CHAPTER V

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Arrangements needed to be set and clarified between the two families. Hachiman decided to bring a companion from the unions as well to the Friday meeting, just to introduce him. They arrived by train accompanied by a small retinue of bodyguards, handpicked by Hachiman from his own regime in Ginza. Michael Sieyes was still young, inexperienced, and would've been in his Junior year of college if he had continued to school. He was the estranged cousin of Albert Yamada Sieyes. Hachiman was still in the process of convincing him to attend the college. Otherwise, he was now one of the new representatives in the immigrant labor parties. When Bobby Sieyes had died, Michael was the only other possible leader.

Miura Miyako was at the meeting again in Chiba. But not Yukino Yukinoshita - Hachiman wouldn't have seen her, as she preferred to stay in Tokyo and do her own things, studying for the exams and practicing as an intern in another law school. He wouldn't see his friend either, she was busy back in the city. He himself had to deal with different matters. In between the relationship and the impending marriage between the Yukinoshitas and Hayamas lay a more critical subject, kept under a shade.

While they waited for the rest of the guests to arrive at the private reception at the newly repossessed St. Lorenzo Banking Hall, in Quiball avenue, Hachiman introduced Michael to their most esteemed benefactor; he told him about the highly respected, gray-headed lady in the room. When Miura Miyako learned of the young foreigner's French influences, she was delighted - the old woman somehow knew the language very well. Miyako-sama would ask a short question such as "est-ce qu'il fait bien?", and Michael Sieyes would always answer with either "non" or "oui" - because he did not really understand and could not remember his French, which he had taken for granted back in Senegal. Hachiman watched, listened and took amusement at Michael's expense.

Finally they sat at the long table in the reserved hall of the venue. The place was regal, the dinner extravagant as Miura Miyako decided to receive the families proudly by hosting the meeting this time, having finally acquired one of the most important buildings in the city.

"She's going to get married this July," Hachiman told Michael, gesturing towards an intelligent, dark-haired lady with rose-coloured eyes, who had taken the seat further up the table. "It'll be an important event."

Michael crossed his arms, relaxing. "How great. They look good together, don't they? I've never seen such a charming woman."

Hachiman huffed. "Ah, if only you knew."

"What do you mean, Hikigaya-san? "

Hachiman gave a shrug and thought. He said, "where's Hanzo anyways?"

"He said he won't come. Can't be bothered with his business."

"I don't believe it," Hachiman scoffed. "You know what he's really doing? He's hanging around the movie studios looking out for starlets. What fly bit him! Lucky for Hanzo, he's the front boss so he gets to sit back with the broads, drinking in the spotlight while I'm stuck dealing with these people."

"That's Mr. Yukinoshita, isn't it?" Michael pointed towards the sharply-suited man and his wife, who were both seated at the high end like monarchs. They spoke to another husband and wife, who were none other than the Hayamas.

He went on, "If he's running for governor next year, won't he need more supporters than he has now if he has any chance of beating the other politicians?"

"That's true," Hachiman nodded. "The reason why I brought you along, other than the fact that Hanzo-kun is rather a lazy player and is inept when it comes to these meetings, is so you can familiarize yourself with our friends," he said, emphasizing with irony. " You see, Mr. Yukinoshita knows that the unions are the largest chunk of votes anyone can draw from during an election. Of course, they wouldn't let immigrants like your people vote, but we can work that out later. We control a good number of unions now in the prefecture. We're still recovering from the recent troubles with the Inagawa-kai and consolidating our power, but as soon as we fully organize Chiba prefecture, we'll practically decide the elections, right next to the public."

"But Mr. Yukinoshita doesn't look like someone who's studied politics to me. Sure, we're putting them up on the stages but once we put them on, there's no telling whether they'll keep their end of the bargain. You say that we'll have 3 percent of all the construction projects around, but how'd you know Hikigaya-san if that's for real?"

"I trust them," Hachiman said to Michael. "What do they gain from betraying us? There's business for everyone. There's no need to fight over it." Hachiman had a different intention in mind - it was definitely not trust - but went on confidently, "see, in this country, anyone can run for politics. That's exactly the problem. But we don't have to dabble in such matters, because at the end of the day we go home to our families and put the food on the table. Politics, it's a devilish world just like this racket we're roped in."

"Yeah, you've a point, boss. Say, if the Yukinoshita girl over there gets married to the rich guy, what happens then? I know they'll both become the wealthiest family in Chiba, but then what? Their parents arranged for this, and the both of 'em don't seem too enthusiastic, but I wouldn't know."

Hachiman scoffed. "Well, never you mind. It's none of our problems. I hate these kinds of places anyways."

Michael was skeptical. "Well it's not so bad, isn't it?"

"No. I just want those two to get married already so we can reach a concession," said Hachiman, eyeing the other side of the table. "We've still got a lot of things to get done in Tokyo. I don't think I'll stay for long, so let's drive back to your restaurant afterwards. I want to pick up some fruits to take home."

"Sure."

They spoke about trivialities and an entertaining conversation sprung up between the people at the table. Hachiman was more vocal this time, as it would've been awkward if the two representatives from the unions remained dead quiet for the whole duration. Admittedly, it was not so terrible at all.

Just as they were about to raise their glasses to a toast, celebrating the spring season, Hayama Hayato stood up and spoke for the first time. He succeeded in gaining the attention of everyone in the room. Hachiman looked up, watching intently.

Hayato was solemn. He said, "I feel that I need to apologize, Mr. Yukinoshita, Mrs. Yukinoshita."

Mr. Yukinoshita asked, "Why is that, son?"

"Because I cannot marry your daughter, sir." Hayato went on, "I can't marry Haruno-san. Not in good conscience, no sir."

Mr. Yukinoshita was confused. He chuckled dryly. "I beg your pardon my son, but what do you mean by that?"

Mr. Hayama was outraged. Face red, he whirled towards his son and shot him an angry glare. "Hayato, sit down," he said.

But Hayama Hayato did not back down. There was doubt in his voice, but also conviction. Haruno was now staring at him with wide eyes. Everyone waited for what he was going to say next.

"All my life I've strived to meet the expectations set by the people around me and to make a good name for my family. What I desired was not as important as the reputation that precedes my name. However, this time I do not think I would be making the wise choice, in respect to my family's interest and to yours if I were to marry Haruno-san.

"Sir, I do not wish to marry a woman who does not truly want me. I would respect that, but to deceive ourselves into thinking that what we have is genuine, I simply cannot accept. What we have here is a business transaction at its core. If that's the case, then sir, it would've been easier to sit down at this table and talk, rather than hide with pretexts. There is no problem in that, and I am willing to negotiate in my father's place. I understand that I am the heir to our law firm, and I'm confident that we can still compromise without stopping your daughter, Haruno-san from making her own choices. That is all I could say. It would be for the best if Haruno-san and I remain as friends, rather than ruin our relationship by forcing ourselves into an arrangement."

Mrs. Hayama was sullen. She looked up at her son in apprehension and spoke quietly. "Hayato-kun, dear, do you realize the gravity of what you are doing?"

"Yes, mother. And I do not wish to lie to myself and to you anymore. If I'm making a mistake right now, then I'll take responsibility and face it. But I cannot agree to this any more."

Then Mrs. Yukinoshita spoke. She was surprisingly patient, reasonable even. If she was in any way displeased, she did not show it. "We understand your decision, Hayato-kun. Don't think that you made the wrong decision. As much as I should feel disappointed and betrayed, I am glad that you are sincere and true to yourself, and to us. For that, we respect you. In any case, you've proven your integrity and adamance to your own principles. Now I see you've grown," she said, smiling.

Mr. Yukinoshita was baffled. He shook his head after a moment and cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose we can work things out. Yes," he said in a clipped voice. " If that's the case, then what can be done? One cannot simply force themselves against their will indeed."

They murmured amongst themselves for a while, a suffocating tension enveloping the room. Mr. Hayama was visibly irked, his furry eyebrows twitching. He said dryly, "at the very least, the boy has saved us the trouble of wedding expenses."

Mr. Hayama's brusque remark elicited some laughter from the Yukinoshitas, and the whole room went along. The tension dissipated slowly. It was true that Hayama Hayato's sudden confession of his disinclination saved them all a lot of trouble. However, it was not without repercussions, and he knew. Suddenly, Hayato noticed his fiancée with a poignant look on her face.

Mrs. Yukinoshita noticed and turned to her daughter, confused. "Haruno-san, what's the matter?" She asked.

Haruno looked sick. She had been unusually speechless for the most part. Her cheeks were pale as a ghost. "It's n-nothing," she stammered, trying to keep her composure. But the pressure was too great for Haruno. She stood up.

"Hayato-kun," she began, but before she could utter another word, she turned around and fled the room. There were tears in her eyes, and her chest was tight. It felt like the world had just collapsed around her. And there was nothing she could do. At that moment, Haruno Yukinoshita had finally lost herself for the first time in front of everyone.

Nobody understood why Haruno Yukinoshita had acted in such an unpredictable manner. No one but Hachiman, and perhaps the old woman at the other end of the table. But they were both still. Hayato did not love Haruno, that was given, but it was hard to believe that the feelings weren't mutual. Haruno however seemed deeply affected by the break-up. It couldn't be that she actually loved Hayato, it was unlikely as the latter had said. There was the possibility that it could be a ruse, but it was difficult to discern what she were to gain from acting in such a way.

The whole room was silent once again. Hachiman himself was shocked, but remained quiet. Michael whispered beside him, "What the hell just happened?"

"I don't know. I think the marriage is off, god damn."

"Does that mean the whole thing's off? What about the construction deal? By Christ, I think we're not going to get our share from the agreement."

Hachiman shook his head. "No, Michael. It can't end just like that, but this doesn't seem good. Anyhow, that whole agreement was the only way Mr. Yukinoshita is even going to get all the backing from our unions come election month next year. Though, this is not good at all for them."

Hachiman sighed, falling back in his seat. He shrugged to himself, hiding the smile in his eyes and said, "very well. I can live with this."

Later that night, everyone had long parted ways to resolve the conflict another day. But two figures met in a rendezvous.

Hachiman entered a private lounge in a hotel, stopping by on his way to Mihama. He had received an interesting request to meet. It was not coincidental. At a single table in the empty, furnished dining room was seated the old woman he had discussed with earlier. There was a bottle of champagne and a pair of glasses, one filled and one empty. Hachiman walked up to the table but did not sit just yet.

"Miura-sama. You wanted to see me?"

She smiled and did not bother to dawdle, getting to the point. "Well, I wanted to hear your thoughts on the most recent matter."

"What matters is that, ma'am?" Hachiman said.

Miura Miyako laughed gently. She brushed her bright red overcoat that she wore over her dark, exquisite dress. The old woman had not taken her coat off when she had entered the hotel, which meant she didn't mean to stay long. She said, "I've got to be frank, don't I? This whole fiasco between the Yukinoshitas and Hayamas, it's curious isn't it. I wouldn't have expected such a thing."

"It is curious. To be fair, I knew that the two never really got along in the best of ways, but it still surprised me for it to all come to that," Hachiman answered.

Miura Miyako looked directly at him. "Do you have any hand in all this?" She asked nonchalantly.

Hachiman gave a small smile at the sudden question. "Not at all. But Hayama Hayato is a mercurial man, we both know that ma'am. Anyhow, what's done is done. I simply ascribe it to fortune."

"It seems so," Miyako-sama smiled back. "I would have expected Haruno-san to be the one to break off first. It seems that I was very wrong. Irregardless, nobody in that room would really take any of it all personally. No one but Haru-nee. She's planning something now, as we speak. She'll want to get even with the boy, perhaps. What had happened was completely detrimental to her dignity. Quite the contrary, the first one to break off is… the one who wins. It's obvious, isn't it Hikigaya-san?" She said quietly.

Hachiman laughed softly. "I see." He picked up the empty wine glass on the table, poured himself champagne and said, "Cheers, then. It's nothing personal. Only business."

Miura Miyako gave a smile that did not quite reach her dark-green eyes. She raised her glass as well. "Indeed."