My inheritance is wrong, as expected

by Nostrategy

Bits to a frame of a story about society and class. And a bit of magic. For Hachiman magic is needed to change his status in society.

4. 4) Bits of love

Another, pretty normal, Monday at the Service club

I put the stack of cards on the table. No time today to read and relax.

Nobody told me that there was so much work in running a temple. Now I had to do a million of mourning cards to the temple's collaborators, contacts and so on, signed by yours truly, before Christmas, so they didn't send New Year's cards to the temple, because of my grandfather's death.

And no, it could not be done by e-mail. A temple is a traditional business. At least the Association had been nice enough to prepare the cards, nice conservative in black and white. Due to the situation, I was not expected to add personal words to the cards, since I didn't know any of them yet, but was expected to learn to work with them in the future. And remember to register new business contact to the list in the Association's database, together with all the other stuff, that the Association help shrines and temple with for a fee, like bills and payment.

Unfortunately, the insistence from the Association, that I should keep up tradition and send cards on behalf of the temple, gave me another challenge regarding etiquette.

My mother normally handles a big stack of cards on behalf of the family every New Year. But is I a part of the family in that regards, since I now is registered in another family? And due to me being the "head" of that family, and the only one in it, is it now expected I send mourning's cards to those who are not a part of the temple, but of my personal contact, even though I have never personally has sent or received New Year's cards before.

In that way it was lucky, that I did have a source regarding etiquette in the higher circles.

Yukino

It had been the most fantastic weekend – and the worst. Mother and Haruno was dumbfounded, father were very happy, as he had received praise from a lot of his political friends for my speech, and he had received a mail asking, if I was interested in being a trainee at the prime minister's office in the summer.

But no joy without wormwood, unfortunate father had forbidden me from hiring some ex KGB agents on the dark net to take care of some cameraman. What did they bastards think they were doing? Of course, Haruno made it worse, with her comment about, how I should be happy to help so many men. Sister, I love you, but Santa Claus is going to give you coal in your sock this year.

And then the problem, I had at the start of the first year of school, returned this morning. Love letters in my box. Arghhh. Now I must turn boys of again with polite refusals.

Hachiman broke my brooding with a question; "Yukonoshita-san, what are the protocol regarding New Year cards, when you have to tell people then they should not send New Year's cards because of a death in the family, but you have not exchanged cards before, but would probably have done it, if there had not been a death in the family?".

That was a good question: "I would probably do nothing, because the new associate I have made during the year, hopefully are aware of the situation and so exchange of cards will be postponed for the next New Year", I answered.

"Thank you, that make sense, and it saves me for the work" Hachiman responded and went back to signing cards. It was a pretty large stack, around what my mother handled on the behalf of the family. Of course, father's office takes care of the New Year cards regarding father's political contacts and business associated.

That the temple sends New Year greetings were, naturally, but who would Hachiman send cards to? Me? I mean, we have been associated for some time, but a personal card could be misunderstood by mother, especially if it was sister who told mother about it. How to tell him, that he should not send a card to me? Fortunately, that is a problem for next year.

Then Hachiman said: "New Year card to a lady in Hollywood. What business does the temple has with Hollywood?".

By the word "Hollywood" Yui woke up from her endless texting and asked: "Hollywood, what is her name? We can look it up, maybe your grandfather knew someone famous?".

"Mae Kogit, it's written in the western way" Hachiman answered.

Yui did a search and said: "No one famous, but her homepage says she do a lot of dubbing of anime and she seems to do minor roles in tv-series. Looks like she is an American / Japanese. She is pretty. So, she is probably one of your grandfather's clients.".

"Thank you" Hachiman responded, and seemed to return to his work, but stopped and instead asked: "I am thinking about inviting some people to the New Year celebration at the temple. It is open for all, but since you both are Miko's at the temple that night, should the temple not invite your families to participate?"

Yui responded enthusiastically: "That would be really nice. Mother would love it, even if she already had said, she will come see me being a Miko".

Yui's mother was always nice and supportive. Mother had not been happy, that I would not participate in the family yearly visit to our local shrine, and be seen by all those, who also came to be seen, but my contribution as a Miko was for mother a way to be with the "boy", so mother had accepted it.

But if mother gets an official invitation from the "boy", then it is a completely different situation. Mother would see it as a recognition of our family's social status made by a young unmarried wealthy man from a higher social class. The dork doesn't know which minefield he is walking into.

"Fine, then I ask the Association to prepare the invitations for me. In that context, I can't be here tomorrow at the club, because I have a meeting regarding the estate tomorrow at the Association office in Tokyo".

This was a catch 22. If I stop Hachiman, Yui will be sad. If I don't stop him, I run the risk of being engaged to him by mother before the bell has rung 108 times at New Year. But would I actually be sad, if that happened, even if Yui will be hurt by it, or is it the fact, that it is mother, who then make the decision, that make it unacceptable?

Kamakura in action

The heir, soon to be master, was a challenge, not a problem, yet. The spell of Lust had not worked, since the heir has handled it by himself by watching a movie of the girl most of the night, damn the net. In the old days the heir would have been forced to seek out his prey and interact with her.

And the set-up of that situation had taken so much of his valuable time, drawing the pentagram under the stand had dulled his claws, and his tail had nearly been run over by a truck.

At least the smell didn't hang in the heir's room the day after. One should be thankful, that the boy had managed to learn at least that.

Well, there were many ways to skin a mouse.

A spell of Aggression should make it for his second candidate. Her advantages were her figure, not at least her breasts. Experience with heir's trough time had showed them to be weak to that attribute, instead of a well-groomed fur or a sparkling claw, as any of intelligence were. But in that way humans were – also – weird.

But then, as it was known by all of intelligence, when the Creator, on the eight day, went to look at the world, the Creator found it to be lacking, and to make the world perfect, cat was created and given mankind as servants.

Now there was the dog. Ready, set, action: "Meov, meov meoovee" (translated: "Your stupid dog, you can't catch me").

Hachiman

As I left the train station on the road for home, I reflected on the meeting.

All in all, the meeting in the Association has gone well. It seemed that, except for a box in Switzerland, everything was now declared, and the estate handled so much, that the authorities has cleared the estate with the understanding that the box would be handled separately. Regarding the Heavenly Dragon Hoard, the temple would receive a proposal for handling of the collection after the New Year, since it had not been a part of the original estate submitted.

They had all been happy to accept my proposal of buying New Year sake to my teacher and others who was involved in helping me and the temple. According to Hayama-san there should not be any problem to incur the expense over the temple. They were all also happy to receive invitations from the temple to the New Year celebration.

However, the representative from the ministry had remarked, that the invitation to him, instead, should be sent to the minister of dialogue with the faith, as he was there as the representative of the Ministry and through that, the minister, although I should not expect the minister to accept, since the minister received many invitations.

The Association would prepare the invitations for me. The only disadvantage I could see in all this, was that if Hayaman-san accepted the invitation, then Hayato would probably also participate, but that would make two of my Miko's happy. Hina had signed up herself, the girl with the bug brother and the fire-queen as Miko's. Apparently, Miura normally spent New Year at her parents' hospital, and looked forward to getting the chance to do something else at New Year. The reason for Hina and her other friend to participate I do not know, maybe they just want to dress up as real Miko's. Hina had looked good in that fake costume at the summer camp. In the real costume, she would undoubtedly be even hotter. I probably must remind myself of the rule: Don't stick it in crazy.

More mysterious was that Kobaysahi had signed up Sagami as a Miko according to Hina, but maybe Kobaysahi wants a wing-girl, when she hunts for old rich men.

But the more Miko's, the less work for each, and if Hayato came, then Iroha and Miura would probably spend most of their time with him. It was probably one of those things a priest had to learn to manage, Miko's in love, but why with Hayato, that fraud? Are girls only interested in men for their bodies?

My thoughts were broken, as I saw a dog running fast against me, and heard the voice of Yui: "Sable, stop, stop". Talk about deja wu. At least I wasn't on a bike, and it was not a car I collided with this time. Although the crash felt like that. Has Yui gained weight lately?

Yui

I really don't know how I ended up in this position. It's a bit embarrassing, but also lucky.

Sometimes you must make your own luck, as when Hikki's friend tried to play a bear, but this is something different. Maybe I should have had a bread in my mouth, if I should fit the trope, but I was out walking Sable, not running to school. But I can use other tropes. Why do they say, that watching anime make you stupid, when they offer solutions for every situation?

So, I say: "Hikki, you pervert, are there no limits to what you will do to see a girl's panties", as I sat on his chest, with my skirt blown up around my waist.

Should I now fall forward to ensure, that his face is buried in my breasts, or should I fall backward and thereby touch him a certain other place? Oh, he does feel to have developed a bit more muscles in his chest. Earlier observation confirmed. Fore ward, I may feel lucky right now, but Hikki is a shy guy. Slowly bring in your fish, as one of my uncles told me, when he was trying to teach me the art of angling.

Fast I open another button in my shirt and fall forward. Should I try to kiss him? No, I may be in control, but I don't want someone to steal my first kiss. Don't do to others, what you don't want others to do to you, mother always says. But I do want Hikki to be the one, who solves my problem with being the virgin in the class.

But I didn't expect that reaction from him: "Of, get off me women, you are too close, GET OFF" he said, as he threw me off. Now we both are on the ground, and my only thought is: Am I that disgusting to you, Hikki?

Another peaceful day, in the Service club

As I look over my domain, I am glad to see some kind of calmness in the Service Club.

But then it was the first time, I have seen Hachiman being happy for being dragged away by Iroha to move boxes in a very old archive, who hadn't been touched for years.

There is probably some part of him, that is a masochist, although I had to use more than an hour last night to calm Yui down. Whatever had made her attack Hachiman on the street? Keep that kind of activity in your bedroom or at least in the cellar. All that animé she sees must have made her brain, however little it may be, soft. She should stay with Pan the panda movies and cat videos like any sensible person.

Fortunately, she now seems to be back to normal, once again bent over her phone, texting.

I need the quiet. Due to Yui's babbling last night, I wasn't finished with the speech, I have been asked to deliver at the Chiba trade chamber regarding the environmental challenge for the energy industry in a youth perspective. It was quite an honor.

But the peace was destroyed as there was a knocking at the door.

I responded: "Please enter". At least is was one, who was polite enough to knock first. Why did everyone treat our clubroom as a casual place, where they could hang out and relax?

"Sorry to disturb", Saki said, as she entered. Maybe she is here because of the costumes? I had understood, that Hina did the design, while Saki did most of the actual work.

Yui looked up and said: "Yahallo Saki-chan".

"You are more than welcomed, Kawasaki-san", I responded, as I got up from my chair: "Please take a chair. Do you want some tea?".

"Yes, please, thank you, Yukinoshita-san" Saki replied.

I served the tea for her and sat down again. Yui had stopped her texting and was now all ears. At least Yui have learned to wait, until our client is seated and made comfortable before asking.

"So, Kawasaki-san, is there something the Service Club can help with, or are it regarding the costumes?" I asked.

"The costumes are going fine. I expect I can do the final fitting for us on the last school day, so we take them home before winter vacation start. No, it is my little brother who asks for help to solve a problem he has", Saki replied.

"Oh, what question does Taishi-kun have?" inquirer Yui.

"Well, it is a bit embarrassing for him, and I actually promised him, I would ask Abe no sama about it" Saki responded.

I still get some twitching in my body, when I hear others use sama regarding Hachiman. Yesterday he was the school creep, now you honor him.

"Unfortunately, he has been tasked with another job with the student council, but we will do our best" I replied.

"I don't know if you have heard about this homepage called "Chiba's arrows of Eros?". It's a dating site for students of Kaihin", Saki told.

Yui replied: "Yes. It is all the rage at Kaihin. There was a lot of talk about under the march. The boys have a profile and then the girls can request a boy for a date".

"Yes, that's where the problem comes from. It is actually not only open for student at Kaihin. Everybody can apply for a profile, and the girls in Taishi cram class have forced every boy in the class to apply for a profile, and now he has 6 requests for dates, and no idea of how to he should handle it" Saki explained.

Oh, it may be a better system then confessions behind the gym or putting a letter in the box, but it could still lead to peer pressure and loss of self-confidence.

"And he expects Hachiman-san to be able to answer that?" I replied with contempt: "That boy doesn't know anything about dating, even about talking with girls".

"Yeah, I also think this is more up of Hayato-kun's experiences. Why not ask him?" Yui interjected.

"I don't think that Hayama-san is quite the right role model for Taishi" Saki responded with anger in her voice.

Oh, another one who has ridden the Hayato virgin express. No wonder, you don't want your little brother to be like that. But Hachiman is not the answer either.

My musings were broken with another round of knocking on the door, and then a head, who looked at us: "Is Hachiman here?".

I have seen that girl before and she was wearing the uniform of Kaihin, so she must be Orimoto, the girl we meet with Hayato and Hachiman that day, and who was now hunting Hachiman for his inheritance according to the media.

I got up from my chair, and responded: "Sorry, Hachiman-san is currently doing a task for the student council".

"Oh, good. Then he has at least not run off. Hope you don't mind me waiting for him then", she said, as she walked in. Some simply doesn't have manners these days.

"We are just processing a case, so it would be better if", I replied, trying to get her to leave.

She broke me off with: "Something romantic or exciting? If it is that, I can maybe help. I am a priestess of Eros, after all".

Then she actually came over to us, bowed and gave us cards while saying: "Pleasure to meet you". What the…. No, I have better manners than that, so I bowed in return, accepted her card, and returned to my seat, and placed her card before me on the table. Then I looked at it: "Chiba's arrows of Eros". What the… No, is this some kind of test by the gods?

"So, you are the one. You are making problems for my brother" Saki said, as she got up.

No, no fighting. We are responsible adults. This is not kinder garden.

"What kind of problem am I creating for your brother?" Orimoto asked.

"He has requests from 6 different girls for a date" Saki responded with anger.

Orimoto answered while laughing with: "That's not a problem. That is a challenge. Has he not read my guide? If your brother is not in a relationship, then he should always accept a date request.

Your brother task is then to ensure that each girl has a good experience, so if he runs with the usual movie, shopping and eating, he will go wrong with them all. We are all individual and have a different perspective on what is romantic and exciting. He must use time to plan each outing.

And if it's a question about money, then do something which is low cost, but suits the girl. If for example a girl is athletic, then a long walk in a nearby mountain can be quite a romantic setting.

So, you should be happy, that your brother is popular. If you know just how many problems, I have with encouraging my female members to consider fishing outside their normal preference, so they may experience something new".

Saki seems to fall down after hearing Orimoto, who was continuing her bullets of words: "And remember, if he wants a date for Christmas night, then he must handle his requests before, and then invite, the one he likes best to a Christmas date with him, while rejecting the others with a thank you for the date. That is important. Otherwise, he can quickly get a bad name among girls for being a player".

As Orimoto was holding her lecture, we started to hear bickering coming closer to the entrance:

"Admit it, you changed your costume to a cheetah because of my advice".

"No, senpai. And why does it matter, you already have gotten to see Yukinoshita-san as a cat and Yuigahama-san as a dog?"

"But I had not seen you dressed as a fox yet".

"Sorry senpai, I am not in the mood to fulfill your deviate sexual fantasies today. Please try another day with a more exciting proposal".

Orimoto seem to peak up, as she heard the exchanges of words and said: "Fabulous, it seems he has been doing his homework. She is already signaling, that she wants something from him".

As Iroha and Hachiman came through the door, Oritomo went to Hachiman, and said: "So colleague, are you ready to give me a romantic and exiting date?".

Hachiman responded with: "Give me a minute to grab my things, and we can be on our way".

As Orimoto and Hachiman took their leave and left, I looked at the others. They seemed to be just as puzzled about what just had happened, as I was. Hachiman went on a date. I looked out of the windows. No, no flying pigs, but if that had been the case, it would not have astonished me.

The art of dating I

Kamakura the wise

Kamakura curled up on the couch. A peaceful day was needed, and if it went well for the heir, he had no reason to do more. Unfortunately, the heir could not be expected to be able to success. In that way, he had not the luck of his grandfather in the matter of the fair sex.

But neither lust nor aggression has had the necessary impact on the boy's behavior, and now the number of opportunities were thinning out.

There was still the sister to the boy, who was seeking the company of his servant number one, two other females from the heir's class, who was sometime mentioned in conversation between servant number one and three, and then the older women, who had been doing the heir's teacher home visit last year. He had never seen such a combination of curses on a human. With that luck, she must have in a matter of the heart, she should be ready to marry any man, including the heir. He would keep her as the joker, since her years bearing children was less than the others.

Of course, there were the fox also, but the past had taught him to be wary to interfere in fox business, as all foxes are tricksters.

But then, the males of the family had through the times married foxes, and thereby strengthened their descendants' abilities. After all, the family's original abilities were also of the fox. So maybe it should be tried, but it would have to be done discreetly.

To trick a trickster was not easy and he still sometimes had bad dreams because of his encounter with that giant rodent. That fox had no sense of humor or restriction in her revenge, just because she was the way he had jump started the heir at that time. After all it had resulted in the boy becoming a master in the arts of perversion and debauchery, and as such the boy's fighting style had been quite unique, and after all, also successful in the end.

But to trick a trickster was better than dealing with a priestess. The gods guarded their property with much jealousy, and while he had power, he was not suicidal. Today was not as it was in old Egypt, a crazy long time ago. They knew to worship the right kinds of gods.

So today was the time to enjoy the feeling of the little bit of the winter sun, which made it through the skies, on his fur, and let fate play its own little game.

At a nice, calm café

"So now question time, colleague" Kaori said, as I have received my Max Coffee and Kaori a milk coffee in a café, randomly selected because it was in the street, but was not a Saize, which unfortunately seems to be a place banned by girls: "Why did we visit two art galleries?".

"According to my homework, I must arrange the date, and I have to do it based on my knowledge of the girl" I responded with a smile. She was running into my trap, as expected.

"Yes, and then why art?" Kaori continued.

"You are always talking about romance and excitement. That is, tropic about love and tropic about something which you have not seen or done before. So, in light of it being a weekday, with fewer hours, then art is a good subject, since much art is about love in some version or another, and if the art is exhibited in an art gallery, then there is a good chance, you haven't seen it before" I explained.

"Well, I have to give you points for that, but unfortunately I can't say you pass your exam for the time being. You have not one time under the date said I was beautiful, that the clothes I wear make me look good, inquired into my wellbeing or if I want to do something else" Kaori replied.

"Oh, but there your guidelines say's I must not lie to the girl. And we are in our school uniforms, so if I said, you looked good in that, what would you think I actually was saying?" I responded.

"Oh, you mean that, but then you should be older, and this would be a subsidized date" Kaori returned.

"Those that mean you will pay half of the bill?" I replied.

"No, I could offer to pay half, but then you would have to refuse, since if I pay half, I would tell you, that I didn't consider you a man. So, I will spare you for that, since I am a nice girl.

Remember that this a dance. You are the man; I am the women. You want to score, but it is I, the women, who decide if you get to score, so you must flatter and impress me. I am the one being wooed in this situation" Kaori said, as she shook her head, as she thought my question was stupid.

"I thought everything was about equality now a day?" I asked. The fish was trying to escape being caught.

"Yes, but you are not handsome enough, that I would pay for being with you. I am afraid that you chance of success as a gigolo is very low. I would recommend that you continue as a priest. A goddess in these godless days must accept even one as you" Kaori replied.

The fish escaped, and my wallet takes the hit. Was Yukino moonlighting as a teacher in sarcasm?

"I understand why your girls have so many problems with you. Your lack of manners and social awareness make it difficult for them to interact with you. You are lucky, that I am willing to teach you. What a priestess of Eros has to do to increase the amount of love in the world" Kaori continued.

"My girls. They are not my girls" I reply: "You take everything out of context to crease a narrative of romance and excitement where there is none".

"Why then have they followed us, to spy on us since we left for the date? It is like we are a part of a harem story" Kaori asked.

"You are not alone in your foolishness. I am afraid it is a problem in general for youth" I replied: "And if you are finished with your coffee, then there is the last part of the date, we have to do".

"Oh, I thought we were finished already. Are you trying to get more points? You are aware, that it is also expected that the man pays for the hotel" Kaori quipped.

"Please, I am not so cheap, that you can get me on the first date" I respond.

"What a pity – for you" Kaori reply with scorn: "What are we going to do?".

"High society" I replied, as we got up and left the café. Our shadows following us.

The art of dating II – High Society

Hachiman

Fortunately, we could walk through the Takaragadai Park to reach our goal. If I was lucky, Kaori would consider the greenery romantic. Don't say I don't do my homework.

After some brisk walking in the cold, where a proper couple would probably stay very close together, but since this was training, I kept my distance, our goal became visible: Hoki Museum.

It was nice of Hayama-san to give me the invitation to participate in the opening of the new exhibition, even if he had laughed, when he gave me the invitation at the meeting and said, that I just as well could get used to it. It could not be that bad, there was free food mentioned in the invitation and according to the review on the net, their restaurant was quite good.

There were some people entering the door, showing their card to a large man. I thought he looked recognizable, but from where? It would come to me, if it was important. We joined the line.

The foreman

It had been lucky, that I got the gig as a guard. I was nearly out of money. My luck with the tiles had been really bad, and my extra income for taking care of luggage had dwindled down to nothing, after Tokyo had sent a senior adviser, a former oyabun and his creepy henchman to negotiate a new order in Chiba. According to rumor the man had taken out a gang single handed, just like as a hero in an American movie. And he was so confident, that he even brought his daughter with him.

It was an easy gig, smile, bow, accept the card and look scary, so the rich felt protected. Oh, the meal ticket was in the line. But with only one girl. I looked around, ah. There was a small group of girls standing back. I recognized the big breasted one and the girl, the younger brothers had been talking about a lot, the younger daughter of our Diet member. As the boy gave me his card, I bowed and said:

"Abe no sama. It is not a problem, if you want the others of your following to participate. It would be our honor".

"If it is possible, then I would be pleased with it," he replied with a smile and entered the museum.

So, I ordered a little brother to go get them.

Yukino

We watched as Hachifool and his date entered the museum. I had of course recognized the place, but how had Hachiman gotten an invitation for the vernissage of their new exhibition. And did he know that mother was there? Why and how did I get caught up in this? Iroha was leading us, or rather me, directly into embarrassment.

A young man came out to us, as we were watching. His suit was ill formed, as he was a boy thrown into a man's cloth.

He bowed and said: "If it has your interest the management would be pleased, if you would join us inside".

I looked at the others, and of cause Iroha started to move to the door with a thank you, pulling the others with her action, while I was left standing.

The boy then looked up, and I saw his eyes expand, and then saying: "You are the cat-girl. Wow, can I get your autograph?".

No one had ever asked for my signature before, in a way it was nice being recognized, even if it was because of my costume, and not my speech.

While I was thinking, the boy produced a small notebook and a pen, which he reached out to me with another bow, saying: "I thought your speech was really nice. We should all do more to keep our holy land clean from the filth".

Oh, he had understood my message about plastic. It was not my cat-suit who, or probably, not my cat-suit alone, after all he was a boy, who made him ask for my autograph. With a smile I took the book and pen, saying: "Of cause. I am happy that you liked my speech", as I signed his book, and then gave it back to him. He took it with both his hands and bowed once more. What good manners the boy had. Hachiman could learn a lot from him.

In a much better mood, I started to follow the other into the place I knew were filled with the worst monsters in Chiba.

Ran

As I looked around at the gathering of the mighty females of Chiba, I sighed. Asami once again punished me for doing my job too well. So, what if that café was owned by one of her friends. Their coffee was still swill, and the cakes poisonous. Tipping of the health inspector was my patriotic duty to the stomachs of Japan. So, her friend was closed down, even if my article never got published. Justice still exist – some places, sometimes.

Of cause, if the cake had been served here, no one would have discovered it, since the poison would be mild in regard to the venom in the polite greetings and small talk exchanged by the distinguished ladies of Chiba.

And I must do the story about the new exhibition: Who has been here and worn what kind of dresses, so the bored ladies of Chiba could get an idea, what the exhibition was about and what was in style.

Both very useful for our readers, so they could have lunch at the museum's restaurant and leave early to meet with their lovers dressed right, while being able to tell their husbands about the nice exhibition they had seen, when their spouse got home late from work – or more likely from their subsidized dating activities.

After all, there were never many men at activities like this. Of cause representing the board of the museum, the principal of Sobu High, he was a regular feature as events like this, and today received the guests together with the director of the museum. Many men thought that the principal with his interests in the arts, had a sexual preference for his own sex, and so happy left their wives in his care, letting the fox into the chicken coop. The principal was very skilled in the art of entertaining females, out or in bed, as I personally can vouch for.

And of cause, Hayama-san was escorted by her son, the heartthrob of Chiba, as her husband was undoubtedly prevented to join this night because of important work, drinking with his buddies while soliciting young girls in a club.

Our heartthrob is so so good looking, but still too young – for me. But for Asami or other ladies with a more dubious morality.

Just how many of the females here, was dreaming about being his Mrs. Robinson, were it or had been? By the way they greeted him, put their hands on his or leaned forward to present their assets to his eyes. I hoped he wasn't to jaded, when he got eighteen. I wouldn't mind being his birthday gift, but he probably already had a waiting list for that night.

I then saw something completely unexpected coming into my view. Our new Kazoku-boy, in company with the bad girl of the story. Were their making some kind of statement here? And why were they dressed in their school uniforms? Not quite the normal attire for a gathering of this kind.

I was not the only one who recognized what was happening, and the people started to pull out to the sides of the room, making a path for him and his companion to the hosts of the night. No, his companions. Behind him and his companion came the other girls of his harem, the prettiest girls of Sobu High, including our new cat-idol, but there was four of them now.

And what a beauty the new one was: Tall, slender, long hair, and with a beauty spot that really emphasized her face. You could say much about our new Kazoku, but he surely had great taste regarding women, when you saw the girls in his harem. And best of all, Asami would have no choice but giving me the price for getting the front-page story this Monday. I started to photograph them. I probably also could get some Yen from a friend, for pictures to bring in the day to day gossip in Chiba Nippō. There were, surprise surprise, advantages, to be the only media in Chiba, who would cover a new exhibition like this.

The director

I arrived at my destination and send the car back to the museum to wait there for my wife going home. I had justified my excuse from the opening, by telling I would meet with the vice-principal of Sobu High at the club to discuss the enrollment of our youngster daughter.

I knocked on the door to the club but was not greeted by a butler as normal. Instead, it was opened by one of the girls. I recognized her easily, no doubt about who it was, with those breasts, even if Megumi-chan for some reason was dressed in a revealing costume, who with some good will could be recognized as a Miko-costume, of a very sleazy god.

Megumi-chan greeted me with: "Welcomed seeker, to the abode of the merciful goddess Inari Okami".

Nice, someone was going full out today. This could not just be a celebration of a night, where the wives were out doing culture, so we could get drunk.

I followed behind Megumi-chan down the stairs, enjoying the movement of her behinds. I have often offered her champagne, or rather the cold ice-tea, they get, to talk with her. She has way's to talk with a man, and good stories from her school life, that make you remember when life was bright and there was hope of something genuine, but I had never been stupid enough to offer gifts as other members of the club had. I want no troubles with her, or rather her father, as he was an older brother.

I, after all, always hire him and his associate to handle security at the yearly stockholder's general assembly. After all, if they did security, their oyabun wouldn't buy stocks to create trouble at a meeting, and then had to be payed to stay away.

As we got down, Megumi-chan bowed again to me, letting me enjoy the view of her assets once more, and then returned up the stairs.

Some of the servants were building a champagne tower, while the girls, all dressed in the same Miko-outfit as Megumi-chan, was serving champagne. A girl came to me and offered me one. I smiled, accepted and asked: "What is happing?"

"Hayama-sama is making an offering to the goddess, in honor of his company finished their work with the estate of Abe-no" the girl explained.

It was not unusual, that a member of the club offered to pay for champagne at the club, when there was something to celebrate. Our Diet-member did it every time, he got re-elected.

But a champagne tower and the girls dressed out in the same outfit. The lawyer must really have something to celebrate. How much had he been able to hit the estate for, since he was doing this spectacle? Well, I would have to wait for the show to see. In the meantime, I had a matter to discuss with the vice-principal. After all, business before pleasure.

The art of dating III – In a monster den

Il principal

With the sea dividing before him, the young prince moves towards me, with his companion in tow. The boy is shaping up. He walks with more confidence, his back straight and his eyes are more intense, than he normally presents himself in school. Just what does his eyes show him?

According to my knowledge, there is only his own bakemono present in the room, but through my skills is considered good by many, I know that my skill is no match for his eyes, and that there easily could be other Yokai's present, I couldn't detect. However, I could see the energy he was giving off. So, it was true, that he had given a blessing, and for the price of a kiss. Like something out of a fairy tale. So young and still able to sustain a blessing. What power.

I greeted him with a keirei, to which he responds with a futsurei. He is learning, the first time I bowed to him after he changed his family register, he nearly went into a shock. Maybe it was then, it began to dawn on him what had actually happened to him.

My companion is quick, and do a keirei to, too which he responds with another futsurei. Good he didn't do an eshaku. My companion will be pleased with that public recognizing.

I then give his companion an eshaku, since I do not know her, and her status. She responds with a keirei. Very nice. She must be a friend of him, since she does not draw on his status. The same greeting is exchanged between her and my companion.

With the pleasantries over, the couple continues past us, while the rest of his harem now appearing before me. There must be a story here and why did they show up in their school uniforms? What is he actually doing? An Abe no never does anything for nothing, even if it's just for a kiss. But for now, I must be patient and just enjoy the show, his presence creates.

I greet the Ice-queen first, since she is the most prominent, or should I now say notorious, in his harem, after her performance as the speaker of the march. And her message. There are some different viewpoints, sometimes rather heated opinions, regarding what it actually was about. Especially with her family's background. After all, her great-great-grandfather had been a known member of the Imperial Way Faction.

Yukinoshita-san

Why is it not you who accompanied him, but another girl? Why are you in the background? No Yukinoshita accept the position as a second wife or as a mistress. We are samurais, sent by Tokugawa to watch Chiba. We have standards, we are the standard, other hope to achieve.

After the march and the attention, it gathered, I started to hope, that you were coming into your inheritance as a Yukinoshita, becoming someone like grandfather. He was a good speaker in his time, when he took the Chiba seat the first time in the election of 46.

Of cause, there are those, who claimed, that grandfather bribed his way to the seat, by using the strategic material from the army depot he managed, when the war ended.

But now you have the chance to silence all, who envy us, by bringing us up, where we truly belong. Letting us join the elite, becoming a family, a clan, of the Kazoku. The rulers of Japan.

That boy should be putty in your hand. After all, you are my daughter. But no, now you again remind me of father. A failure of everything, oh, so cultured, so learned, so earnest in his wish to change the world, but in everything that matters, in business, in politics and in marriages, a failure of a man.

If the boy just had a mother, I could negotiate with, but he is the only one in his family register. Why can't you just do, what I say? It is for your own good. I am your mother. I know best.

Yukino

After having greeted the principal I looked around. No doubt that I had been seen by Mother. Yes, there she is, standing with her best friends. I am so going to hear about this tomorrow.

Yui

It is a real nice place. It must be one of those places, where the haute bourgeoisie gathers to enjoy their capitalist profits and celebrate their oppression of the working people. The world has become so much easier for me to understand after Yukino told me of Marx and the class theory.

Now if I just could understand boy's as well, or rather one. My uncles have always said, that any boy would be lucky to get my attention, so why not him. Hachiman is not gay, even if he spends too much time looking at - and talking with - Saika instead of me. Maybe he is bi? Mother do always say's that love take many forms, and that love always should be accepted for what it is – or what it is not. But I don't want to be three in the bed, even if mother says it can be fun too.

Saki

I send Taishi an update about where we were now.

I am impressed with how Hachiman is doing the date. He really does know to keep the cost down, while still doing things.

That could indicate that he is a player. He, after all, that time, said that he loved me, but he hasn't tried to do anything after that. No pressure to meet at a love hotel or such.

When they continued together, after they had coffee, I had first believed that they were going to a love hotel, but no. This was something quite different. It was a place of culture, not a place, where they hadn't had the time to air the room out or change the sheets, before they let the next couple in. This was something enjoyable. Maybe Hachiman is a gentleman, one can hope, one can dream.

Iroha

As we arrived, I looked over the honorable guests and noted two things.

The first was that most of the guests were talking with each other, rather than enjoying the art.
The second was the presence of my – other – boytoy. Maybe I had been neglecting him a bit too much lately. But the winter was not the best time for him. Hayato-kun do look best under the sun, moving, playing the ball, his shirt sticky, emphasizing his body. A Greek masterwork.

And best of all, the fire-queen is not present. Lucky. She is indeed a terrible enemy when faced directly. Now, would Hayato-kun be grateful enough for being saved from the grannies pawing on his body, to accept, to meet up on Christmas Eve for a date?

Kaori

"So, those paintings are quite different from those we saw earlier", I said, as we left the buffet, walking along the wall, inspecting the paintings. How could he stuff so much inside in such a short time, while I must watch even a lettuce leaf. Damn boys and their metabolism.

"Yes, this museum promotes realistic paintings. Much more comfortable for my eyes, than the abstract paintings we saw earlier" Hachiman responded: "The colors of abstract paintings can be very nice, but sometimes an abstract painting is filled with so many hidden symbols".

I looked at him, his eyes actually did look a bit red, maybe the lights in the galleries was too strong for him. The eyes are after all Hachiman's most dominant feature, and maybe they are particularly sensitive.

"The only thing worse than too much abstract painting is too much aboriginal art. They are so filled with symbols, that I quickly get confused", Hachiman explained.

"Oh, I thought all paintings were about sex. That should be quite easy for a boy to understand," I joked.

"Yeah, a lot of that is in them, but sex is different things to different persons, so symbols changes meaning, and create a new interpretation of reality" Hachiman replied.

"Oh, so heavy you are this day. Are you sure, you shouldn't become an art critic instead of a priest," I said with a laugh.

"As an art critic, I at least could work home, a lot of the time, that would be an advantage" Hachiman mused.

Our exchange of philosophy was broken, when a beautiful woman approached us. No doubt about who she is. After all, the apples don't fall far from the tree.

I greeted her with a keirei: "Yukinoshita-san". Hachiman did nothing. Surely, he does not mean to, to do that.

Best friends

"Oh, so she has decided to approach our new prince". (She dares go to him, without being called. She always thinks herself so superior to us. Do you think your family is equal to his? That you force your servants to call you sama, don't make you a sama. Think again, his line was ancient at the emperor's court, when yours were peasants in the fields of nowhere. We had served the Chiba clan for long, when yours came here, unwelcome, Tokugawa dogs).

"Oh, a new girl. Another competitor. The boy lives up to his reputation". (I see that Ran-chan is already making the headlines for the story. Please entertain us.).

"Ah, she must be so disheartened. It was not her daughter, he walked in with". (In your face, bitch. My daughter will take that position soon).

"If it was, it was not invitations for New Year, he would be sending out". (You were so sure. Selling your daughter short, when she still has the value of youth, were you? That is a risky business, and who is the new girl in his harem. That boy does have good taste. Maybe she would like an auntie to speak with. Men are after all nothing but beasts).

"And she tried so hard to win him. Public speaking dressed in a cat suit. Youth now a day". (It was good to see that a scion of a noble house was not caught by such a cheap trick by that family. Her stupid boy had of course been totally trapped by the video of that tart).

"It is unfortunate, that he only has send official invitations to those who work with him or has a daughter, who are allowed to be Miko's at his temple". (That explains why my family didn't get an invitation, but next year. Daughter do your duty).

"But he has. I heard that a family named Tsurumi had been invited" (Se, I have information, you do not. You now owe me. Some uses I do have of that pig of a husband, or rather, his secretary. The money I pay her for being his mistress and inform me about what is happening at the office, is well spent. But it is so unfortunate, that she is of the earth. With that creature she is married to. She must have been a beauty, when she was young and unspoiled by the pigs).

"Who are they? I have never heard about that family". (What has I missed?)

"No, me neither. But they must be somebody, since they got an invitation". (Is there someone of importance in Chiba, who I am not a friend of?).

"The Tsurumi, I have heard about them. My daughter told me the story. It's a girl they met at the summer camp, where they did volunteer work. According to my daughter, the girl is being bullied in her school, and they tried to help her". (See I have a dutiful daughter who does good and is friends with the new prince of Sobu. If it was not because she already smitten whit the old prince of Sobu, I am sure, she would have no problems catching our Kazuka boy. We always get our man in the end).

"Oh, maybe I should ask my husband to look into it. The schools are the foundation for our future". (Better to nip this in the butt, so my husband doesn't get into problems, because he hasn't carried out his duties as the Chiba inspector of schools - again. And his position is vulnerable, since he got it from the old mayor. The new mayor has other friends. And it could also help develop relationships with the prince.

If I just had gotten a daughter instead of a stupid son. The things I had to do to ensure that he got into Sobu High, and how can I secure his future? Doing the prince, a favor could pay off. After all, that line of Abe no had been invited by the Chiba clan to dwell in the land. The Abe no should know to reward a loyal samurai. After all, a loyal servant, is better than an intelligent one).

Kaori II

This was uncomfortable. Neither is doing anything. Yukinoshita is the elder present, the wife of a Diet-member, from an old wealthy family in Chiba. Hachiman is – now – of an ancient noble line, and according to some rumors, although he had publicly denied it, of wealth beyond Midas.

Now if Hachiman was a suitor of Yukino, then he would bow to the mother of his chosen. But Hachiman had said that was not his desire now, even if it clearly was his wish before.

I decide to discreetly get out of this, by backing away slowly. This is too much excitement.

Ran

Khat, khat, khat.

This is not only the prize for the front page this week. This is the prize for the story of the year at Chiba Weekly News.

The first lady of Chiba being forced to submit publicly to the authority of a young boy. Hawaii, here I come.

Khat, khat, khat.

Oh, the girl is backing. I use the chance to move forward, and then grab her on her shoulders, so it would look like I am helping her to stabilize. I lean over her shoulder and ask: "Why?"

The girl responded: "Maybe, I think he liked her, but she refused him".

I let go of her. And start photographing again. My story is home. Yes, Hawaii: The beach, the cocktails and the men in the sunset".

Khat, khat, khat.

Iroha II

My plan does not go well. This is becoming an unfortunate trend. Do Hayato-kun actually like having the attention of these old grannies, when he could be with me. Some boy's love their attention to much. He should not sell himself so cheap as for two jerks and a pass from the hand of an oldie.

The noise in the hall starts to fall, and I see people turning. We turn as well to watch, what is drawing the attention of the crowd? Oh, a mental domination battel. Nice. Just like home.

Beside me Hayato-kun is started to be agitated by the sight of Hachiman and Yukino's mother. She waits but receive no recognition of her presence from Hachiman. Hachiman seems the soul of patience, but his eyes show anger at her conduct. The silence in the room increase.

Orimoto starts to move backward. Ick, understandable, that is not a good position to be in. But Orimoto would gain more by staying by his side.

The journalist then grabs onto Orimoto shoulders as to steady her, nice trick. I see their exchanges of words. So that is going to be the story.

Hayato-kun is getting furious. The "Y" Kakeru-kun told me about, oh, I thought it was. Well, even my judgement can fall for the first explanation. Remember always to see beneath the beneath. My civilian life is making me lax, but it is surely fun.

Oh, Hayato-kun. You are such a bad boy, a bad bad boy. But so so good-looking. Just like a double chocolate biscuit with nuts and that knife edge of catnip, which make it irresistible. Even if you get fat because of it.

Kakeru-kun also told me the story about how Hayato-kun became angry enough to throw Hachiman against the wall.

Now, I can't have my boy-toy's fighting about a woman, if I am not the women, they fight about.

So, I quickly, and of course discreetly, hit two of Hayto-kun's pressure points on his left side, immobilizing him. As great grandmother says, the family art is the second most important thing for a girl to learn. I then put his arm around my shoulders, and pull him close, so he does not fall. Yes, nice. I could get used to his heat. Now, how to use this best? I take my phone and lift it up.

Khat.

Tee-hee tee-hee.

What a good picture. Christmas date ensured. Blackmail may be an old-fashion way to do things but is always such a good option.

Yukino II

What has he done? Is he really aware about what he is doing? Mother being humiliated in front of everybody, who is somebody in Chiba. Mother forced to greet him first, and her keirei responded with an eshaku. Then Hachiman stomps her, while she is down, by turning his back to her and return to his date. Signaling her insignificance to the world.

Mother will be furious for months.

And I will undoubtedly end up being blamed by mother for what just happened. It was his modus operandi in action again; except this time, he didn't kill himself social in the act. It was mother, who died. Is that the reason? His method can only be used by the daimyo in the castle, never the peasant in the field.

But why do I feel hot and why is my panties getting wet, as I see my mother be humiliated? It is as when I opened that door.

Best friends II

"Oh, we must go comfort her". (Oh, what a burn. It was as his eyes was glowing. Hopefully he didn't curse her also).

"Yes, it is so unfortunate that a mother has to suffer for the sins of her daughter". (Yes, yes. Whatever Yukino has done, or probably more correctly not done, she is out of the game for now. Daughter, we are going to New Year at that temple. Maybe we can get an official invitation through his mother. That would ensure, that he must greet us).

"Maybe we should just leave and get drunk?" (Ouch, it can't get much worse for her than this. Public humiliation. How is Ran-chan going to spin this tale? This is going to be the gossip of the week, no, the year).

"Good idea" (He is truly a worthy lord of Chiba. Showing the dog her place. Let's celebrate our so so good friend's downfall. This is truly the best that had happen for me in a long time).

Kaori III

Hachiman turned his back to Yukinoshita-san, leaving her no chance to smooth out, what had just happened, and came to me, saying: "Should we see the rest of the pictures?".

The hall started to return to something normal, although the conversation is kept in whispers, and some followed our example and actually looked at the pictures.

When we were finished, Hachiman made us pass by the Principal and his companion, thanking once again for the invitation and lament the inappropriate episode.

The principal accepted the apology graciously and said, that he also had been young once, even if it was a very long time since. We all laughed politely at the joke, and then we left the museum. Hachiman insisted, that he accompanied me to the station. I accepted it, as it was one of my own rules on the homepages for the boy's. Never leave the girl alone in the dark.

We were still followed by the girls. They are a loyal harem, even after this. Well, I could use that. I have debts to pay after all.

The foreman II

As we were devouring the leftover snack and sake from the table of the rich, in the kitchen, one of the little brothers who had been helping asked:

"Why did they go so crazy about that woman and the boy?"

I looked at him, right, we don't get the best and brightest from school these days. Those do their crimes on the net or get elected instead, or both: "You know, that in the great book it is written "The lawyer with the briefcase can steal more money than the man with the gun"."

But what is not written, is that between those who steals with a briefcase, it is not enough to live in wealth. They want respect, they want honor. You can buy that for a short time from servants and merchants, but it is not real. No, they crave it from those who is above. Those who are our lords. To gain recognition from our lords, they will do anything. And that boy.

My mother in law is a witch, and fear no man nor women, but that boy she calls the second owner of Chiba. She does that because his ancestry is founded in the ancient times of Japan. His ancestor has his own shrine in Kyoto. And every one of them in there, would send their daughters to his bed and their sons to fight for him, if he so desired. Just to be able to stand before him and be greeted by him".

"So, he is like the Emperor?" the boy asked.

"No", another older brother answered, as he took over the teaching of the youngsters: "The Emperor is above us all, the Emperor stand between us and the Gods. The Emperor answer to Amaterasu Okami on behalf of all of us, like we answer to the oyabun. You can say that the boy answers to Inari Okami on behalf of Chiba, and as Inari Okami answer to Amaterasu Okami, the boy answer to the Emperor.

I supplied: "So, if you ever meet the boy, you should treat him, as you would the oyabun, as the boy's master is the Emperor, who is the supreme oyabun of us all".

"But what was it all about then?" the boy continued.

"The women want the boy to marry her daughter, but he told her, that their family is not worthy of that" another of the older hands answered.

"But I would marry the cat-girl at once, if I got the chance. Not only is she really good looking. She also say's all the right things, and in a way, so they are understandable." the boy responded.

The other older brother responded with a laugh: "As if you ever will get the chance. Even if you one day become a man enough, that she would invite you into her bed, her family would never allow you to marry her. They would hire an ex KGB sniper to take you out, before you even came into their house to ask for their blessing".

"All right, this is enough," I said, as this chat was just delaying the important things: "Their business is not for us to worry about. Now, let's get going. Sake and tiles wait for no man".

Hachiman
As I saw Kaori enter the station, I turned and gave our spectators an eshaku, while saying: "I hope you have enjoyed today's entertainment". Then I left them in the cold night, as I started my walk home.

I would say this alone netted me 1 point. And my training date had also not been a total loss. I liked the banter we did, even if Kaori is not up to Yukino's level of sarcasm, and I have gained another Miko for New Year, although not for free. I have to sign up to her dating site to learn more about her Eros in return, so now I would be available for dating. As long as I write, that I don't do anything occult at a date and use a good picture of my face, there should be no one interested. Clearly my win.

And I had gotten free food and had riled the girls, especially Yukino, by being a cultured man. And then there was the beef with her mother. A real Yukinba. Just what was she thinking? Obey the authority. My teacher had after all taught me, that clients don't pay much to a priest, they do not respect. And the Gods need money, much money. So much respect must be demanded. But Yukino is probably going to burn me at the stake tomorrow for what happened.

All that and everything else for under 500 yen for Kaori's coffee. Truly, I may not be a master of dating, but in guarding my wallet, I do consider myself somewhat competent. Of course, if it had been someone else, like the fox instead of Kaori, I would probably be broke now.

Kaori IV

I entered the station and waited inside, until I saw Hachiman leaving. Then I returned to the street, where the girls still are standing, stunned by their experience. Good. They should be ready to be taught:

"I hope you had a good experience this day with my date. I myself got no romance, but I did get some new experiences today, including knowledge about you girls. You do know that you're a rather pathetic bunch of girls? You are lucky that I, as a priestess of Eros, are here to help you".

The girls started to look angry at me, so I continued my sales pitch: "If you each are willing to do one date with a boy chosen by me, then I will ensure that Hachiman register at my site, so you can request dates with him".

"What", "As I would ever", "I am not that", "As I need that to get him to go out with me, if I wanted to".

I smiled; Their protest showed they had bought it. So, making an eshaku, I said: "Thank you for co-operation in this. Remember to read the rules for dating on the site. And in that connection, it may sometimes be necessary to be forceful in one's action with a boy, to ensure that he understands the situation and his position, but please, no assault in the public. Keep that kind of activity in the house".

I left the stunned girls and entered the station again. That story had been one of the fun things tonight. Who could know that the big breasted bimbo had that in her?

She should do more of that and drop her mask of being a nice girl, if she wants a chance with Hachiman. He doesn't do nice girls. That he is turned off by nice girls now a day was his choice, as it was my choice to reject him then. And he may be somewhat better looking these days and offer more excitement, even too much, but there is no trace of romance in his eyes, no traces of Eros.

As a priestess of Eros, I have much work ahead of me which Hachiman, for while it is good that a priest had Agape, a life without Eros is not a life.

But at least I now had gained 4 more girls to fulfill my promise to the boy's in the computer club. A priestess of Eros after all, always pays her debt. One does not mess with karma.

The art of dating IV – Players and lovers

Komachi
I entered the train, leaving my date. I was rather surprised. I had enjoyed it. It was not what I had expected.

When I talked the class into this, the boys had demanded, that every boy should get at least one date out of joining.

We girls had accepted as it was fair, and as I was the one who suggested it, I got the date of the boy lowest on the totem pole in our cram class.

Hyousuke is a "bit" overweight, not that good looking, like computer games, manga and anime. Don't talk with the girls, and only a few of the boys. All in all, a stereotype of an Otaku.

I arranged the date for Wednesday, when I knew my brother was out with Orimoto. He is such a sis con, and I don't want him to shadow us on our date like in an American detective story.

Hyousuke started traditionally with a movie, except it was the new Pretty Cure. I don't know if he was lucky, or he had been able to guess my addiction regarding Pretty Cure.

After that we went to an arcade, and we played a lot of games. It was fun and relaxing. Just what I need now, when we are preparing for the entrance exams.

Under our dinner, he thanked me for doing the dancing games with him, as he always had wanted to try one with a female partner. We also discussed the schools we are trying to get into. Hyousuke is actually fairly intelligent, and he is trying to get into Kaihin High, because of their computer club, which is evidently famous among nerds in Chiba.

Regarding my wish about going to Sobu High, he told me, that Sobu High among his kind was rather famous for their manga club. Maybe I should speak with Hina about her club. I do, after all, know her from the summer camp. Maybe it would be a good idea to join the manga club, if I get in? With the high level of curriculum at Sobu High I need something relaxing to do. I could join the Service club, but that would disturb my brothers' chance to gain either Yui or Yukino as a girlfriend.

After dinner Hyousuke escorted me to the station, and said, that he hoped, I had enjoyed the date.
I replied with a yes, and now, I sit here on the train, looking out at him. I am quite sure it is a physical impossibility, but it seems like Hyousuke is floating an inch in the air, as I wave goodbye to him, when the train leaves the station.

I must ask myself. Is Orimoto right, when she recommends us, that we should try to date others, then we normally wouldn't, to gain experience? Or is my interested in Taishi-kun in reality just a small crush? After all, I have indirectly rejected him, by saying, if he didn't get into Sobu, we could still be friends, but I wanted him motivated to do his best.

Or is it because Hyousuke in some way's reminds me a little bit about my brother. He could easily have ended up like Hyousuke with his 8'th grade syndrome.

Oh, Gods. Am I a bro-con? Should I contact a psychiatrist?

Taishi

Onii-san is an expert, just as I expected. Sisters messages about how he was doing his date was inspirational. Using art galleries and a museum with free food to entertain and keeping costs down.

I must use the same method, so I still have some money to invite Komachi-chan out for a Christmas date. Maybe I could find a bracelet or something like that to give as a Christmas gift, but that could also be too much to start with. The book says, that I must reel her in slowly.

Oh, Gods. Am I turning into a player? Sister will kill me, if I start to remind her of her first boyfriend. She was so happy that summer, when she met him at a football game in the park, and they found out, that they both were starting at Sobu. But it was not to be, it broke down fast, when sister found out, what he did, and then sister turned so rebellious.

Hyousuke
I put the picture of Komachi on my wall. It was a breaking of one of my 111 rules, never a 3D girl on my wall, but then she was the girl who had fulfilled my goal of using all the machine in the arcade, including the one part of the arcade a boy only can enter with a girl, the Purikura area.

But fun over, work waited. The computer club didn't allow amateurs to enter. I had already left my greeting behind the firewall of Kaihin High and then the backdoor to Chiba Bank. Not only did it demonstrated my craft to the computer club, it had also made me able to check out the Hikigaya's accounts. That Komachi's mother always bought the newest Pretty Cure movie made me happy. I had feared, that I would have to watch a Twilight movie or worse.

But what should I do to demonstrate my knowledge about public access to the computer club? Everyone and everybody were always doing the servers of the military or the Public Security Intelligence Agency. I must do something more original to get admitted into the club. And it would be nice, if it also helped me. She said, she had enjoyed our date, even if it was a pity date. That I know.

And I enjoyed it, although what I also will love, is cram class tomorrow. When he found out I had a date with her. Never before has another boy been jealous of me, especially an ikeman as Taishi. Ikemen should just explode.

Taishi is probably a player. Everybody knew he got 6 invitations for dates. Maybe, yes, just who is he kissing in his street door? The city security camera. Of course, I will not have a chance with her, but she had been nice, real nice. And when she gets into Sobu High, no doubt she will be chosen as the president of the student council. Not only do she have the personality of a president. She is also the sister of their highest-ranking boy. Such a riajuu. He probably has es-ee-ecks every day, with that harem, he always tours the city with, especially with his cat girl. Riajuu should just explode.

And Kaihin did work closely together with Sobu. And the council of Kaihin would probably need a friendly hand with their computers and other stuff. Just chance meetings and a helping hand. A boy can hope, a boy can dream. Right, back to work. Hard work betrays none, but dreams betray many.

Mother of nerds

Hyousuke's mother came into his room and looked at him. Hyousuke was lost again in his computer. But there was something different about him, something new. He had come home from school as normally, but instead of disappearing into the net, he had washed, changed into his best clothes and left quickly. Very suspicious behavior, especially by him.

Both her sons were nerds, but in different ways. Her oldest, Naruzo, was a muscle nerd, always training. He was already drawing the eyes of girls when he walked by, even older ones, who should know better.

But Hyousuke was the complete opposite. He reminded her so much of little brother, who had been a neet, always closed up with his computer and games, until his premature death. The family still laughed about the way he died. Dying of a chock, because he thought he was going to be run over by a tractor. It was so sad; it was just something you had to crack up on, when thinking about it.

What was that. There was something new on his wall. It was a picture of a real girl. Well, well, maybe one day she would get grandchildren out of him, after all. A mother could hope, a mother could dream.

The director II

The mood was good. Champagne was bestowed, glasses filled again and again as lies was exchanged. My business with the vice-principal was handled to both our satisfaction. So, I joined the festival, even if I am not the type to get drunk like the others. Some behaved like they already had gotten too much, like chief inspector Tobe. Good luck with your business tomorrow.

I moved to the sofas with our main guest this day. The lawyer. He was sitting together with his old friend, our Diet-member and local construction magnate. They were also already very red in their faces.

The lawyer laugh at me, as I arrived, and say: "So you have also come to hear about you new owner?".

I sat down, and my glass was filled once more, by one of the girls. I then held the glass in front of me and watched the liquid spin around. I always enjoy pulling out a conversation. It makes my opponent speak faster and say more, than they intended.

I then looked at them: "If you have information you can share, I will of course welcome that. It is always a good idea to hear about the circumstance of one of our larger shareholders".

The lawyer grinned as he put another glass away. As he removed the glass from his mouth again, he says: "Larger, you mean your largest, and the rest of the shares, he could buy with his pocket money tomorrow if he wanted".

Nice to have it confirmed, but nothing which could help with my goals. Now this should put the fox into the hen-house. They would not be able to stop themselves: "It is my understanding, that the temple owns a lot of land in Chiba. The board is thinking about building a new chemical plant in this area to support the expanding of our business".

Even though they are soaked in champagne, the statement works. I can see the greed in their eyes. Some people are just too easy. But of cause, no one of them has moved themselves up from the gutter like me. Both of them climbed through their wife's skirts to the good life.

They both started to laugh, and the lawyer said: "Oh, so you have already heard that they want to build a new nuclear power plant near the village. You must understand, that the value of the land is increasing with that, but if your company award the building contract to the right people, I can see about getting you a good piece of land for a fair price next to it".

No, I didn't know that. That will help persuade the board to build it there, since cheap energy is always in short supply. I gave the champagne another roundtrip in the glass, as I said: "Well, if a fair price can be agreed, it will help in the decision process. After all, a new plant is a major expense" (and just how much will you give me as a kick-back for the building contract?).

The Diet-member learn forward and say with a conspiration smile: "I am sure we can get you a fair price". Then their telephones start beeping. As they grip their phones, their champagne is sloshing out on the sofa and the carpet. Well, the lawyer will get an extra expenditure on his bill for that.

Both of them look at their phones, as something is displayed. Then they start laughing wildly. Have they smoked weed, before coming here?

Then the lawyer gets up from the sofa and climb on the table. Another expenditure for scratches.

Standing there, wobbling a bit, he lifts up his phone, waving it, saying: "Brothers, a miracle has happened. The most vile monster in Chiba have been defeated. Verily I say unto you. A man above all men is among us. May Inari Okami ever grant our new master of Chiba her blessing and through him grant us the wealth and prosperity, we all so surely deserve".

The improvised speech is met with great applause, as I look at the news feed on my phone. Yes, that was quite impressive. Only a Kazoku could get away with that. My wife must be overjoyed with that development. Poor boy. He does not know what he has done. He is now free to catch for all. Let the hunt begin.

I then look over at our Diet-member who is still rolling around on the sofa, laughing. Such a reaction. Just because the boy did, what you never had been able to do. To bring your wife to heels. Does she know, that you pay your female servants to put on her clothes and letting you discipline them, when she is out? I doubt it. She would never allow a servant to wear her clothes.

Tobe-san
As I woke up, my head hurts, and I am groggy. The night had been wonderful. I was quite wasted when I got home from the club. But who am I to say no to luck?

I must visit the club sparsely, because we can't actually afford that I frequent it, but my wife insists that I must show my face there from time to time, to ensure that I am remembered when decisions is made.

So, it was lucky that I went yesterday, on my wife's command, because it was a day, where the player of the city would be there, and then it turned out, that the bill for the night would be paid by the lawyer. What a man.

And then his speech, I must agree. We must hope we can enjoy the favor of the goddess in the future through our new master's good will.

But then, Inari Okami has already showed me with largess. I look at my wife, as she lies on the futon, and a light snoring can be heard from her. I still remember when I met her at the omiai arranged by our grandmothers. It may have been a bit traditional for that time, but the shy, beautiful women were not a girl I would have dared to approach by myself then.

And she is still the most beautiful women to me this day, even if we are much older now. And I must thank doctor Miura for my blue pills. She had been even more wasted than me, when she returned home, also after me, and so happy. What a night. Well, if it had been 10 years ago, Kakeru would have become an older brother in nine months.

A pity I must leave the warmth of the futon and her. But duty calls every samurai. I must have a conversation with the principal of a certain primary school. The will of our new master be done.

The Prime

What a lousy day. At least it could not be worse than the night. It is not me who is getting old. As I need help with that. No, the problem is her. She is not as attractive as she was five years ago. And the cat-suit hadn't helped at all. She simply can't wear it, like the girl can. Now, that is a girl, who can arouse a man.

But a divorce, again. The accusations, the media and the money. It is so expensive.

I drop that line of thoughts. It is time to think about something else. Solutions comes to the one, who is patient. Think good thoughts: Breasts, big breasts, bigger breasts, gigantic breasts. Breasts, big breasts, bigger breasts, gigantic breasts.

As I enter, I see that my press people are looking at something on a screen, laughing. Maybe a comedian had made a caricature of me, again. I am in the mood to teach them a thing or two. I silently move to them.

But it was not about me. It was a short movie showing the wife of our Chiba delegate been put in her place by that boy. The speech bubbles of "Respect my authority" and "Know your place bitch" showing again and again.

I allow myself to laugh, silently. It would not be proper to laugh about something like that, even if there is one thing my former wives and current wife can agree about, it is that she is a cold bitch, who don't knew her place, just because she is of a line of samurais, when they are of the finest product line of the idol industry.

I dot my special political adviser on his back. He detaches himself, turn, and stop what he was going to say. Yes, it is me. Respect my authority. Know your place boy.

I ask: "What is all that about?".

"It seems that our cat-girl is free on the marked, Prime. She has, according to the rumors, rejected the boy, but her mother tried to arrange a marriage anyway. In our time and day," he answered.

Oh, interesting. Love before money. Youth can allow such gestures. Maybe she is more interested in an older man, who can show her how the world worked. As if, but one can hope, one can dream.

My advisor continued: "I have been contacted by the court. It is the wish of the court that their Imperial Highnesses visit the temple in an unofficial capacity on New Year, before the news about the museum is made public".

Oh, so the court wished to usurp the boy into their ranks. Maybe there was one of the courts high ranking official, who needed a quick injection of capital and had a daughter to pay with. It would not be the first time. But it could also be an opportunity for me:

I respond, making a fast decision: "Well, unofficial. Then I will also participate, unofficial. And tell the Association. The priests must not be caught with their pants down. And the state minister too. It is after all his area. Now for press. Do we have someone suitable? Someone who will remember an exclusive of this kind".

"I know just the man, Prime" my advisor reply.

Tanaka-san

I knock on the door. It is always important to knock. You never knew what was going on behind a door, unless you had the eyes to see through, or the magic to do it. I unfortunately have neither.

After some time, I hear my signal "Enter".

I open the door and get in. The chairman is sitting behind his desk. Looking quite happy. Well, that will change, when he gets what he deserves.

"Ah, Tanaka-san. Good of you to come" the chairman says: "I have good news. We must upgrade the New year arrangement at the temple. Spare no expense. Their Imperial Highnesses will be making an unofficial visit. The prime minister and other notabilities will also participate. So, order fireworks and some illusions to create more impact. And contact the national museum, maybe some items from the Dragon Hoard is suitable for presentation, of course, none of the cursed items. Is everything else on the schedule?".

"Mostly, Mr. chairman. The heir had gotten an extra Miko to participate, but that should not be a problem. It is actually the sake that is the challenge" I responded.

"Sake?" the chairman inquired.

"Yes, the temple serves an original Toso. Unfortunately, the recipe was lost in the fire" I answered.

"No one in the village, who knew it? Maybe the local witch? They always have a good nose for that kind. Check with her" the chairman ordered.

"Yes, Mr. chairman". I bow, leave, and close the door behind me. Yes, this will work nicely. That Toso will be a very potent one. That should keep people out of my business. And the chairman is a lucky person. The prime will be there. That American dog. Even worse than the chairman in selling out Japan.

So, it is just a matter of changing the goal, the plan stayed the same. I take the jewelry charm I had bought to the girl from my pocket. I had asked the clerk for a nice one for my "niece", nudge nudge, you know what I mean, wink wink. And he had provided a very nice piece. I then paid an acquaintance for a small spell to speed things up, nudge nudge, you know what I mean, wink wink, just a little bit to persuade her faster. What money and dirty thinking can produce, can change history.

At Tokyo Museum

The inspector looks at the many items which was being examined, numbered and catalogued by her assistants. She had been one of them a month ago, but since their former inspector now was in jail for the murder of her husband, she was now the inspector.

Even if that particularly kill had been well-deserved. A man like him should rot in hell forever.

Now, what could safely be viewed by the honored guests. Maybe some of the pieces, which had been packed away in silk. The reiso, the haraigushi and the manuscript with the cat pictures from the period of the Kamakura shogunate seemed safe, and almost unused. Maybe they had been packed in a hurry and carried away in the fall of Kamakura, never to be used again, but hidden away by the Abe no family. Not any of the weapons. They had to be double and triple check before being presented for the public. Now, it they just knew where that dammed dagger was.

A man in a yellow jacket

What a day. The phone call from the prime ministers' offices was a boon. Once again, it had paid off that I had treated my kohai's nicely at college, where other senpais had been enjoying their position. This would ensure that we get a high rating among the viewers. We could probably even drop the planed incident with the bra of the newest idol at the show. Now, how do we keep this a secret until the New Year?

The chief

As I look over the list of confirmed guests to the New Year at the temple, I smile. What a target rich environment. Well, the Special Forces Group was placed in the Chiba Prefecture. They would not be happy about being called out on New Year, but in the service of the Emperor. And if the colonel were to be presented for the Imperial Highnesses as part of the practice, then the colonel would actually owe me a favor.