Another day, another routine as always.
The cold still enveloping the city especially in the late January. Morning air still thin with mist when Renji eased the car out of the mansion gates. The stone pavement crunched beneath the tires before giving way to smooth asphalt to the main road. Then finally, the heavy and faint metallic rattle of the gate shutters being closed.
"Shira-san on another business today?"
Renji mused as a casual talk, seeing as they walked past Shira earlier as she soon gets into another car and drive on her own somewhere.
"We'll pick her up later in the evening as usual," Reika's voice came from the backseat. After what seems like a hesitant pause, she said softly. "…Hey, Renji…"
He glanced at her through the rearview mirror. She wasn't looking at him, her eyes watching the passing trees as if they were drifting thoughts.
"Before we go to KHX… head to Yanaka Ginza."
"…Ooookay."
His fingers moved across the phone mounted on the dashboard, rerouting their path toward the old shopping street in Taitō, Tokyo. The blue line obediently changed as the car merged into another lanes, Renji's mind visited the situation at the fish market the other day.
"Morning detour again…?" He asked with a probing smile.
"…Heh… morning detour…" She shifted slightly, the faint rustle of her coat brushing the leather seat. "Come to think of it, I forgot that you only drove for me in the evenings before this."
"Hmm… so usually, is Shira-san the one driving you every morning before me?"
"Yes. That… or I drive myself. But she always against the idea of me driving on my own."
"…Well… You're the boss…"
"…I think she meant about something else..."
Her answer hovered between and unfinished. And she did not seem too keen to elaborate. Outside, the morning sun finally broke through the buildings evenly.
Soon, they arrive at their destination, Reika gave out the direction to navigate deeper into the alley, until they stopped in front of small noodle store. Steam curled out from beneath the noren, decades of rain and sun painted the wooden frame.
Renji parked across the place, and before he could offer to step out first as usual, Reika had already got out on her own.
Heh… which one are you actually…? Reika-sama…
The bell above the shop door chimed, Renji followed along behind her.
Inside, an elderly man looked up from behind the counter. His eyebrows furrowed for a bit in surprise before softening.
"Ah, Hiraga-ojō-san…"
"Good morning, I'm glad you're open, Tanabe-san," she replied, stepping in like someone returning home rather than a corporate executive should. "Yesterday, did you receive the message from my side?"
"Yes, I heard the supplier trouble has been settled…"
With a satisfied smile, Reika nodded. "You'll receive the flour shipment through the same channel as last month. The price won't spike like the news said."
"… If we'd gone through the official distributor, taxes and customs alone would've killed us years ago… I don't know how to thank you… ojō-san…" The old man exhaled, shoulders sagging in relief.
"Hehe, you already do. Just keep the shop open."
She said it simply. They didn't eat. She just checked something on her phone, exchanged a few quiet words about repayment schedules to the owner, then turned her head to Renji.
"Come on Renji, let's go."
"…Okay."
…She's here just for this…?
Renji keep the question inside, and then they stepped back into the street just like that.
With an unassuming expression, Renji noticed how differently Reika carried herself compared to when she confronted the debt collector at the fish market the other day.
When they sit back in the car, Reika spoke to him with lighter tone.
"Renji, add the next stop—"
The tofu shop in Nezu was next, its tiled roof chipped but clean. The owner, a woman in her late fifties with flour-dusted hands, bowed too deeply when she saw Reika knocked on her door.
"The equipment arrived yesterday," the woman said, eyes shining. "But will the customs—"
"They won't, oba-san…" Reika replied. "Just remember our agreement. Hire locally. Keep your prices stable."
"Yes! of course. We will!"
Again, few small, yet detailed talks about prices, then they moved to another spot.
At a traditional grocery further down the road, sacks of rice were stacked like wall. An old man in a jinbei pressed a small envelope toward Reika after another few small talks about business.
"H-Hiraga-sama, t-this is for the loan interest two month ago…"
She pushed it gently back. "By the end of July is fine. More importantly, use this to restock before the festival."
"But—"
"Don't worry," she said, and this time her tone carried a quiet authority. "It's an investment on my side."
"…Thank you so much… Hiraga-sama…" the owner bowed deep to her.
"That being said…No one bothering you, right?"
The man lifted his face, and let out a wry smile. "… No…"
"Are you sure? Man in suits? Debt-collector?"
"No, though… the other day, I heard some people claimed from government doing some inspection at the next district…"
"Oh, thank you for telling me. If they're here, just show them the paper I gave you, and if they insist, give them my number."
"Alright… will do, Hiraga-sama."
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
--------
All the time Reika attention focused on her business, Renji watched quietly from behind.
This is… made me remember the day… I go around… delivering food for customers…
To Renji, it felt like watching the reflection of his old routine unfold in real time.
I wonder… how are those guys doing…? Do they know what happened to Tetsuo…?
"… I guess… I should've told those WaraGyo patrons that—"
Renji's inaudible murmur got cut by Reika's bright voice, bringing him back to reality.
"Alright, we're done here."
By the time they returned to the car for the fourth time, the sun had climbed higher.
"Wow… this is a long detour." Renji let out a sigh, then began to drive.
"Hehe. I guess so… well, good chance. Might as well cover all the places I wanted."
"Good chance? Anyway, is it okay for you to be late? We're way past eleven now…"
"That's because Shira insists for the formality's sake. Since today she's on another business, I can adjust the schedule myself."
"Oh. I see."
"She's quite strict about that matter, and… well… always—" Reika paused. "—Never mind."
"Damn… You always have this habit of cliffhanging me in the middle, Reika-sama."
"Hehe."
"So… where else?"
"It's okay, we're going to KHX now."
"Okie-dokie."
He drove the familiar route, the city now fully awake, traffic and pedestrian alike.
Though… for a CEO… I never thought this is her morning activity.
"Do you often do this, Reika-sama?"
"This? The detour?"
"Not the detour itself… I meant… the reason… You're always helping around like this?"
Glancing on the rearview mirror, he saw her gaze lower, as if searching the reflection of her own thoughts in the glass.
"…Helping, huh…"
"Well… you don't…? If you didn't interfere with that fish market the other day, I think it would've been bad for them… Racking up that kind of debt is no joke…"
"…I'm just… doing what I think is right…"
"…Hmmm… Still… that's an impressive thought, Reika-sama."
"…Is… that so?"
"Hmm? Why don't you sound sure yourself…?"
She laughed—small, almost fragile. "Because I'm not sure, Renji."
"…Haha… to be honest I don't get why you're doing this… but… I think… you're doing the good thing…"
"Well, I have a whole crowd that disagrees."
"You mean… other Kokuren members?"
Silence again, then Renji asked carefully.
"…Does Shira-san too?"
"—That's why… since she's not here today, I'd say it's a good chance for me to do what I think is right."
"Oh…"
The rest of the drive unfolded in quiet. The engine's low hum filled the spaces words did not. When KHX's tower finally came into view, they were bit more than an hour late.
--------
Every 2 hour after that, Renji's on Reika's beck and call, driving around as usual routine in a tight schedule.
Before he knows it, it's already late in 11 pm when Shira sitting on the backseat with Reika, going back to the mansion together as the last stop.
Listening for their talk, he found the quieter moment where he decided to speak.
"…Guys… When do I get a time off? I just—"
"You don't." Shira cut him in an instant.
"…I didn't even finish…"
"Let him try, Shira. This is the most initiative he's shown all day." Reika giggled softly from the back. "So, why?"
Renji sighed before continuing. "I just want to find time to go back to my apartment for a bit…"
Reika tilted her head in slight curiosity. "Hmm? You're still continuing your rent?"
"It's cheap anyway… So, I thought I'd keep it..."
"For what?" she shot back instantly. "You're wasting money."
"It's my money."
"You work under me now, which means your income exists because I allow it."
Renji clicked his tongue. "You're really pulling that card…?"
"I'm stating a fact."
"Always quick with your low blow, huh… Reika-sama…"
Shira laughed quietly. "You two get along surprisingly well."
"We don't," both of them said at the same time.
A brief silence. Then Shira smiled wider. "See? Perfect harmony."
Reika cleared her throat, then asked seriously "What? Are you stuck on signing a yearly contract? I can help you to terminate it."
"…no?"
"…Then why? Are you… indebted to the landlord?"
"…No…"
"Do you owe him money beyond rent?"
"…No."
"Does he have leverage over you?"
"…What?! No!"
Shira leaned forward, clearly enjoying herself. "Reika-sama, perhaps he has sentimental value tied to the room."
"…Sentimental value?"
"Yes, humans tend to attach emotions to places."
Reika looked back at Renji like he just became a different species.
"…You're emotionally attached… to rented property?"
"…When you say it like that, yeah… I sound stupid…"
"Renji… did your room not suit you?" Reika tone lowered in genuine concern. "Is there something lacking?"
"Huh…? The one in the mansion?"
"Yes, I can renovate your room in the mansion to look exactly like your apartment if you like."
Renji blinked at her nonchalant absurdity.
Where does this princess logic came from…? And why do I feel that she'll seriously do that if I say yes…??
"…What the hell…?"
"I'll have it replicated… Same layout. Same furniture. Same proportions."
"…Why would I want that??"
"So you don't have to go back?"
Shira hummed, then chimed in out of boredom. "Ah… I see the problem."
"…What now…?"
"You're retreating to your comfort zone. Common response…"
"…I don't Shira-san…"
"Happen quite often, no? Too much pressure, can't fit in the new environment, then get bullied… especially early morning…"
Renji froze. "…Wait."
Reika tilted her head slightly. "Bullied?"
Wait—hold on—
"Perhaps he's chickening out," Shira added, rubbing her chin in confirmation. "It can be quite intense for beginners."
"…Shira-san—You're the one who set it up!?"
"Oh? Was the training that unpleasant?"
"That's not training! It's a total suffering dammit!"
"Growth often feels that way."
"I was trying to stay positive about it! And now you're exposing it like this?!"
Reika too, rested her chin on her hand, watching him like a case study. "…I see."
"But I swear, it's not the reason! I mean, it is terrible, but that's not why I want to go back! I just want to check my place and get some stuff!!"
"If you're just going to collect things, we can go now."
"…No, I mean—it's late," Renji said quickly and add with bitter sarcasm. "And I've got that 'wonderful' morning drill tomorrow… So I'd rather go in the evening, like… when you two are busy with long meetings like the other day…"
"This sound like you want to meet someone behind our back?"
"No!"
"You specifically mentioned when Reika-sama and I are not around."
"I don't mean it like that… it's not like I have anyone to talk to…"
"Oh, I thought you were having a good time with Kouga just after moving in." Shira mentioned the topic casually, even Reika turned her head in mild surprise.
"Huh, Kouga-san? That—he dragged me along on his own."
Reika's voice cut in, faintly cold. "…You talked with Seiryuu-san already?"
"…Y-yeah. Just once, when I was waiting for you," Renji rummages his memory, then one more surfaced. "And the other day I talked to your advisor too—uh… Shin… Takaori Shinpei."
"…Hooooh…" Shira's smile deepened with her hum. "…You did."
"And what the hell! you two should tell me who's who around! What if I get shot for bumping to the wrong person? Good thing Kouga-san explained some of it."
Shira giggled with mischief. "Exciting, isn't it? You have to stay on guard all the time… So, Renji… what did Kouga explain to you?"
"…Uh… Just some big names. That Shinpei, then Igarashi… Hino… Tsuda. Murakami… and… uh… Kitamura?"
"…Hmm." Reika's reaction was small. But clearly unpleasant.
Renji glanced between them through the mirror reflection. "…What's wrong?"
"Nothing… anyway, he's right. Remember those names. Don't trouble them." Reika sighed then conclude the topic as if lose any interest to talk.
"…Oookay…" Renji muttered. A beat. Then he too, sighed. "…So. Am I getting my free time or not?"
A little bit of seconds, then Reika gave out curt answer. "…Fine. I'll allow it."
"That easy?"
"I'm still not convinced. Your reasoning isn't productive… then again, I'll tell you when you have an evening available…"
"…Haaah… Alright… thank you very much. Reika-sama…"
--------