Atsuhi Kaneko's Questionnaire

Picture this: a beautiful, craftsman home right alongside Marine Drive and merely a short stroll from the promenade and pier of White Rock, British Columbia. That's my private domicile, baby.

White Rock is a stunning location; if you've never been, come visit! I'd be happy to show you around. Sunsets are gorgeous, promenade provides a nice walk/jog spot, and the restaurants are to die for if you've got the moolah for it, like moi.

What's my house like? I'm glad you asked! It's got everything an esteemed bachelor such as myself could ask for: a gym with the latest in equipment, a private office where I can provide consultation for the fine gentlemen seeking my counsel, a library with only the finest of literature that's been curated by yours truly, and even a home theatre with a tv that has the 4-est of K's, the most plasma of screens, and a sound system that makes you feel as if you were truly there.

I possess an intricate understanding of the law that allows me to provide services wholly unique from the "traditional" lawyer types. Unfortunately, client-attorney privilege prevents me from disclosing much information, but I'm sure that my clients are more than happy to vouch for, and pay good money, for my services.

Money makes the world go 'round, as they say. I play my part as a good citizen and keep it circulating! If you want to make a good impression, you need to look the part; the clothes make the man, after all. I have a navy Cadilac, and also use the money to procure... certain exotic goods that are hard to come by, but are useful to a man of my profession.

People say money is power, but I disagree to a certain extent. While money can open doors you never could have otherwise, connections get you access to doors that you didn't even know existed.

I've heard rumours of certain beings that could make pacts. Not just deals, a shake of the hands. Pacts that have truly dire consequences.

Knowing entities like that with that kind of reach is... enticing.

Then again... having that power itself would be even more ideal. Through these contracts, it might be feasible to obtain that.

Would I risk my life for power? No, plain and simple. What's the point of having it if I won't be alive to use it?

Would I kill for power? Much tougher question. It depends; name your price.

Heh, most defining event?

Joining the Vipers was definitely a big one. Taught me a lot of valuable life skills: negotiation, the art of subtlety, and "wet work."

I thought I could do more with my life. Decided to pursue law school, with my parent's blessing. Guess they were glad to see me trying to cut ties and move on to bigger and better things.

Guess they couldn't have imagined what I'd do with my degree.

I'm a ride or die, baby. I can't just ditch my people like that! I may not look it, but I'm loyal. They pay handsomely for my services, too, but that's just the cherry on top.

Vincent Li's been like a brother to me. Leader of the Vipers, a smalltime gang operating out of the Lower Mainland that's started to grow nicely. He has a couple racketeering business and some connections to smugglers. He's given me his blessing to "go on a sabbatical." Educate myself. Better my talents. Become the best version of me.

And if that version of myself could help him out with legal troubles, he'd be more than happy to compensate me.

He's an honest man. Not a moral paragon, but keeps his word. Honestly, I respect it. Without him, the Vipers would go under by the end of the month.

Valerie Sato is a sort of... secretary of mine. Also from the Vipers, she "transferred" to help me with my endeavours. Handles my clients. I don't like to admit it, but she's much more skilled at scheduling and dealing with unruly types. Intimidating as hell, too. Serious, professional, and capable. What more could I ask for? Granted, she was probably sent to make sure I don't spill anything to the cops, but she's not trying to hide it at least. Professional courtesy, I guess.

Sarah Williams is a friendly rival from law school. Decided to go into commercial law, so she's more of a snake than me. We keep in touch from time to time, go out for dinners on some occasions, but I can tell she's got a bit of disdain for my... ventures. Maybe if she saw my bankroll, she'd change her tune. Who am I kidding? She probably makes at least twice as much as me...

I'm in the wrong business.

Childhood was great. I wasn't the brightest, but I knew who was. Got on the good side of my teachers too. Always was good at making friends in high places.

My parents were Taka and Chloe Kaneko. They were nice enough, I guess. Never really got close to either of 'em, but I could tell they wanted to see me do well. My dad's a salaryman, worked day and night to make enough money to send me to college. My mom was savvy with our finances and invested well, or maybe it was luck.

Suffice to say, I'm dead to them now. Blah blah blah "dishonour upon the family" blah blah "you're no longer my son." They didn't take my affiliation (such a dirty word) with the Vipers well.

After graduating from high school, I... took a gap year to "discover my priorities in life." After talking it out with Vincent, I decided to pursue law in North America. Got a degree in Philosophy at UBC (couldn't get into the States, sadly) and then went straight into Law school.

Made friends with some of my professors and my classmates. Don't think they like me anymore after my... financial venture.

Ha! Love. Such a fickle thing.

Frankly, I wanted to try it out with Sarah. She was my kind of woman: ambitious, hard working, and brilliant.

But then I realized that she was way too good for me scary as hell. Man, I dodged a bullet with that one.

We're still friends, don't worry. Even after that scam.

Wanna hear a funny story? She helped me set it up. Or rather, she knew a guy who could help me out.

Guess she feels a bit of guilt from that. Or maybe she thinks that I'm a useful connection to have.

Great minds think alike. Really is my kind of woman.

Ugh, fears.

I have none!

...Okayyy, maybe I have a couple.

Some might say that I'm "insecure," but I tell 'em that I'm incredibly secure. I've got nothing to prove to nobody.

But, it would be less than ideal if I wasn't needed. I want to be important. I want to be something.

If the world were to abandon me, to say that I was irrelevant, then I would scream and struggle, bawl my eyes out, all in a vain attempt to be heard. To be seen.

On the other hand, I'd be deathly afraid to be incapable. If you want things done right, you do it yourself.

Trust no one but yourself. This world is full of snakes, and I had to writhe and struggle to make it to where I am today.

If someone were to take that from me, take away who I am, expose me as nothing but a fraud. I wouldn't know what to do with myself.

Death itself is also frightening. I ain't religious, but I know that if a hell exists, which it might considering what I've been through thus far, I would most certainly be sent there.

I'm not dying anytime soon. I'm gonna take my fate into my own hands, and laugh in the face of whatever god is out there, who can only helplessly watch as I take what I rightfully deserve.

My most prized possession?

You mean other than this award-winning smile? Kaneko flashes a blindingly white grin.

Whoops. Didn't mean to blind you there, toots.

Hmm, I mean. I have this Rolex. It's pretty nice! Even got something engraved on it: Prosperity. A good luck charm, I guess.

You might've noticed that animal skull in the display shelf over there? Honest to God, it's a real magic skull. Sometimes chatters in response to a question.

Where'd I get it? Sweetheart, once you gain the level of influence and esteem that I have, you'll realize that it pays to know people. If you really want to know, I may be able to refer you to my supplier. It's a fascinating novelty, I'll give you that, but it pales in comparison to what I'm about to show you.

Ta-da! What? What's with that look? This is the first dollar I made when I started out as a lawyer. What do you mean, "why'd you hang it?" Isn't that normal? People commemorate accomplishments, you kno- you know what? You've been an incredibly rude guest. Lemme escort you to the door.

Shuffling of feet echo throughout the house before a door swings open, then shut.

Goro Hamada is a big thorn in my side.

That rat won't stop going on about how evil I am and how I ruined so many people's lives because of one little business venture that turned out to not be quite lucrative.

My bad!

Anyways, I keep getting threats from the kid about him burning down my house...

Yeah, he's scary as hell.

I guess I'm going to have to start trying to pay off those "victims" if I want to keep him from killing me or something.

I guess people will start to forgive me if I do that too...

You know. I'm going to try to reconnect with the Vipers and see if I can broker a bit of a deal.

Not going to try to get anyone hurt or anything. Just need to get some money so that I can get this annoying ass twink off of me.

God. Hate that kid.

My name is Atsuhi Kaneko. I'm 28 years old.

I believe in taking care of myself, and a balanced diet and a rigorous exercise routine.

In the morning, if my face is a little puffy, I'll put on an ice pack while doing my stomach crunches.

I can do a thousand now.

After I remove the ice pack, I use a deep pore cleanser lotion.

In the shower, I use a water activated gel cleanser.

Then a honey almond body scrub.

And on the face, an exfoliating gel scrub.

Then apply an herb mint facial mask, which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine.

I always use an aftershave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older.

Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.

There is an idea of an Atsuhi Kaneko, some kind of abstraction, but there is no real me. Only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our life styles are probably comparable, I simply am not there.