Sitting at the countertop in the restaurant, Yuri clutched the glass of water that Maji gave her and stared into it.

How stupid of her.

She thought that she had managed to change a bit, but nothing had changed at all.

When Mister Qing brought up John Smith… No, when she realized that John Smith was the same one who had turned her life upside down after giving her that bowl of ramen, she couldn’t help but speak out.

Out of habit, she spoke her mind and her feelings without thinking it through. Since she was still upset at him just leaving without a trace and being stupid good at cooking, she started acting up again.

And now everything was ruined.

She saw the look in that secretary’s eyes. That cold and dismissive stare. She remembered Mister Qing’s disappointed sigh and how he muttered that he didn’t get paid enough to deal with that sort of situation.

Yuri wouldn’t get the job. Even though she managed to get to the interview, she wouldn’t get another one. Even though Ichiro risked his job to give her the link to apply before it was made public, she had gone and thrown it all away.

…John was right.

A bratty teenaged girl who would run after a foreigner in a crazed fit of fury and curse him out in public. One who disregarded the reputation of not just herself, but her family in the process.

That was who Yuri was.

And now since Grandpa was getting audited and interviewed, she had to take care of herself. Show that she was a proper young girl and that there was nothing for the officials to worry about.

But… But now…!

A soft pat on her head.

Yuri blinked and looked up to see a young girl staring at her.

The girl couldn’t be older than Tsuki… and was probably younger. Cute, with white bangs and dark eyes that looked almost violet. She smiled and said, “Do not cry, Miss.”

From behind the girl, another that looked almost the same, except with black hair fashioned in twin-tails, nodded. “Yes, Miss. Someone as pretty as you should be smiling, not crying.”

Yuri laughed and brushed her tears away. “I’m not pretty…”

If anything, she was pretty ugly. A selfish, arrogant, reckless, and bratty teenaged girl who was nothing but a burden.

Gritting her teeth at that thought, Yuri picked up her glass of water and took a sip, planning to use it to jar her out of her thoughts. The sharp tang of the tap water and impurities should at least let her get a grip.

But when she drank the water, all she felt was the cold liquid going down her throat. Nothing but a refreshing sensation… that only added to the cold pit already settling in her stomach because of the interview.

The girl with white hair tilted her head and said, “But Miss is very pretty!”

The girl with black twin-tails nodded and said, “If Miss smiled, even great princes would send gifts to earn your favor!”

Yuri laughed.

Coming from anyone else, she would have thought it was fake. Just empty words to try and cheer her up.

But she could sense it. The two young girls spoke with complete sincerity. The innocent honesty that only young children could have.

Realizing that, she felt a bit better about herself. But then it also brought a question to mind. Staring at the two young girls, Yuri tilted her head and said, “Who are you two? I don’t remember any of the oji-sans here having kids…”

“Oh!” The young girl with the white hair shook her head. “We are not their children.”

The young girl with the black twin-tails nodded. “Yes. My sister and I are guests here. The kind Misters took us in after we were freed from our contract and were lost wandering the city.”

Yuri blinked. And then she frowned. “…Contract? Lost wandering the city?”

“I am Wu, Pretty Miss!” The white-haired girl smiled.

“And I am Xuan!” The girl with black twin-tails smiled as well. “It is a pleasure to meet you!”

“A-Ah. It’s nice to meet you two. I’m Yuri.”

Faced with the bright and enthusiastic introduction, Yuri could only fall back on a typical reply.

Wu nodded. “That is better.” She smiled and said, “No more tears, okay Miss Yuri?”

“Yes.” Xuan chimed in as well and said, “Mister Maji and the other two Aniki are making yummy noodles for you, so just wait patiently. You will feel much better when you have them!”

“Ah!” Wu’s eyes widened and she said, “Sister! The noodles are getting cold!”

Xuan gasped and quickly turned back to her udon. “No!” She looked at Yuri and said, “Sorry, Miss Yuri, but I have to finish this!” Saying that, the girl with black twin-tails picked up her chopsticks and quickly started eating.

Next to her, Wu did the same.

Yuri blinked, watching the pair of identical sisters rapidly eating the udon. Well, almost identical.

It was odd though… From what Yuri knew, it should be impossible to get white hair so young, even with genetics-

No. It was possible, wasn’t it? If someone underwent a great deal of stress or trauma, then-

The clatter of a bowl. Splashing broth. And then the sound of silverware being placed down in front of her.

Maji wiped his hands down on his apron and said, “Looks like you calmed down a bit, huh? And oi!” He looked to Xuan and Wu and said, “Slow down! There’s more where that came from!”

Xuan slurped a big noodle and then stared at Maji with wide eyes. “There is!?”

Wu took a long drink from the broth and then looked at Maji with a bright smile. “Thank you, Maji oji-san!”

“I told you girls, there’s no reason to thank me for something this obvious. Boss would kill us if we let kids like you starve.”

Yuri blinked and stared at Maji’s face.

Every time she had seen him, the man seemed to be harsh and tense. But for the first time, he was calm and relaxed. He even had a faint smile on his face.

Maji noticed Yuri staring and immediately frowned. “What’re ya looking at? Eat your food already, kid.”

“A-Ah.” Yuri flinched and lowered her gaze. “Yes, Maji-san.” After saying that, she picked up a fork and began twirling the noodles around. Blowing on them to make sure she didn’t burn herself, Yuri took a hesitant bite.

Warm. Soft. Not too salty and a bit thin. But comforting, like a soup that you served someone when they were sick.

…Like the ramen that her father had given her so long ago.

Yuri swallowed and then lowered her gaze, trying her best to hold back her tears.

Maji sighed. “Dammit, kid. Are you even eating properly now that your grandfather’s busy?”

Yuri averted her gaze. “I-I am…”

It felt like she was swallowing vomit every time she ate, but she cooked proper meals and forced them down.

Maji’s eyes narrowed and he said, “Doesn’t look like it. You still can’t eat normal food, huh?”

Yuri flinched and said, “T-That’s not… I mean…” She trailed off and then gave a meek nod. “…Yes. Sorry.”

Maji ran his right hand through his hair and said, “Honestly, kid… I told you last time, didn’t I? I won’t take you in as my apprentice, but you’re always free to come back for a meal.”

Yuri clenched her fork.

That… It was true, but…

Maji had said that he wouldn’t take her in as an apprentice until she had a proper job. Until she could stand on her own two feet.

If she couldn’t even cook for herself… how could she bear to show her face and ask for a handout?

“Tch.” Maji clicked his tongue and said, “Just as stubborn as her too.”

At that time, the curtains in the back opened up.

Kiri and Saji stepped out.

Kiri glanced at Maji and then looked to Xuan and Wu. “Xuan-chan. Wu-chan. We’re going out for a walk around town. Did you two want to come with us?”

Xuan slurped up her noodles and then jumped out of her chair. “Yes, Aniki!”

Wu quickly sipped the rest of her udon broth and jumped out of her chair as well. “I want to come too!”

Saji chuckled and said, “Calm down, girls. There’s no need to rush. We’ve got all the time in the world. Ah.” He reached over to the shopping bags lying on the ground nearby and pulled out a pair of matching gray parkas. “Wear these first though. Can’t let you girls get sick.”

Xuan skipped over and took one from Saji. “Thank you, Aniki!”

Wu walked over and took one as well. “Yes. Thank you very much, Aniki.”

Kiri helped the girls put on the coats and then looked at Maji. “We’ll be back in the evening.”

Maji nodded and then looked at the girls. “You two stay out of trouble, you hear?”

Xuan grabbed Kiri’s hand and then nodded. “We will, Maji oji-san!”

Wu grabbed Saji’s hand and smiled. “Yes, Maji oji-san. We will stay safe.”

Saji waved at Maji and said, “Don’t worry, Bro. We’re just taking them out to have some fun.”

Maji frowned. “Don’t use too much money. We’re doing good, but-” He paused and then laughed. “Actually, use as much as you want. We’re due a paycheck from Boss anyway, right? We’ll just write this off as… a business expense.”

Saji’s eyes widened. “Whoa. That’s pretty smart, Bro.”

Wu tilted her head and looked up at Saji. “A business expense, Aniki?”

“Er…”

Maji rolled his eyes and shooed them off. “Just get out already and take the girls shopping for toys or whatever.”

Xuan gasped. “We can buy toys?!”

Kiri tensed and then patted Xuan’s head. “Of course, Xuan-chan. Now, let’s go.” He looked at Maji and said, “Miss Yuri and Maji oji-san have a lot to talk about.”

“Oh!” Xuan waved at Yuri and said, “Bye, Pretty Yuri!”

“Ah!” Wu waved as well and said, “See you later, Miss Yuri!”

The door opened, footsteps shuffled, the door shut… and then it was quiet.

Yuri set down her fork, finished with her bowl of udon while the exchange was happening. She stared at the door and then looked back at Maji. “Those girls are pretty energetic.”

Maji leaned back against the wall behind the countertop and nodded. “Yeah. They’re a bit weird, but they’re good kids.”

“Are they yours?”

Maji laughed. “As if. The only person I’d consider my kid is-” He paused and then shook his head. “Nevermind. Anyway, those two have something to do with our Boss. We’re just watching over them until then.”

Yuri idly twirled her fork around in her bowl and said, “Your boss… Then are they related to that side?” She frowned and said, “They seem like normal kids but…”

Wu had a full head of white hair, and the two had mentioned being freed from a contract. Not only that, but wandering around in the town.

And with the recent police stings around both the formerly owned Torabu establishments as well as the Seiryuu…

“But it’s none of your business.” Maji stood up and then pulled a chair over. Sliding it down on the other side of the countertop from Yuri, he placed his elbows on the countertop and said, “And speaking of your business… Talk, kid.”

Yuri tensed and then got angry. “W-What’s it to you anyway? Didn’t you just say that it was none of my business what those two girls had going on? Why are you butting into mine?!”

Maji leaned back and crossed his arms. “Well, first of all you broke down crying in front of our restaurant. That’s bad for business.”

Yuri flinched. “T-That’s…”

“Second of all, your grandpa asked me to look after you while he’s sorting all of this mess out.”

Yuri paused and then felt a pit in her stomach. “Grandpa. Even now…”

“Third… and most importantly of all. You’re Maki’s kid, and she’d beat the crap out of me if she knew that I wasn’t doing anything while her little girl felt like she was all alone in the world.”

“E-Eh?” Yuri blinked.

Maki… That was her mom’s name. But then-

“Geez.” Maji ran his hand through his hair and said, “And I still can’t believe she called you Yuri. I thought that she gave up on it, but to think that she still cared that much…”

Yuri blinked again, confused. “M-Maji-san?”

Maji sighed and then looked at Yuri. “Since Kiri’s the dad in our group, I might as well take his fatherly advice.” He shook his head and then stood up. After that, he bowed his head and said, “Maji Yuurei. Family name, Maji. First name, Yuurei. And… someone who was in love with your mother a long time ago.”

Yuri froze.

Yuurei. That name…

Yuri slowly pulled out her phone and then opened her music app.

“Hm?” Maji frowned and said, “What the hell are you-“

Yuri clicked on her favorite song. The one that she ripped from the only CD that her mother had ever kept. The one that she listened to all the time when she was younger to calm her down when everything wasn’t going right. The one whose singer sounded like he was pouring out his emotions to declare that everything was fine as long as ‘she’ was happy.

Play Yakuza Kiwami 2: Goro Majima – Shiawase nara ii ya

Maji froze. His eyes widened and he stared at the phone. “That-“

An acoustic guitar started playing. A strumming and driving melody that was joined by a harmonica before cutting off. And then, a gruff voice started singing.

A voice that was the exact same as Maji’s- No. It was smoother. Less worn down by time. Younger. But…

Yuri slowly looked up at Maji and then said, “You’re Mom’s Mister Ghost?”

Maji let out a long sigh. “Damn. I didn’t think that she actually kept that recording…”

—–AI|IA—–

Outside, of the udon shop, Kiri, Saji, Xuan, and Wu were heading towards town to take a tour around the city.

As they did, Xuan looked up at Kiri and said, “Are you sure that Pretty Yuri will be fine, Kiri Aniki?”

Kiri looked down at Xuan and smiled. “Don’t worry, Xuan-chan. Maji is an old friend of Yuri’s mother, so it should be fine.”

Saji chimed in and said, “Yeah. And they’ve got a lot to catch up on.”

“Oh!” Wu nodded and said, “Then we should give them some space. John always said that space was a good thing to give.”

Kiri nodded. “Hn. That’s true. Though…” He frowned and looked between the two sisters, “How do you two know Boss anyway?”

“Ah.” Xuan frowned. “It is quite a long story…”

Wu nodded. “Yes. We have known John all our lives, and he was there at the moment of our births, so…” She frowned. “Where to begin?”

Kiri furrowed his brow. “From your birth? Then is John-“

A loud gasp echoed from nearby. Immediately after, the sound of about a dozen shopping bags falling to the floor echoed.

Kiri glanced over to see a beautiful woman staring at them.

Long crimson hair, slightly slanted eyes that gave her a foxy appearance. Paired with her traditional sakura petal kimono, she could pass for a fox spirit descended from the mountains, if only she had ears.

In one word: breathtaking.

But Kiri was used to beautiful women so he wasn’t bothered. Instead, he frowned at the dropped items… Especially at a platter of sushi that was left ruined on the dirty tiled floor.

He started to walk over, intending to help the woman at least pick her bags up. But before he could, the woman ran towards Xuan and Wu.

Seeing that, Kiri quickly moved to block her.

In the corner of his eye, Kiri saw Saji do the same, pushing Wu behind him. But even so, it didn’t matter.

The woman stopped in front of the two men and shook her head. Looking at Kiri and Saji, she said, “I’m sorry to alarm you two, but…” She looked past them at the two young girls. At Xuan and Wu. Her crimson eyes looked dazed, and she hesitantly said, “Little Xuan? Little Wu? Is that… you?”

“Ah!” Xuan peeked out from behind Kiri and smiled. She let go of Kiri’s hand and walked forward, waving. “Big sister Daji!”

Wu peeked out from Saji and then smiled as well. “Nice to see you again! You look much prettier than before! And bigger too!”

Daji slowly shook her head and then pursed her lips. “You two… How are you here? Why are you here? I thought… We all thought that…?”

Kiri cleared his throat and then made a pointed look at the surroundings. “I don’t mean to be rude, Miss. But we’re drawing a crowd.”

Saji looked around and then growled. “Oi! What are you looking at?”

Hearing his gruff voice, the gathering crowd dispersed.

Kiri grabbed Xuan’s hand and started walking. As he did, he motioned for Daji to follow. “We can talk as we walk. But we’re drawing attention, so let’s get moving.”

“A-Ah. Yes, Mister… Hm?” Daji narrowed her eyes and said, “You are… One of Big Brother’s shadow servants? No, you have something else mixed in too…?”

Kiri blinked and then he let out a sigh. “Of course Boss is wrapped up in this…”