Chapter 40

The Fox adjusted the black hood covering most of his face, staying perfectly still in the shadows backstage. The Kuroko outfit had cost him fifty bucks at a costume shop, but it was worth every penny. Black robes, black hood, the traditional “invisible” stagehand uniform. As long as he didn’t move during the performance, nobody would look twice at him.

He’d done his homework. Eugene Gingersnap was out in the audience right now with his date - Mulan, some kind of minor warrior nobility from the Eastern kingdoms. Stunning woman. Long dark hair, sharp features, the kind of beauty that turned heads.

Of course he brought her to kabuki, the Fox thought. Nothing says ‘I’m cultured’ like theater before trying to get laid.

But the Fox knew Genji’s playbook. After the show, he’d bring Mulan backstage to meet the lead actor - some famous kabuki performer whose name the Fox couldn’t pronounce. Genji would act like he was best friends with the guy, drop some names, make himself look important. Classic move.

And that’s when the Fox would step out of the shadows and slap those papers right into his hand.

The performance continued. Musicians played. Actors moved with exaggerated grace across the stage, their elaborate costumes catching the lights. The Fox stayed still, patient, positioned near the stage exit where he could see both the backstage area and catch glimpses of the audience through the wings.

He spotted Genji out there - arm draped casually over Mulan’s shoulders, leaning in to whisper something that made her smile. The smug bastard.