A.N.: To everyone… thank you sooooo much for the reviews! You know what, those reviews are what keeps me writing… To those who hate the Uchi/Yankumi pairing… Don't worry, nothing is decided yet!!! We're still doing the warm up, just to get you ready. To those who like it, well, thanks for sharing the same view. It's too cute for me to ignore… I HAVE to include it in the story, no matter what. I love the idea, can you blame me???

Anyway, we still have Shinohara to add some kicks in Yankumi's heart… Oh, and Tetsu's love is cute too… I like the way he's devoted to Yankumi all the time… I think I gotta include it.

And Megumi, she's not that bad, as you can see. She's nice, beautiful, and smart. A real Mary Sue. Don't worry, Shin doesn't like her… yet. But I have taken a liking to her already! I think I have to make her life easier…

Hehe, gomen for the long note… On with the story, folks!

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Everybody gathered around the table, anticipating the simple yet delicious ramen dish Yankumi brought home. Kuroda was the last to come, and he sat down at the center, smiling at the smell wafting from the food.

"Itadakimasu!" The kumi said, and dug in as soon as Kuroda and Yankumi started eating. Uchi was among those who ate eagerly enough, and soon had a second helping. Wakamatsu noticed his liveliness easily.

"Uchi-san, you seem so happy tonight," said Wakamatsu as he dug in his own bowl.

"Eh?" Uchi glanced up from his ramen. "Oh, it's nothing." But the evident smirk on his face revealed it wasn't really nothing.

"A girlfriend, maybe," said Minoru, greedily dumping a third helping on his bowl. "Who did you meet at work, eh? Uchi-san?"

"Haha, that receptionist at the construction company, maybe it was her," said Tetsu, laughing. "Every time I go there with this punk I often see her gazing at him. And blushing!"

"Whoa, you hit with her?" said Sawara incredulously. "You're the man, Uchi!"

Uchi just smirked at the laughing kumi. Little did they know it was their boss he was hitting on.

Yankumi, however, did not take this view of things well, thanks to her simple-mindedness. She put down her bowl angrily.

"Hey! What did you say?! Uchi is not the man! He is hitting with the receptionist!"

"Uh…" The kumi fell quiet, suddenly sorry for laughing. Uchi stared at Yankumi's flushed face.

"That receptionist likes every guy that passes through her desk! She's a bimbo! She'll date even an old man like Wakamatsu here!"

"Ojou… don't be so cruel…" Wakamatsu mumbled.

"I can see your concern, Kumiko," said Kuroda, chuckling. "The receptionist is bad for Uchiyama. It's easy for you to get angry for his sake."

"I-I…" Yankumi stared at her bowl, her face hurriedly reddening. It didn't help that the real reason she was angry was because she jealous. Of her former student. Yeah. Great.

"Well, as everybody seems to be quiet, I feel it's my turn to announce something," said Kuroda, looking at his red-faced granddaughter, the blonde who was busy staring at her, and the rest of the humbled kumi. "I have prepared an event that will take place the next month."

Everyone looked up at him. It was a surprise. No traditional events were scheduled these months.

"Our newest construction company will host a charity event this November. Every group we know is invited, and since the company's Yakuza origins are well hidden, I have also decided to invite some powerful civilian companies as well. Our beneficiary will be the children in the Tomoyama Orphanage near our district."

"Ojii-san! Civilian companies? Inviting them to a Yakuza gathering will be dangerous!" Yankumi protested.

"That's why I need you to act like civilians as well," Kuroda said. "This gathering is important to make alliances, and to help those children. The powerful companies in Tokyo, even if not Yakuza, will make good allies in the coming years. And they love helping orphanages. If we're to host an event, we have to make it a big one, like this.

"Wakamatsu, Sawara, I want you to take care of the whole event. You handle the buffet, the entertainment, and the auctions. Tetsu, Minoru, you handle the invitations. Send letters to every big company in Tokyo, and to our friends and relations. A lot of groups will want to join into this."

"Ojii-san…" Yankumi said, amidst the joint "Ossu!" of the kumi.

"Don't worry, Kumiko," said her grandfather with a smile. "This is for a good cause. The gods will bless us with a successful event."

"Hai, Ojii-san," said Yankumi softly. Hopefully it will turn out right.

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Shin was in his office when the company messenger came in.

"Sawada-san, I have a letter from Sakishima Enterprises."

"Isn't that supposed to go to my father's office?" said Shin, not looking up from his work.

"I'm sorry, but your father's on a meeting. He told me to bring it to you."

"I'll have it," said Shin, taking the letter from the messenger and waiting for him to leave. As the door closed he opened the letter.

"Sakishima…" It was his first time to hear of the company. He opened the card.

I, Kuroda Ryuiichirou, the Head of the Sakishima Enterprise, invite you to the upcoming charity event this November 7, 2007. An auction and dinner buffet will be held in celebration of the company's early success in the industry. Benefits will be given to the Tomoyama Orphanage of the Kiba District.

We hope to see you there.

Kuroda Ryuiichirou

CEO, Sakishima Enterprise

Shin's eyes widened in shock. Kuroda Ryuiichirou? The Head of the Ooedo clan?

What the hell was he doing, giving invitations to civilian companies!? And a charity event, there's bound to be other Yakuza groups coming too. It was too dangerous an act.

He thought about refusing the invitation, but his father already knew about the letter. Think, Shin. Think!

Sure enough, the door opened, showing one of his officemates.

"Shin-san, your father wants you in his office."

"I'll be there," said Shin, and stood up, taking the letter with him.

He entered his father's office. Sawada-san sat there, waiting for him.

"Shin, did you receive the letter?"

"Yes," said Shin. "It's an invitation to a charity event."

"Ah, when is it?"

"7th of November," said Shin.

"I have something to do by then," said his father. "I need you to represent me."

"R-represent you?"

"Who else can do it better than my own son?" said Sawada-san. "Oh, and be sure to bring Megumi with you. Kotomori-san would like you to."

"O-okay, father," said Shin. "I will."

And here we go again… If this keeps up, I'll tie myself to a post just keep myself from seeing them again…

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A.N.: Sorry if it's short, but I don't want to put the charity event here. Better wait for the next chapter then… Again, reviews make me happy and soooo inspired to keep writing! Bribery with it will be most welcome!

Jade-chan