GANGSTARS Voice Drama – Garuda

(0:00)

(*Door knock*)

Fuma: (Muffled) Astel-san, this is Yatogami. Do you have a moment? 

Astel: Oh, Fuma. Yes, come in.

Fuma: (Muffled) Thank you. Pardon me. (*Door opens, footsteps, and door closes*) Thank you for all your hard work. I apologize for bothering you out of nowhere. 

Astel: It’s fine. Anyways, do you have business with me?

Fuma: …Yes. It’s—

Miyabi: Should I be overhearing this?

Fuma: Ah, Miyabi-san! How long have you been—

Miyabi: Ahaha. From the start. I was giving Astel some extra medicine. That, and…

Roberu: I’m here too, you know. Bodyguard, and all that.

Fuma: *cringes* Roberu-san. 

Miyabi: What would you like us to do? If it’s something complicated, we can leave.

Fuma: Um, I…

Astel: No, it’s alright. Stay right where you are. I have a feeling this is something all three of us should hear.

Fuma: Eh? But—!

Astel: What? Have something to say to the son of Garuda’s boss?

Roberu: Ooh, so scary.

Fuma: *sighs* Understood. I’ll continue, then. Earlier, I actually received a premonition.

Astel: Ah…

Roberu: A divination coming from one in the family of fortune-tellers that support Garuda, huh. What was it about?

Fuma: That’s… there is a traitor in Garuda.

Miyabi: A traitor?

Astel: A traitor, you say. To the mafia, nothing is more frightening. (*Chair creaking and footsteps*) And in the event your premonition is wrong… Do you understand what will happen to you?

Fuma: Hrk… I do understand, yes. That is why I steeled myself to deliver it to you.

Astel: Hm. I see. Alright. I’ll believe you for the time being. 

Fuma: …! Thank you, Astel-san.

Miyabi: But, if it is true, just who is this traitor? Someone in opposition to Garuda… perhaps from Blanca? Or a spy from Kuzuryu-kai? 

Fuma: …My apologies. I do not know that much—

Roberu: Damn. You made it out to be some grand revelation, but it’s full of holes.

Fuma: Kh—I don’t need your commentary.

Roberu: My bad, my bad. Don’t get heated. Well, if it’s someone that would want to betray us, they’ve got to be from one or the other. Could be from Ouroboros, though. 

Fuma: Ouroboros…? What’s that? I feel like I’ve heard that name before.

Miyabi: A suspicious group that’s been making appearances in Seikyoku as of late. Nothing is known about who their members are, though. 

Roberu: Yeah. All we know is that they have an Ouroboros tattoo somewhere on their bodies… if I recall correctly.

Fuma: Wow…

(*clap*)

Astel: We’re done playing detectives for now. We won’t get anywhere thinking about it now. Making it known that there’s a traitor will only breed chaos within the organization. This conversation stays amongst the four of us. Alright? 

Fuma: Understood. 

Miyabi: Mhm. I won’t tell anyone.

Roberu: Good grief. How’s this gonna turn out…?

~

(3:47)

Miyabi: …Well, that’s all for your routine checkup. Doesn’t seem like there’s any problems with your overall health. 

Astel: Mm. Thank you.

Miyabi: But, that aside, you’re covered in fresh wounds. I’ll give you some more medicine, so make sure to keep applying it, okay?

Astel: I know~

Miyabi: Do you understand?

Astel: I said I did. The treatments from Garuda’s doctors are great—I’m always in your care. I can trust you. All since your father’s era, Miyabi. 

Miyabi: I’m glad to hear that, but…

(*chair creaks*)

Astel: What? Why do you look so conflicted?

Miyabi: No reason? Nothing’s wrong.

Astel: That face doesn’t say nothing. 

Miyabi: I guess I’ll ask, then. I’ve been thinking… Astel, what do you want to do with Garuda?

Astel: Eh?

Miyabi: You’re competing with your older twin brother for succession, but different from your brother who is completely devoted to the family, I don’t know anything about your plans. Astel… are you betraying Garuda?

Astel: Nn… hahaha! (*claps*) Saying something so funny, all of a sudden… that I would betray Garuda… The divination that Fuma received about a traitor to Garuda—there’s no one else it could be but me?

Miyabi: I don’t actually think that. But, still…

Astel: Miyabi, I trust you as a physician. But if I was thinking of betraying the organization, you think I would admit to it here and now?

Miyabi: Nnn… No, I suppose you’re right. Sorry, forget about all that. (*walks away*) …Take care.

Astel: Mm, see you. (*door closes*)

(*Miyabi’s footsteps*)

Roberu: Thanks for your help. Find anything during the examination?

Miyabi: Everything seems to be in order. I told him the same thing.

Roberu: Really? That’s good, I guess.

Miyabi: What?

Roberu: Nothing. Thinking about what Fuma said about the traitor… just wondering who it might be. 

Miyabi: Right… I’m curious about it as well. No idea, though. 

Roberu: Hmm? 

Miyabi: Seems like you have something to say?

Roberu: Well, I happened to hear an interesting little rumor… Aside from your work as Garuda’s physician, you take jobs as a back-alley doctor, don’t you?

Miyabi: I do, yes. What of it? Everyone knows about that. I don’t believe it’s a problem.

Roberu: Acting as a back-alley doctor, sure… (*clatter*) but I heard that you treated someone from Blanca not long ago. Blanca is an enemy organization of Garuda. Can you prove that you have no connection to them?

Miyabi: Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to show my hands are clean. But it doesn’t matter if it’s an enemy or an ally who’s hurt. I simply cannot leave an injured person be. 

Roberu: Really, now? 

Miyabi: …The temperature has been changing rapidly as of late. You’d better keep a close eye on Astel to make sure his health doesn’t suffer. Bye, now. (*walks away*)

Roberu: I heard his father was involved in that research, but I still don’t have a good feeling about him. Oh, well. Guess I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled.

~

(7:42)

(*Footsteps*)

Roberu: Hmm? 

(*cloth moving*)

Fuma: Ah-! (*quick footsteps*)

Roberu:  …I’m hearing things. 

Fuma: *exhales* He almost caught me. Damn, that was close… What I envisioned during my divination… Roberu-san was doing something with someone from Kuzuryu-kai. He very well might be the traitor. If that’s the case, I have to get some dirt on him–!

Roberu: Who’s doing what, now? 

Fuma: Ugh-! How’d you know–I was here–!

Roberu: Listen here. I’m a bodyguard for the mafia. Of course I’d catch on to your shoddy-ass tailing!

Fuma: Ugh…

Roberu: So? Why were you following me? Someone giving you orders?

Fuma: That’s…

Roberu: Were you suspecting me of being the traitor to Garuda?

Fuma: Ah-!

Roberu: *laughs* You are such an open book. You won’t last a second in the underworld like that. 

Fuma: I’d appreciate it if you’d mind your own damn business. 

Roberu: I mean, I get why you would suspect me. I’m not someone originally from Garuda, like you or Miyabi. That’s exactly why Astel puts his faith in me, though. There’s too many untrustworthy people in the family. 

Fuma: I’m not doubting you because you’re from outside the family…

Roberu: What’s the deal, then? Did you see something in that fancy fortune-telling of yours?

Fuma: Ngh… that’s exactly right. It was when I had my vision… I saw you with someone from Kuzuryu-kai.

Roberu: Huh…?

Fuma: That look on your face… I’m spot on, aren’t I? Then… it is you–

Roberu: The traitor, you mean? You’re always jumping to conclusions. It’s been nearly a decade since I was with them. Besides, if we’re talking about ties to the other gangs, Miyabi was treating someone from Blanca the other day. 

Fuma: What…?! Miyabi-san was?

Roberu: Yep. In terms of having contacted people from enemy gangs—wouldn’t you say we’re even?

Fuma: Huh? They’re not the same at all. He’s a good person. It’s just that he can’t let an injured person be.

Roberu: *laughs* You must really trust Miyabi! He’s got you eating sweets out of the palm of his hand every day.

Fuma: I am not his pet. 

Roberu: Yeah, yeah. 

Fuma: Ah, wait—! Are you trying to escape?

Roberu: I don’t have all day to be chit-chatting with you.

Fuma: ‘Chit-chatting’… Hey, seriously – what did you do with those guys from Kuzuryu-kai?

Roberu: Who knows. I’ll tell you this much, though: I am not the traitor. I might not have the most support from Garuda, but that’s because I was only just hired to be here. I have no reason to start some pointless revolt. But being watched is just plain annoying. If you plan to keep sticking your nose into my business, I’ll start having my own thoughts about you. 

Fuma: Khh…

Roberu: See ya later. (*walks away*)

Fuma: Ghh… he is so suspicious. 

~

(11:30)

Astel: Here. Have a seat.

Fuma: Thank you very much, Astel-san. (*sits*) Um, where is Roberu-san?

Astel: Taking care of business for me. He’s out right now. There was someone else guarding the door, no?

Fuma: Oh, okay. 

Astel: So? What’s going on? Don’t tell me you had another premonition…

Fuma: No. But—when I had the revelation, I saw a strange vision. I came here today to tell you about it.

Astel: A vision? 

Fuma: That’s right. I believe it is something from the past, though… Roberu-san was with a member of Kuzuryu-kai.

Astel: I see… and then? What was he doing?

Fuma: Ah, that I couldn’t tell… but when I confronted Roberu-san himself about it, it seemed that him being with Kuzuryu-kai was true. And so… I have come to suspect Roberu-san as the traitor.

Astel: Hm.

Fuma: Roberu-san hasn’t been with Garuda for very long, and he is quite suspicious… if he is the traitor, then—it is dangerous for you to be with him! Perhaps you could have someone else as your bodyguard—

Astel: While I appreciate your advice, that won’t be necessary. I have faith in Roberu.

Fuma: Kh-! Why?!

Astel: It’s just as you said, Fuma. Roberu is someone from the outside. I trust him more than someone from the family because of that.

Fuma: That’s… Roberu-san said the same thing. Is that really how it is…?

Astel: Mhm. Honestly, I’m doubting you more than Roberu, at this point. 

Fuma: What…?! Why—why me?!

Astel: The person who starts crying out that someone is a traitor… they’re the most suspicious, no?

Fuma: Th-that’s…

Astel: However. There are plenty more fortune-tellers in your family, aren’t there? But you are the only one who predicted I would be the successor, Fuma. Everyone else divined that my older brother would be the one to succeed. Of course they would. My body is weak. If you think about it, I don’t have the ability to inherit the family.

Fuma: Astel-san…

Astel: Of course, I intend to fight to overturn that fate. I am the one who knows best how difficult that path will be. When it comes down to it, you’re such an airheaded fortune-teller, whose divinations are nothing special, that clings to my side. You predict fair weather in my future, and more, you suddenly declare that there’s a traitor—you’re nothing but suspicious. You understand, don’t you?

Fuma: Still, that’s… I’m not the traitor…!

Astel: Hehe.

Fuma: A-Astel-san? 

Astel: *laughs* It’s a joke. I’m just messing with you a little. 

Fuma: Eh-? It was all a joke!?

Astel: Mm. I don’t think an airhead like you would betray someone.

Fuma: What the hell… you scared the daylights out of me. Ah, but, Astel-san… let me say one more thing.

Astel: Hm? 

Fuma: I… I have faith in my divinations, and in you. The one who will lead Garuda is you, Astel-san. I truly believe that.

Astel: Fuma—

Fuma: You might not believe what an airhead like me has to say, but just to be safe… please be careful around Roberu-san. (*stands up*) Well then, if you’ll excuse me. (*leaves*)

Astel: *sigh* He comes through like a storm. …I was half telling the truth when I called you suspicious, though. I’m understanding less and less of all this. If someone is trying to make me paranoid, just saying that there’s a traitor is more than enough. But would the traitor themselves be the one to make that declaration? No—is their goal to make me think this way? Hah… this is all so exhausting. At the end of the day, it’s not like me to be jostled around like this. Mm. Let’s settle this the Garuda way.

~

(16:52)

Astel: Roberu. Miyabi. Fuma. Thank you for attending this tea party. I’ve had some exquisite tea and sweets prepared for us, so enjoy.

Roberu: No matter how pleasant you make this seem, Garuda’s tea parties are not something to be enjoyed—even an outsider like me knows that.

Miyabi: Whenever the boss or a member of the family wants to convict someone, a Garuda tea party is held. Astel, what do you intend to do with us?

Astel: No need to make such a scary face. Today’s goal isn’t to convict anyone.

Roberu: Then, what…?

Astel: One of the tea cakes I had prepared is poisoned. 

Fuma: P-poison—!?

Miyabi: So much for a calm atmosphere. Why did you poison one of them? Are you hoping for one of us to disappear?

Astel: Not at all. If it were for the sake of achieving a goal, I would consume poison without hesitation. I want people with conviction. Let me say this, first: in the future, I was thinking about dismantling Garuda. 

Miyabi: Eh?

Fuma: Dismantle Garuda…?

Roberu: Oi, oi. Are you serious?

Astel: Dead serious. However, I don’t want to simply destroy it. I have no interest in anything aside from the family’s prosperity. I despise the current state of Garuda. For the sake of the common people in this city that fall under our jurisdiction, too—I want to become the successor and change Garuda. If any one of you fancies himself a traitor, and wants to take down Garuda, stick with me. Eat these tea cakes, and swear your oath to me. That is what I seek.

Fuma: *sighs*

(*Roberu, Miyabi, and Fuma all eat*)

Fuma: …It’s delicious.

Astel: Haha. I must say, I’m surprised. To think that all of you would eat without hesitation. So, all three of you were traitors. 

Roberu: I don’t consider myself a traitor, really. But I’m interested in your change of heart, Astel. ‘Sides, I’m irreplaceable to you. I ate because I know my master isn’t so stupid to get rid of me.

Miyabi: I’m not a traitor, either. But I want to do something for the people of this city. I don’t dislike your way of thinking. And I’m a doctor. No way a doctor would die from poison, right?

Fuma: I believe that you will become the boss of Garuda, Astel-san. And I have to follow the boss’s orders. My fortune-telling is spot on. Just you wait and see!

Astel: Heh, I see. So there are interesting people in Garuda, even if it’s going rotten. 

Fuma: So, uh, anyways… nothing happened to any of us. 

Roberu: Did Miyabi eat the poisoned one?

Miyabi: I didn’t taste any poison.

Astel: Of course you didn’t. The poison was a lie.

Fuma: Eh?! You lied?

Astel: I wanted to test your resolve. Yes, I’m more than satisfied. I’m sure you all have secrets you’d prefer to keep hidden. But I can put my faith in you. I realize that now. We can become allies with a stronger bond than anyone in Garuda. I want things to be like that, going forward. 

Roberu: We’ll see. Either way, it’s good to put stock in the future. 

Miyabi: I agree. No one knows how things will play out. 

Fuma: The future is unpredictable, even for a fortune-teller. But just as you say, Astel-san, I’d like us to become allies. If we combine our strengths, I’m sure we can even get a hold of Sirius. 

Roberu: Sirius… those who claim it hold control over the entire city, right?

Astel: *laughs* That may be! The four of us will dismantle Garuda. And then, we will search this city for a claim at Sirius. This, I swear. Take care not to break this oath. 

Fuma: Of course!

Roberu: Got it.

Miyabi: Yes.