Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Eichi climbed into the sleek black car, sinking into luxurious seats that felt alien beneath him. The door closed softly, sealing his fate.
Moments later, Sakimura smoothly pulled the car up outside a 24-hour boutique and opened the door with a respectful bow. "Young Master, we have arrived," he said, his tone perfectly polished and professional.
After quickly changing into clothes that were, as Sakimura put it, "more befitting of the Young Master," Eichi approached the car again, still unable to shake the disbelief. His new outfit—an expensive-looking jacket and shoes more comfortable than anything he'd ever owned—did little to ground him in reality.
"Is this real?" he whispered, glancing around at the men standing nearby, all dressed in sharp suits and clearly waiting for him to step into the car. Their serious expressions, combined with the faint hum of the engine, made the whole scene feel like something out of a gangster flick.
The faint buzz of distant neon signs and occasional chirps of crickets only added to the surreal atmosphere. Part of him wanted to pinch himself, but he didn't dare—just in case the dream popped like a bubble.
Still hesitating, he ran his hand along the smooth hood of the car. It felt solid, real. _Oh no, this really is happening._
Sakimura's polite cough brought him back to the present. "Young Master, is there a problem?"
Eichi quickly shook his head and tried to act natural, though "natural" for him involved nearly tripping over his own feet as he climbed into the car. "N-No, no problem at all. It's, uh… impressive."
As Sakimura closed the door behind him, Eichi suddenly waved him toward the driver's seat. "Sakimura! You drive," Eichi instructed, trying to sound firm but only managing a shaky voice. "Nobody else gets in the car."
Sakimura's eyes widened briefly before he gave an enthusiastic nod, his face a picture of devotion. "Understood, Young Master! Your orders are absolute."
As he slid into the driver's seat and turned the engine over with a smooth rumble, Sakimura spoke again, his tone almost reverent. "Where shall we go, Young Master? To see the master—your father—at the estate?"
Eichi froze. _My father? Oh no. That means there's someone even higher up in this mess._ His mind raced. _What do I say? What if they find out I'm a fraud?_
Eichi coughed, trying to sound as composed as possible. "Ahem. No, not yet. Let's... keep them waiting for now."
Sakimura's hands tightened on the steering wheel, his expression growing more serious. "Ah, I see. A calculated move to assert dominance. As expected of you, Young Master. Making even the master wait... Truly, you are one who walks a path beyond ordinary comprehension."
_Calculated? What am I calculating—my funeral?!_ Eichi screamed internally. Outwardly, he chuckled nervously, trying to suppress the growing anxiety in his chest. "Y-Yeah, exactly! Can't make it _too_ easy for them, right?"
As the car glided smoothly onto empty roads, Eichi leaned back in his seat, desperately trying to make sense of everything. The luxurious interior was quiet, save for the soft hum of the engine.
Sakimura glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Young Master, if I may ask, do you have a specific location in mind for tonight's maneuver?"
Eichi stared at him, his brain scrambling for an answer. A "maneuver"? Was he expected to plan some sort of Yakuza operation? He blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Uh... just drive around for now. I need to... gather my thoughts."
Sakimura nodded again, his face practically glowing with admiration. "Of course! To observe the city under the cover of night and assess your territory from the shadows—brilliant as always, Young Master."
Eichi buried his face in his hands, pretending to rub his temples in deep thought. _Oh no. Oh no no no. This misunderstanding is spiraling out of control. What if they expect me to pull off some kind of grand yakuza-level scheme?_
Meanwhile, Sakimura's mind raced with awe. _The Young Master is already ten steps ahead, playing a game of cosmic chess none of us can even begin to comprehend. To think he would survey the city himself rather than delegate—what a hands-on leader!_
As the car cruised silently through the night, Eichi stared out the window, watching the lights of the city pass by. Internally, he was screaming. Outwardly, he tried to maintain the calm, aloof facade he figured a "Young Master" should have.
_Just survive the night_, he told himself. _Future Eichi will figure this out somehow._
Finally, he decided to pull the classic "informed boss" move and casually said, "Sakimura, what's your report? Give me an update on the family members and the clan's general situation. It's been a while, so I need to know everything in detail."
Sakimura nodded solemnly. "Yes, Young Master. Your father, Master keisei, has been calm since the last minor scuffle with the Unuodera clan over Bakurocho—before your sudden departure. His health is improving after the incident."
Eichi raised an eyebrow. "Incident? What incident?"
Sakimura cleared his throat. "Your little brother accidentally stabbed him while they were playing."
Eichi's heart nearly stopped. "Playing? He got _stabbed_ while _playing_?!" His face paled. _What kind of family is this?!_
Sakimura quickly added, "It was minor. Your father forgave your brother immediately. He said it built character."
_Built character?!_ Eichi felt faint. _What insane standards do they have here?!_
"As for your mother, Miss Kasami," Sakimura continued calmly, "she remains uninvolved in clan matters as always. She spends her time tending her garden and looking after your younger brother."
Eichi nodded stiffly. _Mom's the only normal one? Maybe gardening would've been the better life choice._
Sakimura continued, oblivious to Eichi's internal panic. "Your little brother, Mugen, has been causing trouble for Miss Kasami. He's been in many fights lately and even took over his school."
Eichi couldn't help but laugh nervously. _Took over his school? Is he running a mini-mafia now?_
Misunderstanding again, Sakimura grinned proudly. "Ah, I see you're pleased. Mugen's certainly living up to your legacy."
Eichi rubbed his temples, sinking deeper into his seat. "I really should've stayed in bed today."