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where treachery and kindness do not co-exist
♤
As he sits in a four-wall tatami mat room, Houtarou feels like Michael Corleone from The Godfather. A civilian forced into the rank of a mafia Don — except that his father wasn't shot at a fruit stall (he’s retired and well) and his sister wasn't an incompetent replacement.
In fact, Tomoe is very much equipped for the title. Or, was, that is. Until she disappeared in the dead of the night; leaving nothing but an heirloom ring behind and an open position for Houtarou to fill.
(Not-so-secretly, Houtarou wished Tomoe had at least left a letter on his study desk. Some instructions would have been nice. He’s always had a suspicion that he'd have to stop shadowing Tomoe one day, he simply didn't think it'd come so soon .)
"Thank you for putting aside time to see me, Oreki-san."
Houtarou holds up his hand, disregarding the formalities. He'd like to get straight to business, there's no point dancing around the topic. "What do you want to ask from me, Chitanda?"
Lady Eru Chitanda stalls for a moment, tugging on the sleeve of her kimono — as Houtarou predicted she would. She’s always had this bad habit of staying quiet to think deeply and then jumping to the conclusion without explaining her thought process. Yet, it’s never done to make a fool out of anyone, including himself. Chitanda is much too polite for that.
She’s probably smiling courteously at him now. He would be certain of this if Pineapple Sand didn't impose such a strict rule for all parties to don a noh theatre mask. Yes, there would be a grin that isn't too confident, not in a way where he’d mistaken it for a smirk. She’d have a pleased expression, her lips curved, making her features soft and lovely.
"You're the head of the yakuza now, aren't you?" Chitanda's question sounds slightly muffled from behind her false face, but her voice also notes a strong sense of knowingness.
Houtarou does not take this bait. "I hold a temporary position," came his response.
"Still, it's a promotion, isn't it? I’ve heard about your talent here and there, and I’m eager to see them with my own two eyes. People tell me no imitation can ever match your deductive and strategic skills; there's no doubt that you’re authentic, Oreki-san.”
Houtarou rubs his hand, specifically, the spot where an emerald ring decorates his pinky; he’s not good with flattery. "I suppose, but work is work. To be in charge and delegate most of Pineapple Sand's decisions is eating into the free time I used to have. I should have treasured my past more.”
Chitanda lets out a laugh. "I should still congratulate you regardless. So, congratulations!”
Houtarou nods before clearing his throat. "Let’s get straight to business, shall we?”
“Of course!” Chitanda says, and Houtarou eyes the folder lying by her side. He thinks she’ll spill its contents and show him the printed files, but she leaves it resting on the tatami floor. “I came to you to help me solve an issue regarding the Irisu Family.”
"My sources tell me that they are interested in making a proposition," Houtarou states.
"Yes, that’s true. I've heard that the proposition involves you. They’ve taken quite an interest."
"Well, Pineapple Sand is reliable."
The establishment Houtarou manages is a façade, cloaked as a coffee shop at surface-level. For those unassuming souls who dare to step inside, the interior might appear excessively adorned with dark wood and European furnishings. However, the majority of regular individuals are dissuaded from crossing the threshold due to the shop's design, with its too small windows emitting an air of discouraged casual entry, and an added layer of precaution, the single-paged menu encased in glass, revealing prices too steep for the working class, let alone carefree high schoolers. One glance at the business' elegant emblem and it becomes crystal clear that the establishment caters exclusively to the affluent and influential.
Pineapple Sand has gained infamy within the yakuza circles, revered as a neutral ground for conflict resolution; clients are ushered to the relaxing secret base where Japanese-styled rooms were specifically made for more private discussions, fitted a noh mask, and then billed via the establishment's expertise in not only providing accurate information but also in offering secure consultations within its sheltered environment.
"No, I’m not talking about your business.” Chitanda shakes her head. “I’m talking about you, specifically, Oreki-san. And it would be a shame if the Chitanda Clan did not act first."
This sudden proposal makes Houtarou raise a brow. Albeit, the facial expression goes unnoticed thanks to his mask, so he motions for Chitanda to explain further.
She shifts in her sitting position and continues, "As you know, the Chitanda Clan has long been a friend to the Oreki Family, I am here to take our allyship further."
Houtarou bites the inside of his cheek. This is not how he thought this meeting would go. "In what way?"
"I am asking you to turn your back on the Irisu Family and their associates. Side with the Chitandas. Join us, please." Chitanda answers.
Houtarou is stunned. For a brief moment, his thoughts move faster than he can keep them. He considers all the possibilities of what Chitanda can mean by this, then finally voices what's on his mind.
"Pineapple Sand has always been on neutral grounds. We accept businesses from any and all sides. Why should we break that rule for you?"
"Because it's either you stand with the Chitanda Clan or you don't." Chitanda clearly knows what she is doing; she knows how to deal with the cards she is handed. "The Irisu Family has decided to strike first, we cannot take any chances."
Houtarou shakes his head. "That is true, but you've failed to take into consideration that I could have turned down the Irisus' proposition."
If possible, Chitanda's posture straightens further. "I'm afraid that's your blind spot, Oreki-san. You do not know Fuyumi Irisu-san as well as I do. She's very talented when it comes to making others see what she wants to see. She's not afraid to tell you sweet nothings to make you compromise."
Houtarou rubs his ring again, glad his hands are concealed under the low table. "I expected some trust between us,"
"It's not that I don't trust you, I simply do not trust her," Chitanda says without thinking. It came out as very truthful. "You must be aware that the Chitanda Clan has riches and power. More than you can imagine." She presses on. "We are closely knitted with the Juumonji Clan, Sarusuberi Clan and Manninbashi Clan."
Houtarou nods. They don't call them 'the Exponential Four' for nothing.
"To lose us as allies would mean a bigger downfall on Pineapple Sand's behalf. If Irisu-san somehow gets her hands on you, then your only allies would be the Toogaito Family, the Kaguyama Family and … maybe the Tanabe Family who are linked through loyalty to the Kaguyamas."
"While the offer of money and power does sound nice, I have no interest in it," Houtarou states. The last thing he wants is to draw attention to himself and the establishment in his sister's absence.
"Really?" Chitanda asks, not convinced.
This back-to-back suddenness is rattling his nerves more and more.
It does not matter that their meeting is taking place in the comfort of his domain. It does not matter that all parties are concealing their true face or that the room provides some security by being soundproof. It does not matter that he has his most trusted bodyguards standing outside the sliding door in case someone tries to eavesdrop — two brunettes who he towers over — nor that Chitanda had entered the secluded room alone.
The tension that hangs in the air is thick and it makes Houtarou's shoulders tense. He can't help but fret over the other possible ways of infiltration.
Swallowing, he wishes only half his face was covered, maybe then Houtarou would have been able to enjoy a cup of soothing tea.
(But, then again, one can never be too careful.)
"Would you still refuse my offer if I told you that the Exponential Clan is willing to extend their hands to help search for your sister?" Chitanda enquiries.
Houtarou's entire face falls and he's grateful that his true expression is concealed. He stealthily sends a signal to his bodyguards, no longer wanting the duo to be as silent as a statue.
Squeezing his hands together, Houtarou asks, "Is that a threat?"
Chitanda raises her hand in a neutral gesture. "Make no mistake, we have nothing to do with your sister's disappearance. But, we do have a large network of people, it could help you boost Tomoe-san's location."
She finally places the folder that's been lying by her side onto the low table and Houtarou does not waste a minute, turning it around and then reading through its contents. There are pictures of Tomoe — taken in the distance, a little blurry but it's unmistakable; that's his older sister alright!
"Where is Tomoe?"
"She was last spotted at Zaizen village,"
Zaizen? What on earth is she doing in such a place?
There's a small pause on Houtarou’s end, one that Chitanda could have misinterpreted as hesitation.
Though it pains Houtarou to say this, he knows Tomoe well. She can be spontaneous, but predictable in a way only the Oreki Family can pick up on and understand. Tomoe would never let something as amateurish as having her picture taken slide. This kind of slip-up usually ends up with broken bits of plastic and glass cracked at someone's feet followed by money thrown to the dirt with an unspoken note of "Go buy yourself a new camera!"
Meaning Tomoe wants Chitanda to feel like she has the higher ground or it's a message to Houtarou that he should trust Chitanda — for now.
He has to play it cool and let Chitanda think she can best him. Regardless, Houtarou can't help but think how some of the heads of the big families have inflated egos. God. Here they are, in his territory which is armed to the teeth with allies, networking and dark secrets — and yet she acts like this; never breaking a sweat, posed like a lady; her back straight, her hands folded on her lap and her feet tucked away.
Now Houtarou wonders if he should act small and weak, pretend that Pineapple Sand has been knocked down a few pegs after he was left in charge. Should he grovel? Say that, despite the coffee business being a front, and intel being the main flow of their enterprise, it is too expensive of a front to maintain; with its decorated tatami mats and plant ornaments? Should he tell her that the drop in quality of food and drink could alert others of the business’ slow demise? Anyone who’s anyone knows the Chitanda Clan is their supply; it is printed on their tea bags and stamped onto delicacies like mochi and small cakes.
Then again, he figures Chitanda already knew this, which is why she asked for such a big favour.
Alright, there’s no need to waste any words then. Besides, he has to keep up his appearance. Houtarou cannot lower himself and make Chitanda think she has the upper hand as she is doing now. The Chitanda Clan has managed to put up a disguise of a long-standing family of traditional, rich farmers. But it is known that the Chitandas are masters at dealing with 'substances' grown on their large lots of land and crops that are recognised as lethal poisons.
This is no negotiation. This is a place where treachery and kindness do not co-exist.
"Would our sudden closeness not be suspicious?" Houtarou asks after his silence.
"Not if we cover up our allyship with a small lie," Chitanda replies sweetly.
"What lie?"
Chitanda raises her arms, exposing her wrists and working hands, then she cups her palms together to symbolise a joint union. "What better partnership is there than a marriage?”
Excuse me? Houtarou thinks.
"Between you and I?" The question slips out before he can stop himself. "Are you honestly asking for my hand?"
Chitanda takes off her noh mask, revealing her true face. Houtarou is immediately taken by her large eyes, it's difficult to turn his gaze away when she's looking at him like that. There is a magnetic pull to her purple irises.
"I understand if you’re confused," Chitanda says. "But, there’s no time to spare, this decision cannot be meditated. I’m willing to show and prove my loyalty and commitment to you.”
Houtarou frowns, "How so?"
Chitanda holds out her pinky finger. She’s too composed, and this scares him a little.
Houtarou immediately rejects this idea. He never did like the brutal part of being involved with the yakuza; a lifestyle where legally binding contracts mean nothing. It's all about blood, body parts and sacrifices in this world.
"How about I get a tattoo?" Chitanda offers an alternative before Houtarou can think of anything. "I could have it somewhere noticeable,"
"Do you mean ‘glory tattoos’?" A new voice asks, surprising Chitanda.
Houtarou can see her mind working as the sliding door shows just enough of Satoshi. She must not like how his bodyguard is casually interfering, speaking without being spoken to first.
There is also the unnerving fact that Satoshi's voice often sounds friendly. Too friendly. And that must lead her to wonder how a cheerful person like Satoshi can end up working for people like the Oreki Family.
“They’re usually in a place like the arms, legs and neck.” Satoshi continues offering his data, causing Houtarou's mouth to dip at the information given.
"I'd rather it be subtle. Small." Houtarou says, trying to sound thoughtful, as if his words are an open-minded chime in.
Modern-day rules are an inconvenience at times. The rate of organised crime has dropped by sixty percent since it skyrocketed way back when, and the media and police have become too closely linked. The public believes anything these days if it's told on the news by people in professional suits and flawless skin.
Sealing their union with an obvious colourful oni tattoo is a huge giveaway, it's best to lay low. Regardless, they still have to confirm their allyship one way or another. It's still a tradition, still the way of the yakuza.
So Houtarou also adds, "That is my only request. I have no qualms about where you want the tattoo to be."
Chitanda turns her attention away from Satoshi, now fine with his presence. "I'm interested in the idea of it being on my wrist. I mean what I say: I want to show my devotion to you, Oreki-san, and what better way than to have it hiding in plain sight?" She’s overly excited. "Do you have anything in mind?"
“Such as?”
Satoshi raises his hand like a student in class, “Oh, oh! I suppose the question you should ask yourself is whether you want only Chitanda-san to get a tattoo or if it’ll be a matching couple’s inking,"
"Or if you two are the only parties proving each other's loyalties," Mayaka speaks up for the first time, making Chitanda chance her a glance through the slightly ajar door.
Without giving Houtarou any breathing room, Mayaka silently gestures all the back attention to him — only for Chitanda to snatch it.
"It's a big job," She says, planting some seeds into Houtarou's mind.
He is slow to reply but ultimately agrees. "To the outside, it would look like nothing but a union between two families, but in actuality, we're thinking of toppling a foe. I believe a smart move would be for the four of us to form a group."
"The four of us?" Chitanda points to the two of them before gesturing to the brunettes.
"Do you not trust my staff?" Houtarou asks back but doesn't wait for a reply. "To be fair, we could each take one person we trust, or …" He thinks for a moment, then offers, "It can be more people if you would like to extend any invitations."
Chitanda shakes her head. "More people means a likelier chance word will get out. We should be cautious. Maybe even have codenames?"
"It would be safer." Mayaka agrees.
"I could propose playing cards since there are four of us. The Spades, the Heart, the Diamond and the Clubs," Satoshi gestures to Houtarou, Chitanda, his fellow bodyguard, and then himself.
"Yes, a heart on my wrist would be cute, wouldn't it?" Chitanda says then looks down at her hands. "But I don't like the pain. I would prefer a simple design."
"I could ink the outline of the Heart instead of colouring it in if that’s okay with you?” Mayaka offers.
“Oh yeah, I forgot you specialise in tebori, " Houtarou says, earning a frown from Mayaka.
"Tebori is the method where the colour becomes more vibrant as the years go by, right?" Satoshi asks, pulling Mayaka’s attention away from their boss.
She makes a somewhat annoyed expression. “You know too much,”
Chitanda does not hesitate in chiming in, "Can I have mine in red then?"
"Dibs on green for my clubs," Satoshi utters.
"Are we following primary colours?" Mayaka asks.
"It would be easier," Houtarou answers.
"Hmm, then — blue for Oreki and yellow for me." Mayaka decides.
Houtarou gives a nod of approval before finally taking off his mask. "It's settled then."
Chitanda smiles at their neatly tied-up agreement. "I look forward to our allyship."
♧
“Stop scratching your ear,”
Houtarou’s fingers pause just above his head. He frowns at Satoshi. For a bodyguard, he sure is bossy.
Satoshi must have noticed his boss' disapproval because he immediately switches topics. “Did it feel weird; having Mayaka’s needle so close to your skull? She had the closest opportunity to kill you, you know?”
“Is that some kind of joke?”
Satoshi only replies with a grin.
“A tattoo behind the ear was the only practical place I could think of.” Houtarou explains, exhaling a breath, “The last thing I want is the ink to be in a noticeable spot. I wanted it someplace that would still make me look neat and presentable.”
Satoshi nods and then smiles to himself. He quite likes his tattoo; though he leans more into the fact that his clubs inking is located on his ankle. It's mostly hidden behind his sock and the cuffs of his pants, which, in his option, makes it even more exciting. Like a secret only he and a few people know about.
Chitanda followed suit on her original plan; getting the red heart on the inside of her wrist.
Since Mayaka was the one to tattoo everyone else, she took it upon herself to do her own too; the possibility of inconsistency in art style bothered her a lot. She outlined a bright yellow diamond herself and decorated her left forearm without flinching at the self-inflict pain. Mayaka's very much a badass.
"Three weeks in, and you'd expect it to be fully healed by now," Houtarou complains, voicing his small irritation. "But it's still itching."
"Mayaka did say the process differs from person to person. It's probably itchy because the old skin is flaking off."
"I suppose," Houtarou says then eyes the throng of people present at his engagement party. The coffee shop is closed to the public today and open to family, friends and those associated with the four Clans.
He's drained from keeping up this appearance. It's been a gruelling time after the news of his and Chitanda's fake romance quickly circulated. He's been feeling drained from all the planning — in the celebration of a young couple’s ‘happiness’ along with their scheme to take down the Irisu Family.
"Is there anyone who wishes to speak to me?" Houtarou asks out of habit, resisting the urge to shake his leg or look at his wristwatch. He's bored..
"To talk business? No. I don't think you understand what an off-day is, Houtarou."
"Maybe that's true."
"It's your party, you should relax."
Still, it just feels odd to him. He's used to the routine of being greeted and then asked to supply an answer to someone's problem. Most of the guests have greeted him, yes, but then turned around and went off to celebrate the festivity of it all — which he still hasn't comprehended.
Letting out a hum, Houtarou reaches his hands out to straighten his jacket, only to grasp thin air.
Right. He thinks, mentally beating himself over the knee-jerk reaction. He’s so used to his everyday uniform resembling formal business attire that he forgot that he had worn something traditional at Chitanda's request; dressed in a grey yukata that his father wore during his more youthful days.
In the sea of dresses and tuxes, he had expected to be outnumbered in his traditional formal wear. But what he did not expect is for Chitanda to arrive in a kimono as green as snake's skin.
And from that striking colour, it's easy to see where Chitanda is as she weaves through the mass of people; briefly chatting and waving at people before approaching Houtarou with a grin on her face and Mayaka by her side.
Once she is near, Chitanda bows at a perfect 45 degree angle. Houtarou cannot help but note the flower ornament in her pinned-up black hair as well as her exposed neck.
"Good evening, Houtarou-san," Chitanda says beaming at him.
Houtarou’s face pinkens. “Evening.”
He resists the urge to be just as casual. He cannot call Chitanda by her first name. It's all an act, but it feels too intimate. He isn't sure how to react to their broken-off engagement once the Irisu Family has fallen.
"I need to borrow Fukube-san for a moment. He has quite the memory and I believe it'll play a good part when talking to an old friend."
Houtarou doesn't give it a second thought. "Sure,"
"Who am I meeting?" Satoshi asks once he's left Houtarou's side and takes a step towards Chitanda.
"The head of the Juumonji family."
"Ohhh!"
◇
Left alone thanks to Chitanda whisking Satoshi away, Mayaka turns to Houtarou and says, "You do realise that Chii-chan specifically wore a green kimono to match your eyes, right? Of all the days to wear such a boring grey colour, did it have to be today?"
Mayaka's question earns a frown from Houtarou in return.
"Would it kill you to spend some time with Chii-chan? This party is supposed to be a union between you two, you're supposed to look like a couple but instead, you decide to stand here in a corner."
"I wasn't standing alone,"
"Well, you will be if I leave," Mayaka threatens.
He doesn't bother to reply.
"Can you at least look fake in love?" Mayaka suggests after dropping her temper.
Houtarou's expression changes, crossing between horror, uncertainty and a hint of embarrassment.
"Wait … You look nervous at the idea," Mayaka teases. "Would you like some tea to calm you down?"
"I would appreciate it,"
Mayaka lets out another snort. Torturing him is definitely a favourite pastime of hers. "Alright, I'll go then come back with Chii-chan and some refreshments. In the meantime, think of some topics to talk about that aren't just business. You can be so dull at times,"
He resists giving her the satisfaction of an irritated eye twitch. "Will you just go?"
.
.
.
The meeting with Juumonji must be going too well because Satoshi does not return to Houtarou’s side for close to half an hour, in which Chitanda finds him sitting outside on the porch, away from the secluded tatami mat rooms.
Mayaka appears around the corner a few minutes later, holding a tray decorated with a traditional kyusu pot and a pair of matching cups.
"We looked for you," She bristles, glaring her pink eyes at him. "What have you been doing?"
"Not standing in a corner."
Mayaka continues staring heatedly at him.
“Have you seen Satoshi?” Houtarou asks.
“He’s with Juu-chan,”
“ ‘Juu-chan’?” Houtarou echoes, not understanding.
Mayaka harumps, not bothering to answer his question. With him disappearing after she said she'd come back for him, it's a pretty fair response.
"I'll be going now," is all the brunette says.
That woman really knows how to leave Houtarou with more questions.
"It's Kaho-san,"
Houtarou makes a noise, turning his attention to Chitanda. "Hmm?"
“Kaho Juumonji-san,” Chitanda answers for Mayaka, then gracefully serves the both of them their teas, watching Mayaka take her leave.
♡
They are silent.
Chitanda takes a sip of her tea and Oreki follows, gulping down ⅓ of it out of embarrassment.
His face is flustered, and he's tongue-tied. So … they’re really going through with this fake engagement, aren’t they? Never in his life would Houtarou Oreki imagine himself in such a position. He's on the verge of confessing it too, something he didn't know he'd ever find himself saying to anyone but himself — when it hit him, the way reality started slipping and his eyes fighting to process shapes.
"Chitanda?" He manages before he falls sideways.
Houtarou swallows once, then twice, taking big pockets of air. More. He needs more. There's not enough oxygen in this garden to fill his lungs.
Chitanda then raises her arm, the sleeve of her kimono concealing her action as she spits her tea onto the grass and soil at their feet. "I'm sorry, Oreki-san."
Houtarou curses to himself. Why did he lower his guard? Why did he decide Chitanda was trustworthy? Because she was — up until this moment — always truthful with him? Because she is his fiancée? Because they had decided to have a heart-to-heart in a peaceful garden setting?
Except that it wasn’t. It was a trick. Not everything is lovely.
Houtarou squints doubtfully, trying to get his bearings. “What did you put in my tea?”
She flashes a small, apologetic smile. "I’m afraid I can’t tell you. It’s a family secret,”
He finds his focus drifting away from Chitanda’s face, searching for someone else. “Ibara?”
“Mayaka-san is great, isn't she? Brave, too. Despite knowing my background, she wasn't afraid of me at all when we first met. But I'll give that credit to Mayaka-san having had her share of encounters while doing tattoo work underground."
Thoughts run through his head before it clicks. All the giggling between Chitanda and Mayaka, and the way the two women understood each other so easily, using Kaho Juumonji as a distraction or some kind of codeword.
… Did Mayaka betray him?
Then, after a beat, Houtarou wonders if Satoshi had betrayed him too. The androgynous man knows a hefty amount about tattoos. But then again, Satoshi is a wild card, rambling things like: “Did you know that tattoo artists are looked down upon and shunned for their career choice? The public associates the profession with bad news. Most tattoo artists would not disclose their careers at all in case it brought them misfortune; it's quite a sacrifice for the sake of art.”
Houtarou struggles, not being able to comprehend what's to happen next; his surroundings melt together and the sounds from the party become white noise.
Chitanda's final words to him get lost in translation.
And as his vision fades into black, he can't help but wish his sister was here.
☆
The first thing Houtarou does once he awakens is suppress a cough. It's a terrible feeling, fighting his human instinct, but he has to be quiet and subtle.
Thinking of a way to sneak out is his only way to survive, so he tests the strength of the ropes tied around his wrists before attempting to escape; sawing and slicing off the material with the emerald stone of his ring.
It's a lot of work and unfortunately doesn't get him far because the sound of a door clicks open and a shadow appears behind his figure on the ground.
"Took you long enough to finally wake up, Sleeping Beauty." A familiar voice says, making him flinch.
Houtarou turns hesitantly, if not at the speed of molasses. “... Tomoe?”
“In the flesh,”
end