Chapter 290 Plum Rain (2)
purple hydrangea, hibiscus and gentian;
golden cosmos and marigolds;
Red impatiens, pink peonies, four-color peonies, pure white gardenias and lilies.
Wearing a white kimono with plain flowers and a long, gorgeous black kimono coat, Mrs. Kujo stood on the dripping eaves of the corridor, admiring the garden in the plum rain.
There was the sound of a kimono sleeve fluttering behind me.
Without looking back, she said softly, "It's that time of year again."
Miki Kujo took a step forward and stood a hand's length behind her mother, also looking at the garden that could almost be called a maze.
His eyes swept across most of the flowers, finally landing on a rose.
Starting from White Valentine's Day this year, the Jimbocho Villa will receive a bouquet of roses every day.
There was also the May rose that her mother used for bathing. When she opened her eyes, Watanabe Toru took it to her bedside, and they both hid under the quilt and smelled it together.
She also wore a kimono, a wisteria color, with the Kujo family crest embroidered in gold thread on the back.
The mother and daughter stood together, with the servants standing far behind them. From a distance, it looked like a ukiyo-e painting of ancient aristocrats.
The beauty was broken by the heavy sound of footsteps.
"Master, young lady," Kujo Shinsuke stopped two meters away, "The preparations for the ritual have been completed. The monks from Kyoto have been arranged in Gotoku-ji Temple."
"Thank you for your hard work." Mrs. Kujo said lightly.
Kujo Shin mindfully kept silent and bowed silently.
The sound of rain was pattering, and a faint fog rose in the yard, making everything look white. The white flowers were the first to hide.
"There is one more thing I need you to do."
"yes."
…
Saturday, June 19th.
It was sunny for two days this week, but it started raining again on Saturday and Sunday.
"I can't go today, please take a leave." Toru Watanabe called Kiyono Rin.
"Reason?" On the other side of the phone, Kiyono Rin stopped putting on her clothes.
"Meiji asked me to go there. It seems to be the anniversary of the death of the previous head of the Kujo family."
Qing Ye Lin continued to put on her clothes: "You have no blood relationship with the Kujo family, and you are not married into the family, what are you going to do?"
"To make up the numbers?"
"I see."
There was nothing more to say next, but the phone was not hung up.
Toru Watanabe looked out at the Meiji Jingu forest in the rain, listening to the sounds of hands reaching into sleeves, pleated skirts being zipped up, and bows being tightened on the phone.
After Qing Ye Lin put on her clothes, she said coldly and softly: "Pervert."
"Beep," she hung up the phone.
"I don't believe you don't know that the phone is still on." Watanabe Toru said to Mei Yu.
After taking a shower and changing clothes, he left a note on the table for Asuka Mai who was still sleeping.
"Go to Miki's house and tell Mr. Koizumi for me, Watanabe."
Put the pen down on the paper, take the umbrella and go out.
This was his first time going to the Kujo family's mansion alone. In the past, either Kujo Miki would come to pick him up, or they would go to Jimbocho first and then go together.
The taxi stopped at the bottom of a steep slope. Further ahead was a private residential area and driving was prohibited.
Watanabe Toru paid the fare and climbed the slope alone holding an umbrella.
After going up the slope, we saw the Kujo family’s large courtyard with majestic walls and lush green trees within the walls.
There were many cars parked at the main gate, and many men in black suits and women in plain kimonos entered the house.
When Toru Watanabe walked over, these people hurriedly greeted him.
After getting inside, Toru Watanabe did not go to the lobby, but ran to Kujo Miki's bedroom first.
She slept here last night and must not have gotten up yet, and every time he came here, he was definitely asked to change into a kimono - the one he was going to wear today was probably already hung on the kimono rack.
When he pushed open the door and entered the bedroom, he was surprised that there was no one there.
But on the kimono rack, there was a kimono prepared for him.
Just as I was taking off my clothes and getting ready to change, the door opened.
"You scared me!" Toru Watanabe took off his pants and put them on again.
"Why are you so scared of me? What have you done to let me down?" Miki Kujo closed the door and walked over.
"My body belongs to Meiji, so of course I have to protect it." Toru Watanabe took off his kimono and put it on piece by piece.
"That sounds nice." Kujo Miki put her arms around his waist and tied his belt.
After putting it on, Toru Watanabe noticed that his clothes also had the Kujo family crest.
"This is?"
"From now on, you will be a member of my Kujo family." Kujo Miki helped him adjust the collar of his undergarment and the black feather webbing, "Let's go, baby."
"Since you're wearing a kimono, shouldn't you be addressed as Prince or something like that?" Toru Watanabe hugged Kujo Mihime as she turned to leave.
"let go!"
"You look really good in this black kimono. It's different from before."
Kujo Miki slapped his hand that was inserted into the front of her kimono: "Don't mess it up!"
"Then use the one from last time?"
"Today is the day of death!"
"oh."
"Listen to me!"
Toru Watanabe originally wanted to end the battle quickly, but Kujo Miki was playing around and simply let go.
By the time they had taken a shower, put on their kimonos again, and slowly walked to the Buddhist temple, it was already past ten in the morning.
The Kujo family’s private Buddhist temple is as big as a tourist attraction, grand and magnificent.
The sound of sandalwood curled in the air, the sound of wooden fish rose and fell, and dozens of monks chanted scriptures in unison.
In front of the Buddhist temple, the relatives of the Kujo family, whom they had met during the Chinese New Year, were kneeling there.
Toru Watanabe followed Mrs. Kujo to the front and knelt down beside Mrs. Kujo.
"Good morning, mother." Toru Watanabe bowed his head and greeted her.
Mrs. Kujo slowly opened her eyes, glanced at him, and just nodded slightly.
She at this moment was completely different from the one who was driving, wearing jeans and a baseball uniform. She had the same beautiful face, but she gave people the feeling of being two different people.
The ritual officially began at 11 o'clock and lasted the entire day. It was not until dinner time that Watanabe Toru had time to rest.
"We'll continue tonight." said Miki Kujo in the bedroom.
"You have to kneel again?" Watanabe Toru said in surprise, "I have never kneeled for so long in my life!"
"Get used to it as soon as possible, you will have to kneel for a long time in your next life." Miki Kujo leaned on the elbow table, also looking tired.
"I'll give you a massage." As long as Kujo Miki nodded, Watanabe Toru would immediately redeem this month's [Massage] skill.
Because of the previous "massage" routine, Kujo Miki, who obviously misunderstood, waved her hand and said, "Don't bother me, go out and walk around by yourself, I'll take a nap."
"I'm serious."
Miki Kujo didn't say anything, closed her eyes and prepared to sleep, so Toru Watanabe had no choice but to leave.
The plum rain is still falling outside. Compared with when it came in the morning, it has not gotten heavier or lighter.
How amazing is nature that it can control the amount of rainfall for such a long time - Toru Watanabe stood under the eaves in front of Kujo Miki's room, and because he had nothing to do, he began to think about random things.
"Master, Master Watanabe!"
Watanabe Toru retracted his gaze and looked towards the source of the voice: "Uncle Shinsuke."
Calling each other by name doesn't mean that two people are close, just like what Kiyono Rin said during the family trip: 'Everyone in the Kujo family is Kujo, and if you don't call them by their names, you don't know who to call.'
Kujo Shinsuke was also wearing a kimono, which looked quite stylish, but it was far from that of Watanabe Toru, who looked so good in everything.
"Thank you for your hard work today!" said Kujo Shinsuke enthusiastically.
"where."
"There's still an hour until it starts. Do you want to go out for some fresh air?"
"Go out?" Toru Watanabe thought about going out for a walk and visiting the bookstore, but then he thought it would be too troublesome to change clothes.
"Forget it," he said.
Kujo Shinsuke was very sharp-eyed and immediately said, "We can go out by car. We don't need to change clothes. It only takes an hour and our shoes don't even need to get wet."
"You don't even need to get your shoes wet?" said Toru Watanabe.
"I'll ask someone to carry you right away!" Kujo Shinsuke made a gesture to call a servant over.
They both smiled at the same time, and Watanabe Toru asked, "Where are we going?"
"Take a ride around, find a clean place to sit for a while, and an hour will pass!"
"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Shinsuke."
The two of them got into Shinsuke Kujo's car without changing their clothes and headed towards Chuo Ward.
The night was hazy, the rain was pouring, and lights were on in every household.
When the car arrived at the destination, Kujo Shinsuke got out first, with a bodyguard holding an umbrella for him.
Watanabe Cheolla stepped out of the car, also with a bodyguard holding an umbrella.
Kujo Shinsuke came over and introduced him to where this was, for which he stepped out a little from his own umbrella, his kimono getting wet by the rain.
"Has the young master been here?"
"Is this Ginza?" Watanabe Toru looked around and saw the bright lights and feasting.
"Yes." Kujo Shinsuke said, "Please follow me."
The two walked into a store, stepping on the rain that reflected the neon lights.
The store is not big, but the interior decoration is very elegant.
As soon as I entered, a slim beauty in kimono walked up.
"President Kujo! You haven't been here for a long time! Wow, this kimono is so beautiful!" The kimono beauty looked about twenty- five years old.
"Mama-san, the good-looking ones are here!" Kujo Shinsuke introduced Watanabe Toru, "Young Master, our future young master! "
Mama-san just stared blankly with her mouth open for a while.
Although Toru Watanabe is handsome and can indeed make infatuated girls stare at him, but when the mama-san who runs a bar club in Ginza is stared at, it is 100% acting.
But she acted very naturally, or rather, went with the flow, which not only did not make the guests feel it was fake, but instead satisfied their vanity.
Watanabe Toru nodded slightly.
The mama-san in front of him was indeed beautiful, but he didn't even glance at her.
There is no discrimination, it's just personal preference. He can't get along with this kind of women.
Even when Kujo Miki came up and kissed him at Ochanomizu, he felt uncomfortable.
"Mama-san, come back to your senses!" Kujo Shinsuke teased.
"Ah!" Mama-san covered her mouth in embarrassment, "Really, President Kujo, you didn't tell me earlier that the young master is so handsome, you made me embarrassed!"
“Hahaha!” Kujo Shinsuke laughed, “Mama-san was wrong. It’s not just handsome. This young master is the smartest in the whole island country!”
"How can I tell when we first meet? Please come more often and I will definitely be able to tell!" Mama-san said angrily and unwillingly.
Shinsuke Kujo introduced this mama-san to Toru Watanabe.
"Master, this is the most beautiful mama-san in Ginza! There are many beautiful women in this store, but all the customers come here for the mama-san!"
"Don't say that!"
"Let's find a place to sit first." Watanabe Toru stood for a long time.
"Look at me!" Mama-san said with a self-blaming look on her face as she led the two inside, "I haven't seen President Kujo for a long time, and you were staring at the young master in a daze, and you two were actually left standing there."
The two of them sat in a private room.
"What kind of wine would you like to drink today?" Mama-san did not ask other women to serve them, but accompanied the two of them herself. "Is it the high-end wine that President Kujo has stored here? Or something else?"
Kujo Shinsuke looked at Watanabe Toru.
"I don't drink." Toru Watanabe looked around the store's decor and the high-end-dressed customers.
Although I don't like it, it doesn't matter if I take a look at it to broaden my horizons.
After listening to Watanabe Toru, Kujo Shinsuke immediately said, "I have something else to do later, so I just came out to relax. Mama-san can just consider it as lending us the place."
"Please feel free to come! It would be my pleasure!"
Mama-san asked the foreman to bring snacks, juice, and high-end fruits.
Although she didn't drink, she was still very talkative.
Most of them talked about their own stories, such as being born in Kyoto, working as a maiko, and coming to Tokyo to make a living on their own before becoming a geisha.
Halfway through, his accent changed to Kyoto dialect, which was gentle and pleasant to the ear.
From time to time, she would ask Kujo Shinsuke about his work, not asking in detail, just asking if it was going well. If it was going well, she would be happy with him, and if it was not going well, she would comfort him in a gentle voice.
While chatting and laughing with Kujo Shinsuke, he subtly complimented Watanabe Toru but did not ask him any questions.
Toru Watanabe drank juice and thought about the social atmosphere of the island nation.
In the island country, it is normal for men to drink outside until eleven or even two o'clock after get off work, and coming to such a bar is a symbol of status.
He had seen it in Weekly Bunshun, and it seemed that Abe-chan had been there too.
In the photo, Abe-chan is sitting on the sofa with a wine glass in her hand, smiling happily.
When he came to his senses, Mama-san looked unhappy.
"Young Master?" Kujo Shinsuke called out.
"Sorry." Toru Watanabe thought he was distracted and dampened the other person's interest in chatting.
"Mama-san is so pitiful." Kujo Shinsuke sighed in confusion.
"Um?"
Kujo Shinsuke sighed and said, "Master, you don't know that many bars in Ginza actually have financial sponsors. The general manager Tamura of Yotsubo is the financial sponsor of Mama-san."
"I thought it was still you, Uncle Shinsuke." said Toru Watanabe.
"Master, you think too highly of me. I still owe 1 billion yen, so how can I afford to support Mama-san?" Kujo Shinsuke said, "That general manager Tamura has offended someone and will be sent overseas to be the president of a branch company."
"The general manager has become the president, isn't that great?"
"How can a president from abroad compare to the managing director of the headquarters? Besides, if he leaves Tokyo, the mama-san will lose her sponsor, and this bar will soon close down."
"Uncle Shinsuke is planning to become Mama-san's new financial sponsor and then borrow money from me?" asked Toru Watanabe.
"No, no!" Kujo Shinsuke said quickly, "Master, to be honest, I and Managing Director Tamura are alumni of Waseda University. We were in the Kyudo Club together. I'm here to ask for your help today!"
"Please!" Mama-san placed her hands on the low table and lowered her head.
"Master!" Kujo Shinsuke said, "Tamura was framed. He would never do anything to let the company down. It's just that someone is jealous of his talent!"
"What are you asking me for? I don't even know who the president of Yotsuba & Co. is." said Toru Watanabe.
"The president of Yotsuba & Co. is Yanagisawa, and he is General Manager Kurosaki's man!" explained Kujo Shinsuke.
"Who is this General Manager Kurosaki?" asked Toru Watanabe.
"Have you forgotten? During the meeting a few years ago, he tried to steal Kanagawa's business from me. Thanks to you speaking for me, I was able to get Kanagawa's business."
"It happened half a year ago, I can't remember clearly." Watanabe Toru looked reminiscent.
"These are not worth mentioning to you, you don't need to remember them, just tell the young lady, not only General Manager Tamura and the president of Yotsubo, but also General Manager Kurosaki of the headquarters must obey!"
"Master, please! General Manager Tamura has really been framed!" Mama-san pleaded with tears in her eyes.
"Master, you only need to say one word to make Tamura stay in Tokyo! He is very capable! Besides, it is not easy for mama-san to live in Tokyo. Without Tamura, I don't know where such a beautiful person will end up in the future!"
"Since he has been framed, Uncle Shinsuke, why don't you help Mr. Tamura investigate?" Toru Watanabe asked curiously.
"The evidence they collected is quite complete. I really have no other choice but to come to you for help! Please help this old classmate of mine, help Mama-san!"
The mama-san left the sofa, knelt on the carpet, put her hands on the ground, bowed her head to Watanabe Toru, and said nothing.
Watanabe Toru put down the exquisite glass of juice and said, "Go back."
On the left is the seated Kujo Shinsuke, and on the right is the mama-san holding the dogeza.
"Master, Tamura is really being wronged! Even if he is transferred to a useless department, as long as he doesn't go abroad and can stay in Tokyo, it's fine!"
Watanabe Toru glanced at the motionless mama-san at his feet and sighed, "I'll think about it."
"Okay, okay! Take your time to think about it! No rush! The transfer order won't come down until next month!" Kujo Shinsuke responded quickly.
"Thank you, young master. Thank you, young master!" Mama-san said in a crying voice.
"Go back."
This time, Kujo Shinsuke stood up and made way for him, and the mama-san stood up, wiping her tears.
After returning to the Kujo family's home, there was still some time before the evening ritual, so Toru Watanabe returned to Kujo Miki's bedroom.
Miki Kujo had already woken up and was leaning on the armrest, browsing documents on her tablet.
"What's wrong?" She raised her eyebrows and looked at Watanabe Toru. "You are so angry. Who has offended you?"
Watanabe Toru looked calm, but Kujo Miki could see his emotions.
"Your uncle, Shinsuke Kujo." Watanabe Toru said calmly as he repeated what had just happened.
After hearing this, Kujo Miki didn't take it seriously at all: "If you come to beg for mercy, I will ask the people below to cancel the transfer order."
"No!" Watanabe Toru stopped him, "You're begging me with a beautiful woman, thinking I'm an ordinary boy who likes to show off in front of women? Just pretend you don't know about this!"
"Kujo Shinsuke asked you to do something, but you couldn't do it. People are going to make fun of you as a live-in son-in-law."
"Why would I care about their opinions?" Watanabe Toru said, "Besides, if this is the first case, everyone will come to me for help. Should I come to you every time? I might as well let them know this time that I can't persuade you, and then no one will bother me in the future."
Miki Kujo glanced at Toru Watanabe with her passionate and noble eyes.
"It's up to you," she said, "but when I have a child, you will be my manager. If you don't have some authority, I'm afraid there will be trouble."
"We'll talk about it later. Come on, let me hug you. I'm so mad at you!"
"Let's take a shower first." Kujo Miki lifted her legs in white socks and pressed them against Watanabe Toru's chest. "You've touched the body of the No. 1 mama-san in Ginza, and you want to touch me too."
"I didn't touch her!"
"Then go take a shower too."
…
"It's done." Kujo Shinsuke said respectfully.
"Yeah." Mrs. Kujo nodded slightly.
"So... the Tamura thing?"
"If Watanabe-kun comes to plead for mercy, we will do as he says. If he doesn't come, we will do whatever needs to be done."
