As we were sitting in the heavy silence, one of the shadows that left previously, returned. After offering the piece of paper to Lady Kouzuki, the shadow disappeared again.

Hm, I tried to remember the actual footwork, this move would be an incredible party-trick.

After reading the contents of the paper, Lady Kouzuki let out a short sob, but that was the extent of her outward reaction.

“Let me offer my condolences once more,” I voiced my heartfelt sympathy. Not every day you get the news that your only child is dead. “I am very sorry, but with that confirmation, I would like to get to the next issue.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied. “Just tell me what you want, and it will be done. Since your meeting gift was so precious, I can’t possibly be stingy either.”

“Ah, I appreciate the notion, but I can’t accept a repayment for a gift offered freely.” I raised my arms in a placating gesture. “There is a matter I desperately need your help with, and I already procured a worthy payment for that as well.”

With deliberate slowness, showing that I had no intentions of harming the mourning lady, I took out the diary of my father. Let’s hope the other party will take my word, and let me leave. Or, at the very least, let my life be enough.

“There is a man who harmed someone incredibly special to me. But a certain force much beyond my reach is involved in the whole debacle, so I can’t repay him by myself. I don’t fear death, but the fallout will involve my special person as well, and so I’m powerless.” I bowed my head. “So, I must beg for your help. I know the name, overall description, and even general whereabouts. I am more than capable of taking care of it by myself, yet I need someone to pull the necessary strings in the aftermath.”

I paused, waiting for comments from the other party, but only got silence in response.

“Otherwise, even just letting out the knowledge to the interested party that it’s personal revenge, and it will end with that person’s death should be enough. As for the price, I offer this little thing in my hand.” I patted the small book. “The diary of one Long Chen. I must confess, I read the thing, and it contains… certain things the outsiders shouldn’t know. I hope my word would be enough to guarantee that no one else knows anything. Or, if that’s not enough, I offer you my life as compensation.”

I put the diary onto the table, and, once again, a shadow appeared out of nowhere, or to be exact from under that fake flooring behind the third table on the right. They took the small book in their hands and checked it thoroughly, first using an electronic sniffer, and then using their own eyes and hands. Deeming the diary as relatively safe, the shadow took it and handed it over to Lady Kouzuki.

With a mixed look on her youthful face, the lady in black gently touched the gold emblem on the cover, with a certain degree of tenderness she stroked it a few times, and let out a sigh.

“Write down the information about that person, I will make sure they will pay for whatever they did to your special person,” she said, sounding completely exhausted. “As for your life. You shall keep it. Be warned, if the rumors regarding the information in this diary will spread, both the Long and Kouzuki clans will do everything to eliminate you. Now, please, leave me alone. I’m tired.”

I stood up and bowed my head. She just did me a great favor, and I still had a lot of gratitude and respect for her left over from the first round. As I was about to leave, I heard her voice again.

“Now that I think about it, I never heard your name.” Oh, right.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Ah, please overlook my lack of manners.” I apologized again. “My name is Michael Roah. Or, I suppose, Long Tian.”

And just like that, after hearing my words, Kouzuki Miya fainted.

***

For the umpteenth time in the last ten days, I asked myself the same question. How the hell did it all come to this?

After my introduction, followed by her eventual waking up, just like in the first round, Lady Kouzuki spent a few minutes scrutinizing me from head to toes. And, finally coming to a conclusion, poured me a cup of tea. Which I did accept, since this would’ve been a grave offense otherwise. And, even more importantly, I missed the taste dearly.

As I was thoroughly interrogated for the story of my life so far, now considerably much more polite, shadows took a few samples, a drop of blood, a swat on the inside of my cheek and a few strands of hair. I obviously consented to this procedure, though, I doubt it really did matter. I couldn’t find it in myself to decline either, not with the amount of hope in her gaze.

The tea tasted just as amazing as I remembered, and the woman in black kimono was the same great listener, so I slipped into a pleasant mood. The fact that the pressure I was under since earlier today, I glanced towards my watch, well, yesterday since it was past midnight, left me as well, only served to relax me further.

The same shadow as always appeared and held out another piece of paper to Lady Kouzuki, who took it with a slightly trembling hand. A quick scan of contents, a single tear sliding down her cheek, a moment of silence.

“So you didn’t lie about this one either.” Acknowledgement of my claim. “Now what?”

“Our business is done. Unless you want to change your mind about my fate, I would love to get some sleep. It was a very long day.” I gave her my answer. “Now, I will thank you for being a great listener and, also, for the best tea I ever had, and we will go our separate ways.”

“Denied.” Well, I knew it was too good to be true. “I can’t possibly let you leave just like that.”

“Lady Kouzuki…” I called out.

“Don’t call me that,” she interrupted. “You are a family.”

“Lady Kouzuki. I lived my whole life as Michael Roah. The only family I ever had is that special person I mentioned before.” I paused, since something in my own words sounded wrong to me. “Maybe the last in my list of stepmothers was close to that threshold as well. And there is another girl who is on her way, albeit only just at a starting line.”

She refused to answer my words. Perhaps being adamant about the way I called her, or there was something else on her mind altogether.

“I am flattered by the fact you seem to acknowledge me, but this wasn’t on my list of reasons to come here.” I stood up, and, after bowing my head once more, I decided to leave.

“You are just like your father.” Those words made my step falter. “Fine, go away. Forget about this poor woman. But you should know, this doesn’t change the fact you are my blood, my only grandson. Even if you refuse to acknowledge that, you are no longer alone.”

‘You are not alone.’ Bella’s words rang in my head.

‘You are about to make a stupid and rash decision, dear.’ Followed by another one.

“That’s a low blow, Lady Kouzuki.” I shook my head. “Fine. I will play along. What exactly do you want from me?”

The lady in black rose from her seat and came over.

“I don’t want anything from you, Tian. Except, maybe, some company. You don’t need to believe my words, but you are someone dear to me. This is the number reserved for the closest ones, it's always on. If you ever need something, just call me.” I heard her saying, as she gave me the familiar blank visit card, with the same familiar number etched on it. “And, don’t forget to visit my bar occasionally, this old woman will always welcome you here.”

Her vision overlapped with the same one from the first round. Only this time, her words sounded even more forlorn. Now that I think, considering how much this woman had done to save my ass, there was no way for her to not recognize me, at least in some way. Yet, she never brought that up.

“I… I will be in touch.” I carefully took the card from her hands. “Grandmother.”

Leaving my words behind, I left the bar.