CHAPTER IV

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The Miura family was one of the most influential and well respected people in Chiba, and their eminence possibly reached other cities in Japan. Perhaps not as powerful as the political Fujiwara family or as wealthy as the ruling Shinomiya house - far from it, but they were royalty in their own right. The sons and daughters of Miyako Miura were all educated and well established in their own chosen facets in society. Sanada Miura was the current District Attorney in the city and his authority inside the courts encompassed the entire prefecture. The other three daughters followed in their mother's footsteps and had their own businesses overseas. And Saito Miura, Yumiko's father, happened to be a former political figure and the physician who last time divulged to me a quite distasteful diagnosis. In any case, Saito-san was only doing his job, and quite professionally as well, if I may add.

My chance encounter with the matriarch of the Miura family was not to be so fast forgotten, as it seemed I was bound to cross paths with Miyako-sama once again. I recalled how my former homeroom teacher, Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to be in very good terms with Miyako-sama, and after receiving a call from her no later than a day after our encounter - and I wondered why she'd kept my number all these years - my presumptions were confirmed. It also happened that the Funabori Corporation, a renowned brewing company based in Edogawa city, was controlled and managed by the Miuras.

Hiratsuka-sensei had invited me that day to come up to Edogawa. I had tasks that ought to be done, but that wasn't to say I couldn't spare my time of the day and have someone else cover for me just so I could go on a friendly date with my high school teacher, and so I did. Besides, Hiratsuka-sensei had promised to put in a good word or two about me with some reputable people from fine companies, in preparation for my career after the last year of college. I knew that Hiratsuka-sensei soon left teaching after my class graduated from Soubu, but it was only now that I realized that she now worked as a board member in the Funabori Corporation.

I've thought about it, and perhaps Hiratsuka-sensei had been involved in higher business for far longer than I know. After all, I had not forgotten that evening when she'd taken me for a ride in her dark-red Aston Martin and how we drank coffee together above a bridge overlooking Tokyo Bay. Human emotions and that oh so fickle notion called genuine we mulled on. By hindsight it was clear there's more than what meets the eye with my high school teacher, and I've started to really admire her as an intelligent and capable woman. The words of wisdom she'd passed on to me that evening years ago was more relevant than ever before. You hurt other people even by simply existing; it's the awareness of that fact that polarizes sincere concern from indifference.

The train ride to Edogawa city took no more than an hour. One of my associates offered to accompany me, but I preferred to go alone; traveling by myself was always to my taste, and no sense of concern for other people bothered me. In solitude I find peace of mind. But considering the possibility of the Yakuza targeting me, I pondered, I'd made a minor blunder. The next time, I should take a trustworthy companion with me at all times.

This city seemed to be far more towering and expansive than downtown Chiba, and it was almost indistinguishable from Tokyo if not for the fact that the metropolis was only across the Arakawa river. Large high-rises, flushed with glass panes and marble-tiled façades, lined the avenues and the more magnanimous ones were of a darker and more elegant build. And the Funabori Towers, four skyscrapers which stood closely together and appeared like a quartered square from a bird's eye view, which I now found myself standing in front of was the most majestic of all. The interiors were no less than impressive. Everything seemed to be gilded and polished; the velvet upholsteries picked clean of lint; and every inch of the floor covered in patterned carpet.

I had only been standing about in the lounge for a while, certain that Hiratsuka-sensei would receive me soon when I once again recognized a familiar place. She was again dressed in a brilliant red overcoat and the same wide-brimmed hat. She'd been conversing with several well-groomed gentlemen across the lobby. When Miyako Miura noticed, she excused herself curtly and walked up to me with a smile. "Hikigaya-san, what brings you here?"

"Good morning, Miura-sama," I said, giving a respectful bow to her. "Hiratsuka-sensei invited me to come here. She offered to help me find a… line of work in a company, which I could take up after college." I tried to look embarrassed, rubbing the back of my head with my hand.

"Is that so? Then please, be my guest. Shizuka-chan happens to be my secretary," Miyako-sama said. I was curious. "Did she tell you that?"

"Yes ma'am, I think Hiratsuka-sensei has mentioned that to me before," I answered. "Does she work with you?"

Miyako-sama said she does. We slowly walked together across the quiet lounge room. "We've known each other for quite a long time now. Shizuka-chan used to be your high school adviser, yes?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I also used to be a school teacher back in the day. Plenty of my colleagues took up BS Education in college and afterwards strived to work in schools. That was what people did. Well, it's not uncommon for a student to become a teacher."

"But I see now that you are a businesswoman?" I asked gently.

"Please, the title 'businesswoman' is overrated," Miyako-sama said, laughing softly. She held both her hands behind her. "I'd like to think of myself as an entrepreneur instead. Eventually, I left teaching to pursue a business venture with my husband. We started from nothing and built our way up to here. Well, it took me nearly forty years to reach this height of success, but oh, I've gotten too old now."

"That is very impressive," I humbly said. "I don't often come across people who achieve great success."

"That is what everyone else says," she shook her head as if disappointed. "What is success? It manifests in different forms. It is even subjective, and you cannot compare the achievements of one person to another." She glanced at me. "Of course, success being subjective shouldn't be a reason for mediocrity. You should seize every opportunity presented in front of you and hold on with both hands."

"But people are not equal," I inevitably followed.

"Yes, people are not equal," Miyako-sama nodded quietly. She gestured with one hand and said, "perhaps, for the sake of argument, everyone is given an equal opportunity at the start, there will always be people who will supersede others. Equal opportunities, yet unequal ends."

"So there's no such thing as equality at all, is there?"

"The only truly equal thing in life, my dear, is death. We all die at the end."

We both shared a small laugh, finding common ground. Although clearly, Miyako-sama was of a greater magnanimity and eminence than I, there was no prejudice from my side nor hers. She had started out from the lower level of society and rose up through merit and her own wits. After spending a few years in her teaching career, Miyako-sama, as she told me, pursued a path in the business world and together with her husband set up a wine distillery that was eventually to become the successful Funabori Corporation today. Her three daughters had successfully graduated and pursued their own careers, one of her sons was a District Attorney which I happened to know also, and Saito-san, the father of Yumiko, was a physician at a hospital. As Miyako-sama was now a widow past her prime, that highlighted her brilliance even more and that I respected.

While walking down the vast, beautifully furnished lounge of the Funabori towers, a large flat-screen display suspended on the wall behind a reception desk caught my eye. I paused briefly to observe it. I put my hand inside my pockets and looked over silently. "The market is down this week, I see?"

Miyako-sama turned her head. "Hm? Oh yes. The stock hasn't overtaken last month's value in weeks. It would be horrible if it drops any more than fifty points."

"The strikes and disruptions in construction sites are causing most of the construction firms to lose money. See," I pointed at the columns on the screen. Miyako-sama looked. "People in brokering often overlook the closer details, being detached from what's going on in the bottom. If the work does not progress, the company doesn't get paid, and they're basically throwing money in a bottomless pit. They'll lose capital, the value of the construction firm's share goes down - as nobody wants to buy shares from a failing firm - and that screws up everyone else. I'd start dumping shares while they're still of value if it was me."

Miyako-sama was impressed. "That's a brilliant analysis, Hikigaya-san. And how did you discover the connection with the disruptions in the construction projects?"

"Well, I have associates in the construction industry," I answered. "When you get down to it, it's only obvious."

"Of course, that union official you met with the other day." She glanced at me searchingly. "Did you take a course in Economics? You will do well with a career in business. Why, you have qualities suitable for a position at a company board."

I told Miyako-sama that I had chosen to major in Sciences. "I could do with just working as a professor or maybe even a doctor." I smiled sheepishly. "Truth is, I haven't set my aim too high."

"Typical!" She chuckled. "You really must consider getting into stockbroking or investment. That's the system these days."

"Speaking of which, one of my friends had recently gotten into stockbroking. He's doing very well, so he says, although one cannot possibly go very far independently."

"I see. Very well then, if your friend agrees, I can offer him a position in one of our offices. I suppose he doesn't have sufficient capital to really go after the blue chip stocks, yes? If he joins a company, he will be able to work with better materials than alone. Of course, that is if it's fine with him, Hikigaya-san."

This was a fact; Zaimokuza had recently engaged in stockbroking, and is making a promising amount of money. At first I saw it as a mindless, banal job - sitting in front of a monitor all day, watching the numbers and line graphs. Until I learned how much money you could actually earn from the stock market. But given that he is an independent investor, it would take some time before he gathers momentum to truly rake in a sizable salary. An offer like this was very attractive, as it meant access to a company's resources which Zaimokuza would be able to utilize. And a company such as the Funabori Corporation would definitely give him an opportune space to work in. I was grateful even, on my friend's behalf. "I would very much appreciate it if you would. I'm sure my friend would be delighted."

"Very good," Miyako-sama was pleased.

We'd been having a light-hearted conversation and everything was as smooth as bourbon, until to my surprise Haruno Yukinoshita walked in. I must've not noticed her come through the entrance, but of course she would notice me as I wore a nearly identical outfit today out of sheer uncreativity. I would later on learn that Haruno was the protegé of Miyako-sama and received her careful tutelage in all manners involving business. That itself spoke volumes on Miyako-sama's own background, which until now was relatively vague to me.

Haruno wore a jet-black jacket; it was unbuttoned, revealing a white shirt underneath and her tie which was in a care-free, loose state. She wore a skirt, dark stockings and heeled shoes. In every way, she looked like she meant serious business, if not for the relaxed look on her face and her easy-going manner as she strolled through. She gazed at me with her charming rosy eyes. "Why hello there, Hikigaya-kun," Haruno greeted softly. "It seems we've met again sooner than we've expected."

"And to you too," I replied with a small smile.

"I should ask you, what are you doing here?"

Miyako-sama spoke up and patiently explained to her. "Hikigaya-san here, is my guest for the afternoon."

"Your guest?" Haruno was intrigued. She smiled. "Pardon me, Miura-sama, but you entertain the likes of him?"

"What do you mean?" I crossed my arms. This amused her even more, as Haruno giggled a little.

"This isn't the place where the likes of you belong."

"You don't say?" I hummed pensively.

The way Haruno worded her statement out for me somehow, subtly, appeared to be an affront to my ego, if it happened that I actually took it for an affront. The fact is that this woman, Haruno Yukinoshita, sees herself as above everyone else, and if I should recall, a certain Hayama Hayato had already been played by her. Those that catch her fancy, she plays the way a marionette moves her puppets, or more accurately, how one entertains oneself with a toy.

Looking at myself, I realized that I did in fact dress quite shabby in these people's ostensible standards. I was wearing my usual attire of a shirt, a waistcoat and a pair of slacks. I had not worn a tie. I'd disregarded my jacket. My blue overcoat was indeed a bit dirty, and I had not recently polished my pair of Oxfords - which was the only thing remotely sophisticated in my appearance. The fact is that I'd been in a construction site yesterday talking to some of the workmen.

And so Haruno said, quite superciliously, "but look, Miura-sama. His shoes are dirty, and his coat has dust on it. Ara, what have you been doing, Hikigaya-kun~? Why, you look like a bum compared to last time's encounter~."

"Well you must forgive me," I spoke softly, smiling at her but inwardly irritated. "I happen to be not as well sheltered from the elements as the likes of you."

Miyako-sama interjected. "Now, now, Haru-nee. You needn't be too harsh with him." She pointed a wrinkled finger at my feet. "That just goes to show that Hikigaya-san is an industrious fellow. These are the people who ought to be respected, who work and have something to show for it."

"But I take no offense, please." I shortly said.

Miyako-sama turned her attention to Haruno. "Haru-nee, how are things between you and Hayama-kun? Are you two going to get married soon? It's taking too long, don't you think he might run off with your little sister again?"

It was like magic watching Haruno's consistent façade of good-natured apathy get blown away in a moment as Miyako-sama teased her. Haruno's cheeks began to flush red with embarrassment. She quickly said in a pitched voice, "Miura-sama, there's no need to mention that now."

If Yumiko was the one who could tear apart my cold mask of self-possession and indifference, then it wasn't a surprise that her grandmother was the one who could ruffle and faze Haruno Yukinoshita. I was too in a state of surprise to determine whether this was actually the real Haruno - bashful, prone to being flustered and sensitive with her personal life. Perhaps that was the reason why she had to create an unyielding wall around her emotions.

Miyako-sama continued to tease her. "I'd like to be godmother to your first child, will you allow me that honor?"

"That would be great," I said, joining the conversation. Haruno glanced petulantly at me and pouted. "Oh boy, Hayama-san becoming a father and you, his wife? Now that's something."

Haruno was exasperated. She sighed and raised her hands, frowning at me. Miyako-sama suddenly pinched Haruno's rosy cheeks, surprising her. "My dear, you must eat more. You feel a bit too thin! Good grief, is this what society considers beauty?"

"Well you must excuse me now," Haruno began, emphasizing particularly towards me quite sharply. "I've got a meeting that I ought to put above anything else."

Haruno brushed herself off curtly, fixed her necktie and buttoned up her jacket. Then she stepped in front of me - very closely, as our chests were nearly touching into an embrace - and turned her cheek, sweeping her hair with a hand, still blushing and sulking. After a moment of silence, she glanced at me disdainfully.

"Well? Are you going to give me a kiss or no?"

"Excuse me?"

Even my voice sounded genuinely unsure at that moment.

To the corner of my eye, Miyako-sama nodded, subtly telling me to go ahead. I gave Haruno a quick kiss on the cheek. She then swiftly and gracefully turned around and as she walked away, she looked back at me and threw a kiss into the air in return. From the look in her eye, I knew this wasn't the last time we would meet. Those gestures shouldn't be taken too seriously. I personally found it peculiar, the way some people greeted each other with a kiss. It must be another thing that I missed from the society class as a kid.

Of course, she may just as well be feigning ignorance and innocence. After all, Haruno has multiple shades of her personality. That is why I would not believe that she is what she has just shown herself to be. One moment, you would see her as cold and devilish, and the next, she plays sweet.

Miyako-sama, as if she possessed the ability to read my thoughts, asked amusedly, "what do you think of her?"

I shoved my hands back into my pockets again. The expression on my face returned to gray.

"I do not wish to say."

"Tell me in my ear," Miyako-sama gently insisted, putting her hand behind her ear and leaning closer. Morosely, I spoke.

"I think she is very proud."

"Anything else?"

"I think she is very beautiful."

"Anything else?"

"I think she is blatantly pretentious."

Miyako-sama hummed in amusement. Upon my answer, she was looking at me, smiling, with rekindled interest. "Anything else?"

"I think I should like to be on my way."

"And never see her again, even though she is very beautiful?"

"I'm not sure if I should not want to see Haruno-san again, but I would like to be on my way."

"You shall go soon," Miyako-sama said clearly. "Do not hurry and let us talk a bit more."

We watched as Haruno joined several other presumed associates, all of whom looked equally magnanimous and of a high standing. They disappeared down the hallway behind a mirrored elevator door.

"I pity that girl," Miyako-sama began quietly, "Haru-nee. You can tell that it wasn't her choice to marry. What a twisted notion, marrying for wealth and politics, don't you think?"

"Twisted, yes," I nodded in agreement. "But when we get down to practicality, it's only logical."

"And that principle of practicality is what takes away the humanity," she chuckled. "But that's not really the biggest issue, is it? It's just good business."

"That's why family and business don't mix."

"True. Well, business is dominated by men who love to think they are good at it. Women are often relegated as pawns in the grand scheme of things. But I beg to differ. The blessing is that we are oft underestimated, and that is what gives the potential to blow the competition off the water."

"Having your enemies underestimate your capabilities is the greatest advantage they can give you."

"The greatest thing since sliced bread," Miyako-sama laughed softly. "But I can only marvel at how well Yukinoshita-san has raised her eldest daughter. That girl, Haru-nee, has practically been raised by her mother to wreak havoc on all the male sex. And evidently, that Hayama boy too doesn't have a say on things. Just another puppet on strings."

"I think it'll work out." I was surprised at my own optimism, but one should always hope for the best, as they say. "The marriage will work out," I reiterated in a softer voice.

"It will. Though the two are not on the same page, as you can tell." Miyako-sama sighed. "There's always a conflict between who's the bigger ego. So if one kills his ego, then there's no problem. To live in a power struggle with someone you'll spend the rest of your life with is so counterproductive, that Hayama-kun may as well be the one to bend the knee."

I remained silent for a while in meditation. Changing the subject, Miyako-sama asked about her granddaughter. "Yumiko is doing well," I told her honestly. "She's studying hard for the exam of this semester. I must say she's a nice person - though a bit troublesome at times."

"Yumi-nee is an Economics major, you say?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Very good," Miyako-sama murmured softly to herself. She looked down as if thinking deeply, and her eyebrows frowned a bit before she immediately smiled. "Ah, if only his father would introduce her and teach her to run the family business. I wish Yumi-nee would finally set her priorities straight."

"Well, she is still young. You know how young people are."

"And you, Hikigaya-san, you're awfully mature for your age. I must advice that you enjoy youth while it lasts," she smiled at me. "Now, will you do me a favour and watch over my granddaughter? I would be very grateful."

"Of course, Miura-sama."

"I will tell you, I am a little concerned at what Yumi-nee is doing with her life right now, if you know what I mean. It is no good for a young lady like her to be out frolicking in the city and gallivanting with other men. You, being an older brother to a sister must understand, don't you?"

"Of course," I said, nodding wholeheartedly. "It simply wouldn't do, letting them get into real trouble. I wouldn't allow that with my Komachi-chan."

"What Yumi-nee should do is focus on her education and pass into that prestigious Minato Lyceum Institute of Tokyo. She ought to find a respectable man who she could marry, and not those fickle romances they call 'flings'. But oh, dear me, what do I know?" Miyako-sama laughed. Her dark emerald eyes flickered, evidently pleased. It reminded me of my friend, although Yumiko was more bright-eyed than her grandmother. She patted me on the arm and said, "Hikigaya-san, you are clearly closer to my dear Yumi-nee as her closest friend, so do act as an onii-san and guide her."

I smiled and promised that I would be a good friend to Yumiko.

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A.N. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I've got a lot planned for this story, but it's quite challenging to run multiple plot lines simultaneously.. there are also plots/elements in this story that I originally intended for my first fanfiction story "The Cynic and Fire Queen" but because of the unconventional writing style, I'd never gotten to proceed with it. Part 2 is already laid out and everything is soon going to come together. Next time!