The referenced album title of Part 50 was Crash Test 01 by Bloom 06.

[FTA|s3_11.0: Part 51.0] Shadows of the Past
Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, Japan.

"Sometimes, it is not exactly clear who one should trust. If one is in a more common, everyday life, then this problem may not arise as much, but it still is prevalent. In my line of work, however, not even my own clients receive anything that could be called trust. I only provide them the service they require, nothing more."

------------
Day 18.

08:10:22

Gelorumfan2182 <gelorumfan2182@gmail.com>
███ ██/██/2215 7:04 AM
You <kr-aan@dkg85.x29.jp>
Attachment: "3c41e329203d8c653403781961d01ca5.pdf"

---Decoded Data: Type A7 Encoding.---
ngs continue like this, anti-grav racing will become a pre-scripted piece of theatre dedicated to m.

Some more data for your perusal. You may hate the whole scene, but I have a good idea of what you are plotting. Why else would you come to me of all people in the first place?

------------

The message was brief, but the vast majority of the content was within the single attachment. Immediately, Rei had downloaded the document, and had begun an automated scan for the vital data within it. The heavily fragmented string of text up where the salutation would have usually gone was, in fact, a codephrase, devised by Rei and the Race Overseer in another prior message. The source material was a fragment of a comment made by Natasha Belmondo, the material published on July 5th, 2160.

The data itself within the attachment, once decoded like the email, and analysed, provided some very promising information, both pre- and post-Cataclysm. The data outlined some rather shady dealings and behind the scenes decisions made by even some very surprising subjects. And one simple section, headlined with a name that seemed to rear it's nasty, disgusting head again.

Sefaialon.

"...Fascinating."

Quite a fair portion of the pre-Cataclysm information he was already aware of, but small details, along with all of the post-Cataclysm data, was well coveted data that was now within his hands. Unfortunately, there was not much, if at all, by way of data pertaining to Erebus. Instantly, he fired a reply to the woman.

You <kr-aan@dkg85.x29.jp>
███ ██/██/2215 8:22 AM
Gelorumfan2182 <gelorumfan2182@gmail.com>

---Encoded Data: Type A7.---
37564=1

This information is much appreciated. I believe you may be a great asset in accomplishing both of our goals. Let me know if you require payment for this information, it shall be delivered to you the instant you accept.

Kurokawa Rei.

The response came almost immediately.

"No, it's all good. I'm fine to keep giving you whatever data you need at no extra cost to you."

Simple, and to the point.

Now, information brokers, while vastly knowledgeable, were still human, they were limited to only the knowledge they had obtained. That was what Rei was accomplishing. To meet his ends, to look further into the primary organisation he was pursuing, he had to reverse the roles, and seek information himself, rather than be the one to provide it.

"Hmmm..."

Loading up an older, but entirely relevant document onto his tech shades, Rei stepped outside to walk around the city, beginning to read it in detail, to connect the dots between it and the most recent piece of evidence.

"...well, yeah, of course! He's so cool!"

...The answer was starting right at his face, he knew there was a connection in this specific document...

"The way he just screamed past that kid so early on, it was the best!"

It... what? No, no, the document. The document was very important, analysing it, uninterrupted, in its entirety could finally signal the end of--

"Gaaaah! I can't wait for Archangel's next battle!"

...Damn it. He just couldn't resist, could he? He found himself walking towards the small group of university students.

"...I don't think he was trying this round."

"Eh!?" One of the girls spun around to look at the sudden new voice.

"Ah, great, another one. At least you can fangirl with someone else now, Ichinose."

The girl called Ichinose bore green dyed hair, which was long at the sides and short at the back, and was sitting underneath a pair of goggles. She was wearing an orange minidress, a long white coat that reaches below her knees, and a set of high heel boots.

Rei's eyebrow raised.

"I take it you're not interested in Archangel, then?"

One of the boys in the small group shook his head. "No, I am interested in Archangel and his battles, but I'm not completely obsessed with him like she is."

"Hey!"

"I mean, it is true." Another one spoke up, "It's either the F12000 or Archangel with you."

"I can't help it if I like them both!" She retorted, before looking back up at the man. "Anyway, what did you mean by Archangel wasn't trying in that race?"

"Were you there?" He asked. "His car was physically moving slower than in the battle against Kazuya Iwasaki."

"But he screamed past Kotonami so early on in the race!"

"Yes. So? Perhaps Tsugumi Kotonami wasn't as quick as Kazuya Iwasaki. In fact, I do know that to be the case."

The girl looked confused. "You do? How?"

Rei's face remained unchanging. "It is simple. My occupation. I am an Information Broker. Information, data, such as a racer's performance, it is what I deal in."

Her eyes went wide with intrigue. "Woah... so do you know him? Does he get this data from you?"

"While I do know Archangel... he is not one of my clients."

"I... see. So, uh, could I get your name? If you don't mind?"

"Rei Kurokawa."

"Ah, nice to meet you, Rei! I am Riku Ichinose. I'm currently a physics major."

"Uh... huh."

Riku then stood up, and began to walk along with her friends, who had started to leave after checking the time.

"I have some plans with my friends, but hopefully we'll meet again!"

As she left, the black-clad man was left wondering just what he had gotten himself into, remembering to resume reading the currently loaded document on his shades at the last possible moment.