By the time Yoshino and Shouma reached the bottom of the staircase, the Somei residence was considerably louder than when they’d gone upstairs. More than eighty members of the Somei-kai had gathered for the celebration, occupying nearly every room on the main floor and much of the garden. Music drifted through the open terrace doors, barely audible beneath the conversations.

Yoshino stopped on the last step.

“Holy shit.”

Shouma surveyed the room. “Yeah.”

“I thought Tsubaki invited, like, twenty people.”

“You should know better.”

“I really should.” Yoshino laughed and tightened her grip on his arm as they stepped into the room. Her Louboutins were already beginning to hurt, but after insisting she could wear them all evening, she had no intention of complaining.

“Yoshino!”

“Welcome home!”

Several familiar faces turned toward her. Yoshino smiled, recognizing men who had known her since childhood. Some had practically helped raise her, although she suspected a few were already drunk enough to start telling embarrassing stories about it.

She was about to approach one of the older members when Renji’s voice carried across the room.

“Everyone! Settle down!”

The conversations gradually quieted. Renji stood near the center of the room with a drink in his hand, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“Our Yoshino is back!”

The men cheered.

“I’m not finished!” he shouted, raising his free hand. Once everyone settled down, he continued. “My granddaughter has graduated from high school, and she’s just turned nineteen!”

Another round of applause followed. Yoshino smiled, somewhat embarrassed by the attention, while Shouma stood beside her with the expression of someone who had expected this exact spectacle.

“And that’s not all,” Renji continued. “Yoshino and Tsubaki are opening a medical spa here in Osaka, with another location planned for downtown Kyoto.”

The announcement earned an even louder response. Yoshino laughed as several members raised their glasses toward her. She and Tsubaki had spent months planning the business, but hearing her grandfather announce it to the organization made the venture feel more real.

Renji waited for the cheering to subside.

“Which brings me to my next announcement. Enjoy yourselves tonight, because starting tomorrow, clan activities are going on hold for one month.”

The room grew noticeably quieter.

“We’re refurbishing the building together, and I expect it finished in four weeks.”

For a moment, nobody seemed certain how to respond. Then one of the older members raised his glass and shouted his approval. The others quickly followed. Whether they were genuinely enthusiastic about spending the next month doing construction work was another matter entirely.

“KANPAI!”

“Kanpai!”

Yoshino laughed as the celebration resumed. Beside her, Shouma watched Renji return to his drink.

“So that’s what Tsubaki was talking about earlier.”

“Yes!” Yoshino turned toward him. “And I’m going to tell you all about it this weekend because I’m hiring you.”

Shouma glanced down at her. “Yeah, okay.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

“You don’t even know what I’m hiring you for.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’ll tell me anyway.”

“Exactly.” She grinned. “See? You’re already an excellent employee.”

“Do I get paid?”

“Obviously.”

“Good.”

“Although I might deduct something from your salary if you keep giving me attitude.”

“Then you’re gonna owe me money.”

Yoshino burst out laughing and nudged him with her shoulder. Shouma smiled as she pulled him farther into the room, stopping every few feet to greet another familiar face. He stayed beside her, occasionally answering questions directed at him, although most of the attention remained on Yoshino.

They had just finished speaking with one of Renji’s longtime associates when Yoshino noticed a woman approaching through the crowd.

She wore an elegant white A-line dress made from fine spider silk, its delicate fabric falling to her ankles. Her straight black hair was cut precisely at her jaw, with blunt bangs framing her face. Red eyeliner and deep crimson lipstick complemented her otherwise immaculate appearance. A small white gift bag hung from her hand.

Yoshino immediately brightened.

“Ane-san!”

She released Shouma’s arm and hurried toward the woman, throwing her arms around her.

Tsutsuji was Tsubaki’s mother and the half-sister of Yoshino’s late father. Almost everyone in the family addressed her as Ane-san, partly because she disliked being called Aunt and partly because very few people were comfortable using her given name. Renji was an exception, as was a certain man from another organization whose relationship with Tsutsuji had helped maintain unusually cordial ties between eastern and western groups.

Tsutsuji returned Yoshino’s embrace, resting a hand affectionately against the back of her head.

“Ane-san, you didn’t have to bring me anything,” Yoshino said, noticing the gift bag.

“We all missed your birthday because you were on that dreadful side of the country.”

Yoshino laughed. “I was in Tokyo, not exile.”

“Debatable.”

Tsutsuji handed her the bag before studying her face with interest.

“Now, tell me about this Kirishima boy. I’ve heard he looks remarkably like his granduncle.”

Yoshino gave her a puzzled smile. “Trust me, Ane-san, there’s nothing particularly interesting to tell. He’s just a typical man in the business.”

“Oh? And what exactly does that mean?”

“You know. Sleeping around, networking—or at least that’s what they call it.” Yoshino rolled her eyes. “Personally, I think he enjoyed himself a little too much.”

“Hm. Sounds familiar.” Tsutsuji smiled. “I had quite a list of them when I was your age.”

Yoshino blinked. “Ane-san, please don’t think I’m judging you.”

“Darling, I know you’re not. Besides, it’s hardly a secret. Those men were perfectly happy to pursue me, and I saw no reason to pretend I wasn’t enjoying myself.”

Shouma remained silent. He had absolutely no intention of contributing to this conversation.

“Thankfully, I eventually had a procedure so I couldn’t become pregnant again,” Tsutsuji continued. “Otherwise, my Tsubaki might have ended up with several siblings.”

She smiled at the thought.

“Your grandfather would have been terribly upset.”

Yoshino frowned. “You know, that’s such a double standard.”

“Oh?”

“We all know what Gramps was like when he was younger. You’re literally the result of one of his relationships, and he kept doing the same thing afterward. But when it came to his own daughter, suddenly there were rules about what was acceptable?”

“That’s Renji for you.”

“Well, I don’t agree with it. If you’re going to tell your children how to behave, you should at least try to lead by example.” Yoshino folded her arms. “That’s what I’m going to do when I have kids.”

Tsutsuji raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You want children?”

“Of course.” Yoshino smiled. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom.”

“Well, darling, you’ll need to find yourself a suitable companion first.”

Tsutsuji’s eyes briefly shifted toward Shouma.

He noticed.

Yoshino laughed. “Obviously.”

“Is this Kirishima boy a candidate?”

“GOD, NO. HELL NO.”

Her answer came so quickly that Tsutsuji blinked. Even Shouma turned to look at her.

“Well,” Tsutsuji said, recovering her composure, “that was decisive.”

“That’s putting it lightly.”

“I take it Tokyo wasn’t particularly pleasant?”

“Oh, trust me, Ane-san. Next time we go out for dinner with Tsubaki, I’ll tell you everything. You’re going to need a drink.”

Tsutsuji chuckled. “Then I look forward to it.”

She embraced Yoshino once more. When they separated, her gaze returned to Shouma, and the corner of her mouth lifted.

“Oh, I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

Shouma met her eyes without speaking.

He had known Tsutsuji long enough to recognize that expression. Unlike Tsubaki, she rarely bothered teasing someone without a particular reason. Whatever she suspected, he wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of confirming it.

Yoshino, oblivious to their exchange, smiled at her aunt.

“Okay, I should probably go say hello to everyone else. Love you, Ane-san.”

“I love you too, my little Hiiro girl.”

Yoshino returned to Shouma and slipped her hand around his arm. She noticed he was still looking toward Tsutsuji.

“Hey.”

He glanced down. “Hm?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” He turned toward the crowd. “Come on. We’ll start from the right and work our way around. Get all your pleasantries out of the way.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Pleasantries and please Gramps. I know.”

He gave her a faint smile and led her toward the next group of guests.

By twelve-thirty, Yoshino had spoken to nearly everyone in the house.

She and Shouma had spent the evening making their way through the celebration, stopping to exchange greetings with members of the organization and several longtime family acquaintances. Yoshino answered the same questions about Tokyo more times than she cared to remember and listened patiently as older members recalled incidents from her childhood that she would have preferred they forget.

Shouma occasionally contributed a remark at her expense, usually earning himself an indignant look before Yoshino started laughing.

By the time they returned to the main sitting area, most of the guests had either gone home or moved outside.

Shouma checked his watch.

“It’s twelve-thirty.”

Yoshino groaned. “Already?”

“Yeah. I need to get going soon. Gotta be up early to pick up my new bike.”

He glanced at her shoes, then pulled out a chair.

“Sit down.”

Yoshino lowered herself into it with considerable relief.

“Take those damn things off already.”

“Doing it now.”

She slipped off the first heel and sighed so loudly that Shouma almost laughed.

“Oh, thank God.”

“Told you.”

“Don’t start.”

“Didn’t say anything.”

“Your face did.”

He shook his head, watching as she stretched her aching feet. He’d enjoyed having her arm linked through his all evening, but he’d known those shoes would become a problem the moment she’d put them on.

Yoshino leaned back in the chair.

“I’m so hungry.”

Shouma looked at her. “You didn’t eat?”

“Not enough. Every time I tried, somebody wanted to talk to me. And when I finally got around to looking for dinner, they’d already cleared everything away.”

“You talked through dinner.”

“I know.” She sighed. “It’s fine. I’m staying at Tsubaki’s apartment tonight, and her chef always has food prepared. I’ll eat when we get back.”

“Speaking of that…”

Tsubaki appeared behind Yoshino’s chair, still wearing the lavender dress from earlier. She looked remarkably pleased with herself.

Yoshino turned. “What?”

“You can’t stay at my place tonight.”

Yoshino stared at her.

“What?”

“My main squeeze is waiting for me outside, and I haven’t seen him in a week.”

“Tsubaki.”

“I know, darling. I love girls’ night, but we’ll have to do that another time.” She paused, then smiled. “Although, you could stay with Shouma. He has an apartment in Kyoto.”

Shouma turned toward her.

“What?”

“Why are you making that face? It’s not as though you two haven’t practically lived together before. You spent nearly ten years under the same roof.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

Yoshino, however, seemed to be considering the suggestion.

“Actually, that makes sense.”

Shouma looked at her.

“Gramps told me they’re doing a deep Buddhist cleansing of the house this weekend anyway, so I can’t stay here until they’re finished.” She turned toward him with a hopeful smile. “Shouma, can I stay with you?”

He glanced at Tsubaki, who was watching him with an expression he didn’t particularly appreciate.

“Yeah,” he answered. “It’s no problem.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you!”

Shouma looked down at her shoes, then toward the staircase.

“Only thing is, I was gonna take one of the spare bikes from here. If we’re bringing your bags, we’ll need something else.”

“We’ll take the gray truck!”

He stared at her.

“I know how to drive it,” she added.

“That’s not what I’m worried about.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Shouma sighed. “Fine.”

Tsubaki made a face.

“Yoshino, darling, we’re getting you a nice car after the medical spa opens. You don’t need to keep driving that dreadful thing.”

“There’s nothing wrong with the truck.”

“It’s old, it’s ugly, and you’re far too beautiful to be driving around in it.”

Yoshino laughed. “Tsubaki, it’s a truck. It gets me where I need to go.”

Shouma nodded. “She’s right about replacing it. Those things aren’t great at high speeds, especially if you take a turn too sharply.”

Tsubaki slowly turned toward him.

“Oh?”

Shouma immediately regretted speaking.

“What?”

“You agree that she’s too beautiful for the truck?”

“I said it’s dangerous.”

“Of course you did.”

“Don’t you have a car waiting outside?”

“Correct, I do.” Tsubaki smiled sweetly. “You never miss anything, Shouma.”

She leaned down and embraced Yoshino, kissing her cheek.

“I’ll see you Monday, darling.”

“Yeah, see you Monday.”

Tsubaki lowered her voice near Yoshino’s ear.

“Be nice to him for me.”

Yoshino pulled back, confused. “Um, I’m always nice.”

“Of course you are.”

Tsubaki straightened and gave Shouma one last amused look before walking toward Renji and her mother.

“Renji-san. Ane-san.”

Both turned toward her.

“Akira’s waiting outside. I’m staying at his place tonight.”

Renji’s expression brightened.

“Is this the one you were telling me about? The young man who’s going to medical school?”

Tsubaki smiled. “Maybe.”

“Is he trying to join the family business?”

“Oh, I’m still working on that. He’s a little frightened of it, but I think I can pull a few strings.”

Renji laughed. “Well, don’t scare him off before he gets the chance.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She kissed Renji on the cheek, then did the same to her mother. Tsutsuji gave her daughter a knowing look but said nothing.

“Just you wait, Renji-san.”

Tsubaki waved goodbye and headed toward the entrance.

Outside, a black Lexus LS 500 Executive waited beneath the driveway lights. Akira leaned against the driver’s side, checking something on his phone.

At twenty-six, he was tall and lean, with dark purple hair swept loosely away from his forehead. He wore a charcoal Hugo Boss suit with the top button of his shirt undone. When he noticed Tsubaki approaching, he slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled.

“Konbanwa, dollface.”

“Don’t call me that.”

He laughed and reached for the passenger door, but Tsubaki stopped directly in front of him.

“I’m tired.”

“Long night?”

“Very.”

She adjusted his jacket, smoothing the lapel beneath her fingers.

“Drive to my apartment so I can take these clothes off and you can shower with me.”

Akira grinned. “I love that plan.”

Tsubaki rested her hand against his chest.

“I missed you.”

“I missed touching you.”

His phone vibrated again. He glanced at it briefly before returning his attention to her.

“I’m surprised you texted me this late, though. You usually give me at least a day’s notice.”

Tsubaki studied his face, then brushed her fingertips along his cheek.

“I’m feeling adventurous.”

Akira raised an eyebrow.

“Should I be worried?”

“Probably.”

He laughed, but she had already turned toward the open passenger door.

“Drive.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Akira helped her into the car before walking around to the driver’s side. A moment later, the Lexus pulled away from the residence.

Back inside, Yoshino remained barefoot in the sitting area, arguing with Shouma about what she needed to bring to Kyoto.

“It’s only a couple of days,” he told her. “You don’t need your entire suitcase.”

“How do you know? What if we go somewhere?”

“Where?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Then you don’t need to pack for it.”

“Shouma, that’s not how packing works.”

He sighed, and Yoshino laughed as she reached for his arm.

Neither noticed Tsutsuji watching them from across the room.

Renji approached and stopped beside her, following her gaze toward the young couple. Yoshino was still explaining why she needed more than a few changes of clothes, while Shouma listened with the familiar resignation of someone who knew arguing was unlikely to accomplish anything.

“Those two,” Tsutsuji murmured.

Renji chuckled into his drink.

Across the room, Yoshino rose from her chair and reached for Shouma’s arm. He steadied her automatically, waiting until she had found her balance before bending to retrieve her shoes.

Tsutsuji watched him for a moment.

“He really has grown up, hasn’t he?”

Renji followed Shouma with his eyes.

“That he has.”

Tsutsuji had known Shouma since he was a difficult, withdrawn boy who rarely showed anyone what he was thinking. Renji had seen something worthwhile in him long before the other members understood why he was willing to invest so much in the boy. Watching him now, Tsutsuji could hardly reconcile that guarded child with the young man patiently carrying Yoshino’s shoes while she continued talking his ear off.

She smiled into her glass.

Some things, apparently, were worth waiting for.

CHAPTER 4 ->