Chapter 25
Title: Moving Chess Pieces
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Third Person POV. -- 2nd Of November -- 2415
[ Banquet Hall ]
A mutual exchange,
A term referred to both sides laying out their cards, and exchanging them in order to benefit from each other.
Currently to Yotsubashi Rikiya, Benihana Retsu's ability to heal is an invaluable meta ability that he wants on his side. In exchange, he plans on giving her anything she may desire. Of course, those things being within reason and capacity of being fulfilled on his end.
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Currently the man of the hour isn't within the hall where the party is taking place, having left it after his small talk with the one he wants to do buisness with.
He is currently inside a side room, the place having many decorations from pots of flowers, to pictures and arts. In the middle of this room, there are two couches facing one another, their coloring being a dark red, and the table seperating them being a glass table with decorative flowers put in its middle.
Rikiya is seen occupying one of these long couches, with another figure sitting besides him.
"Are you sure she'll come? " The person asks, her voicequite curious instead of wary because of the things she learned of their visitor.
Kizuki Chitose, a high ranking member of MLA, someone who works very closely with Re-destro himself. Her villain alias is Curious, reflecting on her curiosity of knowing about anything and everything.
She is working as the Propaganda Unit division leader of the army, her main focus being to shape public opinion and spread propaganda. She is also very good at story telling as well as Head chief ofShoowaysha Publishing House, –her civilian persona which she uses to hide her Curious identity.
Hearing her question, Rikiya answers, though he isn't smiling like before. "Yes, I'm sure she'll come in a moment or so. " He says, leading to Chitose tilting her head, "well it's been a few minutes already. If she were coming, she'd be here by now no? "
"Curious, have some faith in me would you? She'll come, I promise. " Even if he says so, Rikiya himself is starting to believe that his hint didn't work, 'will I really have to send someone to go and fetch her?
Also, dammit! I really should go and learn how to talk with kids after this, I was so unprepared for that confrontation, I didn't think she'd visit this year. I've been working on the schedule so much, once being at new years eve, once when schools would end, all to find a suitable time where she'd visit, and it's now or never. ' Rikiya thinks, slowly losing his patience with every second that passes,
Fortunately for him, he won't need to send anybody to go and fetch Retsu, as the said girl was just led in by the bodyguard stationed outside the door.
Retsu enters the room, assessing her surroundings with her eyes half lidded, –a habit that both she and her father has. After her inspection is over, Retsu turns her gaze on the two occupants within the room, seeing the close proximity with which both of them is sitting at.
'Hoooo~ another piece of news that was never disclosed in the manga or show of this world. Re-destro and Curious together, huh. ' She acknowledges this without showing it outwardly, before she goes and takes a seat on the opposite side of where the duo is sitting.
"Now then, you wanted to speak with me? " Retsu briefly asks, her gaze on the much taller figure sitting before her.
Rikiya sits straighter, the hand he had behind the couch and his foot which was over his other all retrieved and straightened. And he fixes theanomalybefore him with a serious look, "Yes. Not to worry though, I won't be the only one who will benefit from this proposal. Both of us will bring home something out of this. " He says.
In Chitose's eyes, this simple exchange made her question many things, opening her curious mind of many questions that she now wants answered. She refrains from speaking for now though.
"Hmmm, a mutual exchange you say? " Retsu asks, putting a hand under her chin and crossing a foot over her other, leaning on it with her eyes fixed on Rikiya's. "Now what makes you think you have anything that I'd want, huh? " She asks, by now she knows Rikiya have figured out that she isn't to be messed with.
Rikiya clears his throat, "ahem, I'm sure there is something you could want from us. For example, anything we can create for you, " He suggests, leading to Retsu losing more interest, "–Or any information you may want regarding anything? " He asks,
Now that last part does give Retsu a few ideas, ideas that she thinks may come in handy. "Hmmmm, Info huh, " She says, her gaze leaving Rikiya's and landing on the woman who's sitting besides him.
'Curious, Kizuki Chitose. A villain who could get her hands on any piece of news, and also the liberation army's head propaganda spreader. Though the question remains, would she be able to give me what I want? Can she gather the information I'd ask of them? '
While Retsu is contemplating, Rikiya and Chitose have things of their own that they're contemplating on.
'She will definitely become a big shot in the future, someone who may even surpass the current most popular pro heroes. Her reputation, everything about her. –Her quirk, her intelligence, everything. They would be quite invaluable things that the army could benefit from.
Right now it is left on me to ensure that future for my vision. I don't care anymore about her becoming a member, dealing a blow to what Kuroine did to Destro. Just a simple help, or a favor from her would be invaluable. ' Rikiya thinks, tiny sweats forming on his forehead, but he does his damn best to not look too nervous.
'A future star, maybe the brightest one. I have to make her promise me that she'd accept an interview with me when she becomes a big shot, no matter what! ' Chitose thinks, visibly trembling at the mere idea of such an interview.
'Imagine it! The brightest star, possibly in the whole world and not just japan. And me the first ever person who will interview her~' the mere idea threatens to send the dedicated woman off her seat!
"Alright, I've decided. " They are brought out of their minds by the 12 years old tall girl, who now has her gaze focused on them again.
"I'll agree to making a mutual exchange with you, but first I want to know the contents of what you may need or want from me. I'll tell you of what I want after I learn yours. " Retsu says,
"Fair enough. " And Rikiya agrees. "Well, as you may have already deduced by now, I want what every other soul in the whole world wants. I want you. "
"... "
There is a moment of silence, before Chitose slowly turns her head towards her partner.
"Elaborate. Please. " She says, her eyes narrowing despite knowing what he meant.
Retsu shakes her head too, 'way to go explaining what you want, hot shot. ' she let's out a sigh of disappointment.
If Rikiya figured out what he did right now, he doesn't let it show on his face, only a single sweat rolling down his cheek which he faintly brushes by putting a hand on his cheek, trying to act nonchalant.
"You heard me, I want what everyone wants right now. Your healing capabilities." He elaborates,
'A close one, but that counts as a save I guess. ' Retsu idly thinks.
"So, you want my healing. And anything else?" She asks,
"No, just the healing. I originally preferred if you enrolled and became a member of my company, but that is a far fetched dream that I know I can't make you do. I only want you to give me a lending hand in times of crisis in the future. " He elaborates more, making Retsu put a hand under her chin.
'He has no clue that I know of his true nature, so he's currently trying to ask for my favor for his CEO persona.
I'm sure he'll find a way to ask for these favors concerning his Re-destro persona, but honestly? I couldn't care less. '
"Very well. I will lend you a helping hand in the form of favors. And I think we should all know of what I want too before we can cement how many times I'm willing to offer you favors. " Retsu says, and gets a nod from the CEO before him.
"One more thing! " Chitose suddenly chides from the side, making Retsu pause and look her way, Rikiya doing the same.
Chitose has a sheepish look as she scratches the back of her head, smiling slightly, "I wanted to ask for something too, –a seperate thing If you don't mind? " She asks, leading to Retsu tilting her head in curiosity, while Rikiya let's out a helpless sigh.
"Sure, what is it? " Retsu asks,
"I wanted to know, when in the future you become an important figure, would you do me the honor of letting me be the first person to interview you? " She asks, making Retsu blink and Rikiya to shake his head, already seeing this coming from a miles away.
He is happy though, it's not like Rikiya is mad or anything. In fact, Chitose's Curiosity is one of the things that made him infatuated with her, after all.
"Sure, If that is what you want. I will ask for a favor in return in the future too then. " Retsu says, making Chitose blink in surprise, 'that fast? '
She nevertheless smiles brightly, "Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me! " Chitose says, very happy right now.
'Oh you have no idea how much I know it means to you. ' Retsu idly thinks.
"Now that that is out of the way, let us proceed. " Retsu gets the mood of the conversation back, leading to the other two donning serious looks again.
"My proposal is in the form of three things. " She says, leading to Rikiya straightening his spine, "I ask them in the form of two seperate knowledges, and one innovation from your part. " Retsu details, making Rikiya nod. "Very well. If it's within my power, I'm willing to make it a reality. " He says.
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Moments later...
"...That is all? " Rikiya is left speechless. The informations and thing she wanted are so... So...
'It's so easy. ' Rikiya thinks, trying to wrap his head around if there are alternative meanings to her proposal or not, but not finding anything at all.
"Yes. Only those three things and you will have three favors from me in return. " Retsu says.
'No. No way that is all there is to it. There must be something else! She must be thinking of something else while asking me of these things! But what is it... ' Rikiya is over-thinking things, trying to wrap his head around the ridiculously simple things he is asked of in return for favors from her.
Seeing his inner turmoil, Retsu sighs and decides to hasten the procedure. "Don't think so much about it. I may be a genius, but there are times and things I already have that you can never give me.
These things I ask of you, I would have gotten them myself in the future anyway, but I'm only asking them of you to simply get them earlier. Nothing more, nothing less. " Retsu explains.
To Rikiya, it still doesn't make any sense. He is a man who constantly trades and does buisness with other people, he doesn't believe in a one way benefit. Trades like those are only at the times where one side is bigger than the other, not like right now where He and Retsu are on the same level.
But he forgets yet again, he and Retsu aren't on the same level right now. He's the one desperate for her abilities, while she doesn't need him to meet her objectives.
Like she said before, the things she asked for, she could easily get them in the future herself, she is only commissioning Rikiya to get them earlier just because she feels like it right now.
From the beginning, Retsu always said that she'd like to take her time reaching the top, and whether Rikiya accepts or denies this proposal, it doesn't change a thing for her.
Seeing no other alternative meaning to the proposals, but his guts as a CEO telling him this is a trap, Rikiya, after much consideration decides to retreat.
"Give me a while to think about this. " He asks, –and is denied by her. "No. It's now or never, Mister. Like I said before, I can get them myself in the future,
I don't need you. "
"... "
A moment later, and Rikiya gives out a sigh of defeat, "It can't be helped then. Very well, you will have the things you asked for, and in exchange I will have three chances to call upon your ability to heal. " He says, making Retsu give a nod.
"Oh also, one more thing. There is a timer on these favors. I'm only going to let them be available until around the last months of my first year at High school, no more and no less. " She suddenly drops another bomb on the poor CEO, making his blood pressure soar to new heights!
'YOU SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THAT PART BEFORE YOU BRAT!!! ' Rikiya internally explodes, but he doesn't voice his opinion outward. Retsu though, can guess what just happened to him internally.
'I'm sorry Mister CEO, you just aren't on the same side as me, That's all. ' Retsu thinks, while suppressing the smirk from showing on her face.
"Sigh, I would have preferred you giving me that heads up before, but very well. Now is better than never. You have yourself a deal.
Now comes the part of asking, how can I be sure that you wouldn't betray me? " Rikiya asks, leading to Retsu tilting her head, with her hands crossed on her chest and her eyes closed.
"How indeed... "
She opens them again, "hey Mister. Wasn't the whole point of this exchange, that we'd both benefit from each other? " She asks, making Rikiya tilt his head too, "Indeed? " He asks,
"Well there you go. " Retsu smiles, making Rikiya more confused. "Wait what? " So he asks,
"Sigh, Mister. The whole point of exchange is that both sides will benefit, won't we? So I'm saying your guarantee is that, as long as you bring me true info by fulfilling my second request, I will also hold out my end of the bargain. " Retsu says,
"Yes, b-but-" Rikiya tries to dig for more, but then he sees the expression Retsu is making, leaving him to sigh once again,
"Sigh, yes... I suppose that's guarantee enough... " He says,
"Perfect! Then it's decided." Retsu smiles and claps her hands in front of her face, before she stands up.
"Don't forget your end of the bargain. Now I'm off to continue enjoying the ceremony. I'll see you later Mister. Oh and you too, Beautiful miss~ " Retsu gives a curt bow, never forgetting her etiquette, before she turns and exits the room, leaving behind an exhausted man and his ever curious girlfriend.
"Awwwwh~ she called me beautiful~" Chitose says, smiling in happiness because of the compliment.
"Well, now I understand why you said she's tricky. " She says again after her fawning is over, before she turns her head from the door and looks to her boyfriend, seeing him slumped and exhausted.
"Her proposals and things she asked for were so simply, which is what's driving me nuts to understand their true meaning.
As for herself, yes she was quite exhausting to talk with, and quite irritating too with her sudden addings on the proposal. Sigh... I truly hate talking with kids... " Rikiya slumps his head down more, "I don't think I'll have a session with any other figure, I'm quite exhausted on the first one now. Let's leave the rest for another time. " Rikiya says.
Unbeknownst to him, the timer that popped up so suddenly, the thing that became irritating to him and made him just brush it aside and accept it, that timer will be the reason for his failure regarding this exchange. It will be the thing that will let Retsu win, benefiting from this exchange more than she was going to.
Meanwhile with the scheming thousands of years old soul...
"Where were you? We've been looking everywhere for you Retsu! You didn't pick a fight with anyone did you? " Kie asks her daughter who suddenly popped up besides her, startling the beautiful and dazzling woman.
"I was at the food stands, you must have missed me because I was stuffing my face none stop. Is there a chance we could get the recipes for those desserts? They were delicious. And also, no I didn't pick a fight with anyone Mother, you should trust in your daughter more. " Retsu says.
Suddenly Tetsuya also pops up from besides Kie's other side, Startling the beautiful woman once again, "kya~! Don't do that! " Kie silently yells out, no one around to hear her embarrassing sounds thankfully,
"Sorry honey. " Tetsuya apologizes, before turning to Retsu, "as for trusting you. Don't forget young lady, cuz I haven't forgotten about your prior stunts. I'm beginning to get a 6th sense for the troubles you're causing... " He says and slightly whispers to himself the last part.
"As for the dessert, I'll let a staff know if they can give us the recipe. And you're right, they were delicious~" Kie says while enveloping Retsu's hands in her own, smiling with her eyes closed.
"I know right~" Retsu imitates Kie's expression, "I especially liked that one with the strawberry on the top, you know the one who was... "
As the mother daughter tell one another about what they thought of the desserts, Tetsuya is seen just standing there, staring at them.
The man in hopelessly in love. He loves his wife, and he loves his daughter. And he feels blessed to have them in his life.
'I'll make sure nothing will get Between us. Nothing. ' he vows, forever and ever choosing to be their guardian.
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Author's Note/ the three things Retsu asked of Rikiya in this episode, don't worry I will reveal them as we progress in the story.
As for the rest, let me know what you thought of it in the comments.
Anyways, a little family bonding at the end and showing how much Tetsuya loves and would sacrifice for his family.
That's it for this episode. We are also getting very close to the end of the first volume, so look forward to the next one okay?
(^^)
Thank you for reading my story, have a great day/night! Peace out!