By the time they reach the 5th floor, they greeted with considerably crowded space, every seat filled with customers.
The entrance is understated—almost plain and similar to the boutique sections. Warm amber light settles over polished wood and glass, reflections stretching evenly across every surface. The air carries a subtle mix of coffee and something sweet.
"Welcome. May I have your name?" One waiter already waiting near the entrance bowed to them.
"Reika, VVIP room."
"Of course. This way, please."
They're guided past neatly arranged tables and hushed conversations, deeper into the space until a sliding door opens to reveal more private, window side room.
Renji steps in last, taking it all in.
Whooooaaaa… fancy, for real…
He drops into his seat, trying to act like he's not impressed, reaching for the thin menu book, he opened the picture-less pages.
…Holy crap… this is way more expensive than I thought…
Across him, Reika and Shira barely read it.
"I'll have your Valentine special chocolate fondant. 70% if possible."
"Understood."
Shira closes her menu just as quickly. "Savory quiche, whatever is least sweet."
"And for your drinks, ma'am?"
"Champagne. What do you have?"
"We have Louise Roederer tonight."
"That will do." Reika then let her head sink to the couch, as the waiter nods, writing it down smoothly.
Renji glances between them, then back at the menu. A small spark of excitement lights up in his face.
Oooh, champagne…?Never tried that before…
"—Orange juice for you."
Renji slowly lifts his head. "…Huh?"
"Orange juice." Shira doesn't even look at him as she repeats her words.
Reika adds while smiles faintly. "You're driving, idiot."
"…Oh… R-right."
His shoulders sink visibly as the dream dies on the spot.
"And what about your meal, sir?"
"O-oh… uh…"
Renji scans the menu again, and settles for something simple he could understand.
"…Bacon sandwich."
"Very well."
The waiter leaves. And the three of them enjoying their short rest.
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The food arrives not long after—neatly arranged on the table, for a while, they just talked about nothing, Reika makes a passing comment about how overpriced some of the pieces were, Shira mutters something about impractical designs from the boutique earlier, and Renji occasionally throws in a reaction that earns him either a short reply or a dry look.
A peaceful dinner.
While Renji cut his second sandwich, he turns to them with slightly serious tone, recalling what happened this afternoon.
"…Oh yeah, Reika-sama. Shira-san… I think I need you guys to tell me about people around you."
Both of them look at him, heads tilting ever so slightly in unison.
Shira nods and muttered first. "Well yes… We never properly briefed you on it."
Reika sets her fork down, and tapped her lips with the napkin, "Alright, I do owe you for that one. Should've mentioned it firsthand when you arrived."
"You said Kouga told you some. Repeat them." Shira glances at Renji.
"Uh… I think, Shinpei… Igarashi… Hino… Tsuda… Murakumo—no, uh, Murakami… and… Kitamura?"
Shira takes over while pouring another champagne into her glass, "Shinpei Takaori. He's the advisor of Kokuren. Been with the organization since early days. He handles the Sapporo house, and does what an advisor should be doing."
"And he's Kouga-san's boss, right…?"
After swallowing her chocolate, Reika nods, "Yes, Seiryuu—Kouga Seiryuu-san, hand-picked by advisor Takaori himself. As for his position… similar to Shira's with me."
"…Got it."
Shira continues. "Next is Igarashi Genzou. One of Kokuren's board member. Oversees Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka… and parts of our southern shipping routes."
"Then there's Gakujin Hino-san, isn't officially a board member but functions like one." Reika adds.
"Isn't a board member but acting like one…?"
"Because most of our vessels this day are under his name, he's deeply tied to my father's era. Think of him less as a man with position… but more as a man who is assets."
"And he works closely with others thanks to that, especially Genzou."
Renji hurriedly pulls out his notebook. "W-wait—hold on, this is more detailed than I expected, let me write this down… uh… can I…?"
"Go ahead." Reika says, completely unbothered.
Shira continues as soon as she notices Renji catches up with his pen.
"On similar role as Hino, there's Raimei Tsuda. His connections are massive—shipping paperwork across Japan."
"Then Enshou Murakami," Reika explains in tandem. "Another board member. Manages properties, finances, territory reports. Basically, our treasury guy."
"And lastly, Kitamura Rindou." Shira just said the name, and chewing on her food while Reika picks up from there.
"Officially a board member, though he refuses the title. Oversees Niigata, Sendai, Aomori… as well as north region shipping."
Renji nods, scribbling as fast as he can.
"So far, clear?" Shira asks.
I don't think I understand half of it… but…
"Yes, I think so…"
She nods and takes a sip of her drink. "Then there's me. I'm sure you noticed that several people inside the mansion have Kurosawa's name."
"Yeah, that… Aya oba-san is Kurosawa… so, are you guys—"
"—She's my great-aunt… though if we talking about family tree, there will be no end to it… Most of Kokuren's senior members descend from two vassal houses, the Kurosawa and Tsuda lineage. While ordinary recruits come from all walks of life…"
"Well, that's basically it, and I myself, as Kokuren leader, of course—oversee all of them, especially Tokyo and its vicinity."
Renji nods, then pauses as his pen stops moving.
"…So…yakuza… right…?"
Reika thought calmly, but her answer dragging the weight.
"…Yes…"
"So… KHX is just a front after all…?"
"KHX is legal, and I'm the one managing it, it's not just an empty shell… the benefit is shared between Kokuren too and vice versa… But… answering your doubt, those names we mentioned… they're real, active yakuza… you should watch your mouth around them."
Shira put her empty glass on the table, then stare at the ceiling, "Kokuren itself is a long-lived legacy after all, one of the oldest names in Japan."
"Really…? if you guys are that big, why I never heard of it…? The first time I've heard 'Kokuren' (黒蓮) back then, I legit thought it was the United Nation ( 国連 )."
Reika lets out a short laugh, covering her mouth. "Pfft— well, it does sound same…"
"Haaah… Because we kept it under. That's all." Shira said lazily as a matter of-course.
Renji leans back slightly.
"…Damn. So I really just… ended up working for the yakuza like this…?"
Reika takes a slow sip of her champagne, then sets the glass down with a quiet clink. "…I told you that I'm trying to change that."
"Yeah… I remember…"
"I don't want to talk much into details now, but you know how yakuza life is, right…? Once you're in, you're never out. Like a curse…"
Shira expression filled with something else as she glances at Reika, listening from where she sits.
Reika continues anyway.
"I'm thinking about the long term."
"…Long term?"
"KHX—my mother built it so that we could make a proper… clean life. For those who want to turn a new leaf."
"I… see…"
"People tied to this world… they can't just walk into normal jobs. Records, rumors… dead end before they even try. Especially here."
"…Yeah. I know…"
"I've seen it happen. Over and over. Some want out. Most don't make it and dragged back… In the end, they lose everything." Reika then fell silent, and it stays between them like something unresolved.
Suddenly, something clicks in Renji's head.
…Wait.
"Wait, wait. Does that apply to me too?"
I'll be screwed if I get kicked and have to look for work elsewhere!
"…Reika-sama, h-how long is my contract with you guys?"
With a knowing look. She studied him for a moment, before a small smile curved her lips.
"As for you, relax. You're just my personal driver… As Reika Hiraga's errand guy. The CEO of KHX."
"…But—"
"You're not part of Kokuren, Renji."
"…Huh? Then why am I getting chased by Jin-san every morning?"
"Because you live under Reika-sama's roof, this and that are different." Shira finally let out a voice with a sarcastic tone.
Reika lets out a quiet giggle.
"…Gah…" Renji finishes the last bite of his sandwich with a groan, then sips his brightly colored orange juice.
But still, Reika's earlier words were simple and brought him relief. Yet something else followed behind that stuck in his mind.
As if a door just closed in front of his nose, setting him apart gently.
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