Well, here we go then. Steeling myself for what was to e as I heard the voiy family and the Mori’s approag, I once more cast my gaze around the room. Yeah, everything is in order. Karen- and Izumi-san are avaible for when I hem. I do this.

  Opening the door to my new home, I smiled brightly. “So you found the pce all right then? e in, I’ve got some snacks and drinks ready.”

  “That sounds great, Akio. The trains here are really tiring.” Eri said, rushing over to give me a hug. As she pressed against me, her face pink with embarrassment over showing such affe in front of her parents, she gave me a little kiss, just a pe the lips. “I know it’s only been a few days, but I missed you.”

  “I missed you too.” I replied. “But absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?”

  “Wow, I’m feeling a little siow. So much sugar.” My sister shuddered theatrically. “You two lovebirds surely mao go five minutes without flirting, right, right? Seriously though…” She looked around at the repainted and repaired building. “This pce is way better than that tiny room you were living in before. I like it, I know I’ll enjoy it here.”

  I know I said she could move here if she oo, but still…

  “Yes, it’s nice.” Eri agreed sweetly. “Our home.”

  Before I could ahat one, my father cleared his throat. “I uand you are happy to see my son again, Eri-san, but we should tihis inside.”

  Ign the smiles of her parents and my mother, Eri nodded, letting me go, though she still g to my hand. “I’m sorry, father-in-w. But like I’ve said before, you should just call me Eri, there’s no need for formality between us, after all, I’ll soon be your daughter.”

  “Hmm.” My father nodded slowly. “My son and I have much to discuss regarding that matter, but for now…” He turned his gaze to the young girl who was hiding behind everyone else, lookiremely nervous. Seeing all azes go to her, she bowed low, her pigtails boung.

  “Akio-sama, thank you for looking after me. I shall work as hard as I to serve both you and the needs of Chairoakitara shrine and our noble Kami.” She spoke very seriously, her determination to be mature f a smile from me. Aww, she’s so serious. It’s very cute. But I don’t like being called Akio-sama, it does not suit me.

  “Don't worry, I made promises to your mother and grandfather that I’d make sure you were well taken care of. Besides, I think you’ll like it here. The big city is a far-cry from Nishimorioka, and even if Shirohebizumi shrine is a little… rustic… we are also doing business with Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine, so I daresay we visit. There’s a couple of shrine maidens there, twins, only a bit older than you. I dare say you be friends.”

  “Hikawa-Kawagoe?” uncle Mori said, surprised. “Even I have heard of them, it’s one of the shrines you think about when you talk Tokyo. See, Taichi, I told you there was nothing to worry about. Son-in-w is a smart boy, he hahings just fine.”

  “Do excuse me, but perhaps I should not be listening to matters of family, your private business?” Marika- asked, still nervous.

  Pirl, I bet she had to listen to no end of talk on the journey. Sparing her an uanding grin I patted her on the head, causio blink in surprise. Eri’s hand tightened on mine a little painfully, but I squeezed her back reassuringly. You don’t have to be jealous of her, she’s just a kid…

  “Don’t worry about it. If anything, we should be apologising to you for making you unfortable. I’ll take you to the room you’ll be living in ter, it’s in the main shri’s furnished, but if you need anything else, anything at all, let either me or someone from the shrine know, and I’ll make sure you get it. My secretary Karen- is avaible if you have any problems. But for now…” I wao make sure she was rexed. I still felt bad bringing Marika- away from home at such a young age, even if the experience beed me and should be a memorable one for her. “… I have tasty treats ready, so you might as well enjoy some with us.”

  “If you are sure, Akio-sama…” she began, but I cut her off.

  “Please, I know you were raised very politely, but I’m no-one so special as to be a -sama. I’d really appreciate it if you could use a more… informal… way of speaking.”

  She looked doubtful, but then auntie Mori chimed in, cag heartily. “You see that, Taichi, Emi, little Aki will make a wonderful father, he’s so uanding of younger children, especially girls. I suppose that’s only natural, sidering he looked after little Ai and my Eri all these years.”

  Spoiler

  [colpse]“Mother, that's so embarrassing!” Eri protested, while Aiko giggled at the se. Eri snuggled in against me, trying to hide her flushed face.

  “You see, Marika-?” I grinned, a bit shamefaced. “I’m just like anyone else, at the mercy of teasing from my family. Anyway, everyone should e in, no point standing around outside.”

  “Yeah, if it’s as niside as out, I hardly wait.” my sis excimed.

  It sure should be, sidering the sdalous fees I speing a rush job on the repairs as. On the brighter side though, I had nothing to do but drink and wait for them to arrive, but after a few to steady my nerves I realised meeting my father drunk would be stupid, so I distracted myself by gambling, and even without the fortunate winds I won a det amount.

  Guiding everyone inside I gave them a brief tour, though I obviously skipped Shaeu’s room. My sis was very pleased with the room I had set aside for her should she choose to e to Tokyo iure, and when everyone saw my room… well, didn’t think this through all the way…

  “My, that’s quite the rge bed there, isn’t it little Aki?” auntie Mori was teasing me. “Whatever could you for?”

  “e now, don’t tease him too much, dear.” Uncle ughed heartily, spping me on the back. “He’s a healthy young man, and our daughter is …”

  “Mother, father! Please shut up!” Eri urple with shame, while Marika- was looking perplexed.

  “Ihis is not a subject for in front of a guest who has beerusted to my son.” My father stopped the versation, and I let out a grateful sigh.

  “Yeah, seriously. Not a talk for nht? Sorry about that Marika-. I’ve got some cake, I have it on good authority from the shrine maidehat it’s really good.”

  “Oho, that sounds iing. I’m sure you want to hear all about these shrine maidens, right Eri?” my sister interjected, and as Eri nodded, her gaze on me, I bit down a sigh. Why do I feel guilty? I’ve dohing wrong…

  ***

  “You weren’t kidding bro, this cake is the best!” My sis was digging into a strawberry shortcake, crumbs and cream all over her face.

  ’t you be more feminine? I mean, I guess there’s nothing wrong with being a tomboy, but a lot of guys like their girls more… well… girly, I guess. You should be a bit more like Eri…

  As if she heard my thoughts, Eri set down the fork she was using, dabbed gently at her own face, and then began to Aiko with a napkin, ign her protests. “We have a guest, so you should be less of a glutton.” she sighed.

  “Rude!” my sis protested, but she ceded the point. “Still, yeah, don’t want to look a slob in front of Marika- here! This cake is too damn good though!”

  Marika- let out a quiet giggle, seeming more at ease now. As the girls (and my mom, luckily, as she was terrible with booze) made do with cake and juice, I was drinking with my father and the Mori’s. The beer was cold and refreshing, and not to.

  “So, I saw the stru site.” My father remarked, having rexed a little, beer in hand. Despite that, his gaze ierg, trying to divine my true iions.

  “That reminds me…” my sis piped up, interrupting, which was wele as it gave me a little more time to gather my thoughts. “Where’s Shaeu? I ’t believe she is missing out on these cakes.”

  Good question. “She’s at work at the moment. Don’t worry though, I’m not subjeg her to brutal overtime, I’m not a bpany.” I said lightly. “We are taking things in shifts until the initial steps are all plete.”

  “I see.” father pondered. “I am still… ed. This business venture is way outside your area of expertise. I know you expi to me over the phone, however… you hardly bme me for being worried. I would not want my son to stray from the right path.” His gaze moved over to Eri, who was still enjoying the snacks. “Especially not now.”

  So it’s time then. “Well, I get it, I do. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be in this position. I’d be a poor son if I didn’t set my father’s mind at ease. Uncle and auoo. After all, you have Eri’s future to think about.”

  “I know she’s safe with you, little Aki!” auntie Mori excimed.

  “She is, but anyway… I’ll call over my secretary and the head of the shrine. We then go over what I tell you without breaking fidentially agreements, and you be assured.”

  ***

  “So, moving forwards, more and more shrines will be leveraging the special privileges that they have in terms of pnning sent. Even overseas iment is possible. That cludes my presentation.” Karen- said, keeping posed, but with my enhanced perception I could see the minor trembling of her muscles and faint drops of sweat that signalled her extreme nervousness.

  Seriously, good job though. you are definitely earning this bonus. Although… Karen- had put together a presentation in a hurry, justifying my role and the hefty fial issions I’d be earning, but that meant she k was all fake. Still, due to her circumstances before I took her on, she’d be loyal enough to keep her s to herself. Sooner or ter I’ll have to tell her more of the truth, but how mud when… the ter I push this dilemma to, the better.

  Giving her a thumbs-up from behind my father and uncle Mori, I watched as my father checked the dots she had prepared. With my at with Midas Gold from Chase Bank, the air of legitimacy was strong. The fact that the master of the shrine, Izumi-san, was also corroborating my words and promising further shrines ing on board was enough to vince him. Like uands like, I guess. Kana- did say her grandfather was a stern, hard man. Him and my own father could be reted…

  “… such a fortunate series of ces. It all seems rather farfetched.” my father observed.

  “Oh, e on Taichi, cut your boy some sck.” uncle Mori interjected. “You really think he’d go to all this trouble a so many people onside just to cover up some shady dealings? Even our own town is w with him. That Takeyabashi girl is proht?”

  Everyone hen, remembering just before this meeting, when we had taken Marika- to her new dwelling. Kana- and Nagi-san had met us there, and the dignified yet beautiful Nagi-san had made a good impression with my father. Marika- was satisfied with the newly refurbished room, and while relut to demand more, being a modest and proper young girl, Kana- talked her into asking for some things, which I immediately signed off on.

  My father looked at me, and I met his gaze unwaveringly. I don’t feel guilty. I ’t expin it, but I’m doing good deeds. Besides, even if I was, with my high stats I could keep a det poker-face, even against my father.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]“Very well then.” He said after seeing my resolute stance. “If you will excuse me, Izumi-san. I appreciate you hum me with this.”

  “Pay it no mind.” Izumi-san waved his thanks away. “I have a son of my own. I uand wanting to make sure he stays on the right path. But rest assured, your son is a vital asset to the prosperity of our shrine and is merely rewarded accly.”

  Of course, the real reward I’d like is nominal ownership. There’s time for them to decide, but the bes to us all would be great.

  After exging promises to have a drink together with him, while I thanked Karen- for her efforts, leavio gratefully retreat, with me allowio treat herself to any booze she wanted from the nearby supermarket, no matter the cost, we headed bay outbuilding. My father and uncle Mori were talking quietly, admiring the newly repainted shrine.

  Ourning we found Eri and Aiko sitting listening to my mom and auntie Mori holding an animated discussion on… wedding pns.

  “… you ’t beat traditional.” auntie was saying, getting a nod from my mom. “But then, a Western-style white dress ’t be beat either, especially sitle Aki is half-British, right? Besides…” She turned her bright gaze on Eri, who was smiling at the thought. “… you’d look seous in a bridal gown. It’s so hard to choose.”

  “Why decide then? Just have both.” My sis said, still eating cake. Gods, just how much you tuck away? You’d better keep exerg or you’ll get fat…

  “Both?” mom asked, and my sis nodded.

  “Yeah, both. Just add in ara bit of ceremony. Start traditional, then afterwards ge into a Western gown. Big bro is a man of means now, and I’m sure he’ll do anything for Eri. Besides, you ’t tell me he won’t want to see her in both, right bro?” She wi me, seeing we had returned.

  “Well, it is a thing you only get to do once…” I pictured Eri in both outfits.

  “Look, look!” My sis elbowed Eri. “He’s all red, thinking of you. Wow, such hoy. I’m touched at how my hopeless big brother moonstone has matured.”

  “Yeah, well one of us had to.” I retorted. “Still, you do have a good idea now and again. Yeah, I think we’d be missing out if we didn’t go with both.”

  “In that case…” mom said slyly. “… you would have to go with both a wedding kimono and a suit, right? Won’t that be a sight now that you’ve started taking care of yourself?”

  Eri nodded fiercely, and auntie Mhed at the sight. “The wedding will be the talk of our town for seasons to e!” she agreed. “Now we just o set a date!”

  Uncle and my father were letting the girls talk, but father was not pleased, his expression grim, yet in the festive atmosphere he was uo se. Although it’s ing, it’s definitely ing. He did war to do anything foolish, and Eri might even be pregnant. I’ll be in for it ter…

  “Eri-san… Eri…” My father ged his method of address at everyone’s gaze. “Eri should finish her education first, even if she is not intending to go on to further education. It would be shameful otherwise. I still reend that she thinks of her future with more crity, but…”

  “I thank you for your , but I’ve made up my mind.” Eri stood up to him, though her hands were white and trembling a little with the effort. “But I agree. Now isn’t the time for our wedding. I should finish school, and Akio o make sure his work is going well.”

  “Little Eri is all grown up.” Auntie Mori praised her, eyes bright with uears. “A mother always waits for this day.” She g my mom. “You’ll have it too, Emi dear, when little Ai finds love.”

  My sister scoffed loudly, but before she could speak Eri tinued.

  “We… might have had to rush, since…” Her voice shrank, but since Marika- was with Kana- in the main shri was just us family here, leaving her free to speak. “… since we were hasty, but since I’m nnant…”

  Wait, you aren’t? I mean, I guess it’s a good thing, now isn’t a good time, but… I must have looked strange, as Eri started giggling, while my sis and mom were ughing openly.

  “I’m sorry Akio, I only found out yesterday. I didn’t think I should talk about it until we were face-to-face. I should have picked a better time though…”

  I shook my head, dismissing her apology. “No, that’s not important. So, you’re all right?” My words had a double meaning, as I was not only ed about her physical health and state of mind, but the state of her Chakra work also worried me.

  Pig up on that, she smiled, reag over and taking my hand. “I’m fine. We both knoe were so careless. I think this way is better. I want children, but not yet. I’ll… take care of things… iure, until things have settled down and we are both ready. I’m sorry for being so insecure and immature. I’ll do better.”

  Her hand was warm, and I could feel her pulse. Taking it with my other hand as well, I leaned over and kissed her gently. “Don’t worry about it. I am just as much at fault as you. I’ll be a man who always makes you feel safe and protected.”

  With a wail of emotion my mom grabbed Eri in a hug, auntie Mori following, her uears finally breaking free. I excused myself while the three women clutched each other, full of emotion. My sis was making gagging motions, showing her displeasure, but I guessed it was fake, judging by the expression on her face.

  “Oh, Eri, my little girl. I’m so happy for you!”

  “Well, we ’t argue with that, we Taichi?” uncle Mori said, a wry expression on his face as he watched his wife and daughter, together with my mom. The floodgates had broken and they were all g happily. “Your son is a man now, and my daughter is a woman. No point bming them frowing up. Both of them are deadly serious about the future.”

  My father sighed, but after a long draught of beer, he nodded. “It seems so. And there is no rewinding time. What they have done ot be u least the worst sario was avoided, so…” He raised his half-empty in a gesture to me. “… gratutions, my son. Still, do not let it go to your head. You will still o support her, so work hard with this rare ce you have been given.”

  Yeah, just like father. Even his praise es with caveats. Still, I’m pleased we earned his acceptance. I’m even more pleased I might have avoided the brutal lecture…

  Returning his toast, uncle Mori joined in, my sis looking on enviously as we drank…

  Seriously, haven’t you had enough hangovers? Oh well…

  ***

  “… we ’t accept this. Seriously.” Uncle Mori was looking at me over a row of empty gsses. “I know you are marrying my little girl, but even so. We may be poor, and your parents have helped us out a lot in the past, but we still have our pride.”

  So how am I going to vihem? My father was frowning as well, decidedly unimpressed with my proposal. After seeing the girls back to their hotel, father, uncle Mori and I had all go to a nearby izakaya, a traditional Japanese pub. I had thought that the atmosphere erfect, so I had broached the subject of providing them with money, for my peaind, but… damn, I fot how stubborn they be.

  “You have already given the girls so much.” uncle Mori tinued. “Eri won’t tell me how much you gave her, but it’s enough to pay for… well, certain essential medies. I remember when she would tell me anything… she’s all grown up.” He was maudlin, but still resolute in refusing me. “But even so. I may be your father-in-w, but I don’t need your charity. Just look after my little girl, make her happy. That’s all I need, and my wife would say the same.”

  “Indeed.” My father agreed with him. “You will o save money. With a wife to support, you need all the insurance against hard times you gather. We know it well.” Beside him, uncle Mori was nodding, wholeheartedly supp him.

  It would be so much easier if I could tell the truth. “I know, I do.” I said, choosing my words carefully. “This opportunity came to me out of the blue, and I’m extremely thankful for it. It might not st forever, and I could be bay previous unstable lifestyle as a freencer. Even so… I want to make sure I’ve provided for my family. And that family now includes you, uncle.”

  “I get that, but it’s too much. We don’t need…” he began again, but I was resolute.

  “Seriously, I know what I’m doing. Eri and I have peaind knowing that we’ve taken care of you all. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to keep throwing mo you.” I grio rob the words of any sting. “I io treat Eri to a better life. But when the wave of projects is signed off, I’ll be making plenty of money. So at least let me do this. If you are really ed, then don’t spend it all right away. It’s for emergencies and necessary expenses anyway. That way if it all goes wrong for me, you give some of it baot that I’m expeg that.”

  “Son, are you sure about this?” My father asked. “I respect that you are thinking of your family, that is what a good son should do, but I do not want your sudden good fortuo go to your head, ruining you and leaving you with nothing.”

  Wise words, if not so much about the money as… other s. Like my enemy who threatens my Territory. “Don’t worry about me. I have everything under trol. My secretary will arrahe transfers week. I’m deadly serious about the future. After all, I have responsibilities. So believe in me!”

  My father and uncle Mori couldn’t stand against my iy. I could tell they had reservations, but so long as they accepted my goodwill, I could rest assured that my family was looked after, whatever happens. I e a will too, to make sure they get any remaining money in case of… the worst case sario. I have no iion of dying, but I ’t rule anything out… Surprised at hoting I was of the danger, pared to my nervous fumblings of the early days, I ordered us another round of drinks to celebrate.

  Small victories. My father wasn’t as fierce as I expected. Perhaps I’m finally earning his respect? Taking a drink I was lost in thought, listening to the idle chatter that passed between my father and uncle Mori…