A game of Shogi

[Sol]

An elder man checks his golden watch impatiently by the entrance of an expensive restaurant, holding an umbrella over his head to keep his rich business suit from getting wet. The rain is pouring down on the busy street.

A black car lowered close to the restaurant by the side of the street, and two other men came out of it, immediately walking to the elder man's side with long and sure steps. The newcomers were both in their primes; young and strong, they had an air of confidence with them as if they owned where they walk. Their eyes met for a second, the one in the white suit bowed first to the elder man.

The elder man replied hurriedly with his own bow, just out of habit "Arai-san, you're late," he looked at Arai's white outfit disapprovingly, squinted his eyes behind his round glasses. Ignoring the other young man, he turned back and walked into the restaurant, handed his wet umbrella to a waiter while he was being shown a table.

Arai and his companion just followed, keeping their silence as they entered the restaurant where a soothing music played in the background. There weren't many people dining in there, and the ones who did tended to keep to themselves, spoke in their hushed tones, ate and drank slowly.

They crouched on the pillows by a neat table after the elder man. Arai, with a derisive tone, asked to the elder man, "Kubota-san, is that watch new? I wonder who's gift is it. Looks good with that suit, though,". He smirked to his side, to his companion who kept his calm and seriousness yet.

Kubota pulled his shirt's collar uncomfortably, almost hissing he replied, "I am not going to discuss fashion with you, Arai-san. You said you'd pay. I am hungry,".

"Hai, hai..." Arai replied with a grin and shook his head, amused by Kubota's attitude. He raised his hand to call a waitress to his side, who handed them the expensive and rich menu.

They were soon served their meals, and Kubota enjoyed himself through it. He asked for seconds and thirds until his belly was so full he could no longer lean forward to reach the table to pick up his chopsticks for more.

The two young men, meanwhile, watched him silently and admired his appetite as he had kept on taking on plates after plates. They wondered how he could manage a thin build like this.

Letting out a relaxed sigh and sneaking out a burp, patting his belly with one hand and cleaning his teeth with a toothpick with the other, Kubota looked at Arai, then the other man.

"So," Kubota started, now feeling satisfied enough to at least bother with hearing why he's called here, knowing he doesn't have to agree to anything he'll be asked of anyway, "Arai-san, tell me, I am listening... What do you want?" he shrugged his shoulders as he asked, obvious with how much he doesn't care.

Arai put his chopsticks neatly over his plate once he was finally addressed, "You know... it was about... having more funds made available, so I could increase our profits," he grinned wide and energetically, "This time it is big, Kubota-san, we'll be rich... well in your case... richer!"

Kubota raised an eyebrow, almost not believing, but obviously intrigued now as it was about getting richer somehow, "Oh? Tell me more? What's this about?" he let out a laugh afterwards, as if he was challenging Arai to impress him.

"Gallics!" Arai just let it slip, and then looked around to see if anybody was listening in, continuing in a hushed tone, "I finally have the contact to be able to enter the gallic markets, Kubota-san.... So, all I need is..."

The old man seemed to be interested, indeed. He could no longer hide the shine in his eyes, brightly like golden coins. He leaned in closer over the table as well, even though his full belly was not making it so easy for him, trying to listen to Arai more carefully, "Gallics, you mean... the Gallics? How?"

Arai victoriously nodded a few times, "Hai, Gallics, you know... imagine all the riches we could acquire with this, imagine introducing our artifa-" his mouth was blocked by Kubota's hand right then.

The old man's eyes were wide opened, scanning around in terror. He put a finger on his lips as he whispered, "Shh! Arai-san, be careful what you say, you dimwit!" he slapped on Arai's head as he let his mouth free again. "I understand, so, what... what do you need?"

Now his mouth free, Arai could apologize, though not looking embarrassed one bit as he scratched his head, "Gomen, gomen..." he leaned in closer and smirked wide to Kubota, "Just a hundred million credits,".

"Wha-? A hundred?!" he had to hold back his breath this time after he yelled aloud. He whispered back to Arai after his initial surprise was over, "A hundred? That's too much, Arai-san... You sure you can't do it with less?" Arai shook his head, "No? Hmmm..." he appeared to be in deep thoughts for a while, sighing. He obviously wanted to get richer, but the initial investment was too much, it was a painful situation for him. "Taiyouji-sama... will not want to part with a hundred million, Arai-san... I am sorry, but you'll have to try it with less, much less... this is too risky," he looked down then shook his head definitely, and as he shook it, his eyes caught the guy who was by Arai's side all this time, who was being acted like he doesn't exist ever since the start.

"Hm? Eh? Who's this by the way? Is it safe to allow him to listen in?" Kubota asked curiously, scanning the young man attentively all of a sudden.

Arai smirked, looking to his side. The man answered himself, "Taiyouji Jiro, heir to the Taiyouji and Taiyou. Been a while Kubota-san. How is my father doing lately?"

At that, Kubota looked at him with his eyes narrowed, as if he was trying to see Jiro more clearly with his old eyes from behind his glasses. He let out a laugh, looking at Arai, pointing his finger loosely at Jiro, "He's a kidder, right? Hoh!" he patted on his belly, unable to keep his voice down as he laughed loudly, "Hooh! Now, this is funny!" he was calming down quickly afterwards, looking at Arai and Jiro, both were still remaining serious. "He's not kidding, right?" he asked this time, coughing, leaning in close towards Jiro over the table to scan him one more time and finally realize.

"Taiyouji-sama!" he immediately bowed and almost bent over, kneeling in front of him, "I could not realize it is you! Please forgive my old eyes, Taiyouji-sama!" the old man remained in a bow, apparently too embarrassed to look up once again, shaking visibly.

Jiro kept his seriousness still, "Don't worry... sit up, Kubota-san. It's natural that you don't recognise me,".

The old man, still flustered, sit up, obviously ashamed of showing so many of his ugly sides to his apparent future boss. "Taiyouji-sama, b-but... e-ex-excuse me for asking, but... why are you here?"

Jiro shrugged, "Just here to dine with my good friend Arai here, and also my father's closest man... you're considered family too, right, Kubota-san?"

"Y-you honor me, Taiyouji-sama, b-but..."

"Hai, hai, I got it," Jiro cut the chase immediately, "I am here to tell you to accept Arai's proposition, Kubota-san.... So you better do it,". His apparent distaste for being there was obvious, and his tone was rather cold.

"But, Taiyouji-sama! Your father will never agree to it... A hu-hundred mi-million is just too... too much!" he turned to look at Arai, almost hoping that he'd help him. Of course that would not work, as Arai would just watch the scene with a very entertained smirk.

"Kubota-san... Do you not realize who you're speaking to, still?" he looked at the old man, who was dumbfounded by the question and was just bowing again. Jiro answered for him, "I am the only heir of Genzou Taiyouji... an old, sickly man. That makes me your future boss, and that future does get closer and closer. So... tell me, do you want to stay by my side when that time comes, or not?" Jiro paused then gave a nod to Arai.

Arai handed a piece of paper to Kubota, while also dropping a few credit chips on the table for the meal. Kubota, still silent, slowly took the paper from Arai, almost afraid to touch it.

"Decide. Send the credits to that account if you decide right, and want to prove your loyalty and worth to me," Jiro was standing up already. He turned back and walked away, out of the restaurant.

Arai smirked one last time to the old man, giving him a respectful bow, "Kubota-san, arigato for the meeting. Remember, this will make us rich... don't worry," he then followed after Jiro, whistling a melody in contrast to the soothing music playing in the background.