Travel (2): The Leather Jacket Creep Ruined Our Vacation Vibes
Back at the hotel, I sat in the lobby cafe sipping coffee when I spotted Jacob returning with his son.
Liam saw them too and waved Jacob over to our table.
"Jacob. Guess who we ran into earlier?"
Jacob sent Ethan up to the room first, eyeing Liam's incredulous expression.
"Who the hell got you looking like that? Bin Laden rise from the grave?"
Carlos snorted at Jacob's spicy joke, shaking his head.
"Victor. That bald bastard."
"...Victor?"
Who knows. Nothing suspicious in the files. Probably some field intel only the guys on the ground would know.
I couldn't hold back my curiosity and asked Jacob straight up.
"What'd that guy do to make you hate him so much? Liam and Carlos looked like they wanted to puke earlier too."
"No direct harm came to us. Tier 1 and Tier 2 units get covered up by the Pentagon, so we never had major beef with his type. But regular grunts? They got chewed up."
Jacob's explanation gave me the picture.
"What a piece of shit. I think I saw him a few times back in the army."
"He's used grunts as bait more than once when something felt off. And even if they knew the risks, he'd push ahead without warning just to gather intel."
As Jacob, Liam, and Carlos tore into the bald creep in unison, Eric—who'd been nursing a strawberry smoothie—suddenly got it.
"Oh, I know the guy. That asshole, right? Famous even on our side. CIA's got this one total prick."
Even Eric from a different unit knew him? Guy must've been a military superstar.
"If he's got that kind of rep, shouldn't he have faced consequences? How's he still walking free?"
Jacob smirked bitterly at my question.
"Skills were legit. And he covers his ass like a pro. Honorable discharge, now consulting for some private outfit."
Where'd he say he worked again?
Big hedge fund on Wall Street. He's their geopolitical risk consultant.
"Athena dug it up—guy's at a Wall Street fund. Advisor gig on geopolitical risks or whatever."
The team all nodded like they'd figured as much.
"Any way we can screw him over? Now that I think about it, he's pissing me off."
I muttered to myself, but the guys overheard and looked grim.
"Probably not, Boss. Dudes like him cover their asses airtight."
...That's what they say. What do you think?
Ignorance is bliss, but now that I knew? Time to fuck him up.
He's here in Japan for intel on the US-Japan semiconductor deal. Feed him some juicy fake info, and he'll tank himself.
Do it. Built his career on others' blood? He's gotta expect payback someday.
Talking about it was making my mouth feel dirty, so I just gave Athena the go-ahead and tuned out.
"Anyway, how's the trip been so far?"
"I'm satisfied, Boss. Got to make memories with my boy. Couldn't be happier."
Jacob looked genuinely content after his fun time with Ethan.
"Would've been pure healing if not for that bald fuck. But quiet's not bad."
We hadn't followed a rigid schedule—just wandered where the mood took us—and luckily, everyone seemed pleased.
"This trip was so spur-of-the-moment, we didn't do much. Next time, plan ahead and make it longer."
Same old routine, different backdrop—felt fresh enough.
"My bad for the impulse. Here, unlimited card as comp. Buy whatever."
I handed over one of Athena's custom cards from my wallet.
"...No weird shit. Got it?"
I drilled it into Eric especially, but his grin said it was already doomed.
You not going, Master?
Nah. Not feeling it.
I sent the team shopping, but Carlos stuck around—shopping wasn't his thing.
"Wanna hit the park, just us two dark dudes? Getting bored here."
Watching people from the lobby cafe was wearing thin.
"Let's go. Even Japan's safe—better leave one behind."
A cool spring breeze hit us as we sat on a park bench, watching the stream flow by. A random question popped up.
"How's life these days? Must be a big change from your old world."
Carlos stared at the water for a long beat before answering.
"Can I be real, Boss?"
"Of course. Nothing we can't say to each other."
Bit weird saying that to another dude, but true.
"Kinda... bland compared to active duty. Explosions and gunfire were daily life."
"And?"
"But this quiet? Not bad. Planning outings with the crew, debating food—better than I thought."
Seemed like he was thriving more than expected. Felt good as his boss.
"Though I figure this peace won't last long."
"...Yeah?"
"Yeah. My gut's sharp—this calm routine's on borrowed time."
What do you think?
Same here. You've already decided to show some cards, right?
Yeah. Don't care anymore. Ready for it.
Good to hear.
We chatted about life till sunset.
"Time to head back. Call the shoppers in."
They'd been gone ages—what the hell were they buying?
Strolling back through Tokyo's skyline, I thought owning a place here wouldn't suck.
How much for a nice spot like this?
Depends on what. Luxury penthouses hit over 100 billion won easy.
Insane... over 100 billion?
Knew Tokyo was pricey, but damn.
Pricey, but worth it maybe. If I want overseas property, Japan's on the list.
Say the word, I'll prep. Next trip, we can tour slow.
Short but intense Tokyo trip wrapped—we boarded the plane home.
Update on Victor, Master.
Already?
Less than a day since I ordered it—results already?
Yep. He bit the bait I planted. Vetted it thoroughly, found no red flags, forwarded to HQ.
Shitstorm incoming. News soon?
Fund's big enough—no major issues. But Victor's in deep shit.
Sweet revenge.
Great morning news—couldn't help grinning.
Two hours later, wheels down at Gimpo. Thick smog welcomed us home.
"How do you know you're back in Korea? Air gets shitty."
Griping, I powered up my phone in the car—friend group chat blowing up.
How'd they know?
Team shopped, but I only grabbed two Akihabara figures.
Short reply unleashed a torrent of "disloyal bastard" roasts.
Same old trash talk—ignored it, hopped in the back seat for home.
"Ughhh. Back hurts. Wake me when we arrive."
Not a growth spurt age, but why so sleepy lately?
Home sweet home, chilling—remembered that haunted vid from the flight.
"That ghost clip on the plane inbound. Always wondered—go to those spots, do ghosts actually show?"
Total chicken move normally, but I had solid backup now.
No ghosts. Ain't no such thing.
"...Technically, I am a ghost—kinda how I got you."
True. But not that kind of ghost.
Athena's cocky tone irked me.
"Alone? I'd chicken out fast. But with the team? Night vision, non-lethals, even guns—no sweat."
Idea hit—group chat time.
Random AF—reads popped, no replies.
True. Dead once—why not twice? Even if they show, we'd win a fight.
For real?
My brain buddy sounded baffled.
"Yep. Tonight. Prep yourself too."
...Got it.
"Time to get value from my hires."
Real talk—when else would I pull dumb shit like this?