Chapter Twenty-Two Sōta Fujimoto #3
Sōta noticed. His expression softened. Not because of the romance. Because of the effect.
"You have done your research," Haruki said.
"Yes."
"Do not mistake knowledge for understanding."
"I do not."
"Then do not mention my childhood again."
Sōta inclined his head.
"All right."
No challenge. No apology. Haruki could not decide which would have angered him more.
Renji's hand remained on his wrist. Sōta looked towards it once, then back at Haruki.
"You protect one another."
"That is not your concern."
"It is relevant."
"To what?"
"To why I asked you here."
At last. Haruki pulled his wrist gently from Renji's hand. Not rejection. A return to control.
"You could have sent your philosophy in another message."
"You would not have believed it."
"I do not believe it now."
"You believe that I believe it."
Haruki said nothing. Sōta smiled faintly.
"That is enough for a first meeting."
Ken remained standing. Haruki gestured for him to sit. After a moment, he did. Sōta refilled the cups. No one drank.
"The violence will continue," Sōta said.
"That sounds like a threat," Haruki replied.
"It is a prediction."
"Based on what?"
"The Archive exists. The historians found enough to frighten powerful people. Doctor Takahara has now read material intended to remain buried."
Sōta looked towards Renji.
"You will not be permitted to walk away."
"I have no intention of doing so," Renji said.
"I know."
"And you?"
"I want the records released."
"To whom?"
"Everyone."
Renji's expression hardened.
"You do not possess all of them."
"No."
"You do not know what they contain."
"Enough."
"That is how people justify reckless decisions."
"It is also how people begin necessary ones."
Haruki stood. The conversation had reached its useful limit. Sōta remained seated.
"You asked us here to tell us disclosure is inevitable."
"No."
Haruki looked down at him. Sōta lifted his gaze.
"I asked you here because inevitability is a comforting lie. It allows people to avoid choosing."
The wind moved through the open side of the pavilion. Leaves whispered along the edge of the pond. Sōta rose. He was not tall enough to dominate the space. He did anyway. Not through force. Through certainty.
"The Unveiled are divided," he said. "Some want controlled disclosure. Some want a single undeniable act. Some want retaliation for centuries of hidden violence."
"And you?" Renji asked.
"I want the truth released in a way that leaves both humans and vampires enough time to decide what they become after."
"That is not possible," Renji said.
"Perhaps not."
Sōta accepted the possibility calmly.
"But people who fear failure are not entitled to make ignorance permanent."
Haruki stepped towards the exit.
"We are finished."
"Not quite."
Ken rose again. Sōta made no sudden movement. He simply looked at Haruki.
"You believe I asked for this meeting because I wanted to frighten you."
"I assumed you wanted something."
"I do."
"What?"
Sōta's gaze moved from Haruki to Renji. For the first time, his composure seemed to carry something beneath it. Hope. That was more unsettling than anger would have been.
"You possess access we do not," he said. "Doctor Takahara can authenticate the Archive. You can protect the people who will be targeted when the records emerge."
Haruki stared at him.
"You think the Ishida Family will work for you."
"No."
Sōta stepped away from the table.
"I think you are both already doing the work. You are investigating the same deaths. Following the same records. Confronting the same lies."
"You murdered people in our territory," Haruki said.
"Not on my order."
"In your name."
"Yes."
"And you expect that distinction to matter."
"I expect it to matter to you more than most."
Haruki felt the insult beneath the observation. Sōta's expression remained composed.
"I am not asking for obedience," he said. "I am asking for alignment."
"Call it whatever you like."
"You oppose the Accord's lies."
"We oppose murder."
"So do I."
Ken gave a humourless laugh. Sōta looked towards him.
"You do not believe me."
"No."
"That is reasonable."
Ken appeared momentarily disarmed by the response. Sōta turned back to Haruki.
"I will give you what information I have about the historians' deaths."
"In exchange for what?"
"Nothing."
"There is always an exchange."
"Then consider it an investment in trust."
Haruki's mouth hardened.
"I do not trust you."
"Not yet."
Sōta reached into his coat. Ken moved. Renji did not. Sōta removed a small envelope and placed it on the table.
"No names," he said. "Only locations, dates and financial transfers we believe connect the attacks."
Haruki did not reach for it.
"It may be false."
"Yes."
"You expect us to verify it."
"Yes."
"You use truth like bait."
Sōta's expression became almost sad.
"Everyone does."
Haruki looked at the envelope. Then at Sōta.
"What happens when we refuse?"
Sōta seemed genuinely puzzled.
"Refuse what?"
"To help you."
"I continue without you."
"No retaliation?"
"No."
"No threats against my Family?"
"No."
"Against Renji?"
Sōta's gaze shifted. Something colder entered it.
"Doctor Takahara is already threatened. Not by me."