story_kichi_1_1

Rows of pachinko machines are laid out in a room of modest size. The sounds of buttons being pressed and explosion sound effects can be heard from inside.

New customer?

All the machines are on. Just put a coin in. Help yourself to drinks and snacks at the counter—

Are you Kichisei?

Uh, you're not here for pachinko?

We heard about your side hustle, and we'd like to ask for some help.

*sigh* Side hustle? No idea what you mean. I think you've got the wrong girl...

Our boss just got a bunch of gems in from Sargon. We want you to take a look... here's the offer.

The yakuza gestures a number with his hand.

(Gulps) ...For real?

For real.

Welcome, Kichisei-san.

The Yamakawa-kai is new in Mitsukue, and we could use a local to help us expand into the market.

Skip the preamble. Where are the goods?

The yakuza boss waves his hand, and a heavy briefcase is placed on the table.

So many...?!

Natural gems that I obtained from a friend. One would have a hard time finding a better collection in all Higashi.

I obtained these gems at considerable expense, but moving them is a challenge...

To put all these treasures on the market at once would not only depreciate their value, but also draw unwanted attention.

I've heard of your appraisal skills and connections in Mitsukue. I'm confident you will be able to find the right buyers for me.

Wait up, I haven't agreed to take the job yet!

Kichisei picks up a red gem and examines it under the ceiling light.

It looks good at first glance. However...

...However?

Sargon makes great gems, but it's mostly small workshops with low production rates.

You have a lot of different types here, but the cuts are similar across the board.

Too regular. No change of tools. The people who made this batch were novices.

Look at the corners here. Looks too new. Best-case scenario, it's a new batch. Worst-case scenario... the materials may not have been natural.

Impossible... impossible!

I watched them take each piece out of the auction house's storage and picked them one by one!

*sigh* If you don't believe me... look at this one.

There's a sapphire identical to this in the Varjavandabad Museum called 'Tear of Splendor', with the same tear-shaped gold piece inlaid on it.

Did you think a Sargonian national treasure could have ended up in this place through a regular auction house?

...Do I need to say any more?

You mean... all these treasures... they're fake?

Yes, any appraiser worth her salt would tell you.

...But all of these have been certified by experts.

What...?

They came to me by way of a legislator whose name is known to all Higashinese collectors.

You mean Toudou—

Do not say the name!

He had these gems examined by appraisal agencies before he gave it to me. These certifications were issued by experts.

The boss lays a heavy pile of documents on the table, printed with the logos of various institutions.

(Mutters) <i>Kuso</i>, not people you want to get on the wrong side of...

As you can see, not one expert says my treasures are fake. Except you.

...Why come to me, if you've already had such an authoritative appraisal?

Like I said at the beginning, Kichisei-san, I would like you to find me some good buyers.

My men have looked into it. Your grandmother was a beacon of Mitsukue's jewelry world, and you took over her business.

I am confident that you will be able to move them, and I assure you that you will be well-compensated for your efforts.

Heh... you've gotta be joking. I'm just a pachinko parlor girl.

...You don't want to help me because you think my goods are fake.

What are you talking about? I never said that.

(Gestures)

Yes, boss, I got it all on tape.

...You set me up?!

Only basic due diligence.

I have faith in your abilities, Kichisei-san.

I spent my entire fortune to get these goods from the legislator. If you think they're all fake, I'll settle the score with him, with your report in hand...

If they're good... then you'll help me get it sold, all of it, for the billions it's worth.

Do you know where Kichisei is?

The pachinko shop's closed, and there's no sign on the door...

Something must have come up, I guess? She's a busy girl.

No cheap pachinko today, I guess. Can't go to other places once you get used to her prices...

Kichisei! Welcome back!

Ugh...

Why the long face?

Hmm... it's all my bloody fault. I should have never gotten involved in this!

Never should have had anything to do with those people... now I either have to sell billions in fake goods, or owe them billions!

B-Billions?!

I couldn't pay it even if I sold the shop... heck, not even if I sold myself!

Kichisei staggers towards her shop, tapping her own head, leaving behind the dumbfounded passersby.

As night falls, the neon sign of the Lucky Star blinks irregularly, seemingly ready to go out at any minute.

Kichisei, Kichisei... what's with you and your unlucky stars?

She's home, boss.

What did she do?

Nothing... she cried for a while with a pillow in her arms, rolled around on the ground a while, and she's now playing video games.

...She didn't call anyone?

No.

Boss, are you sure she's the one we're looking for? She doesn't have anything at home except game machines, and she doesn't look rich at all...

That's impossible!

Her grandmother made so much selling fake jewelry. How could she not leave any for her granddaughter?

She was like this when we scouted her out, wasting away most of her days. That means she's not short of money.

I'm not about to let a big fin like this slip away!

Hello? Yes... what?

...Got it.

Boss, the informant says she's packing her stuff!

Hmph, I knew it... keep a close eye on her. Don't let her get away.

Everyday items, accessories, snacks, all half-price—

Hey, Kichisei! What's with that huge rucksack on your back?

I came to say good-bye, Suzuki ji-san... I think I may have to leave Kajimachi for a while.

What's the matter all of a sudden?

I-It's nothing. It's just... well, I guess I'm taking my business elsewhere.

What business could you be in such a hurry about...? Don't tell me you ran into trouble?

You can just say it. We've known each other for so long, I'll help however I can.

(Glances about) Well... I guess there's a fair bit of trouble, alright. But it's my problem and I don't want to drag anyone else into it.

Anyway, this is what happened...

I'm so sad about this, Kichisei-chan...

Your grandma was good to me, and we've been like sisters to each other all these years. And now you're just packing up and leaving?

What's gonna happen to your shop...?

Old Man Tessai owns the shop, he'll find someone to take care of it.

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—