Koji strolled, looking into shop windows and reading the menus displayed by the district's small eateries. He had gone two blocks when he realized he was being followed. He walked a third block at an even slower pace to check out his shadow. The man in the typical business uniform of grey suit and white shirt looked like a million other salarymen except for his hair, which had been very badly permed.

Yakuza? Koji wondered. What would they want with me? Is it because I was with Watanabe?

Koji had never been followed before, but he had been well trained to avoid pursuit. Without warning, he quickly turned the corner and, sprinting up the block, dashed into the Ronde Club, one of Akasaka's hottest night-spots. He had vanished before the gangster reached the corner.