As she approached the office, Hiromi saw something amiss. Her office door was ajar. Hiromi walked straight into the room only to find someone seated at her desk.

It was the computer programmer Omar Rafique also known as 'The Indian' within the Watanabe Yakuza. He was operating Hiromi’s computer.

“Get out of there!” Hiromi growled. “At once!”

Omar stood up from the chair and immediately became apologetic. Saying he was only doing a software upgrade.

“I don’t care, get out of my office now.”

Synopsis- Captain Slater continues her Swan Song mission while at the same time undergoing both physical and mental changes.

 

~*~
 
Hiromi went to the Yokohama Baystars game that she was invited to by Goro Watanabe. Her approval of the killing of Takanori Yokoyama still troubling Hiromi.

The game was on a Thursday night and against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the first of a four game series. Tokyo and Yokohama were arch rivals and at present the Swallows held a three game lead over the Bay Stars. Yokohama needed a series sweep or at least three out of four if they hoped to catch Tokyo before season’s end.

In order to attend the game, Hiromi was picked up at her Kanagawa Bank office at 5:30 p.m. sharp. A limousine taking her to Yokohama Stadium.(Chuck would drive the Fairlady home) That night’s game beginning at 7 p.m.

Hiromi, in her real life as Tom Slater, had been to Yokohama Stadium twice to see baseball games as a child. Thanks to his father a lifetime Detroit Tiger fan, and the Armed Forces Television, Tom was a fan of the sport in spite of rarely seeing the games in person.

As could be expected, the box was heavily guarded. Hiromi wasn’t subjected to a search before being allowed in.

Immaculately dressed as always, Goro Watanabe was inside the box waiting for his cousin’s arrival. Hiromi bowed to the Oyabun before taking a seat.

“It is good to see you again Oyabun-san.” Hiromi being formal with Goro because they weren’t alone.

Food and drink were brought for Hiromi and Goro. For Hiromi it was hoshi-ika, a type of squid jerky, plus a soft drink. The Baystars and Swallows had just finished practice and the start of the game was minutes away.

Hiromi noted her surroundings. The box had two guards stationed outside it, one on each side of the door, and at least three more a short distance away. Inside the box two more guards were present.

Was Goro paranoid or just being careful? Hiromi was asking herself for a moment if Goro trusted his own cousin. If not, what were the implications for Tom?

Maybe Goro’s security detail was just being careful. Hiromi got plenty of that type of treatment from Roger Hyde and company. They were so protective of their charge, Hiromi sometimes felt as if she would suffocate because of it.

No Yakuza business was discussed that evening, except for one indirect mention of what Hiromi had to do with Takanori Yokoyama. Goro making comment between the second and third innings of the ballgame.

“I hear one of my associates left our company during my absence.”

“Yes, Goro-san. It was over a matter of finances. I accepted his resignation.”

“If it was I there that night, I would have done the same.”

It seemed Goro wanted company that night. It was on the way back to the apartment house that Goro told Hiromi the purpose of his visit to Osaka.

“I have found a new business venture.”

“What type?”

“The internet. A online service provider.”

Right then ISPs were a dime a dozen in Japan. A huge glut of these companies existed. Hiromi knew this but Goro was quite enthralled at venturing into the internet business. The company known as Central Nippon Wireless had caught the Oyabun’s fancy. Even wise business counsel from the Saiko-komon may not be strong enough to dissuade Goro Watanabe from investing in this risky business venture.

“When you have time Hiromi-chan I would like you to visit Osaka and Central Nippon. Tell me what you think of the firm financially.”

“I will do whatever you ask of me Goro-san. The week after next I should have the free time needed.

“Good, I will tell them you will be coming. When done I want you to write a report on what you find out.”

Goro and Hiromi arrived at the Negishi Bay Towers minutes later. After exiting the limousine, Goro and Hiromi walked over to the nearby elevators.

“I hope you and Chuck can attend a game or two this weekend.”

“We will Goro-san. Maybe tomorrow night, I will ask Chuck.”

“Good. The Baystars need fans to cheer them. Three more wins and they will pass into first place.” Goro said to Hiromi just before the elevator doors began to open.

Hiromi was in her apartment a few minutes later. She was only a little surprised to see Chuck awake and watching television.

“Kimi-chan, I missed you.” Chuck said to Hiromi before giving his girlfriend a welcoming kiss. “How was the game? Good I hope.”

“Yes it was a good game.” Hiromi told her boyfriend. One game down, one more game to go before she could call it a night. “Let me shower and use the bathroom. After that you can take me for a ride.”
 

~*~
 
The Swan Song committee got a briefing in regards to the Compact Disc made by Hiromi Sato. It was the Monday after Chyrsanthemum’s most recent drop. The news wasn’t good.

“We can’t use the program stored on the disc to read the encrypted files.” Computer expert Scott Avery told the committee.

“The disc is of no fucking use?” Deputy Director Williamson asked. Again murmurs could be heard around the table in regards to Ripley’s continued failure to do as the committee had hoped for.

“Not quite sir. We can’t read the files yet, but that may change.”

“Explain.”

Scott Avery did just that. While the CD didn’t provide a working copy of the encryption program, it had given the computer programmer and his assistant Anthony Preval enough of a peek at it. Anthony and Scott feeling if given enough time and resources they could crack it.

“How long are we talking about?” Major Hollins asked

“Six months. A year maybe.” Scott Avery replied

“That isn’t acceptable.” Deputy Williamson answered back. Swan Song had no set deadline for its completion, but Grant had a preferred time in mind for its conclusion. There were political factors at work.

“We may break it in three months or not at all.” Scott told the FBI Deputy Director in a straight forward fashion. Fortunately for Scott, he didn’t work for the Bureau or his total candor may well have gotten him in Grant Williamson’s dog house.

That’s where Gabrielle Tanaka began to place herself that day. A discussion ensued of what other methods could be used to get the information Swan Song needed.

One proposal was to give Ripley several small computer devices. She would then use them to copy the hard drives of all the computers Hiromi Sato worked on. If successful, Swan Song would be back on track.

To make these copies, the device would need to be attached to each computer for at least thirty minutes, but perhaps as long as two hours. All depending on how many GB of computer programs and files there were that needed to be copied.

When the copying device was in place, Ripley would be at risk of being discovered. Gabrielle Tanaka pointed this out to the committee.

“The danger to Ripley’s safety could be extreme if we ask her to do this task.”

“We know that Agent Tanaka. If Swan Song is to be successfully completed, we may have no other choice.”

“If Ripley dies, the files we get could be of no use to us without someone to explain them.” Gabrielle said candidly via teleconference call. She still being in Japan at the time.

“Thank you for that observation Agent Tanaka.” Grant Williamson replied back icily. The Deputy Director planned to chew Gabrielle out the next time they met face to face. Better yet, Gabrielle Tanaka had an upcoming job performance evaluation due in a few months. ‘Bitch you will pay for telling me what to do and what not to do.’

Anthony Preval had another idea. “Scott and I have studied the program very thoroughly. I think I know who the programmer is.”

“Who is he?” Major Hollins asked.

“I am pretty certain his name is Omar Rafique. He graduated MIT one year before I did.”

“Did you two know one another?”

“A little,” Anthony explained. He like Omar was from India but in Anthony’s case he was a Catholic and from Calcutta where as Omar Rafique was a Muslim from the Bombay area. “We sometimes went to the same parties.”

‘Drinking buddies. Of what possible use is this connection?’ Grant Williamson mused to himself.

“Omar is brilliant. He is also compulsive, always updating his software. My guess is Omar will update the encryption program at some point. When he does, Ripley may be able to pilfer us a copy.”

Everyone at the meeting thought this was plausible. “Are we sure this Omar will do an upgrade?”

“Omar Rafique is a perfectionist. He’ll upgrade the program. If I had to make a guess, he’ll do it within a few months.”

Grant Williamson asked what was the basis for the prediction. Scott Avery was quick with an answer.

“The program Ripley copied was last updated May 29 2007.”

“If I know Omar, he won’t go more than six months without doing some tinkering. As we stand, it is almost four months since the last upgrade he did.” Anthony added.

A half hour later it was agreed to wait no longer than December 31st in order to see if Omar Rafique did a program update and if Ripley could pilfer a copy of it. This failing, Swan Song would have no other choice but to have Ripley make computer hard drive copies in spite of the risk it entailed.
 

~*~
 
Operation Swan Song went into a period of little activity for about a month. Not long after the most recent Swan Song meeting, Ripley was given her new orders via Chrysanthemum. Now all Ripley could do was wait for the Omar Rafique.

The pace of operations may have slowed down, but the danger was ever present for both Ripley and Chrysanthemum. Letting down their guard in even the slightest fashion, could prove fatal. Therefore neither woman was free of stress. Hiromi handled hers by keeping busy and letting Chuck have his way with her. Reina handled her stress by chain smoking.

Accepting Goro’s invite, Chuck and Hiromi attended the next two Baystars games. It proved of little help to Yokohama. After winning the series opener, Tokyo won three straight. That dashed any hopes the Baystars had for the 2007 Central League title.

The Yokohama-Tokyo baseball series wasn’t the only sporting event Hiromi attended over the next two months. In October the Tokyo marathon took place. An event Hiromi Sato had won in both 1999 and 2002.

On the same day the Swan Song committee heard Scott Avery’s report, Hiromi was approached by a Japanese sports network to be a commentator for the marathon. After talking it over with Chuck, Hiromi accepted.

Working the race proved to be a nice distraction for Tom Slater. It also allowed the Captain to further get inside the head of Hiromi Sato. During the run up to the race and then the marathon itself, the real Hiromi’s memories came bubbling upward. This allowing Tom a further understanding of the Yakuza woman she was impersonating.

Tom remembered Gabrielle telling him how Hiromi was once a talented marathon runner. The first alternate for Japan’s 2000 Olympic team. At the October 2007 race the reasons Hiromi Sato didn’t make the 2000 team became known to Tom.

After years of living on Hokkaido, Hiromi came to Yokohama for the first time in 1998. She going to Tokyo University in order to study Finance and Business Administration. It was during this time that Hiromi got to know her real family up close.

When growing up on Hokkaido, Hiromi had been a solitary person with very few friends. That was one of the reasons she took up long distance running. A marathon runner did their sport alone and long runs gave Hiromi time to think and meditate. In 1996, Hiromi nearly won the Sapporo marathon. Seeing how good she was, Hiromi then set her sights on the 2000 Olympics.

When Hiromi came to Yokohama, she told the Watanabes of her goal. Also asking if a trainer could be hired to help Hiromi prepare. For some reason, Keiji Watanabe told his granddaughter no. Already feeling shunned by her family for many years, this only stirred more ill feelings inside of Hiromi towards the Watanabes.

By early 2000, Hiromi and Naoko Takahashi were considered the odds on favorites to be Japan’s representative at the Olympics. In Hiromi’s mind at least, she was the far superior of the two runners. The three times she and Naoko competed against one another prior to 2000, saw Hiromi come out on top twice and only narrowly lose the one time Naoko did win.

Hiromi’s Olympic dreams were derailed when she suffered a hamstring injury a few months before Japan’s Olympic tryouts. After she missed making the team, Hiromi began to blame her family. If they had only hired the trainer she wanted, Hiromi believed she would have avoided the hamstring injury and won the gold in Sydney.

A torn Achilles tendon in 2003 ended Hiromi’s competitive running days. By then she was already at work for the Watanabe Yakuza. Proper training for the 2004 Olympics would have been next to impossible.

While commentating on the 2007 Tokyo Marathon, Tom learned this particular part of Hiromi Sato’s background. Along with it came the feelings of resentment or anger Hiromi felt towards her family. Tom Slater just didn’t know the strength of these emotions.

In addition to her Tokyo marathon work, Hiromi attended the Mizuno Classic golf tournament. Chuck playing in the tournament’s Wednesday pro-am with LPGA player Lorie Kane and Hiromi in the gallery. In the past Chuck had played with Lorie in two previous Mizuno pro-ams. Other than Karrie Webb, Lorie Kane was Chuck’s favorite lady professional golfer.

Chuck and Hiromi were present for the final day of play too. There they witnessed in person Momoko Ueda’s double eagle of the seventh hole. Momoko going on to win the Mizuno by two shots.

In other non-sports related matters, Kanagawa Banks’s purchase of China East Commerce Bank was proceeding if slowly. Hiromi having to visit Hong Kong for two days in early October. Details of the purchase, needing to be worked out in person by Hiromi.

Chuck didn’t accompany his girlfriend on the business trip, but proposed the possibility of them sneaking off to Hong Kong at another time. Hiromi liked that idea. Tom Slater always wanted to see that city.

Another reason to like the idea of a Hong Kong trip was it would allow Ripley to do a meet with a member of Swan Song. Chrysanthemum passed this bit of information along to the committee.

Reina and Hiromi usually had private talks every seven to ten days. The day after her return from Hong Kong, Hiromi was told about the failure of the computer program copy she had made.

“I never thought it would work. What are they proposing now?” Hiromi asked and Reina immediately supplied the answer. “That sounds feasibe. We just don’t know when Omar will do his next update. Do we?”

“No Ripley-san. It could be tomorrow, next week, next month or next year.”

“We’ll just have to wait then. How’s your plan going in regards to getting onto Goro’s computer?”

“I’m still working on it.”

“Take your time Reina. I don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“Trust me, I don’t want that happening either.”

The episodes of the Hiromi Sato persona acting out became less frequent for a while. Tom staying mostly in control of the body she now had. Why this change happened, Tom could only guess. The Army Captain was trying to focus hard on the Swan Song mission at the same time forgetting the more unpleasant aspects that came with it. Like the giving of life and death orders such as the case of Takanori Yokoyama, or knowing about the details of drug smuggling operations the Watanabes were involved in. Knowing Japanese men, women, and even children died as a result of these. Of course there was also Hiromi’s relationship with Chuck McBride.

Was the later that unpleasant? From the first time she bedded Chuck McBride, Tom Slater realized her body enjoyed the experience. With the passage of time Tom also learned her body craved the attentions and love supplied to it by her tall, muscular yet gentle Australian lover. Whether he liked it or not, Tom resided in a heterosexual female body.

Tom began to accept this. Telling herself being with a man wasn’t unnatural, because of the gender she now possessed. Hiromi Sato loved Chuck McBride, and Tom was very much Hiromi Sato for the present time.

The hesitation and reluctance slowly began to slip away. Sometimes Tom found herself daydreaming about Chuck when she was at work. Instead of having the Hiromi episodes, was Tom Slater beginning to act like Hiromi Sato? What was the cause? The Hiromi persona or Tom Slater undergoing mental changes because of the body she now had?

Yakuza business didn’t leave Tom much time to dwell on this. Hiromi paid a visit to Osaka the week after the Tokyo marathon. This in order to do a evaluation of Central Nippon Wireless. After spending five days at the company, Hiromi returned to Osaka.

On Wednesday of the following week, Hiromi handed Goro her report. Hiromi’s evaluation of the ISP was negative to say the least. The company’s revenues were flat, its market share and profits declining. That and talk of new regulations by the Japanese goverment on the internet were all the basis of Hiromi’s recommendation to the Oyabun not to buy Central Nippon Wireless.

Goro took the report and thanked Hiromi for her hard work. Less than two weeks later, Goro announced his plans to buy Central Nippon. The Oyabun making the announcement at a Yakuza meeting.

Hiromi wasn’t the only one surprised by Goro’s decision. The shareigashiras could barely avoid grumbling, and Dai Hashimoto’s displeasure was even more evident.

Was Goro Watanabe the wise businessman the Swan Song committee made him out to be or someone prone to taking risky gambles? Hiromi didn’t have the answer to this question or how this would affect her mission. If at all.
 

~*~
 
The last week in October saw Dr. Wagner began phase II of her latest DNA therapy trial. Like phase I, it took 3.5 weeks for Dr. Wagner’s three teams to complete the trial.

When all was done, the results were impressive. Of the 162 patients, all but 27 patients reverted back to their original bodies. This was an 83% success rate. Dr. Wagner was hoping for eighty percent, so phase II had gone better than hoped.

Even better news, no anomalies had occurred in any of the patients. That other than the 22 women and five men who hadn’t changed back to their original gender that is.

Of the 27, some were very unhappy with the therapy’s failure. The most outspoken one may have been the former Florida sheriff also known as patient 99.

“You have to change me back. This won’t fucking do!”

“We will try our best Fraulein.”

“I’m not a Fraulein.” The former sixty-year-old white male turned twenty--year-old South Asian female said in a very angry tone of voice.

Dr. Wagner knew from previous studies that a second attempt with a patient’s original DNA was futile. All patients were notified of this, and with the exception of the former sheriff and one other, took the news in stride. Most saying they would be all right accepting a new body as long as it was their original gender.

Two patients, one man and one woman opted out of another dose of DNA therapy. Both were happy with their new gender. As both were serving prison time for non-violent crimes, authorities decided to commute both the man and woman’s sentence. They were each given a new identity and sent on their happy way.

The other twenty-five patients were again kept at a secure facility in northern Virginia till they would be given their next DNA.therapy. One small change was made, the patients were allowed to have contact with those of the opposite gender while they waited.
 

~*~
 
The Monday after the Mizuno Classic was Hiromi’s last day of work before her surgery. She was working extra hard that day to get as much business, Yakuza related and otherwise, in order before leaving for the apartment that night. Hiromi wasn’t planning a return to work till the following Monday at least.

Unless Hiromi was meeting Chuck, she normally had lunch in her office most days. Monday was no different, and at 12:30 Hiromi stopped working to eat a sandwich she had brought with her to work that morning.

After she was through eating the sandwich, Hiromi still felt hungry. A solution quickly came to Hiromi’s mind. She would go to the employee break room and help herself to some of the food kept there.

Watanabe Trucking’s offices had two break rooms. One for male employees, and one for female. Most of the office staff were on break when Hiromi walked into the later.

Hiromi’s co-workers were talking when she entered the room. The presence of their boss caused the room to suddenly go silent.

“Never mind me,” Hiromi said as she went to a cabinet in the back of the room. “I just want to get something. Talk about whatever you wish.”

The room remained quiet. Except for Suki Kobayashi, who got up from her chair. “Can I help you find something Sato-san?”

“No Suki,” Hiromi said as she removed a package of O-sembe rice crackers. After she got these, Hiromi want to the refrigerator next. “I found what I was looking for. Can I ask whose crackers these are?”

One of the secretaries raised her hand. Her name was Ria. “They are mine Taro-san.”

As Hiromi helped herself to a soft drink, she thanked Ria for the crackers. “I find them very tasty.”

“I’m glad you enjoy them Taro-san. Eat as many as you like.”

“After break is over, come to my office. I’ll reimburse you for the crackers.”

“No need to Taro-san.”

“I want to,” Hiromi replied back. The room was still abnormally quiet. Watanabe Trucking’s female employees appeared hesitant to talk in front of their boss. “What was everyone talking about when I came in?”

It took a few seconds for someone to speak up. “Ria’s sister is getting married this coming weekend.”

“That’s wonderful. You must be happy for her.”

“Yes Taro-san. My sister and I are very close.”

Hiromi planned on going back to her office but she changed her mind. “Do any of you mind if I join you?”

“No Taro-san. We welcome you.”

“Thank you,” Hiromi said as she sat herself down in an empty chair. “Talk freely. I’m here not as your boss right now.”

It took a few minutes but the conversation began flowing again. The women of Watanabe Trucking talking about their lives outside the office. Friends, family, husbands, lovers. Also some gossiping about some of Japan’s bigger celebrities took place.

Hiromi let the others do most of the talking, but did speak up once or twice. Being a boss or Taro in Japan meant being isolated from those you supervise. Your employees rarely opening up to the person they called Taro.

One thing Hiromi missed was the camaraderie she had while serving in the Army as Tom Slater. Especially when in Iraq. As CO, Tom freely associated with the men in his command, he probably knowing some of these men’s lives as well as their closest family members. Soldiers serving in a war zone spoke freely, including when they were around their commanding officer.

The environment in Japan was different. If just for a day, Hiromi would like these employees of hers to treat their boss like the men in Tom Slater’s Army unit treated their CO. After some fifteen minutes, it appeared to be working.

Then one of the women noted the time. “Break time is over now.”

All the women around the table began to gather their things as they prepared to go back to work. Except for Hiromi, who then spoke up.

“Taro declares an extra twenty minutes of break.” Hiromi’s declaration was met with applause from at least two of the women in the room.

Conversation rambled on for a few more minutes before touching on a subject of interest to Hiromi. One office worker beginning to talk about plastic surgery.

Two of the women present had some form of plastic surgery in the past. The rest, not surprisingly, wanted to have procedures done also to maintain or improve their appearance. One of these was Suki Kobayashi.

“I’d like to get my nose done.”

“Why don’t you?” Hiromi asked.

“I don’t have money now Taro-san. Maybe I will have it saved by this time next year.” Right then one of the women in the room, whose name was Akemi, excused herself.

Tom Slater would have said there was nothing wrong with Suki’s nose. His first love being just as pretty as when Tom Slater kissed Suki for the last time back in 1991. The last sixteen years being very kind to Suki Kobayashi.

“Taro-san, you’re having an operation we hear.”

“Yes, it is scheduled tomorrow. I won’t be back before next Monday.”

“May we ask what you’re having done?”

If Hiromi Sato wanted her employees to share themselves with their Taro, she would have to reciprocate. “I’m having breast augmentation.”

A few giggles could be heard from around the table. This caused Hiromi to smile.

“How large will they become?”

Hiromi smiled again before answering. The facial gesture was hardly a forced one. “36DD.”

A few more giggles could be heard around the table. Hiromi thought these were of envy, rather than derision. It was then that Akemi returned to the room.

The hesitation Hiromi had over the surgery six weeks ago had melted away for the most part. Some how it had turned to eagerness. No one likes having even elective surgery done, but Hiromi or Tom was beginning to see its benefits. Chuck McBride was very eager to see is girlfriend’s breasts enlarged.

The night before, Tom Slater had spent time looking in the mirror at her present breasts. Imagining how they would look post-op. Rather than decry the feminization her body was about to undergo, Tom felt oddly happy about it. She would be prettier and more attractive.

Mental changes were happening to Tom Slater. Sometimes the male Army Captain deep inside of Hiromi noticed them, with increasing frequency she didn’t. Were they temporary or permanent in nature?

“I think Charles will like them.”

Hiromi smiled. “Yes I think he will like them too. My appointment with Dr. Fuschida is at one o’clock tomorrow.”

“Dr. Fuschida is very good. He operated on a close friend of mine.” Said one of Hiromi’s employees.

Right then a knocking sound could be heard at the door. Someone probably wondering where two thirds of the office staff was, Hiromi thought to herself.

“Come in.” Hiromi called out.

It was one of the male employees at Watanabe trucking that Hiromi could never keep the name straight of. He was carrying a white box.

Every woman in the room but Hiromi got up and began to sing. “Happy Birthday to you.......”
 

~*~
 
Hiromi emerged from the bedroom around 8:30 that evening. Seeing his girlfriend, Chuck got up and greeted her.

“Happy birthday.” Chuck told Hiromi after their kiss ended.

“Thank you. Want to watch some television till bed-time?”

“Whatever my little sports car wants is fine with me.”

Why hadn’t Chuck taken Hiromi out to celebrate her birthday that night? Because the couple had done it the night before. Hiromi wanting a quiet evening at home the night before surgery.

“Don’t forget your little sports car is going into the shop for service beginning tomorrow. You’ll have to be patient while the work is being completed.” Hiromi said as she sat down on the living room couch.

“I will be just that. Anything I can get you right now Kimi-chan?”

“A glass of tomato juice.”

“One glass of tomato juice is on its way.” Chuck said as he walked towards the kitchen area. “Do you want a snack now?”

“No maybe later.” Hiromi replied back. In preparation for her surgery, Hiromi would have to fast beginning at midnight.

Chuck was back a minute later with Hiromi’s juice. “Did you enjoy today?”

“Yes very much. It was so nice of them to give me a party at the office.”

Hiromi had been deeply touched by the birthday party. So much so, she planned to give all the women a year end bonus. Enough that Suki could get nose job of hers done, even if Tom Slater liked it as is.

Watanabe Ttrucking wasn’t Hiromi’s company, but she was office manager. The giving out of bonuses should be within her prerogative, if anyone objected, she would pay it out of Hiromi’s personal funds. In less than a year Tom Slater would be a man again, the real Hiromi presumably in jail, and the Watanabe Yakuza finished as a crime family.

The only troubling side effect Hiromi saw to any of this, was the ladies who had been so kind to her that very day, would be all out of work as a result of what Tom Slater was doing. They would be victims of the Watanabes like so many others.

Chuck wrapped an arm around Hiromi in order to draw her closer to him. “That was very nice. I should have arranged something similar at the bank. You aren’t angry because I didn’t?”

“No, of course not.”

“Tomorrow is the big day.”

“Yes, VERY BIG.” Hiromi giggled.

“The doctor did say he could do them even larger if you wanted.”

Hiromi shook her head. Dr. Fuschida had indeed said that, but he also said there were greater chance for complications if Hiromi had opted for DDD. Hiromi was a large B cup or small C cup already. After a physical exam of his patient, Dr. Fuschida laid out the size options for Hiromi.

Chuck had gently elbowed Hiromi throughout the doctor’s appointment to choose DDD, but she stood her ground and said DD was enough. “He did, but I want to look beautiful not like a freak.”

“You’d never be a freak to me Kimi-chan.” Chuck said before kissing Hiromi.

“They will be my birthday gift for you.”

Chuck laughed. “What a splendid gift they will be, for both of us. Are you nervous about tomorrow?”

“Just a little.”

“You’ll be fine and I promise to do anything you ask afterwards.”

“Maybe I’ll go back to work on Friday.”

“No, Kimi-chan you need to rest. The office will still be there next week. Goro knows you’re having surgery, am I right?”

“Yes I told him last week. He said for me to take any time I needed.”

“See, you take your time then.”

Hiromi and Chuck watched television till eleven p.m. that night before retiring to the bedroom. Before then, Chuck and Hiromi ate some strawberry ice cream together around 10:30.

After putting the bowls in the dishwasher, Chuck began to yawn. “Don’t know about you, but I’m tired.”

“Tired of me?”

“Never my little sports car.”

“Then let me take you for one last ride before I go into the shop.”
 

~*~
 
Hiromi’s surgery went smoothly the next day. Dr. Fuschida was running late, so Hiromi didn’t get operated on till a little past two. When she woke up in post-op, Chuck was by her girlfriend’s bedside already.

“Kimi-chan, how do you feel?” Chuck asked before bending down to kiss Hiromi.

“Hungry.”

Chuck laughed. “First thing we’ll do when they allow you out of here is get you something to eat. How are you feeling?”

“All right.” Hiromi replied. The anesthesia was still working, therefore she wasn’t feeling any pain yet. Chuck stayed with his girlfriend in the post-op area till Hiromi was released to go home. In the mean-time they made small talk.

“Are we going to Australia next month?”

“I guess so. We’ll leave the last week in December and be away ten days to maybe two weeks .”

“Splendid, Mum is so looking forward to it.” Chuck said as he held Hiromi’s hand.

‘This guy is so in love with me.’ Tom told herself. ‘What will be Chuck’s reaction when Swan Song is over and he finds out about me? I guess I won’t be around for that but I can’t help feeling sorry for him.’

“Mum may not appreciate me bringing the rifle squad along with us.”

Chuck laughed “Can we do something about that?”

“Bring Reina only I guess. We can say she’s my friend. Roger won’t like it but he’ll have to get over it.”

Hiromi arrived at her apartment a little before 7 p.m. Juanita, who had been forewarned of her employer’s return, had dinner on the table five minutes after Hiromi arrived. A fish dinner with rice and vegetable. Despite the sound of her stomach grumbling, Hiromi ended up eating only lightly.

“How do you like?” Chuck asked Hiromi as they ate dinner.

Chuck wasn’t referring to Hiromi’s breasts but the vases of flowers in the apartment. “They’re lovely. Thank you.”

Hiromi spent the next five days resting and healing. The first two days spent entirely in the apartment with Chuck fussing over her. Tom Slater was driven nuts by this, and her lack of activity. He had spent enough time recuperating from surgery in the months after being wounded in Iraq.

The surgery appeared to go well. Hiromi didn’t see the doctor till six days post op. She had pain in the incision areas and swelling, which was expected/ Chuck had arranged for a nurse to visit every day between the day after surgery and the Sunday before Hiromi went back for followup.

Hiromi’s recovery went smoother than she could hoped for. Her biggest problems being boredom and the bandages beginning to get undone two days after surgery. By Sunday night Hiromi was looking forward to going back to work.

Dr. Fushida saw Hiromi at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon. The first thing that was done, was the unwrapping of the bandages.

Hiromi was already wondering how her new breasts would look. Before that, Dr. Fuschida examined his patient. He first asking Hiromi to lay flat on her back on the examination table.

The doctor had to touch the areas around Hiromi’s incisions, plus her breasts. They were very sensitive and painful.

“How are you feeling Kimi-chan?” Chuck asked.

“Next time, I’ll have root canal instead.” Chuck laughed his head off at Hiromi’s joke.

Dr. Fuschida then gave his verdict. “Your surgery went well. I can see you again in four weeks.”

“Thank you doctor.”

“Any questions?”

There were a few, mostly about post-operative care. Also when Hiromi could go back to work, what exercise routines she was allowed to undertake.

While Hiromi was being examined by the Doctor, she got her first glimpse of the mountains she now possessed. Yes mountains, goodbye b cups, hello DDs. ‘Why again Tom Slater did you let this be done to you?’

Tom kept telling herself it was for Chuck. So the Australian didn’t get suspicious about his girlfriend. Those fears appeared gone now if the approving look on Chuck’s face meant anything.

The question and answer session with Dr. Fuschida soon ended. When it was over, Chuck gave Hiromi another kiss.

“How do you like them?”

“They’re marvelous.” Chuck replied back with the biggest smile Hiromi could ever remember.

When Hiromi stood up, she got to truly feel how it was to be big chested. Chuck then handed her a undergarment to put on. It was a hospital bra.

“You really like them?”

“Of course Kimi-chan. They are marvelous like I said.”

Hiromi got her bra on but allowed Chuck to fasten it. “I’m glad. This I did for you.”

“You don’t want to look at them?”

Hiromi gave Chuck a faint smile. “I’ve seen all I need to so far.”

Later that night at the apartment Hiromi let herself view what the doctor did. Dr. Fuschida had really done fine work.

It was Tom Slater telling this to herself. The big breasts she now had were temporary, not because implants need to be replaced about every 10 years, but rather because Tom’s Swan Song mission would be over within the year. The Captain temporarily forgetting the uncertainty of her being transformed back to her old body. If she did, Tom may have had reservations again.

The following day was Hiromi’s first day back at Watanabe Trucking. Big or small breasts, Hiromi still dressed in the same conservative fashion she always did for work. While getting dressed for the day, Hiromi ran into a problem.

“You know I really don’t have too many clothes that fit me anymore.” Hiromi said to Chuck as she came out for breakfast.

“Because of your new breasts?”

“Yes because of them. I’m a size six now. THANKS TO YOU”

Chuck laughed. “You’ll just have to go out and buy some new clothes. Is that really a bad thing?”

“No, not really.” Hiromi said as she began sipping her first cup of coffee for the day. The real Hiromi had some size six dresses in the back of her closet. Apparently she had lost weight sometime before Captain Slater took her place.

Hiromi would have to do some shopping, but when? A week away from her offices had almost certainly resulted in a large pile of work awaiting Hiromi’s return.

Roger and Reina came in a few minutes later. The British bodyguard who was in charge of Hiromi’s security asking what the travel arrangements were for the day.

“I’m driving.” Chuck replied.

Hiromi didn’t object in the apartment or on the way into the office. Since her operation, Chuck had done all the driving.

“Don’t work too hard today Kimi-chan. It has only been a week.”

“I’ll try. Don’t count on us having lunch together.”

“I won’t,” Chuck said as he took Hiromi’s hand for a moment. “I will call in the afternoon to check on you.”

Hiromi couldn’t help note how her co-workers looked at her when she arrived at the office that day. The women for the most part smiling at their boss, the men trying hard not to be obvious as they stared at Hiromi’s new chest.

As she approached the office, Hiromi saw something amiss. Her office door was ajar. Hiromi walked straight into the room only to find someone seated at her desk.

It was the computer programmer Omar Rafique also known as 'The Indian' within the Watanabe Yakuza. He was operating Hiromi’s computer.

“Get out of there!” Hiromi growled. “At once!”

Omar stood up from the chair and immediately became apologetic. Saying he was only doing a software upgrade.

“I don’t care, get out of my office now.”

Omar bowed. “My humble apologies. Can I just stay till the upgrade is done?”

“No, you can’t. Get out of here.”

The Indian hurried out of the office. Apologizing to Hiromi again on his way to the door.

Hiromi quickly got settled in behind her desk. A check of the computer showed the update was over sixty percent complete.

“I hope this is the program Swan Song is waiting for.” Hiromi whispered under her breath. The next thing Hiromi did was buzz one of her secretaries..

“Welcome back Sato-san,” Said the voice of Suki Kobayashi. “What can I do for you?”

“Please bring me my phone messages, correspondence and some tea. Also tell Roger I want to see him immediately.”

“I will do that Sato-san.”

Roger Hyde was in Hiromi’s office two minutes later. “What can I do for you boss?”

“I want to make this perfectly clear. No one is allowed in my office without my permission.”

“Does that include the cleaning people?”

Hiromi thought for a few moments. “No, but they have to be supervised when in here.”

Roger nodded his head. “We’ll do as you say from now on boss. Anything else?”

“Nothing for now.”

After watching Roger exit the office, Hiromi again checked her PC. The computer upgrade had been completed and a message screen had appeared saying the machine had to be re-booted. Hiromi clicked on the yes.

While Hiromi was waiting for her computer, Suki came in the room with the items her boss requested. Aki and some of the other workers came in behind Suki. They had a vase of flowers for their boss.

The kind gesture brought an immediate smile to Hiromi’s face. “You’re so kind. What do you think?”

“They look good Sato-san.”

“I think so too.”

Suki had given her boss a large pile of phone messages. There were many things needing to be done right then. “I think we need to get to work. Maybe later we can talk at break time. If not today, then tomorrow.”

“We look forward to hearing all about it Sato-san.” One of the women said before they all began filing out of the office.

Aki and Suki stayed behind. “Anything we can do Sato-san?”

“No, not now. Except tell Ryoji and Yuka I’d like to see them in fifteen minutes.”

Once she was alone, Hiromi ejected the program disc out of her computer. Hiromi would get the CD to Reina the first chance she got.
 

~*~
 
Hiromi was in for a bit of a surprise that day. So far as Watanabe Trucking and Yakuza financial matters went, they were almost all up to date.

“It looks like you don’t need me around here.” Hiromi said to Ryoji and Yuka.

“We will always need you Taro-san.” Yuka answered back.

Ryoji Ishii was Hiromi’s number #2 at the office, and fully Yakuza. Hiromi had Ryoji pegged as a very ambitious man. Hoping one day to be sitting in the chair Hiromi Sato was seated in. There was little chance of that ever happening.

There was still enough work around Watanabe to keep Hiromi busy the rest of the day. Her duties at Kanagawa Bank would wait for the following day. There Hiromi wasn’t expecting a light load when got to her office.

While meeting with Yuka and Ryoji, a vase full of Red roses arrived. A card was attached

My little Sports car,

I hope your day is going smoothly and that you are feeling well. Thank you again for the gifts. I truly marvel at how beautiful they have made you.

Always yours with love,

Chuck

Again the flowers caused Hiromi to smile. She had such a thoughtful boyfriend.

During the afternoon, Hiromi joined the ladies in the break room. Hiromi’s surgery was just about the only topic of conversation.

“Are you satisfied with them? One female employee asked Hiromi.

“Yes.” Hiromi replied back. The workers had already given their opinion on how they viewed their Taro’s surgery. “I’m happy with the doctor’s work. Chuck is very happy.”

“Oh.”

Then using her hands, Hiromi began moving her hands further from the other. “He is very happy.” All the women in the room, Hiromi included began to giggle.

“My clothes don’t fit me any more. I’m up to size six now.”

“You will need to go shopping then.” Akemi said.

“Yes, at Victoria’s Secret.” Yuka added with a giggle. Again the women, Hiromi included, laughed or giggled at the joke.

Later on in her office, Tom Slater inwardly shook her head. “You’re beginning to act like a real woman again.’

On the way home that day, Hiromi sent a non-verbal message to Reina. Ripley signaling she needed a meeting with Chrysanthemum.
 

~*~
 
Phase III of Dr. Wagner’s latest DNA trial was almost ready to take place, when another four patients opted out of it.

“Can we ask why? Dr. Wagner asked the two women that were seated before the German doctor and some of her team.

“We just want to stay this way.” Said the older of the two women, also known as patient 31. She was a Hispanic female in her mid-thirties. Patient 91 next to her was a white female in her late twenties.

Dr. Wagner’s team asked the women to elaborate. After some parrying or dancing around the issue, Patient 91 bluntly stated.

“We like to fuck each other. Now can we get a pardon or parole so we can get on with the rest of our new lives?”

Another man and woman wanted to stay in their new gender also. They weren’t seeing each other like patients 31 and 91, but rather said they were happier now.

Before any pardons could be issued and these people released, Dr. Wagner had to talk to her superiors. A panel of NCI doctors, HHS bureaucrats, and a official with the Federal bureau of Prisons.

“I think further time should be taken to understand these patients and why they choose to stay their present gender.” Dr. Wagner advised the panel.

There had been patients like these before. Every time Dr. Wagner proposed they be studied further before being released. Like the earlier instances, the panel said no.

“These women and man are all adults. We don’t need to know their reason.” After a review of their criminal and prison records, the three women and one man were all given their release.

In the meantime, Dr. Wagner began Phase III with the last of the original 21 patients. When done, All but 5 were now back to their original gender, but in new bodies. The last five hadn’t changed at all.

Now Dr. Wagner wanted to find out why. First by giving the five women, all the unchanged were female, an extensive panel of diagnostic tests. The next step for Dr. Wagner and her team was to study the medical histories of the women who donated the DNA. Maybe there was a common denominator.

Still Dr. Wagner was pleased. An over 90% success rate returning patients to their original gender was better than could be hoped for. The possibilities her DNA formula had, both for the good of society and Dr. Wagner’s pocket book, were enormous.
 

~*~
 
Reina and Hiromi had their meeting on Wednesday. Hiromi had to work late that day at Kanagawa, this necessitating Chuck to find other transportation in order to get home.

“I got a copy of the computer program. From Omar himself, he was in my office yesterday.”

Reina nodded. “I heard. Where did you put the disc?”

“Usual place, second from the top.”

Reina checked the glove compartment. “It’s here.”

“I told you it would be. Will you be taking it tonight?”

Reina shook her head. “No, I’ll do that tomorrow. The car is due to be washed. I’ll remove the disc while that’s getting done.”

Hiromi remained silent for a minute or two before speaking up again. “Maybe this will satisfy Swan Song and we can both get out of here.”

“I’d like that too. You’re not planning to stay?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“The surgery you just had done.”

“Oh. I just did it to keep Chuck pleased.”

If Chrysanthemum’s and Ripley’s roles had been reversed, the last thing Reina Shimizu aka Tonichi Ogawa would have done was to keep Charles McBride pleased. In fact if Reina had been Hiromi when first discovering the Saiko-komon had a live-in boyfriend, she would have found any excuse to dump the Australian as quickly as possible.

Reina sometimes asked herself why Captain Slater hadn’t done the same? Could it be that Ripley, unlike Chrysanthemum was not married? Or that the Army Captain had hidden gay tendencies? Was it some other reason? Bottom line it didn’t matter as long as the cause did not interfere with Swan Song. It was Ripley’s life, not Chrysanthemum’s.

“So what do you think?”

“About your breasts?” Reina asked as she again considered what was happening to Ripley’s mental state.

“What else do you think I’m talking about?”

“Nothing, sorry about that. They look good. How do they feel?”

“Heavy.”

“I can imagine.”

“They stick out too.” Hiromi said with a girlish giggle. Then for a moment, Ripley began acting like Tom Slater. “One good thing about this, I get a break from Chuck for a month.”

Reina hoped Swan Song would soon be at an end and she could get that DNA formula again and become Tonichi Ogawa. Tonichi was missing his wife and son more than ever.
 

~*~
 
The Swan Song committee was in receipt of the disc six days later. It was immediately given to Scott Avery and his team. Less than 24 hours later, the Swan Song committee had another meeting.

“The program worked. We can now read all the computer downloads.” Scott Avery said.

Grant Williamson turned to a forensic accountant who was advising Swan Song. Her name was Debra Dudley. “How long will it take to evaluate the documents we now have in our possession?”

“At this point we’re sifting through what is essential to building a criminal case, and what isn’t. At last count we had over 1,100 documents to do this evaluation of.”

“How long will that process take?”

“Seven to ten days. Then another month to do just a preliminary evaluation of the relevant financial documents. ”

“We’re talking about the first of the year then?” Grant Williamson asked.

“Yes sir, but a more thorough evaluation will take longer. How long, I can’t really say at this point”

Grant Williamson hid his impatience from most of those present at the meeting. The Deputy FBI Director wanted indictments by the end of Spring preferably. and no later than the end of July. Grant had reasons only known to himself for this.

“Thank you Ms. Dudley. I suggest your team get right to work on the documents.” Debra Dudley and Scott Avery soon exited the room.

Gabrielle was at the meeting by teleconference call. “Since we’re in possession of the computer program, will we be begin plans to extract Ripley and Chrysanthemum?”

Some debate took place. Gabrielle had a ally who supported the withdrawal of the undercover agents. It was Inspector Yoshida.

“The continued presence of Ripley and Chrysanthemum inside the Watanabe family can endanger both agents lives. May I remind everyone we have lost two agents already.”

“We know that Inspector. However our primary target isn’t this particular branch of Yakuza, but Goro Watanabe himself. We want evidence incriminating this person.”

“The downloads in our possession may already supply this.”

“We don’t know that at this time.” After a little more discussion it was agreed to leave Chrysanthemum and Ripley in place.

Major Hollins made a suggestion. “A debriefing could be of use.”

Before going undercover, possible meeting sites had been given to both Ripley and Chrysanthemum. If a face to face was required, the undercover agent would choose one of the locations for a meeting and suggest a time.

Most of the committee favored a debriefing. With one provisio- It wouldn’t take place till Debra Dudley’s preliminary report was received and evaluated. It was still possible agents Chrysanthemum and Ripley would soon have their undercover assignments concluded after a very short period of time had passed.
 

~*~
 
Hiromi and Reina got the latest Swan Song directive the last week in November. Reina was bitterly disappointed but did as ordered. Hiromi had more mixed feelings. She having faith in the Swan Song committee’s ability to best know when to retrieve their agents. Hiromi would continue to do Swan Song at her professional best.

Life in the Yakuza remained pretty consistent for Hiromi. No more life or death decisions were required for her. Partly due to the fact that Goro was making fewer out of town trips. Only once in either November and December was Hiromi left in charge of the Watanabe Yakuza,

The business deal to buy China East Commerce Bank was finally settled upon. The contracts would be signed on January 21st in Hong Kong. Hiromi would be present for this important matter.

Hiromi’s recovery from breast augmentation proceeded normally. Very little pain remained after two weeks and the same went for the swelling also.

While she still remained in the shop, Hiromi did begin allowing Chuck to touch her breasts. The Australian particularly enjoyed cupping them gently with his hands as he lay at Hiromi’s back in bed. Both of them totally naked.

“You like being my bra.”

“Of course I do my little sports car. Your breasts are magnificent. I can’t have enough of them.”

“No way am I getting bigger ones!”

Chuck laughed. “No Kimi-chan, these are quite spectacular, no need to upgrade. Just like the rest of you.”

“What’s this upgrade shit? You make me feel like a computer program.” Hiromi replied back. She was only teasing Chuck.

“Kimi-chan, my little sports car, I’ve never had a friend like you. I mean that.”

Tom Slater thought of Chuck as a friend. She needed a friend to come home to every day. One thing Tom kept telling herself was that when Swan Song was over, he’d have a better appreciation of women. .

“You’re my best friend too.”

“I love you,” Chuck said as he took his hands off Hiromi’s breasts. It was so such a short time since his girlfriend’s surgery, so Chuck wanted to be cautious. He would be able to fully enjoy them soon enough. Instead the tall Australian nibbled on Hiromi’s right ear. “Like no one I ever known. More than any woman I know.”

“More than even Mum?”

“Mum is different.”

“Yes she is. I love you too. Lets go to sleep, it has been a long day.”

Chuck planted one last kiss on Hiromi’s lips. “Yes it has. Good night Kimi-chan.”
 

~*~
 
Two days later, Hiromi had a meeting with some of the shareigashiras. When the meeting was over, Ryuku Kinjoh came over to talk to Hiromi.

“You’re in need of some new clothes.” Ryuku said after complimenting Hiromi on her new appearance.

“Yes I certainly am.”

“Hiromi-san, we discussed this before, but maybe we can go shopping me and you. This weekend perhaps?”

“Yes, I think we can do that. Let me check on a few things first.”

“I know exactly where to take you.” Ryuku said before winking an eye at Hiromi.

One of those Hiromi memories sprung into Captain Slater’s mind. “Yes it has been so long since the last time we went there.”

Ryuku and Hiromi talked about what they would do that day. As lunch time was nearing, the two Yakuza women decided to go out to eat together.

In order to make her planned shopping trip, Hiromi had to do some preparations. When Chuck was told of the shopping trip, he told Hiromi without reservation to go and have a good time.

Hiromi invited Aki, Suki, and Yuka from the office to join her. All of them said yes. They would have a lady’s day out with their boss.

Reina would be coming too, but in her bodyguard capacity. As would Yuri, who would drive a stretch limo to the parts of Tokyo and Kawasaki that his boss wanted to go shopping at.

One last thing Hiromi had to do was make contact with a high ranking person in the Inagawa-kaí . The places Hiromi would be visiting were within that Yakuza family’s territory.

After a very tiny bit of small talk, Tokuro Inagawa got down to business. “May I ask why you are calling Hiromi-kun?

Tokuro was Hiromi’s opposite number in the Inagawa-kaí but the Saiko-komon was very much old school. Women weren’t supposed to rise to the position Hiromi had in the Yakuza. That showed in Tokuro’s less than respectful form of address.“Yes, some friends and I are hoping to visit Kawasaki and Tokyo on Saturday.”

“How many of you will there be in all?”

“Seven, six ladies counting myself, and one man.”

Tokuro paused as if he was thinking. “Thank you for telling me. May you enjoy your time.”

“Thank you. Torkuro-san.” Hiromi then hung up the phone.
 

~*~
 
December 1st 2007 was both a cold and rainy day in Japan. That didn’t prevent Hiromi from having a good time with her female co-workers. It just required the constant use of umbrellas as they went from shop to shop.

The shopping at first consisted of Hiromi buying new underwear, mostly brassieres. These she modeled for her Aki, Suki, Yuka Ryuku, and even Reina,. Welcoming their approval and advice. The biggest trick for Hiromi was to find bras that fit while at the same time being comfortable. One drawback of having big breasts was that bra straps often felt like metal digging into a woman’s shoulders.

Hiromi was about to move on to another store, when Aki made a suggestion. “Taro-san, maybe you should get one or two of these.”

Aki was holding a very revealing night dress. When and if Hiromi wore it, Chuck would need very little imagination. Then again there was nothing about Hiromi Chuck hadn’t seen before.

Suki was giggling. “Chuck will like it I think.”

Hiromi took the night dress from Aki and examined it for half a minute. “I’ll go and try it on.” By day’s end Hiromi had three new night dresses.

Some shopping was done for clothes Hiromi would wear to work. These were as much needed as the new bras, for Hiromi was definitely a size six now.

Hiromi’s friends, that was how she looked upon the five women out with her that day, also did some shopping of their own. That included Reina, Agent Chrysanthemum. Sometimes Hiromi being asked for an opinion of an article of clothing her friends wanted to buy.

“You will look good in that.” Hiromi told Suki at one point in the day.

“Thank you Taro-san. I’m going to buy this. If it fits, it is size two.” Suki Kobayashi had always been petite. That stretching back to when she was the first crush for Thomas Slater and vice versa.

While the ladies shopped, Yuri either stayed out in the car or stood outside whatever store Hiromi was in at present. On the other hand, Reina went everywhere her boss went.

After the shopping extravagazna was over, Hiromi and her friends went to a women’s club in Tokyo. There they ate, drank, and did a lot of giggling as scantily clad men danced on a nearby stage.

After the club, Yuka, Suki, and Aki were taken home. The first stop was at the apartment Yuka Kawamura lived at. Once the limo stopped, Hiromi reached in a bag she had next to her.

“This is for you.” Hiromi said to Yuka as she handed the woman an envelope with her name on it. “This is a year-end bonus.”

Similar envelopes were given to Aki and Suki. Yuka was the first to open hers. A big smile formed on Yuka’s face the moment she discovered what was inside.

“Taro-san thank you. Thank you very much.”

“Thank you for spending time with me today.” Hiromi told Yuka.

Suki was the last to be dropped off. She thanking her boss as she readied to exit the limo.

“That will pay for your nose job.”

“Yes it will,” Suki said very happily. “Thank you Taro-san for this.”

“Enjoy it, I’m glad you are happy.”

Ryuku lived in the same apartment building as her boss. She getting off at the twenty-fourth floor. Before exiting, Hiromi tried to give the shareigashira a bonus also.

“No Taro-san, I must respectfully refuse.”

“I want to give you one.”

Ryuku shook her head. “I should be giving you a bonus Taro-san for managing my money. Thank you for allowing me to join you today.”

“Thank you for helping me today.” Hiromi said to Ryuku before the elevator doors closed. That left only Reina on the elevator with Hiromi. Yuri having gotten off at the sixteenth floor.

“Nothing for me Taro-san?” Reina asked. Hiromi didn’t supply an answer till they were in the apartment together.

Chuck was awake and watching television when Hiromi entered. The Australian immediately coming over to give Hiromi a welcoming kiss.

“Enjoy yourself today?”

“Lots.”

Chuck laughed. “I already saw how busy you were.”

The many bags of clothing Hiromi had bought had preceded her upstairs. They being delivered to the room by Kimo and another bodyguard. Roger Hyde was taking a rare day off.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to Reina about a few things. It won’t take more than ten minutes, I promise.”

“No problem. I’ll be out here waiting for you.”

Reina followed Ripley into her office. Once the door was closed, Hiromi had a question to ask.

“What do you think Dai Hashimoto was up to today?”
 

~*~
 
A very troubling occurrence took place in Kawasaki that afternoon. It was at the fourth shop Hiromi visited with her friends. As she began to exit the store, Ryuku Kinjoh flung out an arm that stopped Hiromi in her tracks.

“Back inside.” Ryuku said.

Hiromi did as she was told. As she did, Tom Slater began to sense something dangerous was happening.

“Take a look carefully.” Ryuku invited both Hiromi and Reina. Both undercover agents peering out around the corner of the store window.

“What is Dai doing here?” Hiromi asked. About twenty yards down the street the Watanabe saiko-komon was carrying on a conversation with someone.

Which was very strange. For right then Dai, along with Hiromi, were in Kawasaki, the territory of the Inagawa-kai.

“You know who that is Dai-san is talking to?” Ryuku asked.

Hiromi nodded her head. Captain Tom Slater had been briefed on not just the Watanabe Yakuza, but prominent members of other Yakuza families before being put into the field by the Swan Song committee. While Hiromi had talked to Tokuro Inagawa on the phone on two occasions, December 1st was the first time she had ever seen the Inagawa-kai Saiko-komon in the flesh.

Dai Hashimoto who for months had been voicing his concerns over the Inagawa-kai muscling in on the Watanabes, was today meeting with one of that Yakuza’s highest ranking members. What did it mean?
 

~*~
 
“I don’t know Ripley. Do you have any theories?”

Hiromi had several, but no proof for any of them. She told this to Reina point blank. “I don’t think we can take what happened today as anything but a sign for us to be extra cautious.”

“Agreed Ripley-san.” Reina replied back. Like any organization, the Watanabe Yakuza had its own internal politics. Dai Hashimoto’s meeting with a rival Yakuza was a possible sign the Saiko-komon could be plotting within the Watanabes. It could have also just been a coincidence, a meeting in regards to business the Watanabes and Inagawas both had an interest in. The two Yakuza families business affairs did sometimes overlap.

Hiromi changed subjects. “Here I want you to write down an address for me.”

Reina took the pen and paper handed to her by Hiromi. “What’s this for?”

“The bonus you asked me about,” Hiromi said as she looked Reina in the eye. “I’m going to make out a check and send it to Momoko. I’ll say it is from Tonichi.”

Reina could barely avoid crying. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Nothing Reina. I know how much you miss them. This will let Momoko and Raizo have a Merry Christmas without you.”

Chrysanthemum did something very un-Japanese. She hugged her boss. “Thank you.”

As Reina wrote the address down, Hiromi said what she planned to do with it. “I’ll have a bank check made out to Momoko. Then I will mail it on Monday with a note stating it is from you and saying Merry Christmas. Is there anything else you want written?”

Reina had told Hiromi once one of the reasons Tonichi’s father-in-law hadn’t been very approving of his daughter’s husband. It was that Tonichi was Christian, a Roman Catholic. Thanks to the influence of her husband, Momoko Ogawa was converting to the same religion.

“No that will be fine. I miss Momoko and Raizo so much.”

“Reina, I promise you’ll see your wife and son next Christmas.”
 

~*~
 
To be continued in Part Six