Chapter 11: You're all I have

In the eastern side of Tokyo laid the land that which is looked over by the prestigious and powerful Ito family, passed down for many generations their good name spread far and wide and were adored by many when Kuragari’s older brother, Rin Ito, was at the helm inherited by his mother and father years ago, when Kuragari and Rin’s father retired he passed his legacy over to the elder son in Rin for his outstanding grades and work as he was destined for great things but overtime Kuragari was made the sole leader of the family and he turned it into the show it is today, this involved a staggering increase in tax because of the ‘cost of living’ which didn’t stand well with the locals and the announcement of the contract with the Okamato family to the locals felt like they were being squeezed for all their hardworking money giving the Ito family a sour taste in conversation. At least this was what Hozumi told us about Kuragari anyway, I guess this was his way of saying he trusts us if we were allowed to listen in on such important matters. With his wife, son and many powerful members in many aspects by his side, Kuragari wasn’t going to allow some ‘peasant’ from England to ruin his goal of more riches and Junichiro’s happiness which brings up to when Navarro rushed back to their office to file his report in the east a little battered to indicate they couldn’t defeat the boys yesterday.

January 8th, 2006, 8:30pm

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY GOT AWAY?” Kuragari angered as he crushes an apple with his bare hand as he was disgusted at the thoughts of his son’s retainer losing and covered in his own blood as he is looking out the window of his head office in the form of a skyscraper which had a stunning view of the whole of the city. “Forgive me Lord Kuragari but you asked for some evidence and for what it’s worth I bring good news despite my failure in combat” Navarro says. “Aren’t we forgetting one tiny detail? I said should they become wary or attempt an escape, you bring them back for questioning, I gave you a gun for a reason! Are you really about to tell me some peasants were not intimidated being held at gunpoint!” Kuragari says turning red with anger. “My lord, you make them out to be weak because they are commoners, you picture them as ants but that is not the case, there was this dangerous trio involving the man in question Isaac and they showed no mercy” Navarro nervously says.

Junichiro by his father’s side opens up his statement. “Sending you to investigate that man has its merits as we now know that Isaac White is dating Sara Okamato based off his actions and approach to your enquiry, engaging in combat means he was intimidated when you tried to detain him, he had the choice to flee but chose to stand his ground and make himself and his band an enemy of us, his other companions must be that of a similar quality to him and weren’t pleased with your intrusion of their time, if all this adds up, I fear we may receive a call from Lord Okamato himself saying he wants the deal off even though he doesn’t know of the tiresome days, weeks, even years we’ve spent arranging this marriage and it’s all going to come crashing down all because of some filthy peasant!”. Junichiro says steaming to show he gets his anger from his father. “Keep your head on tiger, you will have what you desire, the best things come to those who are patient” Kuragari says to his son calming him down. “Now, I’m going to publicly propose through the foundation that we commence with Plan A as Hozumi has got approximately 3 days to give me an answer, you might not like to here this Junichiro but its looking more than likely that Sara will not go along and will become one with Isaac White, so if Hozumi truly thinks he can use some British lads to get out of paying me, then he is dead wrong!”. “Gina dear, please could you come into my office and can you please bring Ruby, Dimitri and Veronica with you, thank you?” he says after buzzing for her attention. “Are you nervous Father?” Junichiro says. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, there is a lot of money riding on your arranged marriage to Sara and he agreed to it knowing the consequences, so this change of heart is quite shocking but at the same time he doesn’t know when to say no meaning he has opened up to these boys in a heartbeat. All I can do is pray on their downfall and hope that a spanner is thrown into their works resulting in some positive news because god knows we could do with some now” Kuragari responds as the people he requested are now present in his office. Gina his wife is a stunning woman in her 40’s with long blonde wavy hair with blue eyes to go well with her long eyelashes. She is wearing a blazer, skirt and black heels to commemorate her look as she gives Kuragari a kiss on the cheek, the two have been married for over 15 years now.

Dimitri Noguchi is a 25-year-old high ranked member of the foundation and serves Junichiro like Navarro, he has long black hair which he puts into a ponytail and green eyes with a piercing of a cross in his right ear to symbolise his religion. He is wearing a short black blazer with a red button up to match his black jeans, but his expressions show a man who has grand ideas to offer but is hardly granted the opportunity to express them so he chooses to remain quiet and speaks when he’s spoken to.

Veronica Adachi is a 24-year-old woman who always works at Dimitri’s side due to their good chemistry, she has dark purple hair to go along with her brown eyes and a piercing in her left ear of the same cross as Dimitri’s. She is wearing the same suit as Dimitri as this was clearly the dress code for all members but shows off her look with black boots. She was easy going and follows orders with lots of energy and humour but is always looking out for Dimitri’s and the family’s wellbeing.

Ruby Sasaki was last to enter and fully expresses herself with a cute headband that fades into her light pink hair that goes well with her blue eyes and bright white smile, a dress and small length heels were allowed to be worn by the approval of Junichiro who she serves but in her duties she wears a suit just like the others but adores white blazers. She carries a portion of her wages and earnings in her pockets.

“Please for the love of god tell me you brought my coffee!” Kuragari asks his wife approaching his desk with two cups in hand. “With two sugars the way you like it dear” Gina replies putting it in front of him calming his nerves enough to address the people who have entered the room. “Thank you all for coming in on such short notice, I won’t bore you with the details as I’m getting quite tired of repeating it myself so to cut it short, we will be commencing with Plan A in the evening of 11th January should I receive a negative responds from Hozumi regarding Junichiro’s marriage meaning you have more to enough time to go over it and fully prepare, I assume you are all aware of your roles and responsibilities? ”. “Correct my lord” everyone says apart from Gina and Junichiro bowing their head as Junichiro makes an announcement. “On that night, you will have the honour of being led by yours truly so I will take time out of my schedule to visit tomorrow and devise the plan as a group” he says shocking his parents. “Absolutely not! I will not allow such a silly request!” Gina says to her son declining the idea tapping her son’s head with a vogue magazine. “Your mother’s right Jun, you don’t have the authority to decide what you want, we have full faith in Navarro to take lead despite his recent mishap with the British boys” Kuragari says further crushing Junichiro’s idea. “Do you not see me fit to lead? Am I weak to you or something?” Junichiro says back. “You are our son, the proud future of this family, you have our full trust and support, but you should know that if something was to happen to you then what next, we always have plans in advance but we would be just as confused as you if something was to happen to you!” Kuragari says. “I trust you will make a grand leader, one that all the world will talk about but now is not that time, we cannot afford to mess this up, we both know that far too well” he says looking over to his son. “I understand, sometimes you just need to hear it in order to accept it” Junichiro replies. “My sweet boy you have worked so hard to get to your position now and we couldn’t be prouder, your father and I will you give all the support you need, after all what’s a mother to her son if she can’t give him the world and more” Gina says hugging him. “Don’t beat yourself down too much Jun, who knows I might change my mind in a fit of rage and tell you to keep it secret from your mother” Kuragari jokingly says as his wife turns in horror. “At a time like this and you’re still making jokes!” Gina says with her arms crossed.

Junichiro then arranges the meeting to take place on the 10th and dismissing the group not until he can ask Dimitri and Veronica for a chat on their way to the luxury pool. “How are you two finding the new adjustments? I do hope no trouble has been caused because of it as you guys may be new but you have been nothing but splendid to us, I mean rising up the ranks in such a short amount of time is truly spectacular” Junichiro says grabbing a towel to Veronica who is getting into a swimsuit. “You worry about us too much Jun, you’ve allowed us time to see our family and that’s all me and Dimitri can ask for, we’ve very happy with the hospitality and you’ll have our full support should you need it” Veronica sweetly says as Junichiro smiles and tells them he will meet them in there allowing Veronica to diverse with Dimitri who is shaving.

“You could at least show some emotion, the family will see you as some strange hologram if you don’t interact!” Veronica says. “What’s the need to interact when I know what’s needed to be done and so do they, this plan is going to be a big turning point for this city, I’ll start showing emotion once we have what we want, it’s like Kuragari states we can’t afford to fuck this up, not just for the family’s sake but for our own as well, it seems you on the other hand are showing too much emotion” Dimitri slams back at Veronica pulling a frowny face in quick succession. “It would be rude not too; life comes at you fast and to say we’ve worked with this family will look good on our CV” Veronica responds. “I just hope the people back at Amos don’t get plunged into this mess, we’ll have to make sure to discuss all about our time tomorrow on our day off, stick by us for a bit longer will you Veronica?” Dimitri worryingly says as the two make way to the pool. “Absolutely” she replies leaning her shoulder onto Dimitri. The group Dimitri is referring to is their religious group who have been with him and Veronica since at a young age and when they disbanded to work with the Ito family the group transcended into the shadows for a time to stay away from any trouble that may arise as the family that Veronica speaks off is the group named Amos.

The time when the Okamato and Ito foundations come into twine with each other comes closer than expected. How will each family tackle Hozumi’s later conclusion and how will it effect my relationship and promises with Sara?