kichi

It's a good location. There'll be a tenant interested in the second-floor shop. Maybe a video shop, or a ramen shop...

(Sob) That's enough, Kichisei-chan... I don't want anyone else to open shop here. I just want you to stay here in Kajimachi...

B-But... I've gotta go, nee-chan.

So sudden? At least let us hold a party for you to see you off. I'll let the others know.

(Glances around) N-No, there's no need! I'm leaving tomorrow and I don't want to bother people.

Kichisei has been out all day, saying goodbye to her neighbors.

She noticed me from the beginning and didn't say anything about the appraisal or debt.

Hmph. Knew it. She's got zero cards to play.

Maybe... she's setting herself up to borrow money.

From a bunch of hawkers on a run-down street?

Let's see how long she can hide...

...Enough cards for today. Not in the mood.

You all know about Kichisei?

She was practically in tears when she came around to say goodbye in the morning. Made my heart hurt...

Any idea who's behind it?

There were a few unfamiliar faces who had been tailing her. Didn't look like honest folk.

I told Takahashi and Watanabe to follow them when I closed the stall, and try to find out more.

Good. I'll get some old friends.

Ah, you're gonna do it?

Did you forget the oath we swore to Tessai? We washed our hands of all this stuff in exchange for a peaceful existence on this street for the rest of our lives—

Tessai's got his hands full with his number two right now. He might not be able to help the girl even if he wanted to.

Besides, she's OUR little girl. How do we look into each other's eyes at this card table again if we don't do anything for her?

...You're right. All these years of peace and quiet have made me senile...

Enough talk. Let's get to work.

So—how did you end up still staying here at the shop?

It was weird. I had all my stuff packed and was ready to say goodbye to Old Man Tessai, when I found those yakuza standing at my door just as I was about to leave...

(Deep bow) We're very sorry!

Huh?

(Staying bowed) We really apologize for our rudeness! We didn't know you had ties to Isazaki's Shochiku-kai!

Huh? What's that?

We understand our mistake now! Please, have mercy on us!

Please accept this token of our apology, Kichisei-sama!

(Bows even deeper) Again, we're really, really sorry!

Not only did I not have to pay a single mon, I made a fair bit of money in appraisal fees... amazing, isn't it?

It's an interesting story, alright... do you want me to look into who took care of it for you?

Nah, no point bringing everything into the open.

The kind soul who helped me never revealed themselves. That means they don't want people to know who they are.

Besides, maybe it's my good luck—see this 'Great Blessing' omikuji I just got at the shrine?

Well, that's a healthy frame of mind to be in.

Hey, life's not so bad, is it? I was thinking how great it would be if I could stay at this shop for the rest of my life.

*sigh* I envy you. I wish I had inherited a huge amount of money too...

Who said I inherited a bunch of money?

Grandma always said 'Life's short, enjoy it while it lasts.' She would take me out on trips whenever she made any money.

Come to think of it, we could hardly even afford to eat whenever we came back from one of those trips...

(Wipes sweat) *sigh* Now I know where you got your habits from. Good thing you folks didn't give this shop up...

Of course we wouldn't give this shop up. It's our only home, and we'd have no roof above our heads if we gave it up! I know that much, at least.

Looks like we've got a customer! All the machines are on. Just put a coin in. Help yourself to drinks and snacks at the counter—