It's a good thing I didn't Riichi, or else it'll be so awkward right now. I choose to ignore this tile.
Ryan smiles at me and then plays a second 1 Sou.
I respond with deafening silence. Ryan, please don't play a third 1 Sou!
[Dojo Jyanshi A]Looks like you haven't reached Tenpai...
The opponent opposite to me looks at me suspiciously, then he shakes his head and plays the third 1 Sou.
[player]Ron.
[Dojo Jyanshi B]Huh?!
[Dojo Jyanshi A]You ignored the tile twice? Heh, you sure are calm and collected.
[player]You'll find out the secret to a magic trick if you watch it enough times. The most important part of the magic trick is the cover-up.
[Ryan]Oh...! Onee-sama, you're very talented in magic. I'll need to study my magic tricks harder in the future so that you won't see through them.
I managed to confuse my opponents by ignoring the tile I needed twice. As a result, the opponent opposite to me played the last 1 Sou I needed, which allowed me to Ron with enough points to take me back to second place.
I'm not too worried about the East 4 game because Ryan still has enough points. After gaining some experience, Ryan and I get better at helping each other. The most important thing is that the tile luck didn't make things difficult for us, so we managed to finish in first place with a small lead in points.
[Waiter]Okay... got it. Congratulations! Our leader is happy with your performance and has agreed to meet you.
[Ryan]This is great! Onee-sama, I just knew we would be amazing as a team.
[player]That's right. By the way, you've improved a lot, Ryan, and you managed to help me out at just the right time several times. You must be really talented at reading the tiles.
[Ryan]Haha... It's probably because I was so excited to be able to play a mahjong game with you as your partner that I managed to do so well.
[Ryan]Onee-sama, why don't we play more 2v2 mahjong as a team in the future? I'm confident that we'll become great Jyanshi in 2v2 mahjong.
[player]I know you're exaggerating, but it does sound pretty tempting.
I finally relax now that we've won the game, and I even feel mentally exhausted. I can't believe how tired this battle of wits has made me.
The waiter walks over to a wall after congratulating us and stops in front of a painting that is as tall as a person. In the painting are eight beauties that are racing and a fairly eye-catching stamp in the upper right corner with the character "Yu", meaning authority or control. Although it has become yellow with time, it's still quite obvious that this is a high-quality work.
[player]This painting is quite good.
[Ryan]I think so too. There are enough people for two mahjong tables.
While Ryan and I admire the painting, the waiter takes it down. What shocks me is that behind the painting is a narrow door that is just wide enough for one person to pass through!
The most shocking thing, however, is that the waiter scans their eye to unlock the door. There's actually such advanced technology in this dojo! So many secrets are hidden in this utterly ordinary dojo.
After we enter through the narrow door behind the waiter, we find ourselves in a passage with warm yellow lights. The ground doesn't seem to be flat, and even seems to be a gentle downward slope. I guess that we're probably walking to a basement.
Although I wanted to talk to Ryan about some things, I notice the solemn expressions on the faces of the waiter in front of us and our two mahjong opponents who are walking behind us. Everything seems so serious that I choose to keep my mouth shut.
Ryan, on the other hand, doesn't seem to sense this heavy atmosphere and starts to chat with the waiter.
[Ryan]Oji-san, can I ask you something?
[Waiter]Oji-san? I... Do I look that old?
[Ryan]Eh? Oh... Actually, where I grew up, all men who look mature are addressed as oji-san.
[Waiter]I see.
[player]Haha--
After hearing what they are saying, I fail to stop myself from laughing and catching everyone's attention. I control my urge to smile and manage my expression to not give Ryan away.
[Ryan]Well, I want to know why the contest takes place as a 2v2 mahjong game.
[Waiter]The leader came up with that idea because it's a way to test how well you can secretly share information with your partner for the sake of winning.
[player]Isn't that just cheating?
[Waiter]If you get caught, it's called cheating. Otherwise, it's called tacit understanding, don't you think? For example, what you two did can only be called tacit understanding because we have no idea how you achieved that despite observing you for a long time.
[Ryan]Onee-sama and I don't need petty tricks like that.
[Waiter]Haha, that's true. You two have great potential to become good information dealers since you managed to defeat one of our experienced teams that rarely loses with your tacit understanding.
[Ryan]Oh... thanks but no thanks. Our tacit understanding should be used on more important things than gathering information for others.
The waiter smiles but doesn't reply. Instead, he takes us around a corner. At the end of the passage is a delicate wooden door that seems to be made of a relatively expensive wood with a clear and beautiful texture. I'm not sure if I'm seeing things because of the dark yellow light, but the door seems to have a faint golden luster. When the waiter knocks on the door, it makes a thick sound.
A petite girl who looks like she is around 15 or 16 years old opens the door. Her collar is so high that it covers almost half of her face. When he sees her, the waiter points at us and speaks in a low voice.
[???]I know you, PLAYER.
Without saying anything, the girl nods and lets us into the room. I take a look at the surroundings and note that the room looks like an underground office with no windows. The tables and chairs in sight look like they are made of solid wood, and the decorations are a little vintage... I hope the fire protection measures are good.
In front of us is a desk that is wide enough for two adults to sleep on it at the same time. I have no idea why this strange metaphor popped up in my mind. Maybe it's because a person is reclining behind the desk with his legs crossed on the desk.
He immediately removes his legs and sits up upon hearing our arrival. I look up and the image of a handsome young man around the age of 20, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, enters my eyes.
But I'm well aware that looks can be deceiving in One Han City, just like the owner of a certain dojo. So, I would never doubt his ability just because he looks young.
[???]I know you, PLAYER.
[???]You really do have the face of someone that shouldn't be here, haha.
What the heck? An insult right off the bat? I really want to tell him that One Han City isn't a lawless city, but Ryan steps in front of me before I can say anything and greets the man with a grin on his face.
[Ryan]Are you the leader of Strix, onii-san? I'm Ryan, one of the clients for today.
[???]Ryan? The young magician of Soul... Tsk, I hear you're fond of calling others onee-sama, so why am I being addressed as onii-san?
[Ryan]True. Why is that? Hehe...
[??]That isn't how you should act when you need someone's help.
[Ryan]Huh? You're the type who wants to be called onee-sama?
[???]Who knows? Maybe I just want to know what that person behind you is feeling.
Before I can even figure out what's going on, it feels like the place is about to catch fire at any moment, and I shoot a worried glance at the nearby extinguisher. I stretch out my hand and pull Ryan back before he can say anything else.
[player]I apologize. It's actually a custom from Ryan's hometown. Handsome and charismatic young men are all addressed as onii-san.
Ryan pulls the hem of my clothes from behind and asks softly.
[Ryan]When did they introduce a custom like that?
[player]When you called that waiter oji-san just now.
He scoffs upon hearing my explanation. Clearly, he doesn't believe me. However, I'm relieved to realize that he doesn't seem to intend to continue on this topic.
[???]I know why you're here today. It's for the animal tamer.
It wasn't a question but a statement. This moment allows me to truly understand just how terrifying Strix is as an intelligence organization. It feels like Ryan and I are stripped bare before him.
[???]I do possess the information you desire, but I'm certain Soul cannot afford its price. We all know how Soul is doing financially, after all.
[player]Then what must we do to secure this deal? Since you were willing to meet us when you're well aware that Soul cannot afford the price, then I'm sure you have another method of compensation in mind, right?
[???]I love doing business with smart people. Let's do this. Come meet me here alone tomorrow, and I'll make a deal with you. Once the deal is completed, you'll get your information for free.
[player]That's it? It won't be one of those trades where we fly somewhere then we're forced to suddenly change planes, right?
[???]Don't worry, I would have reminded you to pack if it was, and I would have told you to bring a nicer suitcase so you look decent.
[???]But if you don't come alone and bring him again, then the deal's off.
[player]Why?
[???]For the same reason he called me onii-san.
He raises an eyebrow smugly at Ryan, and at this moment, I'm sure of one thing--this man is absolutely petty.
I stop Ryan from speaking up and shake my head at him. This isn't the time to make an enemy out of the man. After all, we're finally so close to the information we desire, so we shouldn't give up.
I notice Ryan's displeasure, but he always listens to me and just holds my sleeve in silence. The waiter leads us out the same way we entered the dojo.
Once we're back in the private room, the waiter offers to let us play for free today, but Ryan and I are in no mood for more mahjong. We politely decline and leave the dojo.
By the time we arrive back at Soul, half the day has already passed. We find Sara backstage inspecting the props and making the final preparations for tomorrow's performance. She frowns upon noticing the serious look on Ryan's face.
[Sara]Did it... not go well?
[player]Actually... It went pretty well.
Ryan explains what happened like a little puffed-up pufferfish. But when he arrives at the part about the leader, he unexpectedly says...
[Ryan]You must stop onee-sama from going alone tomorrow. He's clearly a conman who preys on nice people. Oh, and he said that they might have to switch planes at some strange place...
[player]No, he didn't tell me to bring my suitcase...
[Ryan]Oh, right! He asked her to bring a decent suitcase!
[Sara]A suitcase? Changing planes?
Worry and confusion gradually fill Sara's eyes, so I quickly stop Ryan.
[player]Stop! Stop! It's not what you're thinking. He was just speaking in poor taste, and it may have scared Ryan.
[player]But overall, our trip was rather successful. He promised to make a deal with me when we meet tomorrow, and I'll get the information once the deal is complete.
[Sara]What's the deal about?
[player]I don't know yet.
[Ryan]I don't think you should go tomorrow. Strix isn't our only choice, and we can figure out another way.
[Sara]His request to meet with you alone is rather disturbing, so I agree with Ryan on this.
I gaze at the serious look that's rarely seen on Sara and Ryan's faces. Especially Ryan, a grin is always on his face, and he often does some rather bewildering things, yet now, his lips are pursed into a straight line.
But the dark circles below Sara's eyes that even eyeshadow can't conceal make me realize that finding "other ways out" isn't as easy as it seems. Otherwise, she wouldn't have waited until today to ask for my help.
I recall the conversation we had today. Although the leader of Strix was a little mean and petty, had poor sitting posture, and did not have a great temper, generally speaking, he didn't bear any malice... I think...
Anyway, I decide to meet him again tomorrow and hear him out before I make a decision. Of course, I'll have to keep my decision a secret from Ryan and Sara, and I promise to give it more thought to keep them from worrying.
My stomach starts growling once I finish, and only then do I realize that it has gotten dark outside. Sara smiles and asks me to stay for dinner upon hearing my stomach.
[Sara]It's already so late. Why don't you stay for dinner?
[player]I...
[Ryan]Don't refuse. If you don't stay for dinner, Sara would definitely be upset for being unable to repay your help today.
Ryan interrupts my refusal and gives me a reason I cannot refuse. I have no choice but to agree and stay for dinner with them.
Soul's dining habits are unlike that of One Han City's people who sit at the table and everything seems so proper. They are fond of sitting out in the open on nice evenings to enjoy food, song, and dance.
The elderly man is the same man I helped with ticket inspections the other day. He should have gotten enough rest as he looks much better, and he doesn't forget to shoot some jokes my way while chatting with the others.
[Elderly Man]Here in Soul, our soul changes with every leader, haha! When Sid was still with us, everyone had to sit and eat properly at the table. But after Sara took over, she began teaching us to eat and dance like this. Heh, to be honest, it makes me feel like I can eat two more bowls with every meal.
[player]Maybe it's the good mood so eating like this is really nice.
[Elderly Man]Right? Soul seems more like the touring troupes in the movies now. Haha!
[Elderly Man]But I sometimes find myself missing the days when the previous leader was around. During that time... Ugh, why am I saying all of this on a happy day like this? Eat! Eat!
The elderly man seems to have remembered something from the past but is unwilling to share more, and he goes off to use his bowl and steal some wine from the lady beside me. I hear her scolding him about drinking when he's in poor health. They are clearly having a fight, yet the atmosphere is so joyful.
Sara passes me a plate of freshly grilled skewers and sits down beside me.
[Sara]Thank you.
[player]You've said that many times today.
[Sara]This time it's for myself... Thank you for always being by my side in my most helpless moments and letting me know that I don't have to do everything on my own.
[Sara]I know the extent of my ability. So, I always wonder if I can really take care of such a huge troupe.
[Sara]But whenever I see you, I think... Yes, I can do it. At the very least, I can try.
[Sara]So, thank you.
I gaze at the lively group that's dancing around the bonfire before me. Ryan, who always acts like an adult, is surrounded by a few of the elders, and they seem to be asking him something. His face is flushed red, and he desperately looks in my direction for help.
He looks like a helpless youth who's being chased around by elders during family gatherings with questions like "how did you do in your exams", "are you in a relationship yet", or "your mother says you've gotten a new hobby lately, so why don't you put on a performance for us."
[player]Sara, everything will get better.
[Sara]Yes, it will.
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