[Honestly the smart move is to go to Fate and demand compensation for breaking the rules. At this point Mikado will have to contact them anyway, with subtle threats and posturing. He'll leave that to his best negotiator. The smartest move is to allow Kida to be used as a bargaining chip eventually, to gain some control from Fate if Kida's that important.]

[But Mikado's already decided not to hand Kida over, which limits his options a bit but doesn't change the fact that he has to confront Fate anyway. Not to do so would be a weakness inviting other vultures to Ikebukuro.]

[He grimaces, showing a face he shows no one; stress and a headache growing, he pinches the bridge of his nose, looking tired at the thought.]

Ahh... I don't know what you've done Masaomi, but this really is a problem. Well, it's better to know they won't quit at least.

[He doesn't ask why since Kida still isn't offering it. He'd rather not push the conversation into something ugly, and he has other ways of investigating if Kida won't tell him directly.]

I wish our reunion could be a little more joyous.