Chapter Text
Saga always viewed himself as a businessman, first and foremost. Brokering deals, making compromises, trading information and goods…it was all just another day.
There was also that talent agency on the side, which was enjoyable enough. It certainly provided the funds and access he needed.
Especially the access. He doubts he would’ve been able to put his favorite red-head under his personal radar otherwise. That was probably his favorite business venture so far.
So when the opportunity presented itself once again to get close to his current favorite business topic, he was quick to take it–even at the risk of exposing himself and going “broke”.
The conversation with Takeshi was a long one and required some very careful verbal acrobatics, doubly so due to the very public nature of the Dance Party. Saga knew that he wouldn’t go against his friend without good bait, so Saga hung the best he could: “Daisuke and Dark know each other–they might even be good friends” he purred, taking an undue amount of glee in how far Takeshi was leaning in. “If you get me the information on Dark’s identity and whereabouts, the story is all yours.”
Easy enough, as long as he avoided the implication that there was some sharing going on between the two. As long as Takeshi got far enough in the conversation with Daisuke before realizing that it was all getting caught through the bug he was wearing, Saga wouldn’t have cared if he missed a bit.
…Except, Takeshi found his conscience before the conversation managed to get even mediocre, the nitwit.
Well, it’s also true that the following conversation with Takeshi all but proved what Saga knew all along about Daisuke, so even without the 100% confirmation he figured it was okay to move forward.
And it is in this state of mind Keiji Saga took a seat under a large sakura tree, carefully handling worn documents and two ornate boxes.
“Sir,” Funabashi murmured, voice as taciturn as ever. “Are you sure about this?”
Saga waved his hands in dismissal. “Yeah, stop the worrying already. I’ve made my decision. It’s way more interesting this way.”
“If the Commissioner finds out you’ve been using your access in this way–”
“Aaaah shut it Funabashi! See, you’re missing the big picture here.” He grinned almost maniacally in Funabashi’s direction while his hands swept over the items before him. “I am the only one besides that dolt with access to these documents! Not even Hiwatari-kun knows where all this information is kept–hell, he barely even knows about me–so unless Mr. High-and-Mighty suddenly decides to get off his lazy-ass or Hiwatari-kun finds these, we’re in the clear!”
Even if Saga’s words were sound, Funabashi still couldn’t hide the worry.
Saga claimed himself to be an outsider, but Funabashi was even more so. He was only allowed within this strange circle of people because Saga vouched for his work and his word to the Police Commissioner. Saga was let in on his heritage alone, and though it was but a drop compared to the likes of the Commissioner and Hiwatari-kun, it still gave Saga an innate understanding that Funabashi could never claim.
And so, he usually decided to trust Saga on these matters. However…
“What the documents say is one thing, Sir, but we don’t have any concrete evidence that these artifacts are not dangerous. They were hidden away for a reason, it seems.”
Both pairs of eyes now settled on the pair of ornate, palm-sized boxes sitting on a piece of cloth before him.
“It doesn’t matter.” Saga finally proclaimed, wrapping up the boxes and putting them in more conventional containers for shipment. “I knew something was up when that piece of shit had me pull stuff on that Qualia-or-whatever. I ain’t playin’ for his team anymore.”
He snapped his fingers towards the boxes and then motioned to Funabashi. “You know where these gotta go, right?”
He nodded, taking them from Saga as he finished boxing them.
“Get these things sent out. I want a return on my investment ASAP.”