Chapter 249 - Mastering Mushidoku
The car carrying us was heading toward the Grand Hotel in front of the station.
It seemed the party was to be held on the banquet floor located on the first basement level.
While it appeared that primarily members of organized crime groups would be attending, it also seemed that construction contractors, high-ranking police officials, politicians, celebrities, and even Han-gure groups had been invited; it could be described as a lineup that was the very essence of society's darkness.
"To be honest, I don't really understand what a Han-gure group is. What are they, exactly?"
Since I had only returned from another world a year ago, I was ignorant regarding such matters.
I used the term somewhat based on the general atmosphere from seeing it in the news occasionally, but their actual nature was difficult to grasp.
"Ah? Well, they're like the criminal organizations of a new era, I guess."
Gondo began his explanation in a listless voice.
"It's an era where you can't openly associate with the Yakuza anymore, right? Besides, we have strict hierarchies. Because people hate this kind of thing, young guys aren't joining us at all lately."
"Come to think of it, the Yakuza members appearing on TV are all middle-aged or older."
"Exactly. The young ones just hang out with their local delinquent buddies and form loose gangs. Then, before you know it, they've become massive criminal organizations making huge profits through fraud and extortion. They just keep piling up bad deeds while maintaining the same vibe they had in their student days. I guess we're an obsolete breed now."
There was something somewhat sorrowful in Gondo's manner of speaking.
He likely realized that he himself was an obsolete breed.
"The Yakuza... aren't exactly good people, but we also served as a place to accept the discriminated classes. I myself came from an extremely poor single-mother household. But today's Han-gure are people who grew up in middle-class or higher households in urban areas. I can't understand it; if they were born into homes like that, they could have taken so many other paths."
Gondo said that even my Boss should be careful.
"To be honest, you never know what those guys will do. They're the type who, despite being born into decent environments, willingly descend into being scoundrels."
"You don't seem to think highly of the Han-gure, so why were they invited to the party then?"
"...Lately, they have more momentum, and despite that, we haven't had much contact with them... so... it's a matter of saying, 'let's get along from here on out.'"
"In short, it's like entertaining a rival company?"
"That's it. I'm not exactly looking forward to this either."
Gondo let out a deep sigh.
It was likely what one calls the sorrow of middle management.
"Oh, we're almost there."
It seemed we had covered quite a distance while chatting, as a building that looked like a hotel came into view ahead.
The driver turned the steering wheel with practiced hands and entered the parking lot almost without shaking the car.
"Well then, shall we go? I wonder how many high school girls are coming."
Following Gondo, who opened the door roughly, the trio in the back seat also got out of the car.
Whether the women's mouths were tightly pursed because they felt something from Gondo's story, or because they loathed how his true nature of loving high school girls emerged after his serious talk, I couldn't tell.
Seeing Hayasaka-san attempting to pull a handgun from under her skirt, I felt it was undoubtedly the latter.
"You should probably stop reaching for your holster so quickly..."
"Hm."
Given the location, it looked like her panties might show.
A female police officer in civilian clothes hiding a gun in a thigh holster... that's quite romantic.
I was a man of lust myself, not unlike Gondo, but I had the morality not to say it out loud.
That is the difference between a law-abiding citizen and a criminal.
While thinking such trivial things, we passed through the hotel's automatic doors and proceeded to the lobby.
"Whoa. There are already men with bad faces gathered..."
If it was just my imagination, the expressions of the ladies at the reception seemed stiff. They looked like they were trembling, thinking, This is definitely a meeting for those types of people; won't our hotel get busted by the Anti-Boryokudan Act?
"This way, Boss."
Guided by Gondo, we used the closest of the four staircases to descend to the basement.
Golden railings, bright red carpets.
It was only natural due to the difference in construction technology, but the interior was far more luxurious than the palaces of the other world.
"Amazing. This is my first time in a place like this."
As I was looking around in a daze, I spotted a particularly noisy group.
...It was a group of comedians I had performed with several times before.
They seemed to be performing songs joyfully while surrounded by intimidating men.
"They're really going for it. You should give it a shot too, Boss."
"Eh?"
"You're good at it, aren't you? Breaking bats with your ass."
I don't know where he prepared them from, but Gondo handed me several metal bats.
"See that old man covered in sword scars over there? That's our Big Boss. So, go ahead and show him your act with everything you've got. Of course, while making it clear you came through my introduction."
"Even if you tell me so suddenly... doing this kind of thing outside of work is embarrassing. Let me prepare myself mentally a bit."
"Do you see those pretty girls around the Boss? Those are his granddaughters. They're a bunch of trend-followers who love comedians, and they'll cling to you immediately when they get excited."
"I'm Keisuke Nakamoto! Alright, everyone, pay attention! If I wedge this sturdy metal bat between my ass... Ah! It snapped in an instant! What kind of trick is this?! What's inside my butt?! Whoops, if you cling to me like that, your chests will hit... Alright, maybe I'll break another one for you old man!"
I was tossed about, caressed, and spent a blissful time among the girls.