MIDNIGHT PRINCE: Empire of Sin

It wasn't the first time Adam had come to Little Tokyo. After all, he was half-Japanese himself. Even if he couldn't go to the land of Japan he could at least take a look, right?

Little Tokyo was truly worthy of its name. Be it from a cultural or touristic standpoint, it was one of the most visited places in LA.

Adam determined that this also came from the numerous Otaku like events that were organized.

While walking with Sae, sometimes they would be stopped by people asking to take pictures.

Unlike what many seemed to believe, the ones who did this were extremely polite and in fact even a little hesitant.

This wasn't a bunch of thirsty men who never touched a woman leering at them while breathing hard like beasts. But a group of people who were simply trying to share their passion.

Sae wasn't the only one being asked for pictures. Be it Adam with handsome face, Viktor with his strong and well-proportioned body, or the beautiful Natasha, everyone seemed quite fascinated with them.

Adam in particular was attracting the attention of many and by the time they even reached the Weller Court shopping mall. He already had more than 10 numbers and a few more snaps

"See? I said you would be popular once you stopped wearing your weird clothes."

Sae chuckled when she saw this but otherwise did not show any particular reaction unlike with Natasha.

For Sae, the situation was pretty simple. Her current relationship with Adam was not really that of lovers.

It hanged on the fact that neither of them had any official partner.

As long as Adam didn't enter any meaningful relationship, then she had no problem.

Natasha though, was a different matter.

Adam shrugged as he put the numbers he received on paper in his pocket and looked at the bewildered Viktor.

"What you gonna do? That brown-haired girl seemed quite smitten with you."

"I…I don't know."

The girls in the city were really brazen and without scruples.

Viktor observed his worldview shattering again.

But the brown-haired girl was indeed was pretty cute.

When a few had asked for pictures there was that particularly bold girl who did not hesitate to make her intentions clear.

It was quite bewildering.

But once again — She was pretty cute.

Viktor realized the power hormones had over the mind of young men.

Natasha shrugged, "Once we finish the shopping. We will go clubbing during the night. You could invite her."

Viktor hesitated a little before nodding.

He definitely did not have this in mind when he came with his grandfather to America.

He thought this would be a solemn day and that for weeks, everything would be silent. But here he was speaking about going to a club with a date.

This was certainly promising. At the very least, this would make for an interesting experience.

"Well, guys we finally arrived. So, shall we have fun?"

—-

When they reached the shopping center, Sae began to navigate like she was a pro.

Wherever she went, cashier and shopkeeper would wave or nods at her and she would salute or simply joke around a few times.

It was clear that she was extremely well-known and liked in this place.

"This is because of my father."

Sae shrugged, "Some of the gangs in this place take what people call Protection Insurance from the people here. If you refused, well it wouldn't end well."

She gave a forced smile, "Dad worked tirelessly and Managed to greatly increase the security and drive away the small gang."

Adam nodded. The small gangs were generally the most stupid and prone to brutality.

In the first place, big gangs would rarely rely on protection money. Yui for example had a great part of K-Town under her control but she extorted no one.

Not because she couldn't or because her morality stopped her. But simply because the meager revenue wasn't worth the eventual trouble that could follow.

"Your father is really a good cop."

"Hehe…if they gave more money I would have worked as a Detective."

Sae laughed. She wanted money. Not out of any particular deep reason.

She just wanted to be rich. Like anybody she wished to reach a point where she had nothing she lacked and could have whatever she wanted.

They stopped at a particular store. It wasn't a branded one as those could go for ridiculous prices.

Natasha knew she could buy anything they wanted if she decided to do but she was not stupid enough to do that.

All this would result in hurting their pride and making this outing less enjoyable.

"Okay, guys. Now let's play."

Sae eyes were shining as she looked at Adam and Viktor.

She had never been a fan of playing with dolls and Barbie. But now she had two mannequins she could do as she wished with.

—-

One truth Adam realized was that…Shopping could be very exciting and fun when you were in a group.

Initially, he had gone with the impression that he would be bored out of his mind or tired.

But it was surprisingly fun.

Finding an appropriate size for Viktor that wouldn't suffer because of his muscles.

Laughing when Sae gave them mismatched clothes intentionally.

Acting like they were top models and doing a show while the clerks and some of the attendants looked at him with fervor.

It was a moment Adam could have never imagined himself participating at in the past.

Of course, they did not stop at one store.

One for shirt, one for pants. Shoes, watches, and even underwear.

Be it modern or classic. They tried it all.

The girls were also interested. But Natasha's dress was probably enough to buy half of the store or more and Sae didn't wish to change out of her costume.

Putting that thing on had been quite a pain.

Viktor was definitely not feeling as good as Adam and Sae noticed this. She knew that the poor boy should be suffering from jet lag and the tiredness of a flight.

This outing was mainly for him and she wasn't so engrossed in shopping she would force him to have a bad time.

"Shall we wrap it up?"

She asked and everyone nodded.

Taking out her phone, she wondered whether they should go for a movie or for lunch.

"Let's go eat a little. I know this restaurant. They do magic with Beacon, vegetables, and noodles."

Japanese had long since mastered the art of eating large quantities of actually good and healthy food and while they weren't in Japan, that restaurant was an authentic Japanese restaurant.

Adam also felt quite hungry. As for Viktor, there was no way he could refuse this proposal.

Like this the three of them begin walking toward the restaurant while Sae continued to speak and introduce different monuments to Viktor.

She had the knack for keeping the conversation lively and interesting and even though Viktor was figuratively two times taller than her, one would think she was leading a child.

Taking a few steps back, Natasha spoke quietly to Adam,

"We were finally able to obtain all the information."

Adam frowned a little but nodded. He honestly didn't wish to be more entangled in this situation.

But he knew that it was already too late.

"So, who attacked you?"

"I don't know yet. Sasha only sent me a message to tell me it was done. Speaking about sensitive information through the phone is forbidden."

She had already left the house by the time Aleksandra finished so all she received was an update.

For more precise information, she would have to wait. No phone could ever be secure enough.

Humans had a knack for technology that was hard to surpass.

"Well, at least this is one thing done. Once you know who targeted you, the situation should be easier to manage."

A dagger in the back was more dangerous than a spear coming from the front.

At least this was something he had read in a novel.

"If you know your enemy and know yourself you need not to fear the results of hundred battles."

Natasha chortled, "Heh, so you read Sun Tzu?"

"Recently started. I am interested in psychology."

"Psychology?"

Adam shrugged, "It could be helpful in our career. Better understanding our clients or the judge and jury."

Natasha nodded. Basic psychology classes were indeed part of the curriculum. But it was only basic. There was not much one could really learn without devoting a great amount of time and energy.

"I guess there is a reason Sae called you 'Book' in the past."

He grinned, "I like learning and now I have even more reason to."

Natasha stayed silent as she observed Adam's profile. The sun was shining and illuminated his profile. He had a boyish but confident smile.

She felt some heat spread through her face as her heartbeat accelerated noticeably when she remembered the oath she took.

If she had to be honest. Adam had many good points. His physical appearance aside, that was top-notch.

He was a hunter who made a contract with a god and he was someone loyal who didn't hesitate to put his life in danger for her.

Natasha was not some shy maiden who would act demurely if she found someone she was interested in. She was a wolf. She would be the one to even propose if it was necessary.

But two things made her hesitate.

For one, her position in the pack was ambiguous and anyone who became her mate would be subjected to many trials.

As for the second thing,

"Hey, Adam…Is Sae your girlfriend?"