Chapter 7: Poor Misguided Fool

“Hey Hey, is that my good friend Hozumi? I’ve just tucked into my slippers after a long stressful day, what can I help you with on this fine night?” Kuragari Ito says to open the conversation over the telephone as his 43-year-old self rustles his fingers through his beard along with his grey hair that oddly match his eyes and fashion sense. Despite his middle age looks, he possesses the mind of a teenager given his first car and speaks in a sense that Hozumi doesn’t tend well with but during duty he acts like a professional in the line of work showing he can handle the pressure of top man. “I do sincerely apologise for the missed calls earlier” Hozumi says as he sits in his chair in the candle lit office “I believed now would be a good time to call you if you have the time”.                 “Of course, I’ll always make time for my dear companion whether its business or idle chatter” Kuragari exclaims as Hozumi has a blank expression over the line.

“Well it’s regarding our agreement involving our Sara and your Junichiro, I would like to propose a postponement on the deal”. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that, I must’ve had some wax in my ear it almost sounded like you asked for a postponement” Kuragari jokingly says. “I will repeat myself then; I would like to propose a postponement on our deal as something has come up on Sara’s behalf, you know what she’s like with other reasonings” Hozumi says. “Quite frankly Hozumi, I don’t, I think I believe I know the real reason for this request, I have had one of my subordinates from our foundation curiously spot her with another male her age all lovey dovey, now you tell me if that looks suspicious or not” Kuragari says throwing Hozumi off guard as he knows its Isaac he is referring to.

“Whatever thoughts you are having, they aren’t true, the man in question is merely her English teacher who’s offering to give her extra support in her upcoming lessons, nothing more, nothing less I can assure you” Hozumi quick to respond to Kuragari’s claims. “I see, well I guess I can rest easy going off your words, if my sons soon to be bride needs some time then I must respect and grant it, talk to me Hozumi, how long will this postponement last?!” Kuragari says putting him on the spot not knowing that Hozumi has a quick answer already lined up for him. “One week, that’s all I ask”. “Understood, it could’ve been much worse but that can be arranged, it won’t please my son but I guess we’ve just got to roll with it, however I must warn that anything past this week will be dealt with drastically as this has gone on longer than it needs to be, both you and me know that far too well”. “I understand Kuragari, thank you for your time and patience, I will be in touch again shortly” Hozumi closes his statement.                                                     “Likewise, chat to you soon” as the two hang up on each other not until Kuragari buzzes to see a man named Navarro in his office immediately.

“You called for me Lord Kuragari?!” the man known as Navarro says upon entry into his office. The black room matched the aroma this man brought in the room as the only source of light was from the candle Kuragari placed on his work desk. An atmosphere like this mixing together with Kuragari's recent chat is bound to spell bad news for anything brought up in the equation.

“Ah Navarro Fujioka, the pleasure of seeing your face again lifts my mood, I take it your business in Osaka is settled and you can focus on this task at hand that I’m about to assign you?”.

“Yes my lord, everything is settled and I’m ready for anything you may have tasked for me, all you have to do is give me the order” Navarro says as he kneels on one knee to show his loyalty to the family. “You know Navarro, despite your young age we have had many successful campaigns over the years and alongside the family’s big profits, assigning you as my son’s retainer has definitely payed off the most so I believe this task suits you the best as it involves my son” Kuragari tells Navarro as he lights a cigar in his fancy chair. “I am not worthy of such praise but if the matter at hand involves my master Junichiro then I will take any measures necessary to make him and everyone proud”. “I absolutely love your attitude Navarro” Kuragari follows.

“You see over the past few days we have been granted the impression that the Okamato family are having major doubts over our agreement and it’s all down to Sara being swayed away by another man, after Hozumi asked for a postponement which I had no choice but to accept as it was her request but I can’t help but feel like they are hiding something, it raises my curiosity as Ruby saw the two out and about quite often raising the question if that is the man who is forming a relationship with Junichiro’s bride to be”. Ruby is revealed to be the woman who made the call to Kuragari the other week opening his mind to the situation, and she is aligned with the Ito foundation like Navarro.

“I see, so you wish to find out more about this man before you move forward with this?” Navarro says. “You may aswell have spoken for me, Hozumi’s own words were that he is merely an English teacher but I would like to confirm that for myself and see if I’m right or wrong, your job for me is to find out their relationship whether it is through sheer interaction or collecting data I don’t care, I just need to know the status, you have one week, take whoever and do whatever you wish, I will have Ruby send you over his identity so you aren’t questioning a random homeless man instead” as Kuragari sets the challenge for Navarro. “Understood, consider it done” Navarro says.

Suddenly a background voice in the darkness of the room chuckles as his voice echoes through the room until he opens to speak “if you choose to interact with him and he doesn’t wish to cooperate, don’t hesitate to bring him down a peg and show him who he’s truly messing with, I feel I’m going to come face to face soon enough with this figure if he’s hanging around the Okamato family but I'd like a first impression kind of basis” as the shadowy figure reveals himself as Junichiro Ito. He is just about as tall as his father is and dresses in a manner of perfection as those are his standards of a noble’s only son with slicked dark green hair, neat beard and blue eyes that glow just like his perfect white teeth along with the fanciest suits and luxuries in life through sheer hard work and dedication seeing himself as the perfect figure and his views is that nobody matches.                                                                       “Fuck me where did you come from son; I didn’t even see you there” Kuragari shockingly says frightfully. Navarro remains kneeling at the sight of his master. “I was coming to inform you that one of the maids is requesting another fortnight annual leave until I overheard your conversation with Navarro” Junichiro says. “If it’s Mabel who requested the time, tell her she’s had enough fucking days off to take care of her 10 cats who coincidently have shitting problems” Kuragari says becoming a little stressed. “Father, fear not as the time is nearly upon us where our dreams will soon be realized, nothing and nobody will stand in our way, that I will promise!”.

7th January 2006 the day after our so called questionable evening with the Okamato's saw us back to work in university teaching our brilliant English lessons as we were starting to receiving a lot of good positive feedback and love from the students for our quote ‘fresh and unique way of life’, well that was Sachio told us anyway, however what she forgot to mention was two new girls were entered our class as of today and no prizes in guessing who they were.                                                                                                                  

 “Right, who was going to fucking tell me these two were joinin- OWWWW” Kyle screams as Ena grips his ear in front of the room followed by hysterical laughter from my class. “Alright settle down I know it’s very funny but let’s be mature” I politely ask my class who do very well when it comes to listening. “Yes, Ena let go so he doesn’t go feral and so we can introduce you and Yukia” Nathan asks to get it over so he can have a cigarette.                  “Students, as you can see, we have two new girls joining us from today so make them feel welcome and also feel free to introduce them to the class cat who for some reason has a major shitting problem as of late” I say packing up my stuff for lunch as the bell would signal any minute now.                      “Aww I love cats” Yukia says rushing over to the one on the window ceil.   “Well you’ve certainly showed it” Ena follows.                                                   “QUIET ENA!” Yukia shouts shocking a few of her new classmates including the cat as it flies out the window as Sara laughs.

In the time I’ve been in Tokyo, I have noticed that Sara is growing a tiny bit of confidence in herself, as her new boyfriend I want her to express her brilliant nature and be proud doing it because knowing she’s had this great character hidden for so long makes me want to stick by her and let her blossom as I will continue to stand by my promise from the other night so long as I am here.