Chapter 66: Meet the Relatives
"Good morning, young miss."
I couldn’t greet Rika back as I felt my heavy body making me not want to get up from the bed. The warmth from my blanket makes me want to indulge myself in it more. "Am I being forced to wake up right now?" I asked.
"Yes, young miss. The oyabun asked to have dinner with everyone."
I grunted as I get up. "What time is it?"
"It’s already 5 am, young miss."
"5 am!? Isn’t that too early for breakfast?" My eyes widened. "Do people here eat breakfast at 5 am and sleep at 5 pm?"
Rika giggled. "Of course not, young miss."
"Then why."
Rika showed me the comb she was holding and the yukata in her other hand. "The lady must prepare for the breakfast." Oh no. Does it mean it will take an hour for me to prepare again? "I already prepared the bath for the lady." I groaned as I got off the bed.
"Do I have to wear that yukata too?"
Rika looked at the yukata she was holding. "Oh, this young miss, is a kimono."
My forehead creased. "What’s the difference?"
"The fabric used. Yukata are mostly used during summer, while Kimono has an inner layer which makes it fit the weather for today." Rika answered. "Also, the miss wants to learn more about the Yamaguchi-gumi, right?"
I mean, do I even have a choice? I have to learn it anyway to not humiliate myself and be hated. As soon as I got in the bathtub, Rika started preparing the body scrub she brought with us. "Say, who should I be wary of?" I can’t help but asked that. Should I be wary of Tomoe’s parents? Since their daughter should have been Night’s wife but I got in between them.
Rika tilted her head. "I don’t think there’s anyone. But Ichiro-sama is strict when it comes to rules and ethics. I think the miss must be careful in front of him." She said. ’Okay. I’ll engrave that in my head so I won’t forget.’ I thought as I nod. "Ichiro-sama is the first son of the oyabun. However, he doesn’t have any interest in becoming the next oyabun and he wanted to support Kiyoshi-sama as his right hand."
Wow, Rika’s so knowledgeable. Did she learn all of this in just her little time within the group? "What about Tomoe’s father?"
"Oh, Touma-sama?" I nodded even though I don’t remember the name. "His code name is San which means three. He’s the strongest when it comes to the physical battle. He even trains the members since he used to be a judo and karate athlete."
A-A judo and karate athlete?
"I-Is he strict or cruel?"
Rika giggled and shook her head. "Not at all. Touma-sama is carefree and always cheerful." I didn’t expect that from Tomoe’s father. "Touma-sama’s one of the members that were against the young master becoming the heir."
"Really? Why?" Rika shrugged. She said one of the members, so many of them were against Night becoming the next boss. "Tell me more."
And that’s how Rika started talking about all of Night’s relatives. I learned that Ichiro is Himari’s father and his code name is Nii which means two. That concludes that he’s the second in line to become the next boss. I guess that’s because he’s the first son of grandpa Kenta. ’How should I call them anyway? Uncle?’ I thought.
"Who’s fourth?"
Rika helped me dry off as we get out of the bathroom. "It’s Masashi-sama. He’s the second son, but he’s adoptive." She answered. "I also know that Masashi-sama and Maki-sama are great friends." Hearing my father’s name made me look at Rika’s face.
"Wow, you know a lot."
Rika became flustered due to an unknown reason. "I-It’s because I studied the yakuza structure and members’ relationship to each other w-well." She said with continuous stuttering. I didn’t say that to sound mean, why is she getting flustered?
"If uncle Masashi is the fourth, then what number does Night’s father have?"
Rika brought the hair dryer with an awkward look on her face. "H-Hiroshi-sama is called Shichi." That rhymes with his name. "It means seven in English."
"How many children does grandpa Kenta have anyway?"
"There are seven."
Doesn’t that mean Night’s father is the lowest when it comes to ranking? "Why does Night’s father has the highest number?" I don’t understand how everything works in this place. It makes my head spin thinking about all this complicated information.
Rika shrugged. "I don’t know the reason either, young miss." She said. "You should ask Kenji-sama or Asahi-sama."
I think she’s right. Those two probably know more than Rika, but I don’t want to ask Kenji. He’ll learn that Tomoe didn’t teach me anything useful and he might report it to Night. Although Night won’t care, if Tomoe learned that I snitched on her, she might hate me more. I had enough hate and I don’t want more.
Rika helped me change into my kimono and she also styled my hair into a crown braid. ’I don’t think if this outfit will fit breakfast with them. I mean, isn’t this too much for a mere breakfast?’ Back in our house, I eat breakfast while wearing pajamas and my parents don’t mind. I guess this place is different. If I’m not aware that they’re a yakuza group, I’ll surely mistake them for the royal family. "I think you’re ready now, young miss."
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Rika did a simple makeup on me too and it looks great. "I feel nervous." I don’t think I’ll be able to eat well because of this. It’s like eating with a bunch of strangers. ’I’m uncomfortable since I’m not close to any of them and I don’t know them. Basically strangers.’ We heard a knock on the door at exactly 6:50 am.
"The oyabun calls for the lady." I heard Kenji’s voice. At least Kenji came here with us. Although Kaoru didn’t come with us because he has something to do in the Philippines. I don’t know what it is but I think it’s connected with the messages I received the other day. "I’ll accompany the lady," Kenji said and so Rika was forced to stay inside my room since she can’t come with me.
’I feel nervous. I think I might puke.’
"Is the lady nervous?" I flinched after being asked that. ’Why does Kenji always looks like he can read what’s going on inside my head?’
"Yes, I am. I don’t know any of them so how will I not be nervous?" I said with a little voice. It’ll be bad if someone heard me and thought that I’m badmouthing their masters. ’Wait, do they even understand me? Aren’t these people all Japanese? How will I speak to them?’
Kenji chuckled. "You’ll be fine, milady. The young master is with you."
"Wow, that’s really reassuring me," I said in sarcasm making Kenji laugh even more. "Just tell me who should I be wary of."
Kenji turned to me with a confused look. "No one. The oyabun will be with the miss, you don’t have to worry about the others." He said as he smiled. Easy for him to say! He’s not the outsider that they’ll be meeting for the first time!
Let’s just calm down. ’Inhale... exhale...’ I thought as we arrived in front of a big sliding door. "What are we waiting for?" I asked after we were just standing in front of the door for like a minute already. "I’m going to be late at this point."
Kenji smiled. "We must wait for the young master. We can’t let the others see the two of you going in separately. What if they think you’re not lovey-dovey enough?" I grimaced after hearing that. ’Do I really have to act like that with Night?’ I thought but that’s when Night arrived wearing a kimono too. He has his hair down and looks like he didn’t put any effort at all while I woke up at 5 just to prepare for this breakfast!
Kenji made me move closer to Night. "No one will believe you guys if you’re just standing side by side." He said as he forced me to cling to Night’s arm. "There. And please, smile a bit more, young master." No, that’ll probably be more suspicious if the cold and expressionless Night starts smiling.
"You can do it, milady. Don’t feel too nervous." Kenji said as he patted my shoulder while I nodded. "The young master will be by your side at all times, also communicate with each other for your sake." I rolled my eyes. He should be telling that to Night, not me. He’s the one who’s been ignoring me after kissing me without apparent reason.
’Yeah. I still haven’t moved on because it was my precious first kiss!’
Kenji opened the door for us and all attention went to the two of us. I didn’t say anything as I plastered a smile on my face greeting everyone. Even if Night’s beside me, I’m all alone on this battlefield against his relatives.
’I don’t know how they’ll treat me. I’m already scared.’
