Time passed by quickly and the day arrived when Kai's clan meeting was scheduled to take place. It started at 4 o'clock, but he ended up leaving the house an hour early. They were supposed to rendezvous at a café that recently opened up. As Kai walked down the street, he was aloof and solemn in a way that was somehow more intense than usual.
I hate these meetings. No matter what the topic is, it always turns into a clash between Raiden and Kaze. While they duke it out, I stand aside until the winner is revealed. That sounds so much easier compared to what I'll be doing today. What if things don't go my way? No, I can't allow myself to have any conflicting emotions right now. I have to focus on the mission right in front of me.
Though Raiden and Kaze were in the same clan, they were not the best of chums. In the course of their activities, they were usually at each other's throats. It was an inevitable catastrophe which resulted from their personalities being like oil and water. Kaze embodied the essence of a free spirit. If Raiden told him to go east, he would go west just to spite Raiden. In turn, Raiden's stringent adherence to 'law and order', drove him to constantly seek punishment for Kaze's defiance. Basically, they just had this hopeless, never‐ending squabble going on between them where they poured salt into each other's wounds.
They were always the main source of discord among the clan. Until today, that is. Kai was about to make waves and disrupt the natural order. That realization caused his footsteps to grow heavier and slower. Given that he had suggested having a clan meeting to discuss the Dating Ban, he had to bear the consequences and go. He still had no idea how he was going to face them when he got there.
He soon paused in his tracks when he saw a logo with a familiar theme just a bit further ahead.
They finally brought a Starbucks to this town?
As Kai got closer to read the sign, his head tilted more in suspicion.
Sudoh-Bucks? That's the name of the place Raiden told everyone to meet up at… but …the appearance of the sign is really throwing me off. It's similarity to Starbucks can't just be a coincidence.
The insignia did look exactly like the one from the famous North American coffee chain. It was round, had a green border, and some sort of ambiguous, humanoid illustration. The only difference was, that illustration was the likeness of an old, male shopkeeper. When you need an expensive cup of coffee that is vaguely similar to another coffee in the world, Sudoh-Bucks is your joint!
Oh, I see. Sudoh = Pseudo. Hmph...
Not amused by the wordplay, Kai went for the entrance. The interior decoration also resembled that of a real Starbucks. There were comfortable sofas to sit on, the employees looked to be college aged, and it wasn't that crowded either. Looking around the place, Kai noticed it had a calm, cozy atmosphere. He walked straight up to the register to place an order. In spite of making such a blatant effort to rip off Starbucks, the menu was relatively normal for a Japanese café. He moved over to the drink pickup counter, got his tea, and headed to the table that Raiden saved for them. The table was located in an isolated corner and surrounded by two couches facing each other—just enough room for five people.
Raiden invited Kai to arrive 30 minutes before the designated meeting time. They were going to have, what Kaze would describe as, one of their 'secret chats'. Raiden was sitting on one of the sofas, reading a book and occasionally taking sips of black coffee. A chess set was laid out on the table before him.
Raiden's informal attire indicated that he had come straight to Sudoh-Bucks after cram school. While most teenagers were still relishing the last days of their summer break, he had chosen to supplement his education. He wore his uniform very prim and proper. His dress shirt was buttoned all the way to the top. The chain of a silver watch hung from the left breast pocket of his dark green blazer, and a pin representing his elite boarding academy rested on his lapel.
When Raiden detected Kai approaching, he put away his book and picked up two pawns, one black, one white. He then hid the two pieces in each hand and held them out, prompting Kai to choose.
Kai: Left.
Raiden opened his left palm, revealing the white pawn which gave Kai the benefit of setting the game in motion. Raiden and Kai thought of chess as a battle between two armies. They considered themselves as Military Tacticians that were responsible for leading their forces to victory. Each of their armies had 16 brave soldiers, who differed in strength and importance. The ultimate goal was to trap the opponent's king and deliver a checkmate, signifying the king's impending death.
Raiden: I'm interested to see what your first move will be.
Kai: I don't think it'll meet your expectations.
Kai picked up the pawn from Raiden's hand, the chess piece felt hard and cold. Even though they had yet to move any of their 'soldiers', the war had already begun. He took the seat across the table, preparing to face the impossibility of the condition that Raiden was about to set before him.
Raiden: Does that mean you'll be assuming the role of the 'Wild Card'?
Kai (smirks): That's funny. I've always considered Kaze to be the 'Wild Card' of the group.
There could be no mixture of truth and lies concealed within anything they said here. Their history with each other solidified that unspoken rule. Looking at it from the perspective of Raiden, who's averse to taking risks, Kaze was certainly an inconsistent being.
Kai's first move: Pawn to E4.
Raiden: Kaze is nothing but a pleasure-seeking barbarian. I can always expect him to remain true to his nature. Although I may not be able to predict his next moronic escapade, I'll never be surprised by it.
After the first piece moved, Raiden's eyes intensely studied the chess board behind his glasses. He was like a computer, calculating several moves ahead. That was his specialty, and his ability to combine it with precision moves was his greatest strength.
Raiden: You, however, understand the value of practicality just like me. A majority of the time, we're of the same mind. Yet, there are rare moments when you're able to shock even me, by kowtowing to emotion and tossing reason to the side.
The smirk on Kai's face faded away as Raiden made his responding move: Pawn to E5.
Raiden: There simply can't be a Wild Card today, certainly not after the 'incident' on Honshu Island. You really dropped the ball on that one. Now that you found your mistake, will you take Sun Tzu's advice and correct it? Or have you not had enough of Kaze making you look like a fool?
Throughout all the matches Raiden played against Kai, this was the methodology he had the most confidence in. In order to win, his opponent would have to play reactively, allowing him to steer the direction of the game.
Kai (resentful): If I didn't know any better, I would think you're trying to say this is all my fault.
He quickly went to move his knight, aiming to take Raiden's black pawn. Despite Kai's harsh tone, Raiden made no motion that he was bothered by it.
Raiden: I would never attempt to shift the blame away from Kaze, though one could argue that your leniency is also what landed us here.
In the past, Raiden tried to broach the subject of a "Dating Ban" several times, however, Kai wouldn't even consider it. He viewed the measure as too harsh and claimed it would be unethical to enforce it on the entire clan for no reason. There were certain values that Kai placed front and center, with the goal of protecting the dignity and wellbeing of those around him. In Raiden's eyes, Kai's technique had only led to a lack of discipline.
Raiden: Your attempt to do what's best for the clan ended up backfiring this time. Kaze's mess could've easily been avoided if you had just put that dog on a leash when I told you to.
There was no emotion in the delivery of his orderly argument.
Kai: You're right.
From the beginning of the match, Kai made his moves without thinking too extensively about them. They only had a limited amount of time until the rest of the clan arrived. He couldn't afford to waste minutes overanalyzing his opening moves. Despite that, he already knew Raiden couldn't be taken lightly.
Raiden: Since you acknowledge that, then you should finally agree that this matter can no longer be handled with kid gloves.
Kai: I admit, with everything that's happened, the Ban makes sense but-
Raiden: Shouldn't that be all that matters?
Kai: …
Each and every move Kai made was well within Raiden's expectations. He started to surround Kai's pieces. At a glance, it looked as though he was driving Kai into a corner. Kai's current silence conveyed exactly that.
Raiden: See, you know it's the correct method but you're still letting sentiments cloud your judgment. You're far too soft-hearted, Okami.
He was one of the few people who could say that to Kai. If Kai could be viewed as cold, then Raiden was downright frigid. It was like the difference between regular ice and dry ice. The two of them were similar in some ways, and yet at their core, they were fundamentally different.
Kai couldn't ignore how Raiden's voice was dripping with condescension.
Kai: Belittling me is probably not the best way to get your point across, Raiden.
The majority of Raiden's insults were to remind people of their distance beneath him. Whether it be remarks on their intelligence, laziness, appearance, he was adamant in pointing out what he saw as faults. Kai was not an exception to Raiden's criticism. Though he considered Kai to be his equal, he perceived Kai's 'random bouts of kindness' as a flaw. To him, kindness was a weakness, and weakness equaled failure.
Raiden: Don't take offense. As I've grown, I've come to see it as more of a necessary evil.
Kai: I'm sure in your head that sounded like less of a snub, but it's not.
Raiden: What I'm saying is, that trait is one of the reasons why you have so much influence in our clan. It builds trust, which is a very important factor to consider when creating an alliance that will thrive. So, if that's what you need to lead this group of misfits, then be my guest.
Kai (dryly): Cause you'll be in the back, cracking the whip to make sure everyone moves ahead.
Raiden: Ahh, such an astute response. Let's briefly disregard its negative connotations, and instead, focus on the bigger picture which you clearly seem to grasp: Our differences are what push our clan to greatness.
Kai :...
Oftentimes, Raiden was considerably wise in theory. When it came to managing a team, he recognized there were also disadvantages to his tendency of always prioritizing the 'bottom line'. Those who ruled with an iron fist, typically lost loyalty and respect. Without that foundation, the team would become disengaged and withhold strong performances. Basically, Raiden's 'bottom-line mentality' could actually hurt the bottom line. Which meant he needed to give his premise a more attractive coat of paint by bringing Kai on board.
With Kai's stamp of approval, the clan's reaction to Raiden's method would change. It would be seen as coming from a 'good place', making it easier for everyone to concede and toe the line. A tough-love approach to leadership yielded much better results.
Raiden: It's our responsibility to do whatever it takes to ensure the clan succeeds. That means making the best possible decision, even if it is not ideal for everyone. I hope you keep that in mind during the meeting. After all, we both desire the 'Greater Good'. Ultimately, you'll have to accept there's more than one way to achieve it.
That was Raiden's playstyle in a nutshell. He charged his opponents head-on, based on his own precise calculations of success, and he had total confidence in those calculations. There was an absolute certainty that Kai would always work in favor of the "Greater Good" for the clan. Raiden was explicitly using his 'weakness' against him to gain support for the Dating Ban.
Raiden: Have I made my point?
Kai (defeated): Of course you have, Raiden. There's nothing inherently wrong with anything you said.
That acknowledgment caused Kai's heart to suddenly react in frustration. He got caught in a conundrum of questioning his decisions. Working toward the clan's goals was always the approach that both of them took, their values were perfectly aligned in that realm. The "correct" thing to do here was to stop letting emotions confuse him and instead focus single-mindedly on taking actions that led to productive, efficient growth for the clan.
Yeah, that's obviously the right course to take. I can't even come up with the proper words to counter him. That 's proof in itself.
Raiden was being perfectly rational, which was exactly why Kai couldn't put up any resistance. His own stance on the issue was heavily predicated on his feelings. Such a flimsy reason would be quickly ripped to shreds once presented. It would be impossible to change anything unless he did it in Raiden's ring—with logic. Since that was the one thing he was completely devoid of, he decided he wouldn't give Raiden any unnecessary information for the time being.
Raiden: Good. Any other arguments will pale in comparison to mine but, I know you came here with the intention of being impartial.
Kai: Yeah...That was the plan… at some point.
Having heard Kai's answer, Raiden made his reply coolly, as he brought the coffee cup to his lips.
Raiden: Go ahead and follow through with that. It's important for you to give off the appearance of listening to everyone's side. That way, when the final verdict is delivered, Kaze can't complain about it being unfair.
In his mind, his victory was all but guaranteed. That's the direction this chess match was headed in too. His meticulous methods continually exploited Kai's habit of sticking to the status quo. His own understanding was so absolute for him that anything else was pointless.
Raiden: Shall we wrap this game up?
Kai took a deep breath and adjusted his grip on the chess piece.
Kai: Fine by me.
After quietly biding his time for so long, Kai could only make a last ditch effort. Being put at an immediate disadvantage made his chances of winning bleak, so he cast that into the back of his mind for now. His new objective was to stop the game from leaning in Raiden's favor. If he created a "flat" situation where there were no advantages, disadvantages, or predictions on either side, all the patterns Raiden had mentally played out would be reset as well.
With each move, the pieces on the board went through a myriad of changes.
Raiden (disapprovingly): You've developed quite a twisted playstyle.
Kai: I'm just... improvising...
Raiden: …
He had no idea what caused Kai to play like this, as the moves Kai was making seemed completely reckless and arbitrary; they didn't follow any standard strategy. His momentary confusion allowed Kai to slowly encroach upon him. It turned out that he was incapable of responding to pointless, risky moves.
As the game steadily progressed, the situation favored neither of them. The odds were even, you might say. Now, their battle and their choices would be based on their reflexes and power of imagination—a true contest of skills. A fight based purely on innate ability. With only five minutes left in the game, Raiden's hand stopped. For the first time, he had to sit and think about what move he would make next. That cocksure look he would give Kai from time to time was nowhere to be seen.
The stalemate lasted until a finger suddenly appeared, flicking down Raiden's king. The sight of a fallen king signified surrender.
"Robots never know when to give up."
They looked up and saw Kaze standing there. He had walked over with an iced cappuccino in his hand.
Kai: When Raiden told you to stop calling him an 'Alien', I don't think that's what he had in mind.
Kaze: Too bad. Saru just pointed out that aliens might have something like a heart, or blood flowing in their bodies. That instantly disqualifies Raiden from their species. So now we're going with 'Robot'.
Kaze deliberately threw these words into Raiden's face as a provocation. However, Raiden accepted all of it without batting an eye.
Raiden: Hmph…
Having discerned the conversation wasn't worth his time, Raiden searched the café for the two absent members. He saw Yoshi and Saru were still waiting in line. Both of them were scrutinizing the menu with great seriousness. Seeing that it would take a few more minutes for them to arrive, he excused himself to go to the restroom and grab a refill on his coffee. Kaze took his spot on the sofa when he left.
Kai began to clear the chessboard from the table. While doing so, it once again occurred to him that Kaze was the only person in the clan who would undoubtedly protest against the Dating Ban. He was still uncertain whether this gave him an advantage or not.
It doesn't help that my only ally is the same guy who started this mess in the first place. Still, I feel like I shouldn't discard him just yet; he has really good people skills. 'Smooth Talking' is his expertise, I've got nothing on him in that category. His words are typically misleading but they get the job done. Perhaps if he showed some remorse for his actions, we'd be able to shift the tide in our favor.
It would be a good place to start. With no one else around, Kai decided to pitch that suggestion to Kaze.
Kai: Kaze, how about-
Kaze held his hand in the air, cutting Kai off.
Kaze: Wait a minute.
His eyes were glued on a waitress cleaning a nearby table. He put on a refreshing smile, its existence was a big factor in his coolness. Then he cheerfully started talking.
Kaze: Excuse me, Miss?
Waitress: Yes, can I help you with something?
No. He is not about to do what I think he is.
Hoping he was wrong, Kai concentrated on what would happen next. Once Kaze confirmed he had the girl's full attention, he pointed at the glasses she was wearing.
Kaze: I just wanted you to turn around so I could see your glasses.
The waitress suspiciously narrowed her eyes at Kaze, a sensible reaction if Kai ever saw one. Would a cross counterattack, involving a smile and upturned eyes, manage to work on the waitress?
Kaze: I mean, those glasses are just so... different from mine..
He put a thoughtful pause before 'different' which confused her for a split second.
Waitress: Um, I'm not sure if that's an insult or a compliment.
Kaze: No, it's totally a compliment! They look really great on you!
Waitress: You think so?
Kaze: Yeah, seriously! When I first got my glasses, I looked so awful that I had no choice but to get contacts. The whole thing really sucks because I hate putting my finger so close to my eyeballs. It creeps me out.
That got rid of the tension and the waitress giggled a little. Even if she didn't go for him right away, he managed to stay relaxed and figured out how to get her guard down. Kaze was incredible, he could strike up a conversation with nearly anyone.
As Kai watched, he could practically feel the veins popping out of his head at the absolute audacity of this man. Kaze was proving to be more detrimental than he had anticipated. His plans died before they even had a chance to take a first step.
Raiden was right again. Kaze continues to make a fool out of me. Here I am wanting him to show some regret for what he's done, but instead he pulls the same old crap with ANOTHER girl!
Kaze had developed a customized routine for whenever he set his sights on an attractive young lady. It always started off with a compliment about one of her accessories. If the girl wore glasses, he would try to convince her to hand them over so he could see how they looked on him. Then he insisted on taking a picture with her for a side by side comparison. The two of them would gush over it a little and the photo op would be twisted into an excuse for exchanging contact info.
I can't let Raiden see this. It would only give him more ammo to use against me during the meeting.
He realized he should say something before it came to that.
Kai: Kaze, if you don't have any pressing matters, you should probably let her get back to work.
Kaze: Huh?!
With Kai saying something so unexpected, Kaze ended up letting out a bewildered voice. Normally, Kai paid no mind to his flirting. His eyes were locked onto Kai in a daze.
Kai returned a look that urged him to: 'Stop this right now, or I'll expose you.'
He would probably start off with the fact that Kaze had 20/20 vision and never had to wear glasses a day in his life. Knowing that Kai wasn't the type to make idle threats, Kaze got the hint and played along.
Kaze: Oh...right! I almost forgot where I was.
He returned his attention back to the waitress. He grinned at her with all the charm of a fairytale prince.
Kaze: I'm sorry for bothering you while you're working. I just had to let you know how beautiful you are in those glasses. Please don't let anybody tell you differently.
Despite Kai ruining his chances, he still intended to present himself as a sweet, caring guy.
Waitress: Um, thanks…
The waitress flushed bright red before their eyes, forced a cough to distract from her blushing, and then hurried away into the back. Now that she was out of sight, Kaze aired his grievance.
Kaze: What the hell, Okami?!
Kai: I should be asking you that.
Kaze: What? I just spoke my mind. Isn't that what you usually do?
Kai: This isn't the sort of occasion where you can just say whatever you like. Have you forgotten why we're even here today?!
Kaze: If I like what I see, I'll say so. If I wanna flirt with someone, then I will. How else am I supposed to enjoy life?
The threat of a Dating Ban wasn't enough to make Kaze change his frivolous ways. It was clear that as long as Kaze managed to overcome today, he would just go back to living a self-indulgent life.
Kai: If you keep that up, you're practically handing a victory to Raiden. I really hope you've prepared something better for the meeting.
Kaze: You hope? Yeah, right! Stop acting like you're gonna be neutral about this. You've already shown whose side you're on. That 'secret chat' with Raiden must've brainwashed you pretty good!
Kai didn't appreciate Kaze's thorny attitude, but he understood the reason for it. Kaze was still upset with him for agreeing to have a discussion about the Dating Ban. His mere consent was proof that he was starting to be swayed by Raiden. Any assumption of him being unbiased during the meeting was instantly demolished the second he intervened with Kaze and the waitress. Kaze knew Kai only got involved with people when he had a vested interest in doing so.
That undeniable truth further cemented Kaze's belief that Kai would vote 'Yes' on the Dating Ban. He mistakenly thought Kai was taking a page from Raiden's book and trying to keep him in check.
Kai: You're jumping to the wrong conclusion.
Kaze: Whatever.
Kaze said that with nary a consideration for Kai's opinion about the matter. He already had his mind made up that Kai was his opponent.
Kai reached for the cup of tea in front of him, and let out a disgruntled sigh after drinking a huge gulp from it. There was no point in wasting his energy on Kaze. They would still be working towards the same goal, albeit separately.
I guess if I'm going to be sucked into a big gamble where I can't determine the outcome, then I'd rather take a sure hit now. Since I've been cast aside by Kaze, I'll have to work from another angle to get what I want.
"Wow, Saru!"
Yoshi exclaimed while carrying a tray of pastries over to the table. Saru pushed his headphones back so it was easier to hear what Yoshi was saying.
Yoshi: Your drink looks really good!
Saru's beverage was topped with whipped cream, flecked with black powder, drizzled with chocolate syrup, and underneath that was a slushy white liquid with cookies mixed in.
Saru: It's a Tiramisu Frappuccino.
Yoshi: Tiramisu? I didn't see that on the menu!
Saru: That's because it's my own special concoction! I started off by ordering the 'Baked Cheesecake Frap' on the summer menu. After that, I asked for a shot of espresso and some chocolate sauce. Then I put some cocoa powder on myself.
He smugly raised the cup to face level, showing off the green logo which was dangerously on the verge of copyright infringement.
Saru: You see, this place is tricking people into believing they're Starbucks, but they're nothing but a fake! So I flipped it around and outwitted them by making a fake tiramisu!
Kai: You're a real evil genius, Saru.
Saru: Thanks, I really appreciate your sarcasm, Okami. I know it's the only way you're able to express how much you love someone.
Yoshi: Hahaha!
Listening to them heckle each other, Yoshi let a laugh slip as he transferred the tray of sweets onto the table and sat near Kai. For a sweet tooth like him this was a staggering sight. He stared and stared, considering what he should taste. Meanwhile, Saru plopped down on the couch next to Kaze, he was about to stick his fork into one of the desserts when-
Kaze: Heads up, Saru. Everything I told you earlier was true. Okami is gonna be a real pain in the ass from now on.
Kai (confused): What?
Saru: You mean, the Robot has finally converted him?
Kai: No-
Kaze: Yeah, you should've seen the way he just cockblocked me with the waitress.
Saru's shoulders twitched at the news.
Saru (shocked): Who the hell does he think he is?!
Relieved at having someone else share his outrage, Kaze nodded in agreement.
Kaze: I know, right?!
Saru slammed his fist down on the table and glared at Kai fiercely.
Saru: I've spent nearly a decade perfecting my technique of cockblocking Kaze, and now, all of a sudden, you're trying to barge in on my territory?!
Kaze: -_-
Serves you right for trying to gang up on me.
Kaze walked right into that one. No one was safe from Saru's baited replies which were designed to provoke, trick, confuse, or just insult the recipient. The most essential part was convincing his victim that he truly believed what he was saying, no matter how outrageous it was.
While Saru's animosity towards Kai was purely fabricated, it was true that obstructing Kaze's romantic pursuits had become one of his favorite hobbies. Of course, he was much more creative with it than Kai had been. It could almost be called sadistic the way he derived pleasure from deliberately provoking reactions from people and causing trouble.
Kai:...
To deny giving Saru what he wanted, Kai turned towards the window, refusing to engage with him any further. Saru was determined to get his kicks off anyway.
Saru: That's right, go back to being Mr. Indifferent! Stay in your lane, chump!
Kaze (irked): That's all you have to say?
Saru: I know, I know. I shouldn't let him off the hook so easily but I can't help being soft on him. Look at him over there, not caring about things. He's just so damn cool. It's no wonder why he's the number-one delinquent at his school.
Kai rolled his eyes at Saru's relentless taunting.
Kaze: Fine, enjoy joking around while you still can. Now that we have two robots in the clan, who knows how much freedom you'll have left after all the new restrictions they'll cook up.
Ahh, so that's why he's so hellbent on making me the villain. He's trying to control the narrative before his opposition can tell its side of the story.
Just like Kaze, Saru did not like being controlled. To them, Raiden inspired the mental image of a Drill Sergeant who was determined to make their lives miserable. That's why Kaze previously warned Saru about Kai and Raiden joining forces to introduce the Dating Ban. By making Saru believe the Dating Ban was just the first of many restrictions yet to come, Saru would seek to put a halt to it.
Just like I expected, Kaze is using complete fallacies to get people on his side. This particular one isn't so bad. As long as it's able to get the mischievous Saru to vote in my favor, I don't have a problem pretending to be the bad guy. I'll just keep my mouth shut and let their imaginations run wild.
Saru finally straightened up, showing no signs of distress. His ability to switch between mature and immature so quickly could make someone's head spin.
Saru: Easy there, Kaze. I'm not sweating just yet. Although I think it's interesting that Okami interfered with the waitress, it's not enough to convince me that he has fully crossed over to the dark side.
Kaze (exasperated): Oh, c'mon! Why else would he do something like that?!
Yoshi, who had been quietly listening the whole time, cocked his head at Kaze's question and answered as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Yoshi: Didn't Okami stop you from flirting because you like Hayashi-Sensei's daughter?
Everyone gave Yoshi a quick surprised look. How could he be so far off the mark? It eventually dawned on them that he only knew half of the story. That day at the airport, Kai made him leave the souvenir shop before he could hear anything else. In other words, Yoshi was the only member who wasn't aware of why they were having a clan meeting.
Yoshi sent a dubious stare, his eyes were asking if something had happened. But Kai felt like he wouldn't have been able to explain it properly. He had an urge to quickly shift the direction of the conversation. Before he could, Kaze proposed his own question to Yoshi.
Kaze: What's that got to do with anything?
Yoshi was astounded by how Kaze couldn't see the problem.
Yoshi: I- I mean, if you already... like someone, you shouldn't be going around trying to pick up other girls. R-Right?
He did his best to get his feelings across, even if his communication skills weren't the greatest.
Kaze: No, I can't cosign that type of thinking.
Now Yoshi was the one caught off guard, he wasn't ready for such a point-blank answer. He tilted his head towards Kaze as if he needed an explanation.
Kaze: Alright… let me put it this way: It's true I like Hayashi's daughter, but she's not actually my girlfriend. So I'm free to do whatever I want and have fun. Don't you agree?
I would agree…if I didn't already know how full of crap he is. It wouldn't matter if he had a girlfriend or not, he'd still flirt around. The way he talks always makes me think he would have a promising career as a politician.
Kaze's natural charm and good looks always ensured he found a girlfriend quickly, but his relationships never lasted long. The main reason being: he was garbage. He's the prime example of what not to do in a relationship. That's the reason Kai forced Yoshi out of the souvenir shop when the topic of Kaze's scandal emerged. Keeping Yoshi ignorant of certain situations, lessened the chances of him being influenced by the rotten behavior of his clan members. He simply wasn't tainted like the rest of them, and Kai wanted him to remain that way.
Kai also considered himself to be a bad influence. He disapproved of Kaze's lothario lifestyle, but as Raiden pointed out earlier, he had never tried to stop it. Quite the opposite, he had made an arrangement that essentially gave Kaze free reign to be garbage to girls, as long as it didn't affect the clan. That could be perceived as acceptance.
Yoshi was troubled by Kaze's immediate response and showed a somewhat forced smile.
Yoshi: When you put it that way, it doesn't seem wrong. But…it just feels like you're… not being faithful or something…
Kaze: Faithful?!
Kaze was startled at first, then started laughing.
Oh crap, here we go.
Kaze: Why do I have to be faithful to a girl just because I like her? Where did you get that stupid idea from?
Yoshi: Uh…
As Yoshi sat there floundering, Kaze peered into his eyes.
Kaze: I know it's not from personal experience because you've never even been in a relationship before.
Yoshi began to panic, having suddenly become the topic of the conversation.
Kaze: My guess is that you've been suckered by manga or the things you see on TV.
Yoshi: Th-That's …
Yoshi wanted to say it wasn't true but he didn't have a better answer.
Kaze: Those 'love stories' don't exist in the real world. It's all just fiction.
Kaze seemed so certain that Yoshi wondered if maybe he was right.
Yoshi: Fiction, huh?
After Yoshi thought about it, he realized everything he knew about love indeed came from stories. As if caught between a rock and a hard place, he simply tried to smile. That smile held a trace of melancholy.
Saru: Forget what Kaze says! I know one day I'll eventually bump into a charming girl on the way to class and automatically fall in love!
Or instead, that girl might be evil and punch you so hard that you fall to the ground...
Without a moment's hesitation, Kaze joined in on the banter.
Kaze: I'm still waiting for a hot girl to move in next door to me. Then she could just sneak into my house by coming through the window and-
-Use her wooden sword to kill you. And you can just forget about walking home from school together and having a nice chat on the way back. That's never gonna happen!
Kai reflexively interrupted their conversation in his head. He sat there silently brooding over how Aisaka Taiga had destroyed every common manga/anime 'love trope' for him. From reminiscing about that, plus his own recent romantic experiences, he agreed with Kaze's view that real-life love was different. But he didn't feel comfortable allowing all of Kaze's claims to remain unopposed.
Kai: Alright, alright. Stop trying to make Yoshi feel like an idiot for thinking that way. Not all of it is fiction.
Kaze: What do you mean?
Kai: I'm saying, some of that stuff can be subjective. You may feel perfectly fine hitting on girls even though you like someone else but there are some guys who wouldn't do that. They wouldn't flirt around.
Kaze: Look who's talking! Do you even know HOW to flirt?!
Saru: There's no way he could! Sun Tzu or Bruce Lee didn't write anything about that.
They started cracking up so hard, they had to wipe away the tears that leaked out. They considered Kai to be just as inexperienced as Yoshi and that made his opinion invalid.
They can say whatever they want, I don't have to prove anything to them.
Kai had taken the same approach with being branded as a delinquent at school. In fact, this is exactly where that mentality had originated from. His thick skin towards criticism developed just from being around Saru and Kaze. He didn't mind being the target of their teasing. They would eventually get bored and move onto something else when Kai refused to respond to them. All that mattered was they had stopped hounding Yoshi with their antics.
Apparently Kai's intervention had a good effect on Yoshi. His dying eyes were sparkling with life again.
Yoshi: Thanks for backing me up, Okami.
Kai: Don't mention it. Remember, you can't let them get to you. The moment you do, that's when they win.
Yoshi fervently nodded, appreciating his advice.
Eventually Raiden returned with his coffee cup refilled. He grabbed a nearby chair, placed it at the head of the table, and sat down.
Raiden: Now that everyone is here, let's not waste anymore time. The discussion about the Dating Ban is now in session.