Two Hundred And Forty
There was a brief panic when Eri and Aiko rushed in, Eri leaking a little disgusting black ooze, as I had told her to expect, but the volu was small compared to what I had exuded, so after taking Eri to the bath to clean her off (and have so fun, of course), the girls decided to take a nap for a couple of hours. With their stats that should be enough to refresh them, and then they could spend a few hours enjoying Tokyo with the money I had given them previously, before returning for the evening training session. As for …
Yeah, perfect. I had dressed in one of the armoured cloth suits I had commissioned, and paired with the relevant accessories, such as an expensive watch, cufflinks and so gentleman’s jewellery, as well as a change to my usual hairstyle, I was looking pretty sharp, I felt. Today was going to be rather trying, but it was necessary. Not just for Haru-san, but for my ambitions as well. With Fujiwara-san and the Pri Minister in attendance, I anticipated so business being discussed, and I had a few ideas I wanted to get out there for consideration.
Leaving my room I headed down to the room Haru-san was occupying, and knocked gently. A few monts later the door opened, revealing her in her mourning dress and black veil. I could see her eyes through it, and they looked scared, yet filled with yearning. On seeing that my own worries were washed away. Yeah, this eting is going to be tough, but for Haru-san it’s worse. I need to step up. As my vassal, she is owed my full support.
“Oh, Akio-san, good afternoon.” She said timidly. “I’ve… I’ve been waiting.”
“Yeah, sorry, last night ran long, but we’ll still be on ti. Fukumoto-san is sending over a car for us, I guess that’s one perk of being engaged to his precious granddaughter. Besides, we are eting at the Ministry of Finance in Kasumigaseki, we can’t turn up in a taxi.” I smiled gently. “So, how was it? Did you have fun?”
Haru-san nodded, eyes tearing up. “I did. It was a bit strange by myself, a bit scary, but I rembered that I was stronger than anyone else there now, and as a ghost I’m hard to hurt…” she laughed, a touch shrilly, but even so, it was progress. “The voices ca and went, but when I really concentrated, I could shut them out. It’s tiring, but still progress, right?”
“Yes, it is. Good job.” I praised her, and she sniffed, trying to regain her poise.
“You’re my age, aren’t you, Akio-san? You don’t need to treat like I’m a child. Still. Thanks for worrying, I guess. So I went and sat in a diner, I ordered a al and a dessert. Eating again was such a joy it made cry. What the people around must have thought of …” she laughed again, this one more natural. “I went to karaoke then, by myself of course. It was lonely, but… I used to go with my friends all the ti. I ca so close to breaking down and ssaging them. But they went to my funeral. What would I say? I can’t see them again…”
“Not yet, true.” I shrugged. “But there’s hope. Eventually knowledge of the powers we wield will co out, and then you’ll be able to step out of the shadows, back into the light. So just bear with it for now, okay.”
“I told you I’m not a younger girl like you seem to be into.” She shook her head, though her wan smile showed she was only teasing . “Look… I know. My mind feels clearer now I have more of that Resilience, as you called it. Still, it was a shock to . After karaoke I just wandered about, taking in Tokyo again, the lights, the people, the sounds. And then I knew I was back. I… I can’t thank you enough. I get so see daddy… err, my father again.”
“No need to change the way you speak for my sake.” I grinned, pleased that she seed okay. “I get you love your father. Just speak as you always have.”
“Jerk.” She said, though again without any true annoyance. “Still, I am grateful.”
“Well, Kiku may have been evil, but we have her to thank too. I hope wherever she ended up, she can rest in peace.” I clapped my hands together in a brief prayer, and Haru-san nodded.
“You’re right. She was clearly insane, but in her own way she did care for the won Kondou… killed.” She swallowed, gathering her courage. “So, shall we go?”
“Yeah. It’s ti.” I nodded, leading her out of the building, towards the expensive foreign car that was waiting for us…
*********
“So, here we are.” I said, as we sat in the plush waiting room at the Ministry of Finance. Haru-san had attracted odd looks from security in her mourning dress, but we were allowed passage unquestioned as it had been arranged for us. “Are you ready? Don’t worry, I’m here, and I’ll protect you.”
“From what?” she said wryly, though my words did at least distract her from the rising tension and fear she was feeling. “Save those words for your fiancées. I… my daddy is here, he’ll… he’ll be overjoyed to see . He will." She said that as if reassuring herself, and I understood. This is make-or-break for her. If her father shows any reluctance to believe she’s herself, it’ll crush her. Still, I don’t think that’s too likely from what I know of him.
“Sorry, force of habit. But am I not allowed to offer protection to my vassal?” I winked, and she looked away.
“Seriously. Stop that. You must be doing it on purpose. I’m sure your fiancées are going to have a hell of a ti worrying about you every ti you are out, imagining you bringing back yet another girl. I don’t envy them!”
“Hey, I’m not that bad!” I protested, but then I did have a habit of making flippant comnts. It wasn’t as if I didn’t an them, though. I did see Haru-san as soone to be protected. Still, I was saved from having to make further excuses by the door opening, and the secretary to the Pri Minister entered.
We both stood, and he spoke, bidding us enter.
“Well, here goes. Deep breaths, okay?” I said, and she nodded, face pale under her veil.
Once inside the spacious room, I could see a pair of chairs set in the centre. Around the edges were the Pri Minister, Fujiwara-san, Tsumura-san, surprisingly enough, Hinata’s grandfather was there too, which I didn’t expect, as well as two old n who I didn’t recognise. There was also Haru-san’s father, who was looking sick, ill and tired, his dark eyes looking our way with an incomprehensible expression. Lastly there was also an old man wearing a sowhat stylised suit, the cut and colour, grey and dark crimson, reminding a little of shrine maiden garb. There were also a dozen mbers of Fujiwara security, as well as several other bodyguards I didn’t recognise, as well as a half-dozen soldiers, two of which I rember training with that ti we were taken to the Ministry of Defence, and one gave a reassuring nod, which I returned. Yeah, this is a big deal. More than I thought. Still, more important people ans more chance of getting what I want.
The Secretary cleared his throat. “I shall do the introductions. Fujiwara Shige-sama, head of Fujiwara house.” The old man nodded at , expression stern. No surprise. It’s only recently I vassalized his precious granddaughter out of the blue. “Then we have Ichijou Kira-sama, head of Ichijou house.”
“Well, to put a face to a na that’s been on many lips recently is worth the trip. So this is your ally then, Shige? Interesting. He does look strong. Though I suppose little Miyu-chan is in play now. Shocking. I’m glad my Mayumi is well out of this.” Ichijou-san said, his eyes piercing, like a bird of prey, his bald head still largely free of wrinkles, despite his advanced age.
Fujiwara-san snorted, a touch unhappy. “Well, I can’t say I expected this outco, that my Miyu would hide such a secret from us, from . But the outco could have been far worse. A bad man could have done terrible things to her, and I would not have known. Still, it is a… complicated feeling.”
As Ichijou-san laughed at his friends’ discomfort, the next of the three old n who were likely the heads of the Three Great Houses, spoke up, after a bout of hacking, phlegm-filled coughs. Damn, he looks ill. His hair is lank and yellow, and his face is hollow. There’s blood in that too. My keen eyes spotted red on his handkerchief. “Now, we can discuss that later, can we not? Please continue.” He addressed the secretary, who was thankful, unwilling to interrupt the powerful n who ruled Japan from the shadows.
“Thank you, Takatsukasa-sama.” The Secretary said, relieved. “Takatsukasa Itsuki-sama, head of his house.” Hinata’s other grandfather, I see. Well, he seems to be casting glances at Fukumoto-san, so…
“Then we have The Pri Minister, I am sure you know him, Abe Riku-sama.”
“We et again, under hopefully happier circumstances.” He said, casting his gaze at the uncomfortable Haru-san, who had instinctively moved her chair closer to mine, shrinking under their regard, her eyes darting towards and away from her father constantly.
I nodded. “Yes. I ca to fulfil my promise. Amongst other matters.”
“Then, Tsumura Katsuro-sama, Minister of Defence and Head of the Ard Forces of Japan.” We exchanged respectful nods. After all, he’s my grandfather now.
“Fukumoto Kenji, head and founder of Nichibotsu Technology.” No -sama for him, I note, but again, he’s my grandfather now and worthy of my respect, even if politicians don’t. “Grandfather.” I said cheerfully, and he laughed.
“Well, doesn’t that warm the heart of this old man. You should try it, Itsuki-san.” He turned to the sickly noble. “After all, my Hinata is your granddaughter too.”
Before that discussion could get out of hand, the secretary continued. “Then we have Takakura Sasuke-sama.” As the man in the strangely coloured suit nodded at , his eyes searching out thoroughly, I pondered that. Takakura huh? A coincidence? No, I’m with the Detective on this one.
“And finally…” the secretary paused, before speaking. “Suzuki Akimitsu-sama. Minister of Finance.”
Haru-san jumped, even though she knew he was there, as she had been staring at him constantly. Hearing the na must have made it more real to her. I reached out a hand behind my back, and she gripped it, her skin cold even through her long black gloves.
“I… well…” he began to speak, but the secretary nodded to , so I began our introductions.
“Well, I know a lot of you. After all, I’m engaged to several of your granddaughters.” I nodded politely at the relevant old n, getting smiles in return from Tsumura-san and Fukumoto-san, and a tired look and more coughing from Takatsukasa-san. “I am Oshiro Moonstone Akio, and I’m the Chosen of Tyr, He Who Sacrificed To Trap The Wolf.” I said grandly. There’s potentially a small risk of this information being made public, but I can’t see what right now, and it’s worth the grand title to make myself look more important. I need to radiate power and authority. I’m negotiating for matters that might decide the fate of and my family, no point holding anything back. At my impressive introduction, where I concentrated on displaying all the Charm and Majesty I could, showing my League, everyone looked taken aback.
“Quite the grand title.” Takakura-san muttered. “Not Japanese though. Curious.”
Curious how? Anyway… “And this is… Suzuki Haru-san.” At her na, she released my reassuring hand and stood, blinking nervously, her eyes on her father. Her lips parted, and she spoke quietly into the sudden silence. “Daddy. I’m… I’m sorry I died…”
And with that she lifted her veil, showing her tear-streaked face. “Daddy… I’ve co ho…”
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