Helping Yuko Pt 1
Five years years later it was a few years before the very beginning of the hell girl anime. But there was one more person Reina had to help first. Yuko Murai and her father Takashi Murai. Reina remembered everything from episode 21, especially when Takashi made the biggest mistakes of wanting to run a farm but having no knowledge about running a farm and trusting that nasty neighbour Ryousuke Sekine. Reina's plan was to put Takashi straight before he made the same mistake again. (I have no idea how the time skip between Yuko and her dad moving to the countryside and the time of episode 21 is so I'm making it up here)
"Who is our client today Reina-san?" asked Ren. "We are going to stop a father from making a lot of bad mistakes" answered Reina. She explained to her companions about Takashi Murai; his alcoholic ways because of his wife's death, and his stupidity to start a farm but not know anything. "I do understand Mr Murai's feelings after losing his wife," said Hone Onna "but I agree, it is a stupid idea to start a business without having idea what you are doing". "A farm is not very easy to manage" agreed Wanyuudou. "That's why I need to give him words to put him straight;" said Reina "otherwise he jump straight into things with no knowledge on what to do and his alcoholism with send him to his death, leaving his daughter Yuko an orphan". "Is there something else about this client?" asked Ren. "Yes, that man will become a victim of a foul man named Ryousuke Sekine" said Reina. Reina explained of Ryousuke's future plans for Takashi; lie to Takashi to make the farm ruined by using fake pesticide and transfer the farm to him because of debts through trickery. "So you're saying this Ryousuke man will trick Takashi just to steal his farm so he could sell it for money?" asked Hone Onna. "Yes; all that to get out of poverty and to get even with Takashi's uncle who runs the farm he plans to take over, even though Takashi and Yuko have nothing to do with that old family feud" said Reina. "That man is a real b*****d" sighed Wanyuudou. "Time to get to work now" said Reina.
Reina reckoned that Takashi would be drinking at a pub right now, and she was right because he was. She remembered Takashi lived in the same area Hajime and Tsugumi Shibata lived because Hajime was Takashi's friend. She walked over to where Takashi was sitting, and to her surprise Hajime Shibata was there too. He was clearly comforting Takashi. Reina decided right away Hajime was the best person to help her help the Muroi family.
"Hello Hajime-san and Takashi-san" said Reina. Hajime turned round and noticed her. "Reina it's you" said Hajime. "It's been a long time Hajime" said Reina. Takashi saw Reina and Hajime introduced her to him. "I'm sorry my friend here is like this," said Hajime "but his wife had recently died so he is in a mourning state". "No I understand and I am sorry to hear that" said Reina. "Thank you" said Takashi. Despite he was drunk, he was still able to talk properly.
Takashi began talking to Hajime and Reina about his uncle who runs a farm in the countryside. "He's leaving the farm over to me when he goes so I plan to move there with Youko when the time is right" said Takashi. "If you are planning to live on a farm you should learn about running a farm first;" said Reina "as you are a city man Takashi, you clearly have no idea how to run a farm, grow crops, raise animals or anything about farm raising do you?" "Well no, I don't really" Takashi admitted. "That's why you need to learn about farms first before you move to a farm;" said Reina "it won't do you any good when you move there and then suddenly realise you have no idea what to do, especially when you'll have trouble with your crops or animals. Not to mention you may end up with other farmers tricking and lying to you about what you should be doing. So my advice to you is taking lessons on agricultural education first". "I agree with Reina on that;" said Hajime "she has more sense than we ever will, and it would do you good to learn everything first before you go rushing there". Takashi sighed and barely agreed to take Reina's advice. "Another thing for you to do is get off that drinking habit of yours;" said Reina "I understand you're upset due to your wife's passing. But if you keep drinking, well you may die from alcohol abuse and you'll be making your daughter Yuko an orphan while she's still young. What would you do then and how would you face your wife then?" Takashi flinched and admitted that he didn't want to leave Yuko alone because she was precious to him. "Then get yourself sorted out first my friend" said Hajime. At that moment a girl came into the pub to take Takashi home. It was Yuko. Hajime and Reina looked on in pity as Yuko dragged her dad out of the pub for home.
After Takashi left with Yuko, Reina stayed to talk to Hajime. "I bet that lecture you just gave Takashi is going to bring him to his senses, like it did to me" said Hajime. "I take it you came to your senses in the end Hajime, especially since what happened with your wedding?" said Reina. "Yes," sighed Hajime "that slap and telling off you and your friend gave me that day really put me down. And so did that dream I dad about losing Ayumi due to my stupidity. That nightmare was terrible and really showed me I shouldn't choose work over my family, especially after the lecture this old man and his friend gave me the next day. So I always make sure to spend time with her and our daughter Tsugumi. And Ayumi and I always talk things out and speak up to one another whenever we feel wrong about something". "Well I'm glad you learnt your lesson Hajime" said Reina. "So am I" sighed Hajime. He had no idea Reina was the one who gave him the nightmare.
Just then Reina decided to warn Hajime about Takashi's fate. "Listen Hajime I need to talk to you about something" she said. "What is it?" asked Hajime. "It's about the farm Takashi his uncle lives in," said Reina "you see next door to that farm lives a man named Ryousuke Sekine who is a real scumbag and I fear he will do terrible things to Takashi and Yuko". "What do you mean?" asked Hajime. "Well you see Mr Sekine and Takashi's uncle had been fighting over the farm for years because of land rights. You see Mr Sekine's farm had always been poor, but Mr Muroi's farm had been good. Mr Muroi had also been offered to sell his land but of course he didn't want to sell it because he loved that farm. Mr Sekine wants that land so he could sell it for money which is why he fought with Mr Muroi for land rights. I heard about this from a friend of mine who lives in that area. That's why I fear once Mr Takashi and Yoko move into that farm, Mr Sekine will do all sorts of things to take that farm from them, including lying, cheating and sabotaging". "That's unforgivable," said Hajime, crossly, "Takashi doesn't even have anything to do with that feud of theirs". "I know but as I said that neighbour is a real scum bag," said Reina "Mr Hajime I suggest that when Takashi and Yuko move, you warn them at once about that man. I also suggest you check on Takashi now and again; as he seems to be a naïve type he may make some wrong moves and Mr Sekine may do things behind his back". "That is a good idea and I will do it; I'll also have Ayumi to help me with that too" said Hajime. He thanked Reina for the warning and advice and he left.
Reina left the pub too and met up with her companions. "Are we finished here now Reina-san?" asked Ren. "For now we are;" said Reina "we'll help the Muroi family again after they move to the farm. The real trouble will begin there". The companions understood. Rina was determined to help the Muroi family, but now wasn't the time yet.
I decided to do this separately instead on making this one big long story. I'll do part 2 when I get to the part of the family moving to the farm.