CHIC RESTAURANT – BUSINESS DISTRICT – EVENING
The dim lights illuminated the white tablecloths. The silverware gleamed. Waiters glided across the polished floor like disciplined shadows.
In the kitchen, the chef was shouting.
"THIS ISN'T PERFECT! DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSONALITY IS COMING?!"
A young commis trembled before the misaligned plates. The chef glared at him.
The restaurant door opened.
Crow entered. Kroger, his bodyguard, beside him. Massive. Silent. A sword in his mouth — immediately stored in his internal pocket.
All the staff bowed. The waiters stepped aside. The chef himself lowered his head.
Crow didn't look at them. He headed toward a table specially prepared for him. White tablecloth. Gold cutlery. A rose in a small vase.
He sat down.
---
Antelope arrived a few minutes later.
She was dragging a man. Naked. A leash around his neck. Empty eyes. A forced smile.
She tied him to a chair, sat across from Crow, and ordered wine.
"You betrayed."
Antelope didn't flinch. "I don't answer to anyone."
"Yet you helped Midas kill my pawn."
Antelope sighed. "I was manipulated. By an unknown person."
Crow raised an eyebrow.
"With my contacts, I traced the call."
She pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket and slid it toward Crow.
"Perfecto."
Crow took the paper and read.
"An American. A super-hero fan since childhood. His idol: The Emperor. Because he dominates all his opponents."
She took a sip.
"He had a difficult childhood. Alcoholic mother. Abuse. But he made it out. He came to Jipangu to learn more about heroes. To leave and create his own agency."
Crow set down the paper.
"And he met Midas."
Antelope nodded.
"You helped this Midas destroy my pawn. Why?"
Crow leaned in.
"Why are you getting upset over a simple pawn, Crow? I've never seen you panic over a human chess game."
Crow was silent for a moment.
"You're right."
He stood up.
"That kid meant nothing to me."
He walked around the table.
"I planned to use him to create a network of 100% legal casinos, with illegal games."
He placed a hand on the back of Antelope's chair.
"And when everything was about to be discovered, I planned to screw him over. Steal his revenues. Throw him in prison."
Antelope looked at him. "Always so vicious."
Crow smiled.
"I heard you had a daughter recently."
Antelope didn't answer.
"Never mind."
Crow turned toward the exit.
"Antelope, I didn't come to talk about that."
He adjusted his coat.
"Tell your boyfriend to come see me next time."
He walked out.
"Talking to you is deadly boring."
Antelope sipped her glass of wine.
Then she smashed it on her hand.
"I hate him."
Wine ran between her fingers. Shards of glass. Blood.
She struck the man on the leash.
"Why aren't you barking?"
The man got on his knees.
"Woof."
Antelope struck him again.
"Woof woof."
She stood up, wiped her hands on the white tablecloth.
"Sorry. WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF."
She kicked him.
"Shut up."
---
THE PARK – THE NEXT DAY
The sun shone. Children's laughter. Balloons. Blankets on the grass.
The entire Family was gathered.
Sharky, leaning against a tree.
William, lying on the grass.
Takuya, chasing a ball.
Daek, with a book.
Perfecto, sitting on a blanket.
Silva, her hand on her belly.
Amélie, watching the clouds.
Midas, standing slightly apart.
Midas cleared his throat.
"I have an announcement to make."
Everyone turned to him.
"We control the entire district."
Silence.
"But I'm stepping down."
Perfecto stood up.
"What?"
"I'm leaving Jipangu. I'm leaving everything to Sharky."
Perfecto went pale.
"You're joking?"
"I didn't avenge Gap."
He looked at his golden hands.
"But I did what was necessary. So that at least one region could be freed from a malicious grip."
Perfecto clenched his fists.
"It's because of Silva."
Silence fell.
Perfecto pointed at Silva's belly.
"She's pregnant. You want to play the family man. You're giving up everything."
"Perfecto…"
"No. You can't do this."
He turned on his heel.
"Perfecto."
He didn't stop.
Midas caught up to him, placed a hand on his shoulder.
Perfecto turned around.
Midas looked at him.
"I'm not leaving right away."
Perfecto stared at him.
"I have one last move to make. For Daek."
Perfecto narrowed his eyes.
"Free his father from the vicious circle of the mafia."
Perfecto didn't answer.
Midas placed his hand on Perfecto's head.
Like an older brother. Like a friend.
"And I can't do it without you."
Perfecto looked at him for a long time.
"…Are you serious?"
"I've never been more serious."
Perfecto smiled. A small smile.
"Fine."
He tapped Midas's hand.
"One last move."
Midas smiled.
"One last move."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…