When most of the noise had died down and people were content to pore over the latest news and rumors, I breathed a sigh of relief and locked myself in my house with a clear conscience, ignoring all outsiders and their letters of complaint. In addition to recovery, I have another extremely important matter that I've been putting off.
I've been putting it off for a while now, but it's already too much, because Junko is on the loose, and who knows what she might do. So it is necessary to deal with her as soon as possible, and today was chosen as the most suitable day, because this woman, who has already made several political mistakes, immediately fled to France — to continue the operation — and today is forced to return by my order, which was a blatant threat.
I think she realized she'd made a mistake, so she ran away. But as long as she's not back, I can just breathe the fresh air, enjoy the peace, bask in the warm feelings of the pointy-eared girl — so kind and sincere, a very caring and loving daughter. It is still strange to realize that you have a daughter and she is so grown up at the same time.
I don't want to go into various ethical and philosophical depths about Kiriko, for me she's just a normal girl, unexpectedly — a daughter, and that's all, nothing more and nothing less. We were constantly patrolled by the fakes, who couldn't look serious for very long; very quickly the crumbs returned to their usual state of giddy giggles and jokes. I was aware of Momo's invisible presence and Keane's fiery one.
— Daddy, aren't you cold? — The concern in Kiriko's voice would be enough for a grandmother, and the breeze is really cool today, coming from the sea.
— It's not my heart beating in my chest, it's a fiery engine! How can I freeze with it? — I replied with a broad smile.
The girl just smiled and shook her head reproachfully. I'm afraid that in four or five years, I might turn out to have a real grandmother — not by age or blood, but by content. But that's okay, we'll think about it later (when we feel like it), but now a guilty person is coming to see us, not in a hurry, but not alone, Yusheng has come with her.
The last time she came, I couldn't talk about serious things, and I couldn't talk about anything at all because I was almost in a coma. I wondered what she wanted to talk about, because there were many important topics, and the deadline for all of them was approaching. ....
— Good afternoon, — the women greeted each other in turn, accompanying the words with a slight traditional bow in their own way.
— Good afternoon, — I agree, wait for the women to take their seats and continue. — You ladies and I are going to touch on some personal but very important issues that cannot but affect our common future. I don't think anyone can deny that we have a future together, can they? Very well. In that case, I ask everyone to refrain from possible hysterics — I was looked at with such surprise and even irony at this moment, but I ignored it and finished my thought.
— And also from exclamations like "it's personal" and "it's my business" and the like. — After looking around at those present and receiving condescending (from the women) and serious (from Kiriko) nods, I continued. — Since we're done with the introduction, let's move on to the main topics.....
— Wait, can we go inside? — Junko interrupts me. — We cannot be overheard there, unlike... — she eloquently circled the surrounding area: rare, low trees, hills and meadows, people, an apple orchard fifty meters away from us. In principle, it would be possible to understand her if I had an ordinary house.....
— What's wrong? — I look at her in surprise. — No, ideally we'd like to get all our people together to organize a family meeting, but it'll only be possible in the evening, and even then it's unlikely — it's hard to get anything good out of tired people. As for the eavesdropping, you need not worry — Momo will not allow outsiders who do not have permission to be on the land under her control.
— I trust you, son, but a Zashikiwarashi is not enough to control such an area, after all, she is a simple "child of the tatami"...
— She is not simple, — these words were enough to bring a spark of realization and understanding into Yusheng's eyes. Still, what an intelligent and wise woman, and a martial artist of the highest caliber — a beautiful woman! — If we're done with this, shall we continue? — Without hearing any more protests, I continue. — Let's start with the topic Ms. Yusheng has worked so hard on. — I bow respectfully to the woman I deeply respect, who even allowed herself the shadow of a satisfied smile, reflected only in the corners of her eyes. — This is the reason why you wanted to meet me, isn't it?
— You're right, Sora-kun, — the woman agreed, regaining control of her face, though I suspected that her recent display of emotion had some purpose, and I wished I could understand what it was. — The thing is, we have managed to identify all the participants in the crime we are interested in. The mosaic is coming together down to the last piece... — I'm sure that many people would be shaken by Yusheng's animalistic grin, because even I felt goosebumps on my back, and something turned over in my stomach — it was very unexpected that she "smiled", and even so "affectionately".
— In addition, we found an underground slave market, as well as all the supply lines for the black market, not only in magical France, because through their smuggling goes to other parts of Europe.
From what I heard, I was, as they say, "breathless" from the opening prospects, but on the other hand, I quickly realized that such a lot of money to pick up in one mouth will not be given, just out of envy or fear — it does not matter, the fact is important — we just trampled, and the business itself is held by local "important" people ... but that does not mean that we can not take a bite of the "apple", right?
— Ms. Yusheng, you've made me happy. Honestly, — I let out a heavy sigh. — It's a pity that we have so little strength...''
— That's true, — the Chinese woman agreed, shaking her head. — We don't have enough fighters to take over the entire network in one fell swoop, and it's pointless to engage in a prolonged battle — we'll lose more. But here, I think we'll either make deals with some of the locals, or we'll be left with nothing at all... if we don't count the revenge we've achieved.
— Yes, you're right, we can't do it alone, and I didn't count on the whole "cake" anyway, but it would be nice to get a good piece of it, right? — The women nodded and Kiriko just listened attentively. — But here's the problem: Someone rushed in, got involved in this case without understanding the nuances, because of which my authority has fallen in the eyes of some people ... — As I said this, I looked into Junko's eyes, which were filled with incomprehension and even resentment at the unfair words. — Can you imagine, I was even asked cautiously if I was the master in my house, or if I was only fit to bring the fresh press to the table? — Now everyone was looking at Junko, and there was no understanding or anything like that in anyone's eyes.
— I have no idea what you're talking about. Yes, I talked to those Delacours, but I didn't even hint at anything like that, I just carefully hinted at a mutually beneficial cooperation in the upcoming mess, that's all. — The woman shrugged. — Your accusations are unfounded.
— You really don't understand, Okaka-san. You haven't thought about how the situation looks from the outside, have you? From the look on your face, you don't understand and you haven't thought about it, — she sighed heavily again, making her insides tingle with pain. — From the look on your face, people have concluded that the Hoshino family's power is weak and the current boss's mother has decided to take over, and there's no telling how it will end, so it's probably best to stay away from them until a winner emerges.
— Nonsense! — Junko shook her head negatively. — I didn't think that and I certainly didn't say that!
— And nobody cares about that, — I answer all too calmly, shrugging my shoulders and looking at the workers. — What matters is how it looks from the outside. Especially since your hints weren't subtle enough for me to see much suspicion in them. — I turn to the woman and look into her eyes again.
— You set me up. You set them all up. The Delacours are the only reasonably powerful and wealthy family in France that I can relatively trust, and if I marry Fleur, we'll have a strong alliance. Or rather, it was planned, now they have doubts! And that's after Mrs. Yusheng and her Lan Petal joined us! I said the last words expressively, raising my voice so much that my throat was sore at the end, and something rattled and burned in it. Kiriko anxiously brought a clean handkerchief to my lips and wiped the corner of my mouth. There was blood on the white cloth with embroidered flowers. I had to put a new seal on my throat and wait for the discomfort in my throat to pass.
— Yes, Sora-kun is right, — Yusheng nodded slightly, watching my actions with interest, and Kiriko, who was worried and unable to help. — You, Junko, have made a serious mistake, the consequences of which we will all have to deal with, I think we will have to make some concessions, and that is a net loss, losses. From you, for all the time of being near my son, a noticeable benefit was only during our operations in France, — in the eyes of a confused woman appeared something like gratitude, but the Chinese woman continued.
— On the other hand, now only a group of my closest, one could say students, and I can call at any moment at least a hundred more fighters of medium-high level, and a dozen more of high level.....
There was no need to finish — it was already clear. Yusheng didn't really need Junko's help, she would be fine with her own forces that she could summon at any time, but it was undesirable not to raise the suspicion of the Lan clan. You could say that Junko had made a concession to make her feel needed and included.