At A Large Private Room

One side of the wall had a single large glass pane had a view showing a single cherry blossom tree on a small hill surrounded by a small pond. The room was designed simply with a tatami mat as Akemi and Chishiki were sitting on a square flat cushion in a seiza as they glanced at Reiki who was sitting with his legs crossed as the three sat around a dark oak wooden table. Chishiki lightly tapped on Reiki’s shoulder and said. “Aren’t you going to sit properly?” Reiki glanced at how the two were sitting as he rolled his eyes, he thought. I hate the Japanese lifestyle.

He scratched the side of his head, Reiki said. “Can I not?” Akemi’s expression turned odd as her brows furrowed, she said. “Didn’t your sister ever teach you?” Reiki shook his head sideways and said. “No, my older sister is always busy with work and my parents are never home.” He thought. It’s technically the truth. Chishiki gave him a smile along with a pat on the back, she said. “In that case, I’ll teach you.” She cleared her throat and continued. “When doing a seiza seat-.” She was interrupted by Reiki.

He said. “I’m not interested in learning manners, not unless you two are going to teach the elf when we’re going to eat next time.” Reiki continued his train of thought. I don’t want to learn all those traditional things all over again. The two woman's expressions turned serious all of a sudden as Akemi tapped on the table using one of her fingers, she said. “You were joking when you said we’re going to eat yakiniku at the office, right?” Chishiki let out a chuckle as placed her hand on the table and said. “Of course, he was just joking.”

She glanced at Reiki from the corner of her eye, Chishiki continued. “What kind of welcome would that be for an elf leaving the forest and visiting foreign land?” Reiki looked around the simple room, he thought. When are they going to give us the menu? He kept a straight face and said. “It’s to prevent information leaking.” The two had unbelieving expressions on their faces while Reiki continued. “What would those businessmen who forced you two into a corner in the first place?” The expression on Chishiki and Akemi’s faces slightly lessened.

Reiki pretended to think and said. “If they found out you two were visited by someone who they don’t have information on, they’ll get handsy again.” Chishiki pursed her lips into a line while Akemi tapped on the wooden table a couple of times. Chishiki said. “Alright fair, with the money and connection they have chances are it’ll happen.” Akemi tapped on the table a couple of times which got their attention, she said. “But does it have to be yakiniku? Can’t it be something else?” Reiki let out a chuckle and said. “Fine, you two get to choose the food. But good luck convincing the elf to eat raw fish and a lecture on how to use chopsticks.”

Chishiki’s lips curled into a smile, she said. “You don’t have to worry about that.” Akemi let out a sigh of relief and said. “At least we won’t have to install a charcoal grill in the office now.” A small smile formed on Reiki’s face, he thought. She would hate my office. Chishiki clapped once which caught both of their attention, she said. “Alright, that’s enough business talk for the day.” The door slid open as a woman wearing a simple light pink kimono with her hair tied into a tight bun while holding onto a menu.

The woman made her way inside the room and was about hand over to the menu to Chishiki using both hands. Chishiki raised her hand for her to stop and said. “It’s fine, We’ll have-.” Before she could continue she was interrupted by Reiki, he said. “Can I take a look at that?” The woman glanced at Chishiki while Akemi was watching them with a small smirk on her lips. Chishiki nodded as she gestured at him with an open palm, she said. “It’s fine, let the boy take a look at the menu and I’ll tell you our order.”

The woman handed the menu to Reiki with both her hands while Akemi moved her gaze onto Chishiki and said. “So, what are you ordering?” Chishiki looked up at the woman, she said. “We’ll have the seafood special with the shrimp fried and replace the salmon with fugu.” Akemi faked a cough which got her attention, she glanced at Reiki who was browsing through the menu and said. “Would he even eat that?” Before any of them could say anything Reiki flipped to the next page, he said. “I’m fine with the pufferfish.”

The three women were surprised by him as he moved his gaze away from the menu and continued. “Do you know how long the chef has his license?” The woman was slightly caught off guard for a moment before she quickly regained her cool and said. “The chef finished his three-year apprenticeship twelve years ago.” Reiki nodded as he turned the menu to face her, he said. “How would I know if the item on the menu is mana rich?” Chishiki and Akemi gave each other odd looks seeing his behavior.

The woman gestured at the menu he was holding and said. “At the last few pages are food from monsters and are mana rich.” Reiki quickly flipped to the back pages of the menu, he thought. Cow monster wagyu… There are monsters of cow?... The woman slightly leaned toward Chishiki and said. “Chishiki… Is he perhaps yours?” Akemi’s eyes suddenly widened as she placed a hand to cover her lips to quickly hide her smile. Akemi’s entire body visibly shivered while Chishiki had a hint of disbelief all over her face, she said. “No, what made you think that?”

The woman glanced at Reiki who was busy reading the menu and said. “I mean with skin like that I would assume you would’ve played a hand in it.” Chishiki glanced at Reiki’s pasty white skin, she thought. Why is his skin as fair as snow? Why did god decide to give it to a boy? Reiki had his eyes on the menu and thought. What are these prices? ¥128,000 for a thin-ass slice of wagyu from a cow monster… ¥512,000 for a seven-ounce steak… I need to get into the restaurant business again, these prices are too low.

He closed the menu and handed it back to the woman, Reiki said. “I’ll have a hundred of the thin slices of the agelada along with fifty seven-ounce steaks.” The woman nodded and said. “Yes, I’ll-...” The expression on her face slowly turned into one of disbelief while Akemi suddenly stopped laughing as she moved her hand away from her mouth. Chishiki felt the odd look she was receiving from Akemi and the waitress as she cleared her throat, she said. “How about-.” Reiki moved her gaze onto Chishiki and said. “Write it off as a business expense.”

Akemi stared at him with wide eyes, she thought. What kind of food expense reaches up to ¥38,400,000? Are you eating sushi made out of 24-karat gold? Chishiki tried her best to maintain the smile on her face as she couldn’t deal with Reiki’s behavior, she said. “I think the even they would frown at such lavish eating habits.” Akemi’s brows furrowed while her lips pursed into a straight line, she said. “Just because you can do anything you want, doesn’t mean you should.” Reiki rolled his eyes at them and said. “Don’t worry, if they have anything to say I’ll take the blame. They already know how much I eat.”

The woman placed a hand to cover her mouth, she thought. Then he’s a rich tycoon's illegitimate son… Chishiki nodded hesitantly and said. “... Yuna, I guess you have our order…” Akemi glared at the boy with a piercing gaze, she thought. What is he playing at? Yuna easily went back to normal as she gave them a deep bow and said. “Thank you for your patronage.” She made her way to the door, stood outside of the room, and slid it close.

The atmosphere around the three had a hint of awkwardness to it as the two women couldn’t think of anything to say. Chishiki looked around the room and said. “Reiki, where’s Cherry?” Reiki glanced out of one of the other two windows on the other walls of the room, he said. “She was following us during the drive. I’m planning to let her in when the food is served.” Akemi glanced at the same window he was staring at and said. “You can let her in, this establishment allows familiars.” Reiki stood up from the cushion as he placed his left hand in his pocket, he said. “I’m going to open a window.”

He made his way to one of the walls while Akemi and Chishiki were speaking with each other using their eyes. Akemi said. “What’s left of the paperwork?” Her eyes said. (Are we going to let him eat a meal worth thirty million yen?) Chishiki pretended to think and said. “Nothing important, all that’s left are minor things that can be easily solved even if breached the contract.” Her eyes said. (I don’t know what to do with him, there are moments when I question if he was even raised in japan.)

Reiki slid open the window and thought. I can feel the judgemental words all the way over here. A streak of white flew past him while it curved into the room. Chishiki stared at the albino crow that was standing in the middle of the table, she thought. Why is this bird always staring at us? Cherry was staring at the two women sitting around the table while Akemi glanced at Reiki who already closed the window as he made his way toward them. Akemi said. “So, what is Cherry going to eat?” Reiki lazily sat back down on the cushion with his legs crossed.

He said. “I’m going to need a napkin and a small plate for her food.” Chishiki had an odd look on her face, she said. “Don’t tell me you’re going to give her some of the food you just ordered?” Cherry turned into a streak of white as she appeared on Reiki’s right shoulder, he shook his head sideways and said. “No, she’ll be having cherries for lunch.” Akemi raised a brow at him, she said. “Aren’t crows omnivores?” Reiki rubbed the white bird's chin as she enjoyed it and said. “They usually eat carrion but she likes them.”

Chishiki let out a relieved sigh, she thought. If he fed that bird a steak worth five hundred thousand yen I would start questioning my living standards. Akemi watched him gently rub the bird's chin, she said. “Now, onto more important things.” She held out her hand toward him and continued. “Give me my souvenirs you got from the elves.” Reiki stopped rubbing Cherry’s cheek as he stared at her hand, he said. “Don’t you feel ashamed asking for a souvenir from a child?” Akemi had a smile on her lips, she said. “Most kids don’t go into the elven forest on their own.”

Reiki placed his hand inside the pocket of his pants while Chishiki stared at the white bird on his shoulder, she thought. Now that I got a good look at her, Cherry does look… Glass-like?... Reiki took out a tattered pouch from his pocket as he rummaged his hand in it, he said. “Got anything you want in particular?” Akemi’s eyes were glued onto his hand that was in the pouch, she spoke in a joking tone and said. “Any chance you can bring us some hundred-year-old wine?” She let out a chuckle while Chishiki had a smile on her lips.

Reiki took out a tattered pouch from his pocket, he said. “Sure, how many do you two want?” Chishiki and Akemi froze as the door slid open as Yuna came back while carrying a tray with a kettle along with three cylinder-shaped tea cups. Yuna said. “Dear, customers. I have brought back some tea.” She noticed the slightly odd atmosphere and noticed Cherry on Reiki’s shoulder, he said. “Yuna-san, can you bring me a few large cartons of milk?”

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Break Room

Ketsueki was massaging the temples of her forehead as she had a sour expression on her face while glaring at Ahma who sat on the opposite side of her. Ahma had a sweet smile on her lips, she said. “Don’t be like that, Ketsueki. Remember, wrinkles come from frowning and being angry.” Namida kept her head down as she typed on the laptop while Sachi was using the fashion magazine she was reading to hide her face. Ketsueki let out a long sigh and thought. I can’t give Reiki that much money, he’ll have questions… She said. “I know you have connections for things like these.”

Ahma let out a short laugh and said. “I do, but buying a three billion wine bottle and getting it for free are entirely different things.” Namida quickly picked up her laptop from the table as Ketsueki gritted her teeth as she swung her right hand onto the table and said. “And you think my boy can get his hands on it!?” The table was cleanly cut in half as it fell to the floor while Ahma stared at it and thought. Impressive control as always, with the cracks I expected it to shatter instead. Sachi peaked from the top of her magazine to take a look at the table.

Ahma pointed at the table and said. “That’s going out of your pay.” Ketsueki let out a scoff as she spoke in a fake tone. “Oh no, what do I do? Less marked bills to deal with.” Namida placed her laptop on her lap as she went back to typing, she spoke under her breath. “That’s the second table she broke this week.” Ahma had a pondering expression on her face and said. “Genuine question, how do you deal with them?” Sachi was covering her face using the magazine, she said. “Namida and I exchange it when she needs some money.”

Ahma’s brows furrowed as she moved her gaze onto the magazine she used to hide her face and said. “Don’t tell me you two do it for free.” Namida shook her head sideways while ignoring her infuriated friend who was glaring at them, she said. “As if, we ask for the same amount she just picks either of us randomly.” Ketsueki took a deep breath to calm herself down and said. “Reiki won’t be able to get his hands on a bottle that cost three billion. He only brought a few things back and I’ll make sure you don’t get anything.”

Ahma’s eyes lit up as the corner of her lips curled into a slight smirk, she said. “So he did manage to bring back souvenirs.” Ketsueki froze for a split second as she saw Sachi who was hiding her face using a magazine shaking her head sideways while Namida smiled. Ketsueki glared at her friends and said. “Ever heard of a helping hand? Considering what you two asked for my boy was a big ask.” Sachi flipped to the next page while Namida closed her laptop and moved her gaze onto her.

Namida said. “I recommended saving your breath and give her a small box.” Ketsueki positioned her hands on the table as she forgot she broke it in half, she crossed her arms making her large chest press against each other. Ketsueki said. “I would like you to say that if she demanded your boots.” She moved her gaze onto her friend who was busy reading a magazine and continued. “And your dress.” Her gaze wandered onto her friend's figure and compared it to Ahma, Ketsueki said. “Though, I doubt it would be able to fit her.”

Sachi closed the magazine as she used it to point at her, she said. “Hey!” She waved the magazine around as it pointed at all of their different chest sizes and continued. “Bringing up chest size is a low blow and you know it!” Namida closed the browser on her laptop, she thought. If I make a break for it… I would have a fifty-fifty shot of escaping with the only consequences being a slap on the wrist or reduced pay for the day… Ahma had her gaze on Namida and said. “You could try.” Namida felt a chill down her spine.

She continued her train of thought. I forgot she’s here. Ketsueki's pupils faintly glowed as she stared at her friend, she said. “Then how about you two prove to me that I won’t need to take those items back from your cold dead body.” Namida turned her laptop off as she snapped her fingers as it vanished from her lap while Ahma let out a chuckle and said. “Girls, I’m fine with the mean comments. But death threats take things a little too far.” Ketsueki and Sachi simultaneously turned their heads at her as they spoke at the same time, they said. “You’re the one who started this conversation in the first place!”

Namida watched her friends scream at their leader and thought. One of the few times I’m lucky to have a flat chest. She adjusted the black frame glasses she was wearing while Ahma was about to say something when something vibrated in her pocket. The three girls' eyes moved onto Ahma’s as she took out a flip phone from her pocket, she said. “May I take your order?” Sachi threw the magazine behind her shoulder and it vanished before hitting a wall. Namida stood up from her seat as she stretched, she let out a sigh and said. “I didn't want to work today.”

Sachi gave her friend an odd look, she said. “Then what do you think they pay us for?” Ahma ignored them and said. “And you would like us to deliver this to which address?” Namida finished stretching as she placed her hands into her pockets, she said. “To intimidate all of their competitors and clients.” Ketsueki massaged the temples of her head again and thought. Thank god, I was getting tired of dealing with her antics. She stood up from her seat and said. “Namida, sharpen your katan. Sachi ready your toolbox.”

Ahma closed the flip phone as the hand she used to hold it was suddenly engulfed in flames, she said. “Girls, we have a mission. I’ll text you the address and make sure you don’t kill the head until they hand over the accounts.” Ketsueki glanced at Ahma from the corner of her eye as she spoke in a sarcastic tone and said. “This isn’t our first time threatening someone for money.” Ahma shrugged her shoulder which made her large chest slightly jiggle, she said. “Hey, just making sure you three don’t do something dumb like the other teams.”

Sachi stood up from her seat while rubbing the palms of her hands together creating a few sparks, she said. “If the target doesn’t want to speak can I play with them first?” Ketsueki pointed at her and said. “No, last time we did that you mentally broke them from the pain.” Namida rubbed her chin with her hand and said. “Though I am interested in how you always seem to know how much pain to inflict just before they pass out.” Ketsueki and Ahma's lips curved into a slight smirk as they glanced at Sachi from the corner of their eyes.

Sachi kept a straight face, she said. “It doesn’t take that long to learn. I already got it down by the second person I tortured.” Sachi’s pupils faintly glowed as she gave the two women who were smirking at her a cold glance. Namida moved her hand away from her chin and placed it on her hip, she said. “Yeah, no thanks. I don’t mind slicing my opponent to pieces, skinning them alive is too much.” Ahma gave her an odd look and said. “Didn’t you cut someone vertically in combat? You got so proud of it that you sent it to everyone.”

She remembered the picture in her head, Ahma continued. “Side note, that was a very clean cut by the way. I could’ve appreciated it more if you hid all the intestines and brain spilling out of the skull.” Namida puffed her flat chest out in pride, she said. “Thanks, I was slightly worried it was too slow since the jaw is the toughest bone.” Sachi gently rubbed her eyes and said. “Can we talk about something else besides human mauling?” Ahma threw some melted plastic onto the floor as she took a smartphone from one of the pockets of her kimono, she said. “Here, let me text you the address before she gets any ideas about showing off her combat achievements.” Ketsueki let out a sigh and said. “Please.”