Red Lady Cigarettes

Chapter 8: House Kumori

She felt like a copy of Shinjo from wearing something straight from her closet. It was a fitted velvet dress, Shinjo insisted she paired it with a fur coat but Shinkiro instigated to only wearing the dress. Meanwhile, Shinjo wore something of the same cut but it was black, and her fur coat was the one with the red color.

When everything was in place, Shinkiro sat beside Shinjo and the family members including Shiro's son and daughter with his wife Althea. The only one missing is Kijin, being the reason why they've been awkwardly sitting in silence facing one another, waiting for the eldest son.

Althea surprisingly isn't wearing anything red, she wore a simple white dress and had minimal sets of pearls as accessories, with her brown hair braided on the side. Shiro and his wife looked pretty simple to be an elite, they don't adorn themselves too much with revealing luxury. Shiro is only wearing a plain long sleeved shirt colored with a dark scarlet shade, and his hair was slicked back as usual. Her aunt Shinjo had introduced Shiro to be the most humble amongst the family, he doesn't involve himself too much with the riches and just loves his job of designing weaponry, support items, as well as gears for known Pro Heroes.

The old man radiated a venerable stature, Ashikaga Kumori came from a wealthy descent and plans to preserve the Kumori's legacy. He wore his wine hued English tailored suit, beside him was a freshly varnished cane with a wolf skull carved by the tip. Ashikaga got bored of waiting, the old man sighed and spoke, senile and raspy. "Well I guess your older brother's back with his old disrespectful habits." When he poured himself a drink, it was an outspoken signal for the servants to begin serving them the food. The old man's head shook, then turned to face the family. "It would've been nice if Kenji had a son that inherited his values. At least that would be less of a headache."

Shinkiro's eyes shifted to Shinjo, who was purposely ignoring it, so the awkward nature just wouldn't be rubbed in. She did mention the family's misogynistic nature.

"I can't change the fact that you're still his daughter, and I welcome you back with open arms."

"I..." Shinkiro smiled, she wanted to retaliate back to the part where it seemed like he insulted her gender, but she knew it wasn't going to be a very good impression. "I'm sorry I never came to everyone and introduced myself, I was just a little intimidated by how elite this family is. Besides, I myself-"

"You don't need to apologize for that, I understand why you didn't just come out and told everyone you're Kenji's daughter." Ashikaga admitted, slicing off his steak checking the meat if it is indeed just the right amount of rare he requested. "After all, your father died rather a controversial death. I would hide myself too if I came from a father of a reasonable position and a mother of a devilish descent. By the gods Shinkiro, I hope you know what kind of an infernal force your mother was."

Shinjo was getting uncomfortable from her own father's words, stretching her neck and squinting her eyes, she raised her hand to the servers signaling them to exit the vicinity and let the family share the dinner table by themselves.

"Did you know she used to convince Kenji not to assists the family anymore and seize Iona for himself?" Shiro finally spoke. "Tenko was a possessive woman."

Shinkiro could only urge a fake smile, nodding to each and everyone of them but Shinjo could feel how much she wanted to just flip over the table and scream.

"So, Shinkiro. Are you working at the moment young lady?" Althea smiled, it's funny how her smile could change the grim mood of the room and light it up. The gentleness of her voice contradicted the Kumori's stern and cynical visage. "I'd be happy to get you to model the perfume I collaborated with Shinjo-san."

"I am a criminology student."

"Shinkiro would be perfect for it, after all she did outdone me in The Prophetess."

As the ladies were finally laughing and having an ease with their conversations, the old man spoke once again eliciting their silence. "Yes Shinkiro, I would urge you to stop that course and help with Shinjo's business instead." Ashikaga suggested.

"I'll definitely consider."

Just then, footsteps can be heard from a distance. A figure of a man can be seen, and as he approached near, the image became clearer. He looked like his father's twin, but instead of a cool toned blue eyes, his was bright glowing red, and contrastingly; Kenji had jet black hair, and his was white. Kijin Kumori entered their peripheral playing with a lighter on his hand, his head slightly tilted up. He was wearing a full black suit and tie quite messy, some buttons were undone and his tie was unkempt and loose.

Their conversation only continued, blatantly ignoring his evident arrival. "Once you're educated enough on how our businesses work, I'll let you get a share of a major part. It's only fair since your father was a such a hardworking man." Ashikaga continued, but he was looking at Kijin in judgement.

Shinkiro was aware that the old man and Kijin looked at each other, then her uncle sat down before giving her a nod. "Kenji's bastard?" The glint of his eyes and smirk only added how much of a mockery his first words are.

"Bastard?!" Shinjo exclaimed, as Shiro choked on his drink coughing uncontrollably, hurriedly turning his back to wipe his nose and mouth. "Oh dear, be careful." Althea assisted, and he nodded to reassured he was fine with a gesture.

Shinkiro scoffed in confusion. "Bastard?" Now she just had enough. The lady took her glass and gulped down her wine just to give herself a boost. She knows well it might mess up all their plans but his uncle ticks her off way more than the others in this room. When she was done, she crossed her leg and leaned forwards. "Don't paint my father to be another version of you. And even if I am a child that wasn't from his legal wife, he still took responsibility."

"I'm just saying you might not be the only child. Are you shaken the inheritance would be split up if we coincidentally find someone... Worthy than you?" The man shrugged, pouring himself a drink after pocketing his lighter. "You'd still contribute to the family of course, maybe you could marry one of another major family in Italy-"

"Kijin, you arrived late. You barely introduced yourself properly. I think it's time to shut it." Shinjo smiled. "If you keep spewing more embarrassing remarks towards our niece I'd be happy to complement your remarks with all the shameful actions you've brought to us."

"This is the first time we've had dinner as a proper family in several months, can everyone please just keep it down." As Shiro tried to simmer things, Ashikaga only kept his resting frowned expression and eating his steak.

"No. I've lost my appetite." Shinjo stood up, wiping her mouth before looking down at her brother. "It's because the leak of the family arrived. I'm talking about you Kijin. Come now Shinkiro, you don't need to see how much more of a disgrace your uncle is, you can smell his stink from a mile away."

"Shinjo got herself an ally."

"You're a fucking degenerate."