miari | Swindler Chapter 3

Title: Swindler
Rating: PG-13

Genre: Slight AU, Drama (crossover)
Pairing: Kurosaki/Shizuna

Summary: Kurosaki and the Ariakes swindle each other. Watch the trailers--see below:

Disclaimer: None of this is mine. The plot is extrapolated from

kirakirakingyo 's Swindler trailers.

Chapter 3

Languid was the first word that came to Kurosaki's mind as he was leaning against a telephone pole waiting for Ariake Shizuna. The hot temperatures made him feel so lethargic. He had a sudden craving for a lawn chair, a cold lemonade, and a good book. He sighed knowing how unlikely it was that he would find any of those within the next month, never mind today.

Shizuna appeared in front of him after another five minutes of wistful sighing and unfulfilled dreams of several cooling techniques which involved ice cubes and lots of sucking.

He had decided long ago that at least in his head he was going to refer to the Ariakes by their first names. If he called them all Ariake he was going to give himself a headache.

Shizuna became immediately flustered as soon as she saw him waiting. "I-Are- I'm not late am I?"

"No, I've been here getting some work done," he gestured to the briefcase he was carrying. "You're right on time."

She looked extraordinarily relieved.

"Let me show you around."

After highlighting out some features of the apartment building to her, things he wanted her to highlight and sell to potential renters, he asked her to point out what she thought were the most attractive features surrounding the apartment.

If Kurosaki had been a full time Real Estate agent (instead of swindling and hiring actual agents to handle the selling of the apartment buildings he bought,) he would have been impressed. Shizuna actually did a wonderful job of pointing out to him what was nice about the area: for families, young singles, middle aged individuals, retirees, even veterans.

He reminded himself that he was working with a swindler, so obviously she had to be good at selling things.

"So tell me about yourself," Kurosaki prodded gently, hoping Shizuna might reveal something of her past. "Where did you grow up?"

"Yokosuka," Shizuna replied, immediately smiling.

Kurosaki's found his mouth going dry. "Really? What are you doing here in Tokyo then?"

Her face fell slightly.

"Sorry," Kurosaki apologized, "obviously that was a personal question. It's really none of my business, ne?" What did I just say? I want to know! Kurosaki get a grip, you're swindling here, this isn't supposed to be a legitimate business deal...at least, it won't finish out that way.

Shizuna opened her mouth and then shut it a couple of times. "Maybe...maybe another time."

"Sure."

Kurosaki fished into the briefcase and pulled out a phone and a thick, black, leather binder which he handed to her. "The telephone number for that phone is on the back of it. I need you to place an ad in the paper for a week at a time for these apartments. Put in that phone number."

Shizuna nodded.

"I've written this all down for you, in case you were thinking of taking notes."

"I'll remember," Shizuna seemed confident. "I'm good with scripts...I mean...remembering things..." She look flustered and Kurosagi found himself wondering why.

"Okay, well...you're welcome to use the phone for personal use if you like. It'll be unlimited so take advantage of that."

Shizuna smiled and Kurosaki's mouth went dry again. She really was pretty.

He cleared his throat. "Everything that I want in the advert is in the binder. The stats for the apartments are all in there in addition to apartment pricing and negotiations and deals I'm mostly likely to make once they actually get to me. Also, information on the bank which will handle all of the transactions for the apartments...which you are more than welcome to open an account in, by the way; perk of the job."

"Really?"

"Sure. You'll get lots of low rates; they like me there," Kurosaki laughed at himself silently. He had, of course, just said that he liked himself. "They're really easy going about what goes in and out; they understand that the red tape most banks make you go through is a real hassle. Your brothers are welcome to accounts too."

"You-are you-really?" Shizuna looked both thrilled and shocked at the same time.

Kurosaki smiled. New bank accounts that weren't suspicious were always wonderful things for swindlers; it meant less money in one place and that was always good. Kurosaki had no doubt that Shizuna was suspicious, but Kurosaki knew that she would check it out, or have one of her brothers do it and she would find that it was a perfectly functioning bank. He'd have to pull a few of his favors to get some people to act like bank tellers for him, but it would be worth it.

Kurosaki talked a little bit more to Shizuna about keeping track of her hours, her wages, and other tiny, insignificant details that he made up as he went along. What he said past announcing she could have a bank account with practically no questions asked about the money going in or out wasn't really important. He knew very well that no swindler, regardless of whether they still swindled or not, would ever be able to pass that up.

Kurosaki offered Shizuna a ride home (he memorized the route for his plans later that evening) and after smiling and nodding as Shizuna thanked him again and again, he drove away from her apartment for a few blocks and then parked his car.

He dug a disguise from his trunk (surreptitiously through the back seat) and changed into it. He walked back to the apartment building briskly.

After knocking on several doors, he finally talked to someone who seemed to know the Ariakes.

"Can I help you?" An older lady leaned on the door jam, smiling pleasantly. Kurosaki couldn't help but notice the artful way her silver-streaked hair was pulled back into a bun.

"You have flour on your nose," Kurosaki informed her confidentially, leaning forward and brushing the flour away, a slight smile curving his mouth.

"I-thank you." She blushed and rubbed at her nose, "Were you spying on me through the window? And you decided to tell me?"

"Ah-no. The flour was purely coincidental. I-wanted to know if you knew anything about the Ariakes?"

The lady immediately became suspicious. "What for?"

"Ah! Excuse me, I didn't even introduce myself. I'm Yamazaki Koji from the Tokyo Sangen Newspaper," Kurosaki handed over his card. "I'm doing an article on young people in today's society and my superior said that the Ariakes had an interesting life. He knew them...or something," Kurosaki forced a believable laugh, "I'm on my way to interview them but I'd thought I'd ask their neighbors first."

The lady read his card and then looked up him. "I don't think you want to talk to them."

Kurosaki arched a brow. "Why is that?"

"From what I hear, they've had a hard life. They're parents were murdered."

Kurosaki felt his stomach drop and he fought to control the temper rising past his disguise. "That's...terrible."

"I don't know the details. I just know they were killed and now the three of them work like three jobs each to keep up with the bills. Not the best example for Japan's youth. Unless you're going for those that are really struggling."

"No, not at all." Except they're not struggling, they're sitting on piles of cash and pretending to be down on their luck orphans. Bastards.

"Thank you so much, I had no idea. I'll find someone else, I'm so glad I stopped to talk to you."

"You're welcome."

Kurosaki turned to leave, but then spun around and caught the door and the women started to close it. "Could you not mention this to them? No sense in stirring anything up that doesn't need to be."

She nodded and they bowed to each other until the door was completely shut.

A few days later, after Shizuna had put in a perfect advertisement for apartments in the paper and already shown several of them resulting in Kurosaki receiving several calls to rent them, he called her, no longer able to stand not knowing.

He was 99% positive that these were the Ariake's he was looking for but he needed to be 110% sure. 115%. He needed one of them to tell him themselves. Shizuna seemed the most likely candidate.

She answered after two rings, her cheerful chirp causing him to smile even though he was anything but happy.

"This may be too forward," Kurosaki started, realizing that he didn't have to pretend to be nervous - he actually was, "and maybe you'll find it weird seeing as I've only known you a few days...but I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner sometime...when you're free..."

There was silence and Kurosaki heard Shizuna breathing on the other end of the line.

"Or lunch? I just...I think I might like you...a little...I mean, I do like you..." He ended lamely. "Can-can we just have lunch soon? Together?"

"Yes."

Kurosaki blinked.

"Really?"

"Yes. When?"

"Whenever you want."

"Tomorrow."

Wait... was he ready to know tomorrow?

"Kurosaki-san?"

"Tomorrow is perfect. Can I meet you in the city though? I have a meeting." And I don't want your brother to see me yet...just in case.

"Sure."

They agreed on a place and after he hung up the swindler stared at the phone, slightly confused. He felt moderately happy. "It's because you're going to get her to tell you her past," Kurosaki told himself out loud. "That's why your pleased. This," he paused for a moment, "this is all going well, that's all."

A/N Wow, kind of a long chapter. Oh well. One more chapter from Kurosaki's pov, then onto the Ariakes!! Yay!! Happy Saint Patrick's Day, for those of you that are celebrating :) :) COMMENTS=my love forever and ever and ever. Let me know what you think!

Swindler Chapter 3

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