— So that's how it is. — Ohayashi Dai, a tall, imposing man of forty-two, was receiving the report of his son's bodyguard by his beloved rock garden. — Well, then at least I don't need to concern myself with that anymore. The perfect time for a first night with a woman. What do you have on this boy, Jiro?
Kato Jiro — head of the Ohayashi clan's security service and, at the same time, head of the Kato family — bowed slightly and began his report:
— Sakurai Sindzi, sixteen years old. Has lived alone since the age of ten, on money sent by his parents. Finished middle school among the best students. Belonged to no clubs, holds the rank of Student in hand-to-hand and firearms combat. At the same time, he has not been involved in fights. He did have conflicts with peers, as most teenagers do, but no fights. Despite having no parents nearby, after finishing middle school he somehow managed to obtain a permit to carry a firearm. Intelligent, friendly, knows how to speak and get people to listen to him. Had quite good relations with teachers.
— Stop, — the clan head cut him off, raising a hand. — What's this about the weapon? I thought a minor needed parental permission for that. How did he pull it off?
— There is a small loophole in our legislation. If a child has lived alone for more than three years, then permission from the official representative of any state institution is enough. In this case, he managed to persuade his homeroom teacher to help him.
— Hm, interesting. Continue.
— The people from middle school whom we managed to question claim that at times "he gives off something terrifying" and it becomes very frightening.
— "Yaki"?
— Yes, that was my thought as well. And his homeroom teacher, who holds the rank of Student in fencing, confirmed it. Judging by everything, he became quite skilled at putting his peers in their place with "yaki" without letting matters escalate into fights. One of his teachers from elementary school said that he was often bullied there, and once was even beaten up. Apparently, to make sure that never happened again, he took up martial arts, where he learned about "killing intent." And given his non-confrontational character, "yaki" is the perfect option for him. At the same time, he can't be described as some weak-willed nerd. Everyone we spoke to says he is very much a strong-willed person.
He had no friends in middle school, at most friendly acquaintances. For some time, he worked at the Swallow club; beyond the bare fact of employment, nothing could be learned. It is not even known what exactly he did there, but certainly not as a waiter or bartender. The club itself once had a bad reputation, but after yet another reshuffling of power among the local gangs, the establishment was left alone. And hard times began for the owner — Atsushi Honda. As I understand it, the gang had once used the building for its own needs, not allowing the club to develop or make a profit, but not letting it collapse either. And after the gang was destroyed, the venue became unnecessary to anyone. That is exactly when Sakurai-kun appears there. I do not know how he won the owner's trust, but after that, changes begin to occur in the club. The image changes: new décor, signs, advertising. Security staff appear, rumors are spread about what a wonderful place the Swallow is. Honda makes arrangements in advance with the new "protection" regarding payments, and the first visitors, who later became regulars, turn out to be relatives — brothers and sisters — of children from the middle school where Sakurai-kun studied. And all this speaks to the outstanding intelligence and drive of this young man.
— As well as his independence.
— Exactly so, my lord. There is an opinion that he is a co-owner of the club. His share is unlikely to be large. And also, being a regular visitor there, he has a great many connections. The visitors to the Swallow are well-off people. A great many aristocrats go there, both imperial and clan aristocrats. I doubt these are such close connections, but they do exist. Of that, I am certain.
— You say the club had hard times? Truly, a very interesting young man. Is that all?
— No. And not even the most important part.
— Oh? You have intrigued me.
— I think Iida-kun may be dismissed, my lord. He surely has matters of his own to attend to.
— Dismissed.
Bowing, the bodyguard slowly headed toward the exit from the garden. After waiting for a sign from the clan head, Kato continued:
— You already know from your son that Sakurai-kun is a neighbor of the Koyama family, but I managed to clarify that he is literally their neighbor — he lives just across the fence from the mansion of the clan head.
— How is that?.. — Dai began, but then stopped and merely nodded. — Continue.
— By raising the information available to us on the Koyama clan quarter, it was possible to learn that the only resident of the Koyama quarter bearing the surname Sakurai is Bunya Rafu, the younger son of Bunya Daisuke, who took his wife's surname.
— Stop. — Folding his hands and closing his eyes, the head of one of Japan's strongest clans retreated into thought. — So that's how it is! And yet he is not a member of the clan. Interesting… Considering the story with his parents, he belongs neither to the family nor to the clan. But why did the old man not take him back into the clan? His parents practically abandoned him… Stop, another stop. You said he lives on money sent by his parents? Oh, the sly devils! — the man drawled. — Neither for us nor for you! What do we have on his parents?
— Their whereabouts are unknown.
— Old man Bunya was right to shout: nothing good could be expected from that commoner bitch. And still, what were they trying to achieve by abandoning their son but not renouncing him? Hm, yes, with one move they outmaneuvered both the family and the clan, — and after falling silent for a while, he began thoughtfully watching the clouds drifting across the sky. — And Bunya has a strong hereditary ability.
— I agree, my lord. The Bunya family's "kamontoku" would not be unwelcome in our clan.
— I think I am simply obliged to get acquainted with my son's friend. And to have a talk about the looseness of modern youth.