Chapter 189

“You had no right to call for the girl’s presence.” Fujimura interrupted my staring contest with his words, as everyone in the room’s attention shifted to him. “The girl defended herself from a threat, and was right to do it.”

“Is that so?” Moritaka asked, turning to Nakagawa. “Is it normal for our men to be killed when demanding compliance from those under us?”

 

I turned to Fujimura to see how he was reacting, and he gave me a very tiny shake of his head. Telling me to stay out of it.

 

“Hmm. Fujimura?” Moritaka demanded as Fujimura didn’t speak.

“There are proper channels if a meeting is needed. Kidnapping the family of our associates at blade point is not one of them.” Fujimura replied and then looked to Moritaka. “In this case, I ask for censure in turn. Going after one of my lieutenants by targeting their family can only cause strife in our organization.”

“The girl murdered one of my up and coming! Daisuke Smith is the son of Robert Smith. A man you are well familiar with! I had to assure him I would take care of this matter to keep his respect from wavering.” Moritaka hissed out. Then pointed right at me. “My own man confirms the boy she killed was already disabled!” Moritaka hisses back and I felt a few eyes turn to me.

 

I kept silent for now. If someone wanted to talk to me, then I would be happy to explain that I would kill anyone that attacks me.

 

Anyone.

 

“Mr. Smith is important to our current production, but he was told when his son was inducted there would be dangers these he now learned. Moritaka, targeting family members is unacceptable. There will be censure for this.” Nakagawa replied, I could see Moritaka go a bit pale at the words, but his anger seemed to keep the flush to his skin lively.

 

Then Nakagawa turned towards Fujimura’s group, straight at me. “And you are Motoko Kusanagi. Daughter of Natasaha and Kuze Kusanagi.”

 

“That’s me.” I agreed blandly, looking up at the man and wondering what exactly was really going on. Politics obviously, but I was wondering how much danger I was in here.

 

“You killed the boy? ‘Musashi’ I believe he called himself?”

“Yes.” I said without hesitation and I could see Jun wanting to shut me up, but I wasn’t about to try and hide it. After all, the reason I was putting up with all this was to make sure I wouldn’t have assassins coming after me constantly.

 

But if I was going to have assassins anyways, it was going to be for something I did.

 

“He is the son of an important assistant to our work.” Nakagawa offered and I just stared blankly at him because that wasn’t a question or anything I cared to respond to. Finally he spoke again. “Do you know the cost of his life? What will need to be paid for his death?”

 

“Nakagawa-Sama the-” Fujimura spoke but quieted instantly as the old man held up a fan.

“I was asking the girl.” He said and there was silence and so I spoke.

“No, I just know that I value my life more than his. He came at me with a blade. He wanted to live by the sword. So he died by one.” I shrugged, “I’m more surprised that him getting himself killed is such a shock to everyone.”

 

Jun sent me a glare at my casualness, and it wasn’t the only glare I received across the room. Moritaka seemed to be pissed as well.

 

Fujimura then sat up, a signal that he wished to speak and Nakagawa lowered his fan.

 

“Motoko Kusanagi was involved in this entire situation as an attempt to blackmail one of my men. As you all see, even after this attempt was a failure, I brought both with me for this meeting. If a meeting had been called, Junichirou would have come as his duty. The girl is a family member, and not a soldier. She should never have been involved. I ask for acceptance in her defending herself in this situation.”

 

“You dare?” Moritaka called but Nakagawa raised his fan.

 

“Her defense of her life is not my concern. The death of Musashi is. Punishment will be meted out.” Nakagawa spoke. “But that is still secondary to the problem that brings us here today. Kisaru Moritaka, and the assassin.”

 

“Nakagawa-Sama. I ask that any punishment that would be placed upon Motoko be placed upon me instead. As her older brother I am responsible for any of her actions.” Jun suddenly spoke up as he fell into a deep bow while sitting, and I felt myself frowning.

 

The room was silent for a moment and I noticed Fujimura didn’t look happy either.

 

“I think that will be acceptable.” Moritaka suddenly said, surprising all of us. “The girl’s mistake is her brothers in truth. I believe we can convince Mr. Smith we acted appropriately to punish the one that cost him his son’s life.”

 

What? That made no fucking sense to anyone! Why would Jun pay for this bullshit? I glanced over and noticed Fujimura looked pissed.

 

The glare that went between Fujimura and Moritaka made me realize what was really happening.

 

Moritaka was trying to hit Fujimura. Jun and I were just in the crossfire. We were being used as pawns to damage Fujimura, either his reputation or his powerbase.

 

This whole thing was literally just yakuza politics.

 

I was going to murder that man, but first I had to figure out how to get Jun out of this without a punishment he wouldn’t survive.

 

“I disagree.” A voice called and everyone turned to another side of the room. If Fujimura, and Moritaka had their own little faction groups, then this guy was in charge of another.

 

But… I recognized him? Where did I know this guy from?

“Okina-dono?”

 

“The boy Junichirou, and his sister both have proven themselves before. I owe my life to both of them. I believe this situation has gotten out of hand. Perhaps punishment can be put aside as simply the folly of youth. No harm was intended. Only self protection.” The man offered casually and I could see the heated glare Moritaka sent him.

 

I blinked. Okina? Where… Ah! It was Sushi Boss! The Tyger Claw boss Jun and I saved from the Edgerunner borg that we both had to work together to take out. Holy shit!

 

He looked over and gave me a small tilt of his head, and I was actually kind of blown away.

 

A Tyger Claw boss that actually remembers a favor he owed to someone? Completely unexpected!

 

Nakagawa nodded at the man’s speech. “I will take it under consideration. For now, Fujimura. You were placed to hunt down this assassin. Why is he still at large?”

“Forgive me Nakagawa-Sama. I did hunt him down, but his trail grows cold with a connection to 6th Street. I informed Ichida-Sama about this just yesterday. We were discussing what should be done considering the involvement of an enemy.”

 

“Is this true?” Nakagawa asked, turning to one of the men closest to him. Dressed in an actual red suit and not Japanese formal wear.

 

“It is Nakagawa-Sama. The matter would have been on today’s docket.”

 

I could practically hear Moritaka’s teeth grinding as Fujimura proved he had been doing his job hunting Yuto.

 

“Then we will-”

“Stand aside!” A voice yelled from the entranceway, and everyone went for their weapons before finally a form walked into the main room.

 

I blinked.

 

Dressed in a very fancy Kimono, hair done up in an elaborate style was none other than Hayato. Wow. She cleaned up nicely. I had to admit that the elegant look suited her… Well maybe not the angry face, but the rest of her sure. Okay maybe the angry face was cute too.

 

10/10 angry Yakuza princess.

 

But what was she doing here?

 

“Hayato, what is the meaning of this-” Nakagawa went utterly silent as not only Hayato entered, but so did Wakako.

 

I blinked. What?

 

What?

 

I had the same feeling you got when you saw your teacher outside of the classroom. Something about this was wrong. Wakako was best when she was sitting in a scummy Pachinko parlor smoking up a storm, and watching midday TV.

 

“Father! I demand an explanation for this!” Hayato spoke clearly but faster than perfectly normal, she was obviously upset, but while Hayato was talking everyone was looking at Wakako.

 

“Mother?” I heard whispered aloud from more than one man in the room.

The author’s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

 

I blinked because the Ichida guy had also said something similar. So he was one of Wakako’s sons?

 

I blinked, remembering that Wakako had like nine children? I got the feeling more than a few of them were in this room.

 

And wait. Did Nakagawa just call Wakako Mother in law? But if Wakako was Mother in Law, what did that make Hayato?

 

I looked at my friend. Huh.

 

That was about the same moment said friend noticed me, blinked once, and a myriad of reactions all ran through her face before she seemingly couldn’t stop herself.

 

“Motoko?” she said in a blurst of sounds talking much faster than normal.

 

I considered what my reaction should be. Polite?

 

Nah.

“Sup Hayato.” I offered with a raised hand. Greeting her happily.

 

“Hmm. I got a report that you caused trouble.” Wakako interrupted before Hayato could respond, as she walked over, walking right past the still confused looking Hayato as she approached me.