CHAPTER VI

…

That night Mama Imoguiri had invited a friend, a widow, to her house. I thought folks must've been doing a lot more talking than I'd anticipated. Word gets around that I'm someone who could mediate disputes in the neighborhood, whatever that entailed. I knew it all started from that night. Folks knew that I was part of "the mob" and was the bookmaker kid turned street boss, though I wasn't too aware of all this. Only a few days ago I had to settle a dispute between two bettors in the parlor. Sometimes, folks would walk up beside me and ask for money. I couldn't believe it at first, but I realized that with reputation comes an impression. People immediately notice my blue overcoat and my flashy white fedora hat - which was given to me by Yumiko, and which I really grew fond of. So I try to help people along in any way I could, mostly so that I can finally be rid of them and their constant bugging.

This woman was modest and of unimpeachable character, being a former sensei at an elementary school. They say her husband died of karoshi - overworking. She herself worked hard to keep a home for her aging father and her daughter. Her only daughter, also around my age so I heard, was studying college. But unable to be accepted into teaching again, she worked as a seamstress in a local garment shop, which only paid so much. That woman happened to be Mrs. Yuigahama.

"Hachiman, come with me, there's someone who wants to talk to you," Mama Imoguiri approached and said to me the moment I stepped into the terrace of the Ieyori household. "My amiga has a favour to ask of you. She is having some trouble."

I expected to be asked for money or such along those lines, which I was ready to give. I was very surprised to find out it was Mrs. Yuigahama, the mother of my former high school classmate and friend, Yui. I couldn't imagine what she might ask of me. It seemed that Mrs. Yuigahama kept a dog which her daughter Yui cherished very much. The landlord had received complaints of the dog barking at night and had told Mrs. Yuigahama to get rid of it. She pretended to do so. The landlord had found out that she had deceived him and had ordered her to vacate her apartment. She has promised to truly get rid of the dog and she did. But the landlord was so incensed that he would not revoke his order. She had to get out or else the police would be summoned to evict her. And poor Yui had cried so much when they gave away their dog to relatives who lived down in the bayside. All for nothing, they would lose their home.

"Oh! It's you, Hikigaya-san, isn't it?" She looked glad to see me. I bowed respectfully to her.

"Good evening, Ma'am," I said, bowing slightly. "How may I help you?"

"Please don't be so earnest," Mrs. Yuigahama patted my arm warmly. "You've grown taller since the last time I saw you…"

"I guess so," I sheepishly smiled.

"Well, I really didn't expect that I would be asking my daughter's friend," she blushed. "This is embarrassing for me, but… for the sake of my family, I need your help."

I asked her gently, "why do you ask me to help you?"

Mrs. Yuigahama glanced towards Mama Imoguiri. "She told me to ask you."

I was surprised. Now that I thought of it, Mama Imoguiri had never questioned me about the clothes I had washed or where I had gone that night I had murdered Jirou. She had neither asked me where all the extra money I received came from when I was not working. Even now her face was impassive, but I realized that she already knew everything. I said to Mrs. Yuigahama, "I can give you some money to help you and your father and your daughter move, is that what you want?"

She shook her head. I noticed tears welling up in her eyes, which she hastily wiped away. "All my friends are here. I have nowhere else to go. After my husband passed away, our house was repossessed. My daughter, she goes to the same college as you… she's your friend, so you understand. How can we move to another neighborhood with strangers? Please Hikigaya-san, I want you to speak to Hamada-san to let us stay."

Shortly, I nodded. "It is done then. You won't have to move. I'll speak to Hamada-san tomorrow morning."

Mama Imoguiri gave me an approving smile, and I felt pleased. Mrs. Yuigahama still looked uncertain. "You're sure he will say yes, the landlord?"

"Hamada-san?" I smiled, putting my hands behind me. "Of course he will. I'll deal with him. He's a good-hearted fellow, I'm sure. Once I explain how things are with you and your daughter, he'll take pity on your misfortunes. Now don't let it trouble you anymore, Ma'am. Don't be so upset. Take care of your health, for the sake of your family."

The landlord Hamada-san came to the neighborhood every day to check on the row of eight tenements that he owned. He was a former union representative, having worked in construction back in the day. Now, he arranged for young laborers to work at the sites. With his profits he had bought properties in Miyakocho district one by one. He was an educated man and worked hard, so he only felt contempt for the tenants who more often than not were ignorant and careless with their lodgings; who allowed the walls to grow mildewed, who threw garbage down the wrong chutes, and who scratched the bare wooden floors; all this without concern for their tenements, especially once they decided to leave. He was not a bad man; he was a good husband and father, but constant worry about his investments, about the money he earned, about the inevitable expenses that came with being a man of property had worn his nerves so that he was in a constant state of irritation. The next day when I stopped him on the street to ask for a word, Hamada-san was brusque, but not aversive. He thought I looked like a quiet fellow.

"Hamada-san," I said, "the friend of my Mama, a poor widow whose husband had left her to care for an old father and a studying daughter, tells me that for some reason she has been ordered to move from her apartment in your building. She is in despair. She has no money, she has no friends except those that live here. I told her that I would speak to you, that you are a reasonable man who acted out of some misunderstanding. She has gotten rid of the dog that caused all the trouble. And so why shouldn't she stay? As one citizen to another, I ask you the favor."

Hamada-san studied my person in front of him. I was taller than him - not any heavier, though the thick overcoat that I wore must've made me appear more serious. Indeed, first impressions made a big difference. Had I approached him looking like a regular student, he would see me as a boy rather than another man of relatively equal standing - after all, he was more than twice my age. Hamada-san shrugged. "I have already rented the apartment to another family for higher rent," he said. "I cannot disappoint them for the sake of your friend."

I nodded in understanding. "How much more a month?" I asked.

"three thousand," Hamada-san said.

This was a lie. The flat, consisting of four different rooms and a second floor, rented for twenty thousand yen a month to Mrs. Yuigahama and Hamada-san had in fact not been able to get a new tenant yet.

I took a roll of bills out of my pocket and peeled off nine 2,000 yen notes. "Here is the six months' increase in advance. You needn't speak to her about it, she's a proud woman. See me again in another six months. But of course, you'll let her keep her dog."

"Like hell," Hamada-san scoffed, in disbelief at what he was hearing, and furrowed his eyebrows. "And who the hell are you to give me orders? Watch your manners boy, or you'll be out on your cocky arse in the street there."

I raised his hands in surprise. "I'm asking you a favor, only that. One never knows when one might need a friend, isn't that true? Here, take this money as a sign of my goodwill and make your own decision. I wouldn't dare to quarrel with it." I thrust the money into Hamada-san's hand. "Do me this little favor if you please, and just take the money and think things over. Tomorrow morning if you want to give me the money back by all means do so. If you want the Yuigahamas out of your building, how can I stop you? It's your property, after all. If you don't want the dog in there, I can understand. I dislike animals myself." I gave a slight bow to Hamada-san. "Do me this service, yes? I won't forget it. Ask your folks in the neighborhood about me, they'll tell you I'm a man who believes in showing his gratitude."

But of course Hamada-san seemed to already begin to understand. That evening he made inquiries about me. He learned that I was just a Hikigaya, but when he found out about my close relationship with the Ieyori family and 'the mob', he did not waste any time. He knocked on my apartment door that very night, apologizing for the lateness of the hour - it was way past ten - and accepted a glass of shochu from me. Hamada-san assured me that it had all been a dreadful misunderstanding, and that of course Mrs. Yuigahama could remain in the flat, of course she could keep her dog. Who were those miserable tenants to complain about noise from a poor animal when they paid such a low rent?

At the finish he laid the thirty dollars I had given him on the table and said in the most sincere fashion, "You are a very kind young man. Your good heart in helping Mrs. Yuigahama has put me to shame! I wish to show that I, too, have some kindness and compassion in me. You must forgive me, for I am getting old and my temper is something I must control," he said, forcing a nervous laugh to lighten the situation. "Her rent will remain the same it was."

All this comedy played prettily. I poured him more shochu, set out fruits, which Hamada-san politely refused. I wrung his hand and praised his change of heart. Hamada-san sighed and said that having made the acquaintance of "such a man as Hikigaya Hachiman" restored his faith in human nature. Inwardly, I laughed at this charade. Finally, we tore ourselves away from each other. Having his bones chilled with fear at his narrow escape, Hamada-san caught a cab to his home in Narashino and took to his bed. He did not reappear in the district for several days.

After helping relieve another person of their troubles, I felt pleased with myself. And I didn't even have to resort to rotten methods. It's amazing what simply the gravity of reputation can achieve. Though truthfully, there was nothing much I could've done if the landlord did refuse to change his mind.

I was curious about how Mama Imoguiri knew Mrs. Yuigahama, and the next day I decided to speak with her. She was proud that I had helped a fellow resident. Mama Imoguiri had always emphasized the importance of doing favours for people, and how they would also repay your deeds in time. "That's very nice of you, Hachiman. See, I've taught you well. And your parents will be proud, you've grown into a fine young man."

"But Mama," I said, "how do you know Mrs. Yuigahama?"

"She was a co-teacher of mine," Mama Imoguiri explained. "Back in the day, I was a sensei in Innai elementary. Yui-chan was young when she first worked as a teacher there."

This piqued my interest, and I raised my eyebrows. The club was still empty, and as she arranged the chairs and swept the floor, she continued her story. Back in the days, as they say; before the K-to-12 education system was implemented in Japan, it used to be that after kindergarten, you studied only up to the tenth grade. After 6th grade of elementary, high school immediately came next. And the following 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grade were called first year, second year, third year and fourth years of high school. By the time you were sixteen years old, you would already be in college. By twenty, you graduated and went to work. Mrs. Yuigahama must've been a homeroom teacher at my age. As Mama Imoguiri continued, she started telling me about Mrs. Yuigahama's daughter.

"Have you seen that Yuigahama girl?" She excitedly said. "She's beautiful." Before I could answer, she said, "do you want me to introduce you to her?"

"Well… Mrs. Yuigahama's daughter actually happens to be a former high school classmate of mine," I answered.

"Is that true?" Mama Imoguiri's smile broadened even more. "Well, that's great. Do you like her?"

Caught off guard with this question, I blushed. "Why do you say that? Well… no," I quickly said.

"Oh, so you don't like her?"

"I do, in a friendly way. Please don't misunderstand."

"She's a very kind girl, I'll tell you," Mama Imoguiri said. "Yui-chan raised her daughter well. You could marry her."

"Please don't say that." I shook my head, trying to rinse the notion from my mind. It was outrageous, I shouldn't even imagine it.

It used to be that people had a rigid system in dating. Me? I just straightforwardly went and asked a girl out, and got shot down. Apparently, that's not the right way to do it. You had to wait or ask your mother to ask her friend, who's friends with the parents of the girl you like. But that's not all. Your mother's friend actually tells her friends, who gossip about you in the salon, until the hairstylist hears of it and tells her own friend, who's a teacher at your school, and then finally - and hopefully maybe - it reaches the mother of the girl you like. Then you go and ask the girl out. And get shot down. Maybe. How did this silly Elizabethan-parlour thing come about?

Anyway, apparently Yui's mother is also named Yui. I thought about it. "And Mama, how do you know so much about Yuigahama-chan even?"

"I'm Yui-chan's comare, and when she gave birth to her daughter I was there to give my blessing. Yes, I'm your friend's godmother."

I was curious. I never had many relatives to begin with, and I don't think I have a godparent. This seemed like the first time I've heard of such a thing. I knew that when one was baptised after birth, you had a godparent to witness it and your godparent was sort of the family figure who was supposed to guide you spiritually. I wasn't baptised. The idea seemed pretty peculiar to me. Still, it was intriguing and Mama Imoguiri explained it to me.

After a while, she said, "that night when someone died in the next district, you…" she trailed off. But then she glanced up, unsmiling, but not at all displeased. I could only say that there were words conveyed silently between us, a sort of understanding. "Well," she finally sighed. "Hachiman. Beware, the life one inherits oft comes with the ill-begotten belief that sometimes a moral wrong is justified."

I remained silent. Then I asked, in a firm voice, "do think I did something very wrong?"

She glanced up at me again this time sharply, making me flinch. "What did I say?" She stood and turned away and said, "the Lord sees everything. Only he knows for sure." To this, I quietly agreed and finished organizing the bar house in anticipation for the opening.

I cleared my throat before speaking again. "Mama, Mrs. Yuigahama invited me over to their home."

"True?" She smiled once more. "Well, be polite to her. She's very grateful for your help. And I'm sure you've made a good name for yourself in front of their family. If you decide to marry her daughter, Yui- "

"Ah, Mama!" I let out a groan. "That's a crazy idea."

"Alright, alright. Well go now. Behave yourself while at their place, okay?"

The walk to Miyakocho takes a while unless you get a ride. But you can't just hitch a ride with strangers. Mobsters might be a bit more inviting and let you hop on, but you're better off trusting your guts and steering clear from them. I wouldn't trust them either. One of our cabbies gave me a free lift and I rode up to the next district. I was welcomed by Mrs. Yuigahama when I showed up at their home. She was very cordial with me.

She was quite anxious about what I was going to say. I told her, "I have spoken to Hamada-san, and we have reached an agreement. You may keep your apartment, Ma'am, and the rent will stay the same it was. You may also keep your dog as well."

Her eyes widened as if she was about to cry, and she tilted her body forward in a very sincere, deep bow. I would have blushed, and I immediately stopped her. "Please don't," I insisted. "It was no big deal. You asked for my help, and I simply fulfilled your request. Just consider it as me helping my friend Yui, then I wouldn't have to feel supercilious."

"I cannot thank you enough," she said, smiling. "I am very grateful. Yui-chan is very fortunate to have you as a friend. Please stay for supper, and don't refuse - it's the least that I can do."

I accepted and sat in the living room quietly, having taken off my coat and hat. There was a wise Oji-san reclining peacefully in a wheelchair on one corner of the room - I of course paid my respects and bowed. He was Mrs. Yuigahama's father. Their flat was not small at all, but cozy and very pleasant. A cold drizzle had begun to set outside. Speaking of which, Yui hasn't mentioned to me anything of her situation at home. Perhaps Mrs. Yuigahama hadn't told her, or Yui was too shy. I also remembered that Mrs. Yuigahama had been widowed, which was very unfortunate, but it would be impolite if I were to broach the topic even further. All I knew was that Yui's father had died, perhaps not too long ago as I have in fact seen him before at the high school graduation ceremony in Soubu. In any case, I was a bit ashamed. I realized that I hadn't been talking to Yui lately.

She isn't home yet. Maybe Yui is still in the Pop club at this hour - after all, it was only half an hour past four. And it was a Wednesday, so normally she had classes. Now I remember Yui's pet dog. A Dachshund named Sablé. The little bugger was still as energetic as always, no wonder why it was quite the trouble. Mrs. Yuigahama called her relatives and within the hour, the dog was returned to their home. Now, they didn't have to get rid of him. Sablé poked his head from behind the doorway and after a few moments of gazing at me with his dark beady eyes, he gave a yelp and came bounding towards me. As I was seated on the tatami mat, I was unfortunately within reach of Sablé's rather wet tongue. "Looks like Sablé has taken a liking to you," Mrs. Yuigahama commented, giggling. I laughed, trying to stop the persistent Dachshund from licking my face all over. What a creature! And to think that this is the second time I've saved him!

Yui came home half an hour later. "Mama, I'm home…"

Instead of her usual cheerful self, she called out in a rather downcast voice.

"Hello, Yui-chan," her mother waved at her from behind the counter. I had never seen Yui in this state; very gloomy and seemingly dejected. She dropped her bag and kicked off her wet shoes lazily, as she climbed upstairs to change. Yui came down again, this time dressed in a baggy T-shirt and a pair of green shorts which was quite revealing. She didn't have a smile on her face, but an exhausted expression.

Me? I was slumped over on the table asleep. Or at least was, until I perked up when I heard the door slam. Yui had her strawberry-pink hair tied in one tangled mess of a bun. She looked disheveled and tired, but also in a way that was cute.

"Yui-chan, we have a guest over. Your friend Hikigaya-kun is here~" Mrs. Yuigahama chirped.

"Huh? Who?" She looked around and her gaze fixed at me. I looked up at her in silence. Yui's cheeks quickly turned a deep shade red, as she jumped back in surprise. "Eeep! Y-You! What are you doing here, Hikki?!"

"Uh… well…" I stammered. Where is my brain? Well, she stumped me. What was I doing here indeed? This was quite the awkward situation. All this commotion caused Oji-san to stir and glance around with sleepy eyes, shushing us. "Your mom invited me over," I whispered.

"We should be thankful to him, Yui-chan," her mother quietly said. "Yui-chan, we don't have to leave this place anymore. And look, Sablé is back. It's all thanks to Hikigaya-san, he's saved our home."

"Really?" Yui exclaimed, her eyes wide and in disbelief, glancing at me.

"I just talked with the landlord, that's all," I insisted.

"Yui-chan! Good grief, you should be shy and say thank you to him! Go on, say thank you," Mrs. Yuigahama said.

"Oh, no need," I pleaded. The circumstances were quite awkward for me and Yui, given that her family is present and I'm the center of all the attention, something I really dislike and avoid. Yui gingerly sat down and inched towards me.

"So you did…" she mumbled. She looked really anxious.

"Don't mention it," I sighed, arching my back and yawning, leaning on the table. I propped my cheek on my palm and remained silent. It was really warm under the kotatsu thanks to the heater. Yui pushed her legs further inside, practically pressing her thigh against mine. I must say that we were awfully close together. After a good and awkward moment of silence, I quietly asked, "why didn't you tell me about this? You don't know, I could've helped you."

"Ah, g-gomen…" she apologized.

"Take it easy," I said. "You look terrible. What, had a bad day?"

She blushed and nudged me, turning her head away. "None of your business," she scoffed. Yui swept a strand of hair aside and behind her ear. "If I look so terrible, maybe you want me to change…"

"No, that's fine. You look nice."

What's this? Yui Yuigahama being sassy and not-cheerful? That's rare. Now, I could like her better this way. She fell silent again, her eyes darting around the room. As if she had been holding her breath, she finally let out a sigh. "Hikki, I'm sorry if I didn't tell you- you guys about this. It's just that… I didn't think you guys could do anything about it. Mama couldn't, and I was really depressed when they took away Sablé," she said. "I can't believe you did all this…"

I was surprised when she suddenly wrapped her arms around me and buried her face into my shoulder. I felt her body twitch a bit, then I realized she was crying. I didn't say anything. Gently, I stroked her head with my hand, the way I did to comfort my sister. "Stop crying. I can't stand hysterics," I muttered. But it was too much, she'd completely melted the ice in my heart. I softly chuckled. No use pretending to be grouchy now.

"Ahaha… oh, I look ugly now," she let out a laugh that was broken. She put up a smile, wiping away the tears, only to smear it all over her cheeks.

I produced a handkerchief from my shirt pocket. I dabbed the corner of her eyes and her cheeks with it gently. After a while, she looked up. I realized that her eyes were deeper - and her irises of a more vinaceous, beautiful hue - than I anticipated. I never looked at her face-to-face this closely before.

"Feel better now?" I asked.

"Yeah," Yui gave a sheepish smile. "Better." She was holding my hand now. To avoid embarrassment, she noticed my handkerchief. "Eh? Why do you have flowers embroidered on- on your handkerchief? Hikki, could it be that you're gay…"

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Nope. I've tested for that already."

"What do you mean?!"

"And what, you're saying only girls can have flowers on stuff?" I retorted. "See, Komachi actually was the one to sew these silly decorations on my handkerchief. You can't blame me for it," I explained. This one in particular had colorful little daisies along the edges, with a big one on a corner. I thought it looked fine, but I wouldn't wave it around for all to see.

Yui had already noticed Sablé, who was sitting upright to my left. "Oh, thanks for bringing Sablé back!" She giggled timidly. She pursed her lips and whistled to the dog, "over here Sablé, come to Yui!"

Sablé didn't budge. "Maybe he doesn't like you anymore," I suggested.

"Not true!"

Soon, we were giggling and snickering and talking about what we had been doing for the past few weeks. Like normal people. I think. This is what's called normal, right? I thought it was nice. Mrs. Yuigahama watched us, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, they grow so fast. Already flirting with each other, you two lovebirds!"

"Mama! Don't say such embarrassing things!" Yui cried.

The living room was filled with the delicious smell of barbecued meat and buttered vegetables. The warm smell of teriyaki wafted up my nose. In an instant, my mouth was already watering. I could've sworn I heard Yui's stomach grumble. "Hey, I heard something," I teased. She fiercely denied that it was her. Mrs. Yuigahama set down four bowls of rice, a plate of stir fried bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, sliced carrots and cabbages, all of which glistened with butter, and a sizzling pan of teriyaki. Oji-san passed and said he would eat after us, instead tucking into a hot cup of tea. Far as I remember, I've never been invited to a friend's house for dinner - except by the Ieyoris of course. And Kawasaki Saki. And Yui Yuigahama. If I remember correctly, this is the second time I've been over to Yui's place. I was still embarrassed at the idea of eating supper at someone else's house, but I can't say I hate it. I realized that I really did miss out on a lot when I was younger.

Oji-san, who was sitting in his wheelchair and had been quiet for the most part, finally spoke out aloud, "he's a good man! My boy, you may marry my grandchild."

Mrs. Yuigahama and I stifled a laugh, already used to it all, leaving Yui all flustered. "Grandpa!" She cried loudly. Oji-san began to laugh as well.

.

.

Another Godfather reference here..

Here's one of the funny reasons why I decided to write this crime/family story. Everytime I look up a mafia story to read on fanfictions or wattpad etc. It's always lacking in the crime aspect and details. I'm not sure if the authors actually know what's going on in a mafia. The story only revolves around the romance parts, which I often don't really care for.

There's likely two kinds of people who read this story: those who're in it for the crime story, and those who're in it for the romance and plot. In that case, I'll be sure to focus the next chapters on the interactions between the characters. But I'm saving Hachiman's conflict with his family for Part 3, which is where things take a dramatic turn.