Chapter 390. Funeral.

New Director, Asamiis a too serious looking woman wearing a no-rim glasses.

Kouzuki security services uniform doesnt suit her at all.

Rather than being a VIP bodyguardshe feels like the secretory of a section manager of a large company.

Yeah, shes not short in strength butshe has the presence.

Dont stare too much, shell notice

Margo-san whispers.

I change my gaze hurriedly.

Asami Mami-san1, 28 years old. I seeComing out of the top seat from east-university, she entered Kouzuki groups think tanksKouzuki general research After studying economic policy, she changed membership to Kouzuki security service. Thats quite the resume!

Margo-san reads the information on screen.

Shes the ambitious type!

Nei whispers to me.

Why?

She wants to be a politician in the future I guess? Even though her specialty is economic policy, she didnt become a bureaucratif she aims to be a researcher then she shouldve stayed in Think Tank you see? Perhaps, while shes working in Kouzuki security service, she uses it to make connections with the elites to become a politician in the futureor something along the lines

I-I see

Well, she must have some failures. If not, she wont make this drastic change as she has this much history

Margosan reads Asami-buchous data.

Ah, I see. Shes a daughter of a big shot on the opposition

Hm?

Her fatherwas sent to trial for violation of political funds control law three years ago, and died halfway. Oh, it was such a sudden death, that it has rumors that he was assassinated Her fathers supportthe committee on his local area, all, had been taken away by his personal secretaryand now, that person seems to be a member of the diet. Then, Asami-san seems to think that the former secretary was the one who betrayed and killed her father

Thenshe wants to become a politician to avenge her father?

Well, guess thats it. As long as the former secretary stays, she cant be separated from the same partythe political funds, base, support, connections with influential people, she doesnt have any of those now. She thinks that if she doesnt bet on high stakes, she wont reach her enemy

Haa

True, she looks a very intelligent person butEverything will happen as I wantis what her strong willed eyes saying.

She wasnt at location back at the hotel. She mustve wanted former-director Yamaoka to be out

Margo-san said.

HuhWhy?

No matter how you look at it, she doesnt have thearmed powerto oppose people like Cesario ViolaBut shes got high skills, you see? Its to the extent that she could be nominated as the next director after Yamaoka-san. I think she excluded herself from the hotel so she wont have to participate with her own rival, Yamoka-san

Yeahformer-director Yamaokas heart is quite small.

Butperhaps, this is chief Tanizawas hobbyhe chooses dull people for the top of the uniformed group as usual

Well of course! Theunderground groupof Kudou-sans look like messing aroundso the uniformed groups should look like serious people!

Margo-san smiles at Nei

Truethe uniformed group has to be ordinary

Margo-san murmurs while reading the screen.

There should be an opportunity on that regard. YeahSeki-sans material is thorough. For examplejust the arrangement map of the guards decided by the new director, you can see how Asami-san thinks. Shes much more refined than Yamaoka. But sadlyshe doesnt have enough experience. There are some dangerous points

Margo-san seems to be planning a strategy.

That saidthe new director, Asamis management power wont be understood unless hitwe must attack as hard as possible

While were having that conversation

Thefuneral ceremonybegins

Monks appearedand begin chanting.

Ah

Nei mutters.

Whats wrong?

As expected of Michishe found Yo-chan in the middle of this huge crowd.

Ah, trueMichis looking this way.

YeahI noddedthen Michi whos standing at the corner of the stage also nods.

Wow, she really looks at me.

That girls got hawk eyes

Nei saidthen cuddles with me.

She holds my hand tightly

Thenlets show ourselves flirting! Gushishi!

And then Im the one whos got to deal with the grumpy Michi later you know?

Its finejust deal with her!

Nei kisses my nape.

I smell Neis sweet scent.

For nowyou take care of me!

Sure

I gently rub Neis hand.

Michi looks at us expressionlessly.

Well, that expression is the most scary though

On the other hand, Misuzuis dealing with the crying Ruriko.

Instead of trying to find me in the middle of the hundreds of mournersshes following my order and does her best to watch over Ruriko.

Yes, goodIll give Misuzu a lot of love too later.

Or rathermy Misuzus really cute.

Those guys are as usual!

Neis looking at

Jii-chan in his mourning clothesholding beads and praying silently.

Beside him is Yoshiko-saninevitably worries about the crying Ruriko.

But, the two seats on the platform are separated by a coffin.

Yoshiko-san cant do anything.

Heyhow long will this prayer2 last?

Margo-san asks me.

Glans2?

No, lookthe Buddhist monks chanting spells

Ohprayers?

Or rather, Buddhist Monks

No, Margo-san, are there various religious priests?

Margo-oneesan, thats a sutra

Sutra? Sorry, its my first time attending a funeral in Buddhist form

Margo-san smiles wryly

Wellshes an American, Indian ancestry

You see, they read the story of what Buddha did

Its like a Christian Ritual, biblical reading?

Yes, yes. Its just that bible readings are just passages. The sutras are long!

Nei shows a tired face.

Is it that long?

Err, I think itll last for 20-30 minutesthats how long it was with my Grandfather

I answered.

My maternal grandfatherwasnt as much as Kouzuki house but he was still a president of a company

The size of the funeral was also large.

However, father and I werent allowed to take seats on relatives area

We were working as receptionists though.

Mother sits beside grandfathers coffin all the time

I dont want to remember anymore.

Back with grandmother

There was no ceremony at the funeral.

Oh, instead of a biblical reading, its achant I can feel the musicianship. I see, I get it. Thats interesting

I dont know what Margo-san meant by that.

Then, please burn your incense

The incense burning starts from the announcement of the host.

First, the family, relatives, please come

Jii-chan burns the incense first.

Then, Rurikos mother

Yoshiko-sans the third.

Small groans comes from the mourners.

Normallythe daughter of the deceased, Ruriko should burn the incense first.

Following, Misuzus parents.

Misuzu.

Ruriko burned the last incense for the bereaved family

At the moment she puts off the incense burnerRuriko starts crying.

Bad, if she falls downher no-panty ass would be exposed to the audience.

Yoshiko-san tries to jump in a hurry, but

Jii-chan stops her with his hand.

Instead, Misuzu and Michi pops out.

From the attendees seatsit can only be seen as the good cousin and her attendant came to save Ruriko.

But, in realityshes being moved forcibly.

Michi secretly hits Rurikos ass.

Ruriko returns to her seat while enduring the pain of her swollen ass.

Followingthe relatives please

First, Kouzuki houses branch familyKouzuki Soujis father burns incense.

What are they doing?

Margo-san asks.

Margo-san seems to be interested in funeral manners.

Errtheyre laying the incense on fire?

Nei answers.

Its not done only once but multiple times. Why?

HmmI dont know

I dont know too

Why indeed

I see. If I knew this would happen then I wouldve studied about Japanese funerals last nightI was a bit busy last night after all

Margo-san said, Nei

What are you saying, Margo-oneechans going to do that too

Ehwhy?

Or rathereveryone whos attending here are going to do it. Thats the rule!

It would be bad for the religious ritual if I dont do it or something? If theres a single person who doesnt do it, would the zombie of the corpse come out?

WellI dont know about that. But, everyones going to do it

Margo-san looks troubled.

I wonder if I join the ceremonywill I also be a certified Buddhist?

That wont happen. Its finemaybe

Nei answers.

Is it okay?Im American though

I dont think you have to mind that

Or rathercan I do that? What are they doing again?

Hmm

AhahaIll just watch what the people ahead of me do and just imitate it!

Me too

Is that okay? Really? I wont be responsible if I make a mistake on the ceremony and he becomes a zombie okay!

Its okay. If someones incense burning method is strange and causes the dead to become zombieJapan would be filled with zombies!

True. Its fine. Japan doesnt have zombiesI never saw any before!

Nei and I declared.

Followingthe incense burning for the attendees

Everyone burns incense in turn as told by the announcer.

Look, were going too

Nei pulls us

Ahlooks like itll be fine. Theres foreigner other than me coming

Finding a white mans face in the line of burning incenseMargo-san felt relieved.

Speaking of which, the bodys holding a blade

AhI feel like Grandmothers corpse had something too.

Well you see, if they dont hold a bladethe devil will possess the body

Nei said.

Also, its said that cats also possess the body. They make the corpse dance or something

I see.

Then that meansthat might be the Japanese version of Zombies!

The incense burning order comes close.

As expected, with this much peoplethe incense burning is done by five people at the time.

The attendees bow to Jii-chan, Ruriko, Misuzu, the bereaved families.

YeahI get it somehow

Seeing the state of people burning incenseMargo-san speaks.

Now then, its our turn.

Nei lets go of my hand shes holding until then.

Misuzu glareisnt there.

Bowing to the deceased and the bereaved familywe burn the incense.

Then, bow again.

We bow to Jii-chan and others too.

Ruriko whos cried too much, has her mind half empty.

That look invites the mercy of the mourners.

Yoshiko-sans glaring at us amazingly.

She cant throw the grudge from being pulled away from Ruriko to Jii-chan.

Thats why she glares at us.

Nei pulls my arm.

Ah, no no.

I have to give way to the next people.

We return to our seats.

That womans watching

Margo-sans talking aboutthe new director, Asami?

Yeah, shes looking at us.

Wellweresuspicious peopleafter all!

Nei mutters.

The petite glasses woman is watching us.

We have to outsmart this lady tokidnapRuriko

My eldest son died in a foreign land. And now, my second son has passed away before me, his father

When the incense burning endedJii-chan greets the mourners.

No matter what the reason isthere is no replacement for lack of filial piety

Then, Jii-chan talks about memories with Kouzuki Shigeakibirefly described Shigeakis achievements in Kouzuki group.

Seeing this many people see him offI think my son is very happy

Actuallymost of the mourners have come for Jii-chan.

One of the leading houses in Japan, Kouzuki housesince this is Kouzuki Shigetakas sons funeral, there would be this much people coming.

Theres not a tenth of the attendees are Kouzuki Shigeakis own friends and acquaintances.

Lately, Im being worn out. I wont be doing it now butI think of retiring from the position of the president of Kouzuki group during the shareholder meeting next year!

The entire hall becomes noisy.

As for replacementI recommend Shiba Okitachi-kun. Hes already obtained the approval from the board of directors!

Kouzuki Shigetakas intention to retire from the economic worldthis will be a big article appearing in tomorrows newspaper

By the way, Yoshiko, the girl next to methere have been circumstances so far but, shes my eldest son, Kouzuki Shigeharus memento. My granddaughter

At that moment

Ruriko cries out loudly

Yoshiko-sans no longer Rurikosattendant

Ive raised Yoshiko similarly as Misuzu and Ruriko, as daughters of Kouzuki house. Everyone, please receive her Yoshiko

Yoshiko-san bows expressionlessly.

She didnt speak a word.

Normally, she would be unwilling to be presented like this.

Rurikos crying violently.

However, the halls still shaken by the aftermath of Jii-chans retirement declaration.

Theres not much who pays attention to Yoshiko.

Rather, groans had spread towards relatives.

Then that meansif I marry Yoshiko, Id can become a successor of the head family?

Kouzuki Satosohiyoure too loud

You idiot, call herYoshiko-sama from now on!

Look, Kouzuki Soujis angry.

Everyone, thank you for coming for my son today. He was a bad son butI loved him. Reallywhat a pity. Miserable Friends, please dont forget about him. Please

Jii-chan speaks frankly his emotions.

But, most of the mourners didnt notice.

No, that is why Jii-chans telling the truth.

Shigeakiprefers to drink Cognac. I wont drink Cognac until I die. He can no longer drink Cognacand yet, why am I allowed to drink?

This is Jii-chans punishment to himself.

Noeven whiskey and brandy would be cut off too. All of the liquor Shigeaki loved!

I see light glitter in Jii-chans eyes.

Thank you for coming today!

Thenthefuneral ceremonyends.

The hearse is prepared outside the venue.

Jii-chan and Ruriko, the bereaved families and relativesafter that, the friends who really knew Kouzuki Shigeaki gave their last farewell.

The coffins transported.

With matching funeral music.

Kouzuki Souji, Subaru siblings, Kouzuki Satopshiah, Kouzuki Kenshis there too.

The men of Kouzuki clan are carrying the coffin.

Thencoming from the stageto outside

Yo-chan, hide

Nei said

It would be troublesome if that guy finds you!

Ah, Kouzuki Kenshi?

True, hes troublesome

Or rather, its about time we start moving

Margo-san tells me.

EhYes?

The venues on the most confused state nowthe new director, Asami would be concentrating on sending Kouzuki-san from here

Yeah.

Jii-chan would be moving to the crematorium along with the coffin.

Lets get out of that exit there while we have time. Seki-sans waiting over there

Seki-san?

Nei and I will be picking up Iwakura-san. The meetup is planned at the crematorium butdepending on Asami-sans attitude, we might go to the shop where they end their abstinence

Margo-san said.

Anywaydont panic or hurry. Lets just pretend were going to the toiletand head there slowly

The coffin goes through our side

Yo-changive Misuzu and others my best regards!

Nei smiles.

This time, its my turn to be jealous!

I

Okaylets start the operation!

Margo-san said and pushed my backand I stand up from the seat.

The venues concentrated on the coffins transport.

I walk normallyand head to the exit Margo-san pointed.

Ah, Michi from the stage is watching me

Misuzus preoccupied trying to stop Ruriko from crying.

Yoshiko-sans looking down

Jii-chans gazing at the coffin

Ive been waiting

When we head out of the exitSeki-sans waiting.

Come, hurrywere going with my car

Errwhere?

I ask.

Im amazedobviously to the crematorium

Crematorium?

Anyone but the relatives cant go there

Just nowKouzuki security service guards are on their way

What?

Were breaking throughwell infiltrate beforeKakka, Misuzu-sama, or Ruriko-sama arrives

I see.

It would be strange for me to go to the crematorium together with Jii-chan if Im not from Kouzuki house, but

Then, well go ahead and get inside the venue.

Im making the arrangements soanyway, lets go

Seki-san trotters and heads to the parking lot.

Me too

Its okay, the new director, Asami-san is only paying attention to Kyouko-sans disciple, Margo-san. Margo-san will be restraining her well

Im just a high school student boy. The other party wont be paying attention to me.

1. Changed the name to Mami

2. Kitou

3. Kitou