Chapter 177: 175 – Winds of Change

While Asako was in the middle of streaming, countless events unfolded in the background.

Former Officer Kimura, currently just the civilian Takashi Kimura, guided a mysterious young woman to Myth Inc. HQ to see if he could help her try out for the next generation of Project MirAIs.

Beta and the other members of Ars Nova Productions were hard at work. Sakura, Ichiro, the mysterious Emily Nova... all of them worked around the clock to prepare for their big debut at the Winter Tokyo Electronic Expo as well as their small booth during Comiket the week before.

John and Yue enjoyed an elaborate lunch and set off on the next portion of their date plans, visiting the snowy mountains of Hokkaido to go skiing.

Meggie and Tsuki had a playdate back at Tsuki's house, watched over by Xuannu while Kai mulled over his life decisions... and being rejected by Sakura again.

Bai and Eri finished filing the appropriate paperwork for medical facilities in Myth Inc. HQ as well as acquiring a nearby building for a proper clinic.

Qing and Sitri headed back to prepare for interviewing the last of the candidates Qing had in mind. And by preparing, it was mostly Qing scolding Sitri and making sure that she took proper notes and didn't act up.

Alphy and her aunt Zhaojun practiced recording some songs together in the studio, enjoying the peaceful day.

Titor continued his work on shoring up his secret projects as well as preparing for his own booth at Comiket and his presentation at the Tokyo Electronic Expo.

The foxy Su Daji roamed around Tokyo, sensing something off and trying to find the source of it... while truthfully sampling various sushi restaurants and paying with John's card.

And as for our wholesome yakuza trio...

-----AI|IA-----

Maji Toraki Udon. A small udon restaurant tucked away in the Roppongi Hills Mall. Despite being large enough to seat only about a dozen customers at once, and despite being open for a couple of weeks, it was popular enough to have lines out the door every day. Partially because the restaurant was open almost 24/7 on the weekdays.

But at the moment, the popular udon restaurant was closed. The business sign was flipped over and the doors were locked.

Of course, it wasn't empty. Instead, the owners were serving a pair of special customers at the moment.

Maji stepped out from the kitchen, carrying two bowls of udon. He walked over to the countertop and then placed them down, sliding them over to the two girls waiting for their food.

"Amazing!" Xuan clapped her hands and smiled. She looked towards Maji, causing her black twintails to shift, and said, "This smells delicious, Mister Maji!"

Wu pulled her bowl close as well and started salivating. She gulped and then brushed her white bangs aside before looking up at Maji. "I-Is it okay for us to eat this, Mister Maji?"

Maji clicked his tongue and said, "I told you girls already. Just call me Maji or Aniki. Hell, call me Oji if you want, but not Mister Maji." He shuddered and said, "Gives me the creeps." He pulled out some chopsticks and spoons from the pockets in his apron and placed them in front of Xuan and Wu. "And yeah, eat up. You girls need something warm after walking around in the cold all day."

Xuan shivered, subconsciously rubbing her white dress sleeves. "Yes. This place is unexpectedly cold."

Wu nodded, hugging her black dress a bit closer to her body. "Indeed. Sister Xuan and I were trapped in a dark place, but it was at least warm. To think that such a bright place could be so cold..."

Maji frowned. "Just where were you girls locked up anyway?"

Before the girls could answer, there was a 'click' at the front door. The sound of it being unlocked.

Maji glanced over and then rolled his eyes. "Bro. That's a bit excessive."

Saji walked in, carrying an armful of shopping bags. The tall man set the bags down and then brushed some snow off his green overcoat. After that, he rubbed his shaved head and said, "Well, we're taking care of those girls until Boss is back, right? Better safe than sorry."

"Yeah. But how much did you spend?"

Saji rummaged in the bag and pulled out a pair of blue wool blankets. He unfurled them and then walked over to the sisters, placing one over each sister's shoulders. "Here ya go. Stay warm, alright?"

Xuan wrapped her blanket close to her and then smiled. "Thank you, Mister... Saji?"

Saji laughed and said, "That's right. And just Saji's fine, Miss Xuan. Or you could call me Aniki if you want."

Wu made herself a blue cocoon with her blanket and then smiled. "Thank you, Aniki."

Saji smiled back and said, "It's nothing. Guys like us have to protect girls like you, ya know?"

Xuan's eyes widened. "Wow." She looked to Wu and said, "Sister. It seems this world has many kind men."

Wu nodded. "Indeed! No wonder John was so special. He hails from a land of great men!"

Maji chuckled. "That's not the only reason why Boss is special... But I guess it doesn't feel too bad to hear that. A land of great men, huh...?"

Japan was a mess right now due to the recent upheaval, but there *had* been many great men in the past. Back when the captains and patriarchs worked for the good of the people that fell through the cracks instead of trying to squeeze out profit...

Well, John was already starting to fill that gap, so it wasn't too bad anymore. And considering what kind of being that guy really was...

A faint *snap* echoed. The sound of chopsticks being pulled apart.

Xuan stared at her chopsticks and nodded, a content smile on her face. "Perfectly separated. Good luck."

Wu frowned and picked up her chopsticks as well. With a slight tug, they snapped. But unlike her black-haired sister, Wu's chopsticks broke unevenly. She sighed and said, "Bad luck. The same."

Xuan set her chopsticks down and reached over to pat her sister's head. "Worry not." She smiled and said, "My good luck is more than enough to balance it. Remember?"

Wu smiled. "Of course, Sister. As long as I am with you, everything is right in the world."

Xuan reached over and twirled some noodles around her chopsticks. "It would be better if John was here too."

Wu's smile dimmed. "Yes. That would be the best... Ah! But we should eat! The food is getting cold!"

"Oh! Yes, Sister!"

Maji watched the girls interact and then frowned.

There was definitely a deep story there. A troublesome one too. But considering that it involved his Boss, he didn't want to pry too much. Especially since it seemed like those two had a bit of a trauma around it.

Though the fact that they were scared of John's wife was interesting.

Maji wiped his hands down on his apron and said, "Enjoy your food girls. I gotta take care of some stuff in the back, but if you need something, holler."

The girls nodded in sync but didn't say anything, too busy eating their food.

The cute sight brought a faint smile to Maji's face. But then he looked to Saji and cocked his head towards the kitchen.

Saji blinked and then nodded, walking over.

After the two headed into the back, the person waiting there looked up. Kiri.

The infamous dragon of the yakuza world set down the potato he was peeling and then stood up. Wiping his hands down on his white apron, he looked up at the other two and said, "Are the girls doing well?"

"Mmhm." Maji leaned against the wall and said, "They're surprisingly optimistic about their situation."

Saji nodded. "I don't know what those two went through, but I think they're fine. A bit strange, but normal. Ah, and I picked up the things you asked for, Kiri."

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"Good." Kiri nodded and said, "Young girls are different. It's important to take that into account. They're not like us rough men."

Maji smirked and said, "Speaking from personal experience, Kiri-chan?"

"Yes." The stern man frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Raising Haru was... difficult at times."

Saji crossed his arms and smiled. "Then it's good that you made the mistakes so we know what not to do. Right, Kiri-san?"

"Hn."

Maji frowned. "Speaking of Haru-chan... Have you visited her yet?"

"...No." Kiri shook his head. "It wouldn't be right."

"That's no good, Kiri-san." Saji shook his head and said, "Even if Little Haru isn't so little anymore, I'm sure she still misses her father."

"Maybe. But she has her own family now. A husband. A daughter." Kiri shook his head. "Stepping in on that is too selfish."

Maji laced his hands behind his head and said, "You know, Kiri-chan. After all you've done, you can afford to be a bit more selfish."

"Hn." Kiri shrugged. "Maybe. But what about you, Maji?"

Maji blinked and lowered his hands. He pointed at himself and said, "Me?"

Kiri nodded. "Have you told Yuri-chan who you are yet?"

"Tch." Maji stuck his hands in his pockets and said, "That's a low blow."

"I'll say the same thing back to you." Kiri stared into Maji's eyes and said, "After all you've done, you can afford to be a bit more selfish, can't you?"

Saji nodded and looked towards Maji. "Kiri-san's right, Bro. If she knew that you were Maki's-"

Maji held up his hands. "I got it, I got it." He frowned and then muttered, "That's probably for the best too. She's been getting a bit reckless recently."

Kiri sighed. "Like mother, like daughter. Haru was the same way."

"Oh yeah." Maji chuckled. "That little lady got into a lot of trouble too when she was younger, didn't she? Though, she probably got that from you, Kiri-chan. Running headfirst into danger while only thinking about other people is just like you."

"Hn."

Maji pushed himself off the wall and rolled his shoulder. "Anyway, I'll deal with Yuri later. It looks like she interviewed for Boss's idol group anyway, so things should-"

"Maji oji-san!" Xuan's voice echoed through the shop. "There is someone at the door!"

Maji sighed. "Ignore them. We're closed."

Wu's voice echoed. "That is difficult. The young woman seems very insistent. And frantic."

Kiri frowned. "Young woman?"

Saji tilted his head and then his eyes widened. Looking to Maji, he said, "Bro. You said that Yuri-chan had an interview, right? Knowing her temper, do you think-"

"Ah." Xuan's voice echoed. "The young woman is crying... Are you sure we should ignore her?"

Maji groaned and walked back into the main area.

Xuan and Wu had spun around on their chairs, staring at the entrance.

Since Maji had recently installed some blackout material on the windows, it was impossible to see who was inside. But the people on the inside could clearly see the people walking by outside.

And at the moment, there was a young woman with blonde hair kneeling on the ground and sobbing her heart out.

Maji sighed and walked towards the door. "You two girls just keep eating. I'll handle this."

Xuan nodded. "If you say so, Maji oji-san."

Wu nodded too. "Yes, Maji aniki."

The former demon of the yakuza world unlocked the door and then pulled it open. When he did...

"...so stupid. Why did I... mess it up? Now I'll never..."

...A young woman's muffled words echoed between heaving sobs.

A small crowd was already forming. Since it was near lunch hour, the usual customers were gathering around. But they had given the young woman... Yuri, a wide berth.

Maji sighed and knelt down in front of Yuri.

She paused and looked up.

Maji stared at her face.

Tears stained her cheeks, and her light brown eyes were puffy from crying.

She was wearing some casual clothes. A light blue blouse and jeans. But they were crumpled and stained from sweat as well as her tears.

A pitiful sight... and also a nostalgic one.

Staring at Yuri's face, Maji saw another one. The face of a young woman who ran away from home and clung to him for help.

"M-Maji-san?"

Yuri's voice echoed, soft and fragile.

Maji grabbed her arm and pulled her up. As he did, he sighed. "Guess Boss isn't the only one weak to sob stories, huh?"

Yuri didn't resist. Instead, she completely leaned on Maji for support. As she did, she lowered her head and muttered, "I'm sorry. I just... I didn't know where else to go and-"

"You take after your mother too much, you know?"

"I'm sorry. I can't-" Yuri paused, a bit of life returning into her eyes. "Wait. My mother?"

Maji sighed and set Yuri down a few chairs away from Xuan and Wu. After fixing her crumpled blouse, he shook his head and said, "Wait there and calm down."

That said, Maji went back to lock the door to keep out any more busybodies before heading back to the kitchen to make another bowl of udon.

...But damn. Was his Boss's troublesome luck with women spreading onto them or something? That sure was some coincidence having Yuri show up just as they were talking about her...

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