I think this chapter has undergone the most revision of all the previous chapters, and yet I'm still not quite satisfied with it. But I hope you enjoy it nevertheless!

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He refuses to look at me, and I'm quite confident in the fact that he will not speak to me.

The scene won't stop replaying in my mind. The Chairman's look of horror and anger is practically glued to my mind's eye. Sayuri can scarcely look at anyone but the man she is entertaining; even a glance in Mameha's direction will bring embarrassment for her, I am sure.

We've had our arguments in the past, as any business partners have experienced. This was not an argument, and after seeing his expression I'm positive of his feelings for Sayuri. Whatever he said about not knowing how she came by the handkerchief was a lie.

If I could, I would burn the damn thing.

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"What were you doing with her?"

I hang my head, feeling absurdly like a young boy being scolded by his father. "Tell me why you feel the need to interrogate me like a policeman. Do you plan on calling the Nitta okiya to tell them what a naughty little geisha they have?" I press my lips and take a small drink of water, and it feels as if it sticks in my throat.

He shakes his head and breathes angrily through his nose, reminding me of a bull about to charge- I almost have to keep myself from laughing at him. "Nobu, what if Mr. Schessler or anyone else had spotted you two? Our mentalities have switched, it seems! Since when are you so daring, especially with a woman?"

"Are you accusing me of treating her like a whore off the street?" I shout, standing. "We have done nothing, Chairman. Nothing!" The glace of ice water I am holding is shaking.

"Indeed." His voice is cold. "You aren't her danna and you're fooling around with the girl I saw by the stream years ago, Nobu. Not you, understand?"

What is he talking about? The stream? The confusion on my face is all too obvious, and he laughs and shakes his head. "Nobu, she was the little girl I told you about. The one with the grey-blue eyes. If it wasn't for me," he continues, almost insultingly, "She wouldn't be sneaking about in corners with you."

"Always you!" I point a finger and the trembling glass at him. "Always you, Chairman! You take everything and give back nothing, do you know that?" I am close to shouting now, and I can hardly give a care if anyone hears us. Let them hear Ken Iwamura and Nobu Toshikazu yelling! Maybe it will do their ears good.

Instead he shakes his head and walks in a circle, hands covering his eyes. "Nobu, Nobu." He drones.

"I have nothing to say to you," I snap, "I don't know why everything I do, every decision I have made in my own life, is of your concern, Chairman. Explain it to me!"

He continues his little procession, then finally faces me. "What do you want me to say?" his fingers splay, palms facing outward. "Why else would I want a young girl to become a geisha? Because she intrigued me, Nobu. She must have kept the handkerchief I gave her all those years ago…what else do I tell you, Nobu? How about how you have become a hypocrite? A different person? All because of a geisha!"

I can't look at him. He's right this time, and I have nothing else to say. I have changed, I've gone against every one of my beliefs. I've opened myself up to a woman- what's more, the very type that is afraid of me and that I despise.

He speaks exactly what we are both thinking. "If it was not for me, Nobu-san, you two never would have met. So have I finally repaid my debt? Or do you expect more?"

"How dare you. There never was any debt, Chairman, understand? There is no debt for you to pay. Get out!" I hurl the water at the wall, watching it shatter- it very nearly misses his head. "I have done everything for you, I would very well lay down my life for you, and you sit here and chant about a debt. There is nothing you can do for Mr. Lizard anymore!"

He gapes at me, looks ready to say something. My words are harmful, and probably not even true. What else do I say? I am searching for words when he leaves abruptly.

I'm astonished to find that I am crying.

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"So, Mr. Toshikazu, do you have an answer for me?"

I straighten my back and clear my throat. The German is sitting across from me, leg lazily crossed over the other, twiddling his thumbs. His face is smug- if only I could hit him in the face, then he wouldn't look so full of himself!

"Mr. Schessler, as I have explained, the arrangement you want is not possible. It is a cultural difference, please understand." I respond calmly. I might as well get down on both knees and beg while consulting a history book! "If there is anything more we can do for you, of course we can have it in order, but-"

He waves his hand lazily. "No no, nothing more." He tips his head to the side, as if this will make him think any better. "I'll have to speak with my associates back in Germany, understand. My country is, as you know-"-here he clears his throat anxiously-"-experiencing extensive changes. I will have an answer for you within a few weeks."

All this trouble for a damn investment? I am furious, and the events of earlier this morning certainly aren't helping. The pounding in my head returns. "Of course, Mr. Schessler, I understand completely!" I exclaim and shake is hand. "Really, if there's anything else we can do before you depart for home-"

"No, no." he repeats nonchalantly. "Not at all, thank you." He clears his throat again. "You have a good company in your hands, Mr. Toshikazu."

Those are his departing words.

I am relieved to be free of the dunce, but I am still worried. He is going through so many embellishments just so I may convince him to invest in our company. Or perhaps this is just the European's way?

"At least he's gone," I mutter. I am not a drinker, but a cup of whiskey is not a bad thought at all right now.

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The rest of the day is not memorable in the least. We held a small banquet, which was dull as these things usually are. Sayuri was quiet and appeared drawn, even with the heavy makeup she wore.

She avoided Schessler and the Chairman alike. Her eyes flicker towards me once for a moment. My heart skips, and she looks away quickly.

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The train is crowded today!

I'm wandering the halls looking for Mameha and Sayuri. I'll admit I can't stand to be in a compartment with the Chairman- I can't stand another confrontation with him, the words we exchanged with each other were detrimental enough- and I am suspicious of Sayuri's actions yesterday.

When I find them, they are speaking in hushed tones, their heads close together. Mameha spots me and moves away from her younger sister.

"You two- conniving, as always!" I joke, taking a seat next to Mameha. "You geisha are all too crafty sometimes."

They laugh demurely, then fall silent. I watch Sayuri; she holds my gaze before speaking. "Thank you for bringing me to Tokyo, Nobu-san. It was a lovely experience."

I shake my head. "You've thanked me already, and besides, what else was I to do? Leave you in Gion while I sauntered off to boring business meetings?" I look over at Mameha. "If I may," I say softly. She exits wordlessly and I kneel before Sayuri.

"It is time you explain to me your relationship with the Chairman." I pause. "And Schessler."

Her eyes widen. "Please Nobu-san, I don't know what you are accusing me of! Mr. Schessler and I never-"

"Don't lie to me!" my grip tightens. "Then tell me how he was so careless this morning when I spoke to him about you."

"I thought it would save your company, Nobu-san. You expressed to me how it was needed, otherwise Iwaumura Electric would go under. I could not bear to think of you on the street, to think that I would never see you again." She chokes.

"And what of the Chairman then?" I exclaim, shaking her. "What of him?"

"I would never be unfaithful to you, Nobu-san, don't you understand?" she cries, trying to loosen herself from my grip. "Nothing, I was just a girl!" she sobs. "I do not know of any intentions he should hold for me, if that is what you want for me to say!"

I let her go, and her words set in. I am astonished and repulsed by her actions, but she is not blameless. I did this to her. A danna is supposed to care for a geisha, not set men on her.

"Just a girl." I repeat dumbly. Sayuri nods, blinking rapidly. "Indeed. Just a girl." I turn away from her and stumble out of the compartment, my head feeling as if it should fall apart- my headache is so great.

I nearly run into Mameha, but I ignore her and continue to the very back of the train. I stare out the window at the receding landscape, then stare at my hand.

I've ruined Sayuri, ruined my friend, and ruined myself. My words to the Chairman, I see now, were ridiculous. Had I really said that to him? I cannot simply go back and apologize and expect him to smile at me and for the two of us be in good graces. Sayuri...I may as well have betrayed her. And there is no one else I can blame but myself.

I should turn back around and speak to her, console her, but I can't. I've made myself as much of a fool as I look. Perhaps I was never meant to be her danna, maybe I fooled myself into believing there was an en between us.

But now I am being melancholy. I purse my lips and sit down, watching the trees wave goodbye to our little train.

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"I didn't imagine the papers would get wind of this." He slaps one down as an example for Nobu to see. "They are calling me a fool because my Chairman saved my own company, while I supposedly sat idly by! I am not an idiot, yet they say I can't even take care of the company I started."

"And you care for what they say?" Nobu responded quickly. "President, you know how much they enjoy spinning lies!"

"But these lies always have some hint of truth. I wanted to save my company, but now they are painting me a fool. Do you know what they say? That my handicapped Chairman is better suited for business than I am, that I do not understand the basics. They say a former marine with a melted face would bring more success. And they say this as an insult!" he spat.

Nobu stared at the paper. His one hand was balled in a fist, his lips trembling to fight back angry words. Finally, he spoke."Forgive me, President. That was never my intent, I hope you understand that. I am not that kind of a man. I do not sell my friends so I may gain the better position."

Ken Iwamura gave no response; he seemed to be mulling over Nobu's words.

"If need be," Nobu began hesitantly, "I may resign."

The President's head snapped up, watching his Chairman quietly. "That would not be bad, Nobu. I know how to handle a company quite well."