Shaken or Stirred? [Tsubine/Hitoshi]

Tsubine, unlike others in his profession, didn't mind dealing with nobles. They were usually the type that would have one focus that could be manipulated easily. Even J had his pressure points. The Kurata, on the other hand, were more like the ones in Tsubine's own line of work. In a lot of ways, they were a family to try to emulate—especially for the downtrodden or borderline criminal class. And yet, Tsubine found himself somewhat uneasy on trying to meet with the current representative of the family.

Tsubine had arranged for the two to meet somewhere neutral—a rented room in a high-class restaurant in District 1 South. Not in the Seireitei, but close enough to not be an inconvenience. Not in the Shirazumi-rengokai's territory or sphere of influence, but still in the Rukongai. It would be the closest thing to neutral ground that Tsubine could find on such short notice. When his guest arrived, Tsubine stood from one of the two chairs in the room. It was sparsely furnished—only two chairs, a cloth-covered table, and various small decorations were the only thing in the room, and Tsubine was the only one in there. "Thank you for meeting with me outside of the Seireitei, Master Kurata." After completing a small bow, he extended a hand. "Tsubine Shirazumi. The matter I want to bring to your attention is something I hope we can come to an agreement on."

KURATA FAMILY HEAD

210 words

"Being told 'no' isn't much of a problem. Someone saying 'no' just involves getting more persuasive. And much like you I imagine, I just don't respond well to threats. So I'm glad you took the time to meet with me. My next option was a mariachi band." Tsubine retracted his hand as soon as it was clear no handshake was to be given. This was either an insult, a sign of germophobia, or just a lack of social clues. With Hitoshi being a noble, it could even be all three. Tsubine leaned forward as he began to explain why he had called this meeting.

"The long and short of it is that I want to prevent an actual conflict between our two groups. About a week ago, at one of my entertainment establishments, a customer claiming to be related to the Kurata enjoyed one too many drinks and got... rambunctious with the staff. Let's just say some rather inappropriate gestures, comments, and, reportedly, physical contact was made towards one of my female employees. Before he could be respectfully escorted out, another of my employees decided the best option was to punch the man in the face. A small fight broke out, and both were separated."

"The Kurata and my group have certain connections that I don't wish to be disturbed by this incident. Kurata-sourced meats are of excellent quality, and our customers do enjoy meals prepared with it." Tsubine knew that this, of course, was the only above-the-board deal tying the Shirazumi-rengokai with the Kurata family. Anything else... well, it was below the board. With a lop-sided smile, Tsubine pushed forward. "And if we can come to an amicable agreement, perhaps we can discuss future business. I think we're both probably looking at expanding by now."

KURATA FAMILY HEAD

231 words

Dead? The guy wasn't dead when he left, so... Oh. A flash of realization came across his face for the briefest of moments. That was the price of doing business sometimes. If an egg can't be used in the kitchen, it gets thrown out. If it upsets the kitchen, it gets thrown out with fervor. Hitoshi Kurata seemed to be one to take spoiled ingredients very personally, and Tsubine felt he could understand some of where he was coming from.

Tsubine nodded as Hitoshi explained the circumstances. The guy had a weird way with words. He wouldn't call Hitoshi a charmer by any means—except maybe a snake charmer. But he had the kind of blunt subtlety that wasn't exactly common to hear. Most people were either one or the other—or the inverse. This had Tsubine's attention, because even though he wasn't the one managing the books personally, his business was his business.

"The people, at least in my district, do seem to like me and mine, true. But it's all through hard work—blood, sweat, and tears were mixed in the mortar that made it how it is." "And yet... I see those same ingredients being wasted on petty conflicts all around the Rukongai. I see people who have no morals—let alone business sense—running rampant in the outer districts. The Sakutaiso isn't capable of handling all of the problems in these communities. I think it's time that the community outreach portion of my organization reaches out a bit further away."

"And what I don't want to do is step on the toes of reasonable people," Tsubine gestured to Hitoshi, "like yourself. That, Master Kurata, leads to conflict that I don't think either of us would find profitable." Tsubine poured a glass of water from a carafe and took a long drink. He had to decide whether or not to be upfront with his plans or not. But before he did, he'd see if Hitoshi had anything to say first.

KURATA FAMILY HEAD

165 words

Hitoshi was right in some ways. Their meeting was clandestine at best and scandalously secret at worst. They should be able to meet in broad daylight—and if certain other factors weren't at play then, sure, maybe they could meet at an open-air cafe. Then again, Hitoshi seemed more of a tea guy than a coffee—let alone sake—guy. And as far as Tsubine was aware, tea was something best enjoyed inside.

Hitoshi's next comment caused Tsubine to blink. He let the air stand still for a moment before letting Hitoshi have some information for free. "I've heard that some of the more violent gangs in the outer districts, like the Sōja in 55 South, have been riled up lately—to the point that action is being taken against them. Few can survive that kind of pressure... And I know that groups like that leave an opening when they break apart. Now 55 South is a little far beyond my current scope of influence, but I wouldn't be surprised if that starts happening closer to my district."

"Is that the sort of conflict you're alluding to?"

KURATA FAMILY HEAD

142 words

If Tsubine had a nickel for every time someone of relatively high society came and asked for his help in rallying the people, he'd have two nickels. Which wasn't much, but was unusual that it happened twice in a six-month period. Kōgin Reimei made a small quip about him being popular. Tsubine viewed it as a target on his back—one growing every time a conversation like this happened.

There was a tugging at the back of his head that Hitoshi was right. And he couldn't deny the man made good points. And yet, he had obligations to the people he represented today. He wasn't here to start a riot that would endanger those same people; though the more he heard, perhaps a riot was needed... Perhaps Kanae wasn't entirely wrong in her desires. Tsubine blinked away the image of that woman. Even if she were right, Tsubine had a distaste for her personality that wasn't going to go away with her being correct.

"No, I don't take their credit, and I don't think I will either. For districts like this one, the Gotei maintains a healthy presence. They show off the good they've done with their reformations... but when you get to where I am from, the amount of care they show there is staggering compared to here. That's why it's up to people like me to make sure that the people that need to be cared for are cared for. So why would I take credit for something that is, frankly, a half-assed attempt at supporting the people?"

"And beyond that; all that will do is paint a target on me and mine. And with the Gotei seeming to only be marginally obedient to Central 320, there's nothing to stop them from declaring me an enemy of the state and marching on my home. I may be skilled, but I'm not skilled enough to take on the Gotei to that degree." I'd need allies for that. He left that part unsaid. The fewer people that knew about his current plans, the better.

KURATA FAMILY HEAD

202 words