XXIII

“Oh! Oh! They’re inside! Go right in!” Hiroto’s little assistant enthused brightly as Sachi entered the office.

“Thanks, Hana,” Sachi said with a smile. Hana’s face brightened and her smile positively sparkled.

“You remembered my name!” Hana breathed, clasping her hands together joyfully.

“Of course, I did,” Sachi patted her on the shoulder familiarly. “I always remember our best fans.”

“You guys are the best! Just the best!” Hana breathed with tears in her eyes.

“Thank you, Hana, you’re very sweet for saying so,” Sachi smiled and gave the smaller girl a quick hug. “Wish me luck!”

“Good luck!” Hana enthused, shaking her head as the door closed behind Sachi. “I’ve got your back. Be strong, Sachi.”

“What in the actual fuck?” Sachi breathed as the door closed behind her.

“Hiya, sis, what’s happening?” A girl with her long hair dyed pink said from where she sat at the window.

“Now, Sachi,” Hiroto began, stepping back a pace as Sachi strode forward.

“You said it was preposterous, you shit!” Sachi raged. Mari and Yukiko stepped in front of her and each took an arm, holding her back.

“I didn’t know at the time that one of the partners had cleared everything already!” Hiroto moved back from his desk cautiously.

“No! Fuck no!” Sachi pressed forward, causing Mari and Yukiko to have to redouble their efforts to hold her back from a now visibly shaken Hiroto.

“Don’t be that way, Sachi,” the girl grinned from where she sat, toying with her long hair as she watched the scene with an amused smile.

“Shut it! Nothing from you, Koemi. Not one fucking word from you,” Sachi jabbed a finger at the girl before returning her furious gaze to Hiroto.

“Mom and dad never taught you those words. The media is such a bad influence on kids these days,” Koemi grinned.

“Go fuck yourself, Koemi,” Sachi growled.

“Right here? You’re so naughty, Sacchan! Well, if I must I must, I suppose,” Koemi toyed with the hem of her skirt and began to lift it up her thighs.

“No! You keep your fucking clothes on!” Sachi snapped. Mari giggled and Yukiko followed suit. “Stop laughing! This isn’t funny. I will not have Akari replaced by anyone, especially pinky pie.” Sachi sagged and stumbled back, breaking free of Yukiko and Mari’s arms and falling into a chair by the door, lowering her face to her hands.

“No one can replace Akari,” Mari sighed, holding Sachi in her arms. “We all know that. Let’s just listen to what Hiroto has to say, ok?”

“Please, Sacchan?” Yukiko pleaded, holding her from the other side.

“No!” Sachi snarled, her anger once more taking hold. I need my anger, now, Sachi decided. “He needs to answer my questions, first, then, maybe, I’ll listen to him.”

“That’s fair,” Hiroto replied, sitting cautiously at his desk, eyes never leaving Sachi. Sachi raised her face without bothering to wipe away the tears.

“Fucking A right its fair. Where is Akari?” Sachi demanded.

“I honestly don’t know. She was checked out by her guardian late last night,” Hiroto replied.

“Who is this guardian?” Sachi snapped.

“I don’t know that, either,” Hiroto admitted.

“What the fuck do you know?” Sachi demanded, getting to her feet once more.

“Sachi, I know this is hard. I know I’m not much help, but this decision was made much higher up,” Hiroto said, attempting to soothe her. “Bringing Koemi in was inevitable, you know that. And it’s just until Akari can figure out what’s going on. I’ve been promised that. She bought out of her contract so-“

“Wait,” Sachi interrupted angrily, holding up a warning finger. “Akari herself bought out of her contract or her ‘guardian’ bought her out.”

“I really shouldn’t say anything in that-“Hiroto sighed in resignation as Sachi’s face reddened further. “Promise me you’ll listen to what I have to say and think about it if I tell you everything I know.” Sachi scowled and sat down across the desk from Hiroto.

“Fine. I promise I will listen but do not lie to me,” Sachi warned.

“Akari’s been deemed a danger to herself and, at this time, she’s been released into the custody of her guardian for observation. The guardian has complete legal rights over her affairs at this point,” Hiroto sighed.

“What?” Sachi blinked. “What the hell are you talking about? ‘A danger to herself?’ What does that even mean?”

“She’s tried to commit suicide twice before from what I was told, and the doctors are afraid her trying to come back too soon from her concussion may have been a third attempt,” Hiroto replied.

“Oh, no, Akari,” Yukiko mumbled. “No.” Mari squeezed her hand in support as tears welled in Yukiko’s eyes.

“That was not a suicide attempt!” Sachi snapped. “Anyone with half a brain can see that. She did too much, I made a mistake, a bad one, but it was still my fault for not stopping her. That is bullshit!”

“Maybe your fath-“ Hiroto began before Sachi cut him off.

“I don’t need my father,” Sachi growled. “I can do this myself. Maybe you forget, but I’m a lawyer, too, Hiroto.”

“This may be-“Hiroto began again but stopped at the look in Sachi’s eyes. “I hope you can fix this, Sachi. I want you to. That’s all I was told. I swear.”

“I’ll listen to what you have to say, Hiroto. I have to get down to the court by 4 so make it fast,” Sachi leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chair impassively. “Give me your pitch.”

“Your sister is one of the top Tier 2 names in the market today. She’s a talented singer and dancer who brings a new dynamic to Kunoichi!” Hiroto enthused, his salesman voice bright and buoyant. “We will get Akari back! I know we will! And if we can add a talent like Koemi to the squad I really think we can have something special! Koemi can rap and is a great designer, too!”

“You don’t need to extol the virtues of my sister’s skills to me,” Sachi sighed. “I’m well aware of her abilities.”

“You love me!” Koemi chirped from her place by the window.

“Not now,” Sachi’s eyes never left Hiroto.

“It’s proven that with more members there is more money to be made!” Hiroto continued. “Not just for us, but for you as well! More merchandise sales means a bigger share for you all. We will guarantee a 7% increase in payments in exchange for your agreement to increase Kunoichi’s members from 4 to 6. We have our sights on someone to fill the final spot but negotiations are still ongoing, but we’d really like to bring Koemi in. Her looks are in line with your demographics, she already has double name recognition being your sister as well as the lead singer of Sakura Dreams. It’s a match made in heaven.”

“Ok,” Sachi took a breath. “I have some questions, then.”

“As expected, please ask anything!” Hiroto grinned, finally feeling for the first time in the conversation he was in his element.

“Firstly, be aware this is a non-starter for me if Akari isn’t in the group,” Hiroto nodded nervously. “Second, what are your criteria for new members? Third, what skills are you looking for? Fourth, what kind of involvement can we expect in the process? Our contract states we have certain rights with regard to membership in the group as well as content. Thus far you’ve violated the contract by bringing in Koemi without consulting with us so, legally-speaking; we have a strong case to void the entire contract due to violation of Page 27, Paragraph 6, Section 3 of the member rights amendment of our contract. Fifth, how do you intend to implement the increase in our share? Direct pay? Company shares? Escrow? Sixth, which controls will you have in place to ensure we receive our increased share? Seventh, will there be a third party accounting firm as per our agreement or will there be a company-provided accountant which is against our contract as well; Page 4, Paragraph 2 Section 8 of the fair accounting amendment?” Hiroto was beginning to look panicky but Sachi continued unabated.

“Eighth, in regards to our increased share; for which time frame is the guarantee in place? Is this a time limited increase with a predictable decrease or will you guarantee it for a longer period of time? Ninth, how does the increase in members affect our current catalog? Tenth, how does the increase in members affect our share of royalties? And finally, with respect to concert share, will that be divided over the six of us or will management forfeit part of their share to ensure we all have current levels of compensation?” Hiroto stared at her blankly. “Well?” Sachi heard a faint giggle from the front room and smiled sweetly at Hiroto. Apparently Hana had been listening in.

“I-uh,” Hiroto shuffled papers aimlessly on his desk as he searched for answers he didn’t have. “I-uh will – uh, have to find those a-answers out for you.”

“I don’t have time to waste while you look for them,” Sachi said dismissively. “Get back to us when you know more than you plainly do right now. Until then we’re not signing or agreeing to anything. You do your job and get my Akari back for me and I’ll make concessions. Until then I want hard figures in writing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to court.”

“Sorry, Hiroto,” Yukiko giggled, following Sachi out the door, a smiling Mari holding her hand.

“They’re my ride,” Koemi said, ruffling Hiroto’s sparse hair as she walked past. “You might want to change back to your uniform and get re-enrolled because my sister just schooled you.”