Chapter 18: The Chaos Deepens
Shinjuku, in an abandoned building.
With the arrival of yet another visitor, the chaotic atmosphere deepened.
Yako Hikoichi.
—Referee Number 2 of "Kakerou."
He was an old man in an impeccable suit, older than Akagi Shigeru, almost the same age as Q-Taro, but his appearance and aura were completely different.
His gray-white hair was slicked back, his features sharp. His eyebrows were thick, curling at the ends, and he had a unique mustache on his upper lip.
His posture was ramrod straight, his build well-proportioned. A white handkerchief was tucked into his breast pocket, proper and gentlemanly.
"Gentlemen," Yako Hikoichi bowed, then raised his eyes to scan the room. "Kakerou will be 'refereeing' this gamble."
"..."
The atmosphere in the room was stiff.
The first to break it was Shiraki Kei. He couldn't hold it in any longer and leaned back in his chair, laughing out loud.
"Pfft—Haha! You said you wanted a quiet, one-on-one game, and this room just keeps getting more crowded!"
This gamble was supposed to be a showdown between Madarame Baku and Q-Taro. But by a twist of fate, it had become more and more complicated.
Himself, here on a commission from the Nogi Group. The impulsive Akagi Shigeru. Madarame Baku, who had his own agenda. Kaji Takaomi, who was just tagging along. Q-Taro, the murderer. The masked man, who reeked of blood. And now, Yako Hikoichi, the referee.
The seven of them together made the office feel a little cramped.
As Shiraki Kei mused, Yako stood by the table, hands behind his back, his gaze falling on each face in the room.
Even for a man who had seen everything, he was a little surprised.
"My, what rare guests..."
Madarame Baku, of course, was no stranger. He had deep ties to Kakerou and was an old acquaintance of Yako's.
The other one... must be Akagi Shigeru.
The "Man of the Divine Realm" who roamed the underground. His whereabouts were unpredictable, but his name was thunderous, known by all.
The short-haired young man next to Baku looked nervous. Utterly unremarkable.
As for the last one—the one who was laughing—Yako gave him a few extra glances.
He was an unfamiliar face, with an impressive build. Under his loose-fitting jacket, one could faintly see streamlined muscles. His physical condition was far from normal; he was clearly a professional in "combat."
Yako was curious. Was this man Baku's "muscle"? But judging by his position, he seemed to be with Akagi Shigeru.
Akagi, Baku, and Q-Taro... was this a three-way gamble?
The complicated situation piqued Yako's interest. The corners of his mouth turned up, his exquisite mustache twitching.
...
As Yako was thinking, the "normal person" in the room, Kaji Takaomi, couldn't help but ask.
"Excuse me... what is 'Kakerou'?"
"..."
Yako's eyes narrowed. As was tradition, he began to explain Kakerou to the group.
"Since Master Kokonoe's opponents today are not members of Kakerou, I shall explain."
"Kakerou... is a 'neutral organization' that, at the request of its members, presides over and referees wagers."
"Once a winner is decided, this club also takes responsibility for collecting the wager."
Yako paused. "Even if that wager... is your life."
"..."
The words left Kaji Takaomi baffled. "Your... life? You're kidding..."
"No."
Yako slowly explained, "This club has a long history. According to our records, we began our activities 441 years ago."
"The foundation of Kakerou was laid by our first leader, Kiruma Yonosuke. In the beginning, he was simply responsible for punishing sore losers..."
"Our first clients were commoners, then merchants, samurai, and bureaucrats... The class of those using our services grew higher and higher, until eventually, even the rulers of the land came to us to referee their wagers."
"Especially when the stakes and rules were complex, we provided perfect arbitration. And we... 'always collected the wager'.
"The first leader was a master of ninjutsu. No matter how high the opponent's status or how great their power, he always collected the wager."
"Thus, Kakerou gained the trust of those in power, and our influence gradually reached the very heart of the nation."
At this, Yako smiled faintly.
"There is also an amusing anecdote about our founder."
"In 1582, perhaps out of carelessness or on a whim, the great Oda Nobunaga bet his own head against the founder."
"It is said that Nobunaga lost... and the founder collected his head at Honno-ji."
"Beyond that, many historical incidents—the Sakuradamon Incident, the assassination of government officials during the Meiji Restoration, the wrongful conviction of a Showa-era politician, the sudden bankruptcy of a young IT president..."
"Many events in history... were simply wagers being paid."
"..."
This string of explanations left not only Kaji Takaomi dumbfounded, but even Akagi Shigeru looked intrigued.
He had heard rumors of Kakerou before, but this was the first time he'd heard such a detailed introduction.
"Refereeing wagers... settling disputes..."
Akagi Shigeru glanced at Shiraki Kei, then at Yako. "Similar to the Kengan Association?"
Yako noted Akagi's glance, guessing that Shiraki Kei was likely connected to the Kengan Association. He replied patiently, "No, the nature is different. Refereeing fights and refereeing wagers are two different things."
"I see." Akagi nodded.
...
"Yako-san, that's enough explaining."
Q-Taro, growing impatient, cut in. "We need to discuss the stakes. I'll leave it to you to decide the amount from a neutral standpoint."
"In that case..." Yako was about to speak, when Madarame Baku suddenly cut in.
"Ah—about the stakes, I have a suggestion!"
Madarame Baku pulled an umeboshi from his pocket. He chewed on it as he pointed at Q-Taro. "I don't want the 10 million. I want your Kakerou membership. How about it?"
Q-Taro couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha, you want the membership...?"
His expression was friendly, but inwardly, he was cursing the young man for being an idiot.
He hears that little speech and he gets delusions of grandeur? A Kakerou membership is priceless. How could a street punk possibly deserve such stakes?
"The membership is worth far more than ten million. This is going nowhere..."
Q-Taro, acting helpless, turned to Yako. "Yako-san, I'll entrust the decision to Kakerou. You set the stakes."
"Very well."
Yako gave a gentlemanly nod, his voice deep. "Hmm. In that case, Master Kokonoe, you will bet your membership... plus your entire fortune, including all real estate."
"..."
At those words, Q-Taro's smile froze solid.
"Yako-san..."
Q-Taro's smile was a grimace. "By that calculation, my stake tonight, besides the membership, would be thirty million yen in cash and this building."
"...Are you ordering me to bet it all?"
Q-Taro stared at Yako. "Are the people in this room truly worth that price? At least tell me the basis for this judgment."
"Basis?"
Yako's expression didn't change. "A strange question. Kakerou's judgment is 'absolute.' We are never wrong. I must ask that you, Master Kokonoe, abide by the club's rules."
"...Right."
Q-Taro was furious, but he couldn't take back his words.
But what happened next enraged him even more.
Yako Hikoichi turned and bowed slightly to the other four.
"Master Kokonoe's assets are limited to this. Is this... sufficient?"
Akagi Shigeru looked like he wanted to raise the stakes, but Madarame Baku cut in first. "Ah, it's fine."
"Very well."
Yako looked almost disappointed. "You are all being far too generous to Master Kokonoe."
Q-Taro was stunned, the veins in his forehead throbbing with rage.