"Anoku Sakuraba." Joshua said lowly, while Kariya helped him sit up to be more dignified, "Do be a gentleman and release my host. I'm afraid I'm quite indebted to your nephew and would rather not have him damaged."

The sudden knowledge that there were other people in the house made Anoku reluctantly rethink his approach. He dropped his nephew, a sudden forced smile on his face as he approached the couch, adjusting his tie as he gazed down at the most powerful tycoon in Tokyo.

"Yoshiya Kiryu." He greeted in genuine surprise "I didn't know you were back in Shibuya."

"My vacation was cut short when a company dispute called me home earlier than planned" Joshua said, flippantly gesturing as if the news was old hat, "However, I do remember that Firebrand Industries has been doing us a number in the states. What brings someone of your caliber to my humble domain? Looking to set up shop again?"

Anoku snickered, "Making you a bit nervous, Kiryu? But seriously, I'm not here to encroach on your kingdom. At least not at this time. I've actually come to give my nephew his birthright."

Neku was about to protest but Josh held up a hand to silence him.

"I had no idea you were thinking of retiring any time soon, Anoku. Neku hasn't even finished school yet, and you're thinking of giving Firebrand to him? Seems a bit risky businesswise. He lacks the proper qualities and most importantly, the desire to run a business."

"He'll learn" Anoku said, sitting down in the chair opposite the couch. "I'm not retiring just yet, but let's face it, Yoshiya...while you are young and hitting your stride, I am getting on in years. I can't keep Firebrand in the green forever. I need fresh blood if my company is going to survive."

Joshua gestured, and Sanae brought two mugs of coffee over to the two tycoons. Josh accepted his and telepathicly told his Proxy to sit and relax. Neku did neither, choosing instead to lean on the wall and fidget in tense discomfort. The Composer shrugged and sipped his coffee, eyeing the 'older' man warily as he commented glibly.

"Our line of work requires us to travel a lot, though I usually avoid doing so whenever possible. Neku seems content to remain in Shibuya. Being CEO requires he not stay stationary for more than a week, a concept he feels adamant about in a highly negative way."

"He'll get used to it. I've searched far and wide, but no one has come close to what I believe Neku is capable of achieving if he stops being such a homebody and actually applies himself."

"He is extraordinary, I will admit." Joshua praised his proxy openly "However as your fellow tycoon, I do warn you that putting someone as unwilling and inexperienced as Neku Sakuraba in charge of your entire industrial empire is a very dangerous and costly move."

Neku frowned as he saw the wheels in his uncle's brain spinning and grinding. The proxy knew that Joshua did actually run Kiryu Industries in addition to composing and running Shibuya, and his expertise in business did actually make him a popular go-to for sound advice in the industry. His uncle knew the prodigy as well, and would consider Josh's words as a true businessman, rather than a cunning rival...wich the Composer had proven to be to several unfortunate billionairs.

Anoku sipped his coffee.

"What, preytell, would you suggest?" he asked curiously

"Well, I do suggest talking with Neku first, obviously." Joshua stated "If he accepts, I suggest properly training him to first know how the business world works, and how it does not. Once he gives his understanding of the complicated tightrope we walk, an internship is preferable to see if he can swim. If I know him ike I think I do, Neku will rise through the ranks quite quickly. Although he is not as bright as I, he does learn quickly."

Joshua laced his fingers together "However, all this planning is simply conjecture. As I said, you must first talk to your nephew to see if he is even willing to take your offer. His birtyhright might not be as tempting as it seems for his life goals."

"If he says no?"

A flip of the ash-blond hair and a smirk "Well, you could attempt to beat the desire into him, but that has a minimal success rate. I myself am proof of that. Daichi's attempts simply made my desire to play music even greater. He even broke both my hands once. It still took his death to get me to truly take his thrusting the company onto my shoulders seriously."

Anoku actually looked thoughtful, and Neku mentally pumped a fist. If Joshua could convince his asshole of an uncle to actually be civil with him...this visit might just work out after all.

"If it becomes too much of a hassle" Josh continued "I do actually have a few candidates I set aside in case one of my neighboring firms needs a young soul to carry on their legacy. Of course they have to go through the mentor program first to see if the fit is even compatable, but nine times out of ten they come home with a new heir."

"Nine times?"

"I didn't oversee the tenth time." Joshua said with a pointed smirk.

Anoku slapped his knee with a laugh "I almost forgot how good a business mind you have, Yoshiya! Daichi really hit the jackpot in genetics, lucky bastard! Very well, I shall take your advice. It's always been sound, according to everyone who ever sought it from you."

"Always a pleasure, Anoku. Although I do have one other suggestion if Neku declines his birthright. But it can wait until you two talk."

Neku felt his breath catch in his throat as Anoku aproachjed him and gestured him into the nook.

Here's hoping... The proxy gulped, following his uncle into the kitchen, the alert eyes of his partner watching from the couch.