We're Not Even Blood-Related
After the hunting incident, our date at Disneyland unfolded in a noticeably sweeter atmosphere. Following Splash Mountain, we explored Fantasy World and Toon World. These areas drew inspiration from Disney's classic animations, so they featured plenty of gentle attractions like carousels and spinning teacups.
Taira Yukiko enjoyed the various princess-themed rides as if she had become a princess herself, and I stayed busy taking photos for her. Still, because she was so photogenic, every single picture turned out perfectly satisfying.
Tomorrowland, with its futuristic concept, carried an almost cyberpunk vibe. The most popular attraction was a ride where you could patrol the streets of a colonial Mars city—modeled after the recently successful film Mars Princess—on a reconnaissance hoverbike. We waited in a long line and rode it too.
I hadn't seen Mars Princess, so I didn't find it particularly exciting, but Taira Yukiko was absolutely thrilled.
"Have you seen Mars Princess?"
"Yes, it's such a fun movie that I've watched it three times."
"Would you like to watch it together next time? I actually haven't seen it yet."
At my words, Taira Yukiko looked at me with an expression that said, You still haven't seen something that fun? It was the pitying gaze one might give a primitive savage who knew nothing of civilization.
"Alright, if you haven't seen it, let's watch it together. It's really entertaining."
Her eyes burned with the firm resolve that she absolutely must show this wonderful film to her son.
While we're on the topic of Mars Princess, the colonization of Mars is being led by Alex Musk, the 81-year-old owner of both Space Z and Tetsu. Despite his age, he remains vigorous, developing technologies for Martian terraforming. Currently, only enclosed research bases exist on Mars, so it's still impossible to roam freely outside like on Earth.
Even so, because he was the man who actually traveled to Mars and made the dream of "Let's go to Mars" a reality, he is still regarded as a pioneer in space technology. Of course, his many controversies mean plenty of people dislike him.
Tomorrowland had the largest crowds, and there was a reason for that. It featured the most attractions inspired by the latest releases. The ride that impressed me the most was Space Fighting from Space Wars.
Space Fighting was a single-rider attraction that felt more like a game than a ride. Wearing a VR headset, you piloted a space fighter in a virtual universe and battled the Empire's fighters. With a hundred seats, the line was long, but the experience moved quickly. Since Taira Yukiko loved shooting games, she thoroughly enjoyed this one.
After enjoying Tomorrowland, we returned to Toon World and Fantasy World to ride the attractions we had skipped due to long lines, then headed back toward the exit. Between all the rides and waiting in lines, it was already eight o'clock.
"It's a little late, but let's watch the fireworks and then have dinner at a nearby restaurant, Yukiko."
From what I'd checked earlier, the fireworks started at eight-thirty, so we could watch those and then head out for dinner.
We stood at a prime viewing spot I'd scouted in advance and waited for the show to begin.
After a short wait, the sound of fireworks launching filled the air. The white brick walls of the Disney castle reflected the colorful explosions, glowing beautifully. The sky was filled with magnificent fireworks, and the surrounding area echoed with the crowd's gasps of wonder.
When I glanced beside me, Taira Yukiko was genuinely savoring the fireworks. I wanted to kiss her like I had during the cherry blossom viewing, but the place was packed with Taira Group employees because of the Human Resources Development Center event. I suppressed my lewd impulses and turned my gaze back to the sky blazing with fireworks.
"Let's head back now."
Having fully enjoyed the fireworks, Taira Yukiko wore a satisfied smile and took my hand. Before leaving Disneyland, we stopped by the Global Bazaar as planned and bought some souvenirs. Surprisingly, she took the souvenir shopping very seriously. It took her quite a while to choose, and by the time we left, it was already 9:40. Would we still make it to a restaurant?
Taira Yukiko checked the time too, her expression turning slightly troubled. She glanced at me hesitantly before speaking.
"When I came to Disneyland back in college, I used to eat something all the time. I'm suddenly craving it... would it be okay if we got that instead?"
I had no idea what it was, but I was extremely hungry, so I nodded.
"I don't know what it is, but if you lead the way, I'll go. Do they serve it at this hour?"
"Yes, it's open 24 hours..."
The place Taira Yukiko selected from the passenger seat was Matsuya, one of Japan's big three gyudon chains. I'd expected her to crave something extravagant, but it was just gyudon... She must have noticed my look, because she explained almost defensively.
"After I married Saburo, I couldn't eat it anymore."
That made sense. If the daughter-in-law of a conglomerate family was seen eating gyudon alone at a commoner's restaurant, it would immediately become tabloid news.
"I haven't had gyudon in a while either. Let's hurry and go eat."
I drove a bit hastily toward the nearest Matsuya. Japanese people each have their preferred gyudon chain, and it seemed Taira Yukiko was firmly on Team Matsuya. Jin Yongtae had preferred it too. Since it was close to home, he'd gone often and grown accustomed to it.
"I prefer Matsuya over the others too. What a coincidence."
"Really? That's surprising. Most of my friends were Yoshinoya fans, so it was always difficult. Whenever I wanted it, I had to go alone."
What was this, some kind of yakuza faction war between Matsuya and Yoshinoya? We chatted about gyudon as I drove, and before long we arrived. Since I'd searched for a location with parking, we could park right in front and walk in.
"Gyudon should always be ordered in atama-mori size. The rice is normal, but you get extra meat."
Taira Yukiko spoke as if stating an unbreakable law and ordered atama-mori size for me as well. I was quite hungry, and I doubted this would be enough to fill me up...
"If it's not enough, we can order more, so stop making that face."
She must have read my mind. She playfully pinched my nose as she spoke. True to its reputation as Japan's representative fast food, our meal came out immediately.
Maybe because it had been so long, it tasted incredibly good. Taira Yukiko ate with tears glistening in her eyes, murmuring, "This is it...! This!" It really had become a full nostalgia trip for her today—Disneyland from her college days and now her old gyudon spot.
I ordered extra katsudon and mapo tofu rice bowl. Hmm... since I'd only had a light lunch, it looked like I'd need about three bowls to feel full.
The drive back was smooth with no traffic. Taira Yukiko must have been exhausted from playing all day; she fell into a deep sleep in the car. When we arrived home and she was still sleeping, I carried her in a princess hold and laid her gently on the bed.
Taira Yukiko forced her sleepy eyes open and looked at me.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me."
I kissed her forehead, then gave her lips a light kiss, whispered "Sleep well," and left the room.
###
Minamoto Group conference room.
Several reporters stood sweating profusely as they faced a chair turned toward the window.
"So this is all the information you have on the youngest grandson of that old man Taira Danjo?"
The chair swiveled around. A bald old man with a shiny head sat there. He held two thin sheets of paper and asked in a cold voice.
"Illegitimate child, graduated from Edogawa High School, joined the Taira Group Human Resources Development Center... and that's it?"
"Y-yes! There was no connection to the Taira Group at all during his childhood. He grew up completely normally, so there isn't much information."
As the sweating reporter answered, the bald old man—Minamoto Ushin—clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk tsk! This is why you can't trust these smart university types. Bring it here!"
At his command, a man in a black suit and sunglasses brought over another document. Minamoto Ushin opened it and began reading.
"Taira Ryuta. Before entering the Taira family, his name was Hata Ryuta, or Jin Yongtae. Records from elementary, middle, and high school. Close friend is the soccer player Smith Kazuhiro... and Genba Kiyohira. Biological mother is Jin Mija, a second-generation Korean-Japanese. Mother on the Taira side is Taira Yukiko. Rumors of a promiscuous love life... Look at this. I gave those detective agency bastards a few measly yen and this is all they bring back? And yet! The so-called Special Strategy Team of Minamoto Group headquarters only managed to obtain this level of document?"
Minamoto Ushin's rage was terrifying. Killing intent filled the room, and the reporters trembled like leaves in the wind.
"This boy is the weakest link in the Taira Group! He's the easiest target for our Minamoto family to attack. And yet you bring me only this much paperwork... and call it a report? This is your last chance. Take the information those detective agency worms you look down on gathered and come up with a plan right now. If I like it, we'll proceed. If I don't, you're all fired immediately."
At the word "fired," the reporters frantically scanned the documents from the detective agency. They flipped through the pages so quickly they rustled, then seemed to organize their thoughts and began speaking.
"It seems feasible to steadily gather information by using his friends."
"We could verify the rumors of his messy relationships with women by sending a girl to approach him."
"Using his biological mother, Jin Mija, is also an option..."
With their livelihoods on the line, the reporters poured everything into devising plans against Taira Ryuta. Listening to them, Minamoto Ushin gave a faint smile and nodded.
"Now this is something I can listen to. Based on the schemes you've just come up with, create the most effective plan. If you fail again like this, I will never forgive you."
"We will not disappoint you!"
After the reporters bowed deeply and left the conference room, Minamoto Ushin rose from his seat.
"Heh heh. If that old man Danjo loses first his youngest son and then his youngest grandson, the pain will be immense, won't it? Heh heh heh heh..."
Minamoto Ushin stood alone in the conference room, laughing ominously.
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I received an illustration request for episode 60. I created the scene WhiteTiger requested—of Aris wearing a kimono and smiling brightly.
Aris looks so refreshingly cute!