. It was a bit of a hit to her pride to be flustered like this. She thought of herself as a very good con-artist when she needed to be. But, surprisingly, she had never met someone who knew Ayame from Japan before. 

“A drink sounds good to me too right about now.” Eden tilted her head, almost baiting him to offer her one. It was for the purpose of teasing alone. If he really did belong here, she wouldn’t trust a drink ordered by a member of The Lucky Seven in their own bar.

“Not much to find fascinating, but sure,” Okami shrugged. He didn’t care. She was different than when he met her in Japan, but he supposed people changed and they weren’t that close for him to be concerned, unless it resulted in causing harm to himself. He could look into that himself later, without having her around if he really wanted to. 

“Sounds like a bad friend, though, no offense,” he said, although he didn’t care if he did offend her. “Ditching your friend for a hookup, especially when they’re not use to this environment.” He said the last bit based on what she had offered.

He didn’t fail to notice how much she spoke, as though she already had an answer or response to everything he said, as though she was preparing for something like this. That either meant she was lying, or perhaps she really did talk too much. He didn’t remember her much from Japan and again, didn’t really care what she did as long as it didn’t bother him. 

“Is that so? Is it because I’m making your nervous?” he said, the same smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m kidding. Obviously. You’re sitting at the bar so I can’t think of a better place to get yourself a drink,” he said, waving over the bartender to get himself one.