After the shrieks died away from her outburst in the courtroom, Fuyumi collapsed in on herself. She clutched Takashi's shirt and began sobbing. Takashi shifted her to a more comfortable position and the group gathered around, murmuring reassurances that they were all there for her.

Kyoya's eyes never left Fuyumi as he called Tachibana and asked him to have Atsuhiro bring the transport to the rear of the courthouse as quickly as possible. "We'll be heading to Hinansho directly. I'll explain in transit."

As he was putting his phone away, Haruhi's slim arms slipped around his waist from behind. He laid his hands over hers and squeezed gently, taking comfort in her embrace. "Atsuhiro is on the way to take us to Hinansho. I'm going to call Shima and have her set up Chiharu's old apartment for a cuddle pile tonight."

Rene popped up at his elbow. "That's a good idea. I think I'll call and talk to Kosaku about he and Hibiki taking the kids for the night. I doubt they're ready to see their mother in such a state. They really aren't ready to hear that their grandfather was the one who paid to have their father killed."

Kyoya cringed and Haruhi shuddered at the mention of what Yoshio had done. He pulled her around in front of him and kissed her on top of the head before laying his cheek down. She hugged Kyoya tighter and burrowed her face into his chest. "I know Yoshio has done some cruel things, but this is a depth of evil that's staggering," Haruhi whispered.

"I quite agree," Kyoya murmured in reply. He marveled at the woman in his arms who seemed so strong and yet so fragile in this moment. He looked over at Fuyumi being held in Takashi's arms and thought, "Yoshio has hurt the two strongest women in my life. I can't let him get away with that."

OHSHC

It was three o'clock in the morning when Fuyumi woke up thinking frantically, "Where am I? How did I get here?" She was surrounded by warm bodies, far more than could be accounted for by Hibiki, Ageha, and Masaya. Then she realized she was sandwiched securely between Kyoya and Haruhi, with Kyoya's arm thrown across her stomach holding Haruhi's hand. Fuyumi looked at Kyoya and smiled softly. "He looks so much younger, happier, and more vulnerable without his glasses."

As she reached to smooth the hair on his forehead. she reminisced, "He hasn't clung to me like this since he was ten and won all three competitions in the academic triathlon for Ouran. Yoshio dismissed it because previously Yuuichi had won the science award and Akito had won the literature award, though they had both been in their third year of high school. Kyoya won the science, literature, and math awards and he was just a third-year in elementary school."

Thoughts of Yoshio brought the events of the previous day rushing back to her. She choked back a sob as she remembered that Yoshio was responsible for Seiji's death…murder. With that memory, her mood shifted from heart-wrenching grief to white-hot fury. "I will not succumb to grief because of that…monster. I will NOT let him win." As she tensed in rage, she felt gentle fingers carding through her hair and heard soft murmuring in French. "Even though he's asleep, Rene's still trying to soothe me."

Fuyumi smiled softly to herself as she remembered falling asleep when Rene lay down near her head and began running his fingers through her hair, singing a French lullaby. There was a catch in her breathing as she thought, "Without these guys I would have been at the mercy of Yoshio's diabolical plots and plans." She shuddered as she considered where that path would have led. "I would be Hayato's property. Hopefully the Shidos would have taken Masaya and Hibiki."

Turning her head to look at Haruhi, Fuyumi contemplated her soon-to-be sister-in-law. "I really need to find a way to thank her for creating the Hinan family. I wonder if she expected it to become a refuge to so many when she first hatched the plan." Between the early hour and Rene's unconscious ministrations, Fuyumi relaxed back into sleep as she contemplated ways to teach Yoshio, Shizue, and Hayato that money and power can't protect them from the consequences of their choices and actions.

OHSHC

It was still early in the morning when Haruhi wiggled her way out of the middle of the cuddle pile to use the bathroom. When she returned, she stood in the doorway watching everyone sleep. "Yesterday was hard on all of us, though especially Fuyumi. When I set up the Hinan family, I remember expressing doubts to Takashi about whether it was needed or would just cause more problems. I had no idea then just how necessary it would be." Rather than trying to get back in without waking anyone, Haruhi decided to make breakfast.

Because this was Chiharu's former apartment, there were no dishes or groceries, so Haruhi went to her apartment for dishes before heading down to get ingredients from Kairi in the kitchen. "I hope Kairi has some fresh strawberries from the greenhouses," she mused aloud to herself in the elevator ride down. "That would be a great addition to breakfast this morning. If he does, I'll make fluffy pancakes."

Haruhi started the miso soup, rice, and steamed fish for those who wanted a traditional breakfast before beginning on the pancakes. The first batch was cooking when Reiko and Chiharu joined her in the kitchen. "How can we help?" Reiko asked.

Looking over her shoulder, Haruhi replied, "You could wash and stem the strawberries, or you could make rolled omlettes." She turned her attention back to the pancakes to ensure they were cooking evenly.

"I'll do the strawberries and then set out the dishes," Chiharu volunteered. She headed to the sink where Haruhi had left the cartons of strawberries and a strainer to wash them in.

"Then I'm on omlettes." Reiko started cracking eggs into a large measuring cup. She paused after the sixth egg. "How many should I make?"

Considering for a moment, Haruhi replied, "Why don't you make four and slice them up? There are twelve of us, but who knows what appetites will be like given yesterday and heading back to court today." She was distracted for a moment as she poured the batter for the next set of pancakes.

Reiko nodded. "That makes sense." She worked in silence for several minutes before she said, "Thank you for starting breakfast, Haruhi." Setting one rolled omlette on a plate to slice later, she oiled the pan to begin the next one.

Haruhi shrugged. "I had to get up and it seemed like the thing to do."

Passing with a stack of plates, Chiharu bumped Haruhi with her hip and commented, "That's why you do a lot of things, isn't it? 'It seemed like the thing to do.' Most people don't think that way."

Cocking her head in thought, Haruhi responded a moment later. "I guess that's just what my mom taught me. If I see a problem and I'm able to do something, I should."

Looking up from the omlette pan, Reiko said seriously, "And I am so glad you did. I don't want to think about what would have happened to Mitsukuni without the Hinan family." She shivered slightly as her thoughts started wandering that direction. Shaking her head to dispel the gloomy speculation, Reiko turned her attention back to the omlette.

The ladies were startled when a voice purred from the kitchen doorway, "I knew Haruhi was making breakfast. How could anyone sleep with those delicious smells wafting about the apartment?"

Brandishing the pancake turner, Haruhi gasped, "You scared me. It would serve you right if I didn't let you have any."

Hikaru stepped into the kitchen and pretended to beg, "Oh, please may I have some? I don't want to starve." His exaggerated look of despondency calculated to pull at the heartstrings.

The trio of ladies exchanged glances and then burst into laughter. Hikaru waggled his eyebrows and asked, "So do I get to eat breakfast?"

Still giggling, Haruhi replied, "Yes, you get to eat. You just need to go get everyone else." She waved toward the room where she had left the others sleeping an hour ago.

Looking horrified, Hikaru clutched his chest and gasped, "You're trying to get rid of me by making me wake the Shadow King! It's a trick—it's all a trick!"

"Oh, really?" a deep voice murmured in Hikaru's ear making him jump. Kyoya chuckled. "That's what you get for teasing my fiancée."

"And you were so loud that you woke everyone up," Kaoru stated, poking his twin in the ribs and pushing him out of the way so he could survey breakfast.

"Are you sure there aren't any more strawberries?" Mitsukuni asked plaintively, staring into the empty bowl.

Trying to keep a straight face, Haruhi answered, "I'm sorry. Kairi gave me half of what was picked from the greenhouse this morning." She paused for effect. "However, he did say that the crop is looking good that should be ripe just in time for your birthday."

Grinning, he pumped his arm and exclaimed, "Yes!"

Reiko poked him gently in the ribs and murmured, "You do know you will have to share them, even though it will be your birthday?"

Nuzzling her ear, Mitsukuni said, "I know, but at least they'll be available."

Checking the time, Takashi announced, "We need to get ready. We have to be at the courthouse in an hour."

"You guys go ahead," Estee said, shooing them toward the door. "Coco and I can clean up here in short order, then we'll get ready, and meet you all downstairs."

The defendant's table was conspicuously empty when the Hinan group took their seats in the gallery. Five minutes before court was scheduled to begin, the bailiff escorted Yoshio in. He settled into the chair like a king awaiting tribute rather than a man on trial for heinous crimes.

The judge entered and told everyone to be seated. "I am granting a two-week continuance in this case. The defense attorney has withdrawn, and Mr. Otori will need to bring a new attorney up to speed on the case." He looked sternly at Yoshio. "You will have one week to find a new attorney, or the court will appoint one. Do I make myself clear?"

Lazily Yoshio rose and replied, "Of course, Your Honor." His tone was bordering on insolence, but not so blatantly that the judge could take offence and hold him in contempt. "It won't take long at all to find a lawyer who can get these charges dismissed. Then I'll teach that girl to obey her father." He looked directly at Fuyumi and smirked.

Fuyumi saw the expression on Yoshio's face and the white-hot fury she felt that morning reignited with a vengeance. "He probably thinks this will give him time to find someone who can get him out of this. I'm going to make sure he doesn't have any resources to even try it."

Noticing the expression on Fuyumi's face, Haruhi asked, "Are you okay? Do you need us to stay with you?"

Her scowl relaxing to a smile, Fuyumi said, "No, you guys can head back to school and work since you won't be needed in court for two weeks."

Studying her carefully, Kyoya inquired, "What are you up to?"

Patting him on the arm, she responded, "Don't worry. I have something that will keep me busy for two weeks."

"You know it just makes me worry more when you tell me not to worry, right?" he stated blandly.

OHSHC

Before leaving the courthouse, Fuyumi called and left messages with Yu, Aki, and Matsu to meet her at YAM Collections. Next, she called Mr. Chiyomi, her financial advisor, and asked if he was available for a conference as soon as possible. He said he would be delighted to meet with her, so she gave him the address of YAM Collections. Then she texted Nishi Goro to meet her at the agency as soon as he was available. Her final call was to Mr. Kanagawa to ask him to join the meeting.

When Fuyumi arrived at YAM Collections, she breezed in the front door. "Good morning, Rio. Is a conference room available?"

"Good morning, Mrs. Shido," the secretary replied. "The small conference room is booked solid for client meetings all day, but the large one is available."

"It sounds like business is booming if there are that many client meetings just today," Fuyumi noted.

"Yes, it is." Rio smiled happily. "I can't thank you enough for my job here. It's been great to be able to help hardworking people get paid for the products and services they provide to people who can pay, but don't think they should have to because they think they deserve to take anything they want."

"That is our mission," Fuyumi agreed. "There are six people I'll be meeting with. Mr. Chiyomi, my financial advisor is the only one you don't know. The others will be Yu, Aki, Matsu, Mr. Kanagawa, and Mr. Goro. I don't know how long we'll need the conference room."

"Not a problem," Rio said cheerfully. "Let me get the tea started. If your meeting takes a while, just let me know and I can help you order lunch to be delivered."

"Thank you. That's very kind of you." Fuyumi headed to the conference room to organize her thoughts before the others arrived. "I need to draft a basic plan so they can help me refine it into a definite plan of attack." She pulled out a notepad and pen out of her purse after seating herself opposite the door.

Twenty minutes later she had two pages of notes when her phone dinged with a text message from Yu. "Hm, the trio are on an errand for Nishi and should be here just before lunch. I wonder what errand that could be?" Fuyumi pulled out her laptop and accessed the investment accounts. "I should have enough time to pull together a report on the status so we have a starting point for our discussions."

After creating a chart of the investments and adding her notes, Fuyumi printed seven copies. She was just about to go retrieve them from the printer when Rio tapped on the door.

"Here are your printouts," Rio said, handing the small stack of papers to Fuyumi. "Mr. Chiyomi, Mr. Kanagawa, and Mr. Goro just arrived. Shall I show them in?"

"Yes, please do." Taking the papers, Fuyumi stood up and started placing them around the table. "And thank you for bringing these for me."

As soon as Mr. Chiyomi walked through the door, he greeted Fuyumi. "It's so good to see you, Mrs. Shido."

Smiling, she replied, "Please, call me Fuyumi." She motioned for the three men to take seats at the table. "I checked my current positions in Otori, Suoh, and Mikoshiba stock. The reports before you have that information as well as some other notes I made."

"Will Matsu, Yu, and Aki be joining us as well?" Mr. Kanagawa asked as he began perusing the information.

Before Fuyumi could answer, Matsu opened the door and announced, "We're here. Let's get this party started."

Rio followed the trio into the room, shaking her head at Matsu's jesting. Addressing Fuyumi, she asked "Shall I take your lunch orders before you start your meeting?"

Glancing around the table at the others, Fuyumi saw that they were all nodding in the affirmative. "Yes, let's do that. Then we can get down to business."

While Rio took lunch orders, Aki set cups of tea in front of each of them. After the secretary left with their orders, Fuyumi stood up to get their attention.

"I called this meeting to discuss what I want to do with the Otori, Suoh, and Mikoshiba companies," Fuyumi explained, starting to pace agitatedly.

"I thought we were already majority shareholders in all of them. Aren't we basically in control?" Matsu asked.

Fuyumi stopped and placed her clenched fists on the table. "I don't know if you saw the look on Yoshio's face in court this morning, but it was a self-satisfied smirk that seemed to say, 'Now I have time to find someone to make this go away.' I won't let him hurt anyone else like he hurt me." Her voice rose in volume with each sentence.

Yu stood up and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She tried to shrug him off angrily, but he simply followed her movement. Finally, he said quietly, "You have every reason to be upset. What is it you want to do?"

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she replied, "Majority stockholder is not enough. I want to take everything from them—houses, cars, possessions. Scorched earth policy. I want them to have to beg for two sticks to rub together to keep warm."

"Isn't that a bit harsh?" Mr. Chiyomi murmured.

Before Fuyumi could respond, the investigator spoke up. "Mrs. Shido is correct. If they are left any resources, they will continue to use it to bully, exploit, and manipulate others. I have files on each of them…and none of it is pretty. Evidence in court yesterday proves that even murder is well within their repertoire."

"Murder?" Mr. Chiyomi gasped.

"Yoshio Otori paid for the bombing of the commercial flight that exploded just after takeoff from Beijing last year. His target was…" Yu started to explain when Fuyumi interrupted him.

"The case is still open, and the trial has been postponed for two weeks while Yoshio hires a new attorney," Fuyumi cut in. She took a deep breath. "Suffice it to say, my husband Seiji was killed on that flight. That is the reason I want to make sure Otori, Suoh, and Mikoshiba have no resources to escape the consequences of their decisions and actions."

Mr. Kanagawa spoke up for the first time. "Then let's get this meeting started and figure out how to strip these monsters of their power and get them off the streets so they can't hurt anyone else."

OHSHC

Yuuichi shrank back as Yoshio pounded his fist on the table and growled in frustration. "What do you mean you have not been able to retain a new lawyer to represent me?" he yelled, leaning menacingly toward his heir.

Cringing, Yuuichi whined, "I tried to contact every lawyer in your professional database. Ikuta, Oguri, and Ueno are currently under investigation for blackmail. Muro, Tanaka, and Seino are all in jail on human trafficking charges. Hamada and Kan offered to take your case, but only if you provide a ten-million-yen retainer upfront. The rest refuse to take any case involving the Hinan family."

"So, pay Hamada and Kan the retainer!" Yoshio demanded, flexing his hands menacingly, though ineffectually.

Yuuichi slapped his hands on the table. "I CAN'T!" He stood up and started to pace. "All Otori assets are frozen, citing liens. The majority shareholders who banded together have suspended all executive loans." Yuuichi turned to glare at Yoshio. "They are even insisting that I have to pay back five million yen in 'excess executive compensation' because of past loans."

"What about getting the money from Suoh or Mikoshiba?" Yoshio growled.

Yuuichi just shook his head before saying flatly, "Their assets have been frozen as well. Akito came to me about money. Apparently, his housekeeper at the second Suoh mansion had been pocketing the household funds and setting up charge accounts with vendors. Now Akito is scrambling because the vendors have sent the accounts to collections, the housekeeper is in jail for embezzlement, and the other servants quit because they hadn't been paid in months."

Yuuichi sat down, stared at the table, and started mumbling in self-pity.

Yoshio looked at him in disgust. "Did you at least TRY to contact the fixers?"

Lifting his gaze reluctantly, Yuuichi muttered, "I sent the coded messages listed in the database. I haven't heard anything yet."

"This is absurd!" Yoshio declared. "On the weight of my name alone, I should never have been locked up, much less brought to trial. Who do they think they are, trying to drag me down to their level? I am the pinnacle of power in Japanese politics and society. I should be…"

He was interrupted when a guard came to the door and announced, "Your time is up." He unlocked the door and led Yuuichi out. Yoshio slumped in his chair. "Don't worry," the guard said. "I'll be back in a few minutes to escort you back to your cell."

OHSHC

The day before the trial was to resume, Fuyumi stalked back and forth across the front of the conference room as she waited for Aki, Yu, Matsu, Nishi, Mr. Chiyomi, and Mr. Kanagawa to arrive for their meeting. "Were we able to do it? Did we take away all of Yoshio's power? What about Shizue and Hayato?"

Yu stood near the door, waiting for the others to take their seats before he intruded on Fuyumi's ruminations. "She's so preoccupied with her own thoughts I doubt she even realizes we're here."

After remarks from Mr. Chiyomi and Matsu failed to draw her attention, Yu walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder, startling her out of her reverie. "Shall we get things started? We're all here."

With a puzzled expression, Fuyumi stopped and looked at Yu. Then she surveyed the conference table. "Oh, please excuse me. I guess I got wrapped up in my own thoughts."

Nishi stood. "Please have a seat and let me report on the progress of our project." He pulled out a chair for Fuyumi to have a seat. She nodded in thanks and settled into the offered chair.

The investigator informed the group that Fuyumi via the eight investment accounts owned one hundred percent of all three companies' stock. In addition, YAM Collections had acquired all outstanding debt and placed liens against all property of the Otori, Suoh, and Mikoshiba families. "However, YAM will be taking a loss on those debts because they total more than twice the value of all the property owned," Nishi reported with a shrug.

Mr. Chiyomi tossed a newspaper onto the table. It was not the Shinbun, but another reputable publication. The headline read, "Otori on Trial for Murder." The article listed Suoh and Mikoshiba as accomplices also awaiting trial for their crimes. "I'd say this wiped out any remaining clout their names carried in the political and societal arenas," he noted smugly.

Fuyumi relaxed. "Then it looks like we should be ready for court tomorrow."

"More than ready," Mr. Kanagawa agreed. "Let me treat you all to dinner. Any suggestions?"

"How about 'My Place'?" Aki offered. "I hear that the food is fantastic. They even have a private dining room available so we can relax and talk about this without worrying about being overheard."

"I've been wanting to try it as well," Mr. Chiyomi agreed.

Mr. Kanagawa smiled. "If we're all in agreement, let's go."

As the group left the conference room, Fuyumi smiled to herself. "I wonder if I should tell them 'My Place' is owned by my future sister-in-law? Nah."

OHSHC

The bailiff escorted Yoshio to the defendant's table where he sat conspicuously alone. "I can't believe that useless son of mine couldn't find me a decent lawyer. And then to have the court try to force me to use a public defender. I'll show them all I'm the most competent person in the room." He arranged his notes and waited impatiently for the proceedings to begin.

After the courtroom had filled and the judge called the court to order, he addressed Yoshio. "I see you are determined to act as your own counsel. So be it."

Kyoya leaned over and whispered in Haruhi's ear, "I've heard it said that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client."

Haruhi whispered back, "I wonder what they say about a fool who acts as his own lawyer?"

The judge turned to the prosecutor. "Please call your next witness."

The prosecutor called Fuyumi to the stand. "Mrs. Shido, please tell us how you became the majority shareholder of the Otori Group."

Raising an eyebrow and hiding a smirk behind a polite smile, she answered, "I bought all the available shares offered for sale." There were several snickers from the gallery.

Yoshio scowled as he interrupted. "Your Honor, I object. I did not give permission for her to purchase stock."

The judge looked at him in consternation. "Objection overruled. Why would she need your permission?"

"She's my daughter," Yoshio insisted.

Turning to Fuyumi, the judge asked, "Mrs. Shido, is Mr. Otori your father?"

Fuyumi sat back in the chair and crossed her arms. "He is my biological father. However, I have not been on the Otori register since he showed up at Seiji's funeral, ordered me to get rid of my children, and demanded I marry another man for his benefit." She glared at Yoshio. "He has no place dictating what I can or cannot do."

"I concur," the judge stated. "Prosecutor, please continue."

The prosecutor nodded his understanding to the judge and asked, "Mrs. Shido, would you explain to the court your reason for deciding to buy all the available shares of the Otori Group given your apparent animosity toward Mr. Otori?"

Fuyumi sat on the edge of her seat, folded her hands in her lap, and fixed a stern gaze on the defendant. "Yoshio used his money and name as power to intimidate and bully people into doing things his way. I wanted to take away his power."

"Did you want to do this because he killed your husband?" the prosecutor prompted.

Giving her head one sharp shake, Fuyumi answered, "No. I only found out about that little detail two weeks ago right here in this courtroom. He has treated me…and my brothers…like property to be bought, sold, and traded for his profit. His actions at my husband's funeral were the last straw for me."

Yoshio stood, pointed at her, and yelled, "It was a trap! She manufactured all this evidence to steal my money and damage my reputation. She should be the one on trial here!"

"Order!" the judge demanded. "Do you have any further questions?" he asked the prosecutor.

"I have no more questions, Your Honor."

"Do you wish to cross-examine?" the judge asked Yoshio.

Nodding, Yoshio stood and stalked up to Fuyumi. He leaned toward her menacingly and growled, "Admit that this was all a set up to get your own way, just like you did as a child."

Rather than leaning away from him, she leaned forward and fixed him with a determined gaze.

Yoshio pounded on the bar separating them and commanded, "Answer me."

In a flat tone, she replied, "You didn't ask a question."

Drawing a hand back in preparation to slap her, Yoshio gritted his teeth. "You will do as you are told!" As he started his swing, the bailiff grabbed his arm and twisted it up behind his shoulder.

The prosecutor shouted, "I object!"

The crack of the gavel against the judge's bench drew everyone's attention. The judge glared at Yoshio. "I am holding you in contempt. You are to be removed from the courtroom."

Wincing in pain, Yoshio protested, "I have a right to mount a defense."

Folding his hands on the bench in front of him, the judge fixed Yoshio with a glare. "There is no defense for your actions today." Softening his expression only slightly, the judge turned to the prosecutor. "Do you have any further witnesses?"

"The prosecution rests, Your Honor."

Turning back to Yoshio, the judge inquired, "Do you have any witnesses to call, Mr. Otori?"

"Just myself," he replied, struggling against the bailiff's hold on his arm.

"Mrs. Shido, you are dismissed," the judge said with a nod.

Fuyumi left the stand and skirted around where the bailiff held Yoshio who glared and growled at her.

Once Fuyumi was seated in the gallery, the judge addressed Yoshio. "Mr. Otori, you may present your closing arguments."

Yoshio yanked his arm away from the bailiff, straightened his suit, and strutted in front of the court. He wove a tale of people jealous of his success, lazy children greedy for his money, and malicious prosecution by the courts. He finally settled at the defendant's table with a self-satisfied smirk.

The prosecutor stood and began his closing arguments. Each point he made was linked to factual evidence that had been presented and logged. He painted a picture of a narcissistic man who used people and took whatever he wanted without regard.

After the closing arguments were finished, the judge instructed the jury and then they were sequestered to consider their verdict.

OHSHC

The weekend after Yoshio's guilty verdict was returned by the jury, the Hinan family and all those associated with the case gathered at Hinansho. Kairi provided refreshments for everyone enjoy while they mingled to process their feelings about the outcome of the trial and subsequent events.

"I can't believe that Shizue actually decided to plead guilty to the charges," Yuzuru said, shaking his head in bewilderment.

Rene hypothesized, "She probably wanted to avoid the public humiliation that Yoshio was subjected to."

Haruhi added, "She and Hayato probably realized that confessing to be accomplices was safer than standing trial and enduring the possibility of having all of their other dirty secrets being brought to light."

Yu, Aki, and Matsu gathered around Fuyumi with Mr. Chiyomi and Mr. Kanagawa. Yu teased, "Well, it looks like you got your scorched earth."

"It seems so petty of me as I look back at it now," Fuyumi admitted, blushing in embarrassment. "I hope Yuuichi and Akito will use of their university degrees and training to make something of themselves."

Kyoya and Haruhi joined their circle. "I tried to give them some advice," Kyoya mentioned.

"When was that?" Fuyumi inquired, looking at her brother quizzically.

"Before the trial. They very rudely interrupted a lunch meeting I was having with Mr. Li Hui of Hong Kong. They had the audacity to demand that I help them save their companies," Kyoya said.

Haruhi looked up at him and asked tentatively, "And just what advice did you give them?"

Chuckling, he replied, "I handed them a 100-yen store sales flyer with a coupon. I told them no one could help them, and they would just have to take their medicine like men."

Takashi tapped his glass with a spoon to get everyone's attention. "I would like to propose a toast." He paused to allow everyone to pick up their glasses. "Here's to taking three more bites out of the elephant of corruption."

"Hear, hear!" were the responses from around the room.

Fuyumi's face was lit with a grin when she said, "Hey, Reiko, would you be interested in a slightly tarnished pharmaceutical firm? I'm sure you could get it polished up in no time."

In the spirit of the game, Reiko tapped her lip lightly with her index finger. "Sounds intriguing. Let's talk later."

"Hey, Sis," Kyoya called. "Got any hospitals the Hinan family might be interested in?"

"Could be," she called back. "But I'm keeping the banks."

That last remark left everyone laughing.

13