The Audacious Feast
Haha, what an arrogant fellow. Being too diligent can be a real problem. After racking my brains diligently at school like a model student, I was starving before I knew it. So, after roughly finishing my self-introduction, I spotted the empty seat next to the hostess—Shihei Rin—and plopped down there. It was a prime spot, but I figured it was fate prepared just for me.
"Haha, what a beautiful night."
I winked at Rin, seated right to my left, and flashed a smile at the old man a bit further to my right. Kenju Estate, family head Kenju Kozaburo. The muscular elder, who'd been shouldering the clan for fifty years already, glared at me without a hint of amusement. Unfazed, I gave a bright, respectful smile and dipped my head slightly in greeting.
"...That insolent brat!"
But it wasn't Kozaburo himself who snapped—it was the kid next to him, with a vaguely similar vibe, grinding his teeth as he shot me a death stare.
...I'd just said hello. Why?
He seemed like a young direct descendant of the Kenju, but his gaze was inexplicably hostile. Staring daggers like that. Ah, the family head Kozaburo was burning holes through me with the same intensity. No idea what their deal was, but they clearly had a grudge.
'So what're you gonna do about it?'
Having lived a life utterly free of shame, I wouldn't buckle under such brazen glares. I straightened my back and shoulders proudly, then chomped down on the fruit on the table in front of me. Crunch, crunch, crunch. As a guest, I ate with relish, smiling all the while, and the young Kenju's eyes bulged.
"...Eeeeek!"
He even let out a cry of what seemed like pure emotion—looks like my sincerity finally got through. Buoyed by the momentum, I dove into the tempura, vegetables, and miso soup in the other dishes. Of course, as a Korean, I knew rice was the true power source, so I shoveled in mouthfuls of it between bites.
'Tasty.'
Not quite on the level of the Shihei Estate meals optimized for me, but this was decent enough to chow down on. I should drop by for seconds now and then. Nodding to myself as I plotted future feasts, I caught murmurs rippling through the room.
'That's the Byakuya-cha?'
'I figured he'd be around the same age as Kenju's Tiger, with white hair from stress.'
'...Younger than I thought.'
'Way younger than imagined. Twenties at most, and he took down a Baekgyeong solo?'
'Monster.'
'No wonder Shihei's been getting cocky lately.'
The entire banquet hall was buzzing about me. For a bunch of burly exorcists, they sure loved gossip, but whatever. Even I had to admit this body of mine was packed with ridiculously cheat-level powers.
But the person next to me apparently didn't agree.
"...Huhuhuhu."
Not even the subject of the talk, yet Shihei Rin in the seat beside me was grinning ear to ear, utterly pleased. Like a refined lady, she delicately raised a hand to cover her twitching lips, but she couldn't hide the crescent-moon crinkle at the corners of her eyes.
...Well, if at least one person was happy because of me, that wasn't so bad. Keeping a positive outlook amid the whispers and chuckles, I continued my meal.
How many more spoonfuls later, Kenju Kozaburo—seated at the highest place of honor—frowned at the rowdy hall, then lowered his voice gravely.
"...Some guests started late, so eat at your leisure and listen."
With that, he clapped his hands, and a man standing at attention behind him stepped forward. More jester than stern warrior clansman, he smirked and bowed obsequiously. Judging the eyes on him sufficient, the man spoke up.
"I hope the food suits everyone's tastes. We have much work ahead, but after surviving an unprecedented massive assault, we should celebrate first, no? In that spirit, allow me—your loudest voice—to say a few words."
The man's name was Kenju Seichiro. Second son of the current head Kozaburo, a direct heir who'd voluntarily bowed out of the succession race. Wearing a woefully somber expression, he began.
"This Hyakki Yagyo was a massive yokai assault numbering tens of thousands. Over three hundred Tokyo exorcists lost their lives, and the city's property damage was immense. Last weekend was one of rage at those vile yokai and mourning for our fallen comrades."
Celebration, my foot—pure sob story. As I propped my chin, wondering how long the preamble would drag, Seichiro forced a smile and bellowed.
"But our comrades wouldn't want us bound forever! We survivors must press onward! Remember today's victory, promise the next!"
Seichiro raised his sake cup high.
"Heroes who overcame the city's great calamity! I salute your courage! To those who will continue slaying yokai and protecting our home, the Kenju offer this blessed sake in gratitude!"
Every exorcist in the hall raised their cups in their own ways. I slyly grabbed mine too—only for a tackle from the half-lidded-eyed Shihei Rin next to me.
"Shiki's still a kid, underage—you can't drink, right?"
"Haha, just a sip."
"Then you can at least stamp our eternal vow, yeah?"
"...Hmmm."
No clue what "eternal vow" meant, but it gave off bad vibes, so I set the cup down. Rin smacked her lips in disappointment.
Meanwhile, one guy lowering his cup in a sea of drinkers didn't faze anyone—Seichiro's speech barreled toward its finale uninterrupted.
"Even if darkness blocks our path, heroes who light the world! For tonight, set aside your burdens! Instead, raise high these cups of our sorrow and joy!"
At that, family head Kenju Kozaburo raised his own cup and added,
"Come, a toast!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The hall erupted in cheers as everyone downed the hot sake. Shihei Rin beside me was no exception. Her eyes widened in delight as she nodded vigorously—must've suited her tastes. No surprise; in the Kenju episodes, the old head was always chugging that premium brew.
'...Wanted just a sip.'
I'll stash some in my sleeve for later. Stop time and sip away—who'd complain? I'd been an adult once before. Totally legal.
"Heh, you bet."
Grinning slyly as I muttered, Rin eyed me suspiciously anew.
"Shiki, what's your scheme this time?"
"Heavens, to think you'd suspect me of wicked plots—such an insult!"
"You just admitted it yourself?"
"Oopsie."
True thieves always announce their heists in advance, after all. Joking aside from any sake-theft plans, I shrugged playfully and asked,
"So, how'd my request go?"
"Hmm, like I said earlier."
Shihei Rin tilted her head ambiguously, glancing at the Kenju cluster.
"Thought they'd flat-out refuse... but they accepted surprisingly readily."
"Oh? Excellent."
I nodded contentedly. From here on, it was uncharted territory beyond the game—I wasn't sure it'd pan out, but it did. Might even sort out that pesky logistics mess in one go. Unable to drink, I filled my mouth with rice and miso soup while reviewing future plans.
Time flew by after that. "Well, shall we go meet them?"
After the banquet ended, at the Kenju Estate mansion. Family head Kozaburo left entertaining the guests to his second son Seichiro and headed to his study. Another direct descendant trailed doggedly behind.
"Grandfather!"
"What's with the tailing since earlier, Shinpei?"
"...That is."
Kenju Kozaburo glared at his grandson daring to block his path. Kenju Shinpei, child of his late eldest son. Spoiled rotten by the clan, thinking the world bent to his whims—a real thunderbolt terror.
Shinpei gauged his grandfather's mood, then slyly sidestepped. Kozaburo strode forward again, and Shinpei scurried after, chattering away.
"You just gonna let that guy slide?"
"Who?"
"That Byakuya-cha blowhard full of empty hype. Shows up after the meeting's done, mocks us Kenju to our faces."
"Mocks us, did he?"
"Chewing spirit fruit and sneering—obvious. Thinks a frothy name makes him hot shit—"
"Shinpei."
The chattering boy shut his mouth at the voice pressing on his shoulders. Kenju Kozaburo scowled, hand on the doorknob.
"Didn't I tell you before? Never speak words you couldn't say to the person's face."
"I-I could say it to his face."
"Really?"
Kozaburo opened the study door.
"Then say it to him directly."
"...?"
Shinpei peered inside puzzled. A prior guest awaited. The white-haired arrogant subject of their talk waved cheerily, grinning wide.
"Haha, nice to meet you?"
At the smile laced with faint killing intent, Kenju Shinpei's face drained white as a sheet.