HA1 15.1 - Relic of The Past
Nikko was an island nation with a unique geographical location. Stretching from north to south, it consisted of more than 6,000 islands. Of the nine main islands, five were in the subtropical region while the other four were in the tropical region.
Among the four tropical islands, Hakaido was the biggest. It was the fourth island from the north and also the largest food producer in Nikko.
From Aida City, it took 12 hours by bullet train to reach Kano City or the capital city of Hakaido Prefecture. Most of the journey was taken through in the underground tunnel at a depth of 260 meters below sea surface or 120 meters below the seabed. It was a long journey, but in short Hide's group arrived at Kano Central Train Station at 04:20.
Kano Central Station was a modern train station that was neat and clean, but simple and far from the modern atmosphere. The lighting was dominated by light cream and there were no bright or colorful neon lamps. There were also no advertising pictures or other decorations on the walls, while most of the visitors at the train station were local backpackers or foreign tourists.
As she observed the train station Shizuka said, "I've heard people of Hakaido are not very enthusiastic about technological developments, but isn't this station too minimalist."
"Actually, I like it." Takeo pointed to a row of wooden benches in the waiting room as he continued, "In this era, where else can we find public benches made of wood with exotic carvings."
Hide casually added, "For your information, Hakaido residents are not allergic to technological developments. Thirty percent of scientists at Nikko come from Hakaido.
It’s just that they have deep pride as Nikko's biggest food producer. They hold tightly to the tradition of living as farmers and don't like glamorous things."
"Really?" Shizuka asked as a question mark adorned her forehead.
"Yup." Hide slightly nodded and continued, "Two decades ago, the Prefectural Office tried to renovate Kano International Airport into an airport with a more modern atmosphere, but they received complaints from both foreign tourists and local residents."
""They complained?""
"Yeah, Hakaido is well-known among foreign tourists as a destination with a strong traditional and spiritual culture. So, when they landed and found the atmosphere at the airport was no different from the airport in their home city, they immediately complained and asked where the sensation of arriving in another world that they hoped for."
""I see.""
"Well, let's get some breakfast first. Then, we can find transportation to Hakka Plateau."
""Okay.""
Hide's group then left the train station. Hide walked while carrying Aizawa who was still nodding off. Shizuka held Yukino who looked at the situation around her curiously. As for Takeo, he walked with two travel bags in his hand.
After exiting the train station, Hide's Group immediately got a strange sensation because the tallest building in front of them was only a 3-4 story building, without a single skyscraper. But they didn't think about it too deep and kept walking.
---
Casually, Hide's group walked to a traditional vegetable market which was located 1 km west of the train station. The traditional market was only open from 03:00 - 06:00, so local people called it the Morning Market.
Activities filled every corner of Morning Market where from 2.5-ton pick-up trucks, people moved various farming products into pick-up cars or even carts. Hide's group continued walking until about 500 meters from the entrance and arrived in front of a fried rice stall.
"Let's eat here," Hide said.
""Okay."" Takeo and Shizuka replied as they followed Hide entered the fried rice stall.
---
Inside the fried rice stall, almost all the benches were already occupied by visitors who enjoyed their breakfast heartily. As soon as Hide's group sat in one corner an Auntie immediately approached them, and for some reason her eyes became gentle as she looked at Aizawa and Yukino.
The Auntie then said, "You all must be kids from big city, so let me give you a gentle warning. This stall is not a cafe and it only has warm tea, simple fried rice, simple fried noodles, and simple ramen."
After smiling broadly Hide said, "Don't worry Auntie, we are a group of backpackers. Warm food is already plenty enough for us."
In an instant a smile bloomed on Auntie's lips. "Good, kids shouldn't be picky about food to make their body strong."
After another smile Hide immediately ordered, "Please give us five warm teas, three-in-one fried rice, and five omelets."
"Okay, your breakfast will come in a few minutes."
"Thank you, Auntie."
"You’re welcome."
Once the Auntie went back to the kitchen, Shizuka immediately asked, "Hide, are you sure we only ordered three servings?"
"Yeah, one serving here is equivalent to two servings at Nichiko, even if the price is cheaper, and leaves nothing on your plates."
“Okay,” Takeo and Shizuka replied in unison.
Hide then gently woke Aizawa up and asked her to sit next to him. Then, he stole a glance at the man standing next to a 2.5-ton red pick-up truck across the fried rice stall.
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The Auntie swiftly arranged five large glasses of warm tea, five plates of omelets, and one plate of kimchi.
"This is the first time a group of polite city kids has visited my stall. I believe this is a sign of good luck. To celebrate it, I made you a special warm lemon tea, a special mushroom omelet, and I happened to have some kimchi."
"Thank you, Auntie," Hide cheerfully replied.
"Don't thank me yet."
The Auntie then went back to the kitchen to take a mountain of fried rice, and she proudly placed it in the center of the table.
"This is your fried rice, please enjoy it."
While Takeo and Shizuka looked at the mountain fried rice with a dropping jaw, Hide cheerfully said, "Thank you, Auntie."
"You’re welcome."
After gently pinching Aizawa and Yukino's cheeks, the Auntie then went back to kitchen while humming softly. At the same time, Hide help Aizawa and Yukino spooned a portion of fried rice onto their plates.
Then, as he got up Hide said, "Wait here for a moment, I'll try to secure our transportation."
"Okay," Takeo and Shizuka replied as their gaze followed Hide, who walked across the street towards the man who stood next to a 2.5-ton red pick-up truck.
---
When he was not busy with his side job, Kubota would spend his spare time sending vegetables from his foster father's farm to Morning Market. And as usual, he would park his 2.5-ton red pick-up truck across Aunt Rino's fried rice stall, the only younger sister of his foster father.
At first, Kubota thought today he would pass his morning like any other day. But then, he saw a group that judging by their clothes was come from some metropolitan city. The group consisted of two high school boys, one high school girl, and two mixed-blood little girls. Casually, the group entered Aunt Rino's fried rice stall.
Actually, it was not unusual for a group of city kids who visited Hakaido to look for breakfast at Morning Market. Considering that it was very close to mini-bus station that could take them to every tourist destination in Hakaido.
However, it became unnatural if a group of city kids chose to eat at Aunt Rino's fried rice stall. First, because the fried rice stalls was located deep in the morning market. Second, it had only simple menus and focused on large portions and low prices because its regulars were farmers, drivers, or labor workers. Third, near the entrance of Morning Market, there were many food stalls with fancy menus that were more suited to the tastes of city kids.
Moreover, the group brought two mixed-blood little girls and coincidentally, Aunt Rino had two mixed-blood daughters who live in Swizz. The oldest one was married to a Swizz man and became a successful dairy farmer, while the youngest one was still university student studying agriculture.
'There are no such things as coincidences in this world,' Kubota muttered as the high school kid who previously had stolen glances at him came over.
"Kiddo, is there anything I can help you with?" Kubota asked before he gulped down a mouthful of fried rice.
Hide respectfully introduced himself, "Good morning, Sir. My name is Uesugi Hidetada, and I hope you don't mind taking our group to Hakka Plateau."
"I can take you there. My house just happens to be near Hakka Plateau." Kubota took a sip of his warm tea before continuing, "But, have you guys had reservations at Hakka Resort?"
"No, we don't."
"Then you'd better change your destinations. Hakka Resort is always full all year round. Believe me, you can't just come to the receptionist and ask if there are any vacant rooms."
Hide said calmly, "Actually, our destination is on the other side of Hakka Resort."
"Kiddo, the other side of Hakka Resort is training center for Army's Sniper Specialization. How are you going to enter it?"
"No, not there but the east peak where a reclusive family lives."
In an instant Kubota frowned, "Why do you want to go there?"
"There's a mixed-blood little girl that needs protection from the reach of Toruma Mafia, so we'll hide her there."
Kubota sighing deeply and then said, "Kiddo, Toruma Mafia is the third strongest mafia in Nikko. How can a reclusive family match them? You should go to a mafia family that is stronger than Toruma."
With a serious tone Hide replied, "This reclusive family is Kurokara Family. Even the combination of the ten strongest mafia families in Nikko will think a million times before looking trouble with them."
"Kiddo, your grip on reality is too loose." Kubota took the one last spoonful of his fried rice before continuing, "It's not a secret that Kurokara Family is a relic from the post-World War II. The most important members of the family were sentenced to the death as war criminals. Their descendants then went abroad. Some choose to live a peaceful life and forget their identity, while some others become mercenaries.
All that remained in Nikko were insignificant family members. They then live life as farmers. However, discrimination from the government and negative sentiments from local residents made them fall into poverty. In the end, they disappeared completely without leaving any trace."
Kubota was silent for a while before continuing, "Moreover, among the anti-foreign faction, Kurokara is the most rabid who takes offense at anything that comes from outside Nikko. So, bringing a mixed-blood little girl to them is a big mistake."
"Yes, Kurokara is indeed a relic of the past." After a moment of silence Hide continued, "However, in early 1980s, their Family Master married a female westerner, then they used public name Kirishima, and continued their ancient tradition in a new philosophy. Surprisingly, in early 2000s Nikko's army started to absorb the new generation of Kirishima Family."
"Who told you that bullshit? The politicians would never let it happen."
"Someone who passed the Stalking Phased on Sniper Specialization Training. He also told me that Mr. Kubota Kirishima, the Lead Instructor for Silent Killing Training in Nikko's Army, is the door to meet Head of Kirishima Family."
Kubota looked at Hide deeply for a while before saying, "Even if, let’s say, everything you said is true, what if I refused your request?"
"Well," Hide turned to the fried rice stall before continuing, "It seems Aunt Rino has a soft spot for mixed-blood children, so I will put my bet on her."
"You must have known that if Aunt Rino agreed to help you without proper approval from the Head of the Family, then she would not have the protection and support of the family."
Hide firmly replied, "First, I believe the Head of Kurokara Family will never let his only sister in danger. Second, Aunt Rino is more than capable of protecting both herself and Yukino. Third, she still has the option to go to her oldest daughter in Swizz."
'This kid. . .' Kubota muttered as he looked at Hide with a big wonder. 'How the fuck a high school kid who appeared out of nowhere know so much about Kirishima Family?'
"Fine." In the end, Kubota could only follow Hide's request. "But at least, tell me what your offer to the family."
"For Yukino living expenses, I can hand over two 1-kg gold bars up front, then send some money every month. For her protection, give me one name that I need to kill every year."
"She must be very important to you."
"She is," Hide answered shortly but firmly.
"I will leave at six. Tell Aunt Rino your group will go with me, then sit tight in her stall until our departure."
"Roger, and thank you."
Hide immediately bowed deeply towards Kubota. Then, with a wide smile he went back to Aunt Rino's stall.
*****