Yakuza Tour Guide (18+)

7. Full Shiatsu

*Additional info and translations in the comments!

"Hey, you're right, this actually feels pretty nice," Akihiko says as his fingernails are filed. He wiggles his toes, which are currently soaking in a warm, herbal water and sighs, sinking into a plush leather seat. "I get why girls do this."

"Right!? I can't believe you've never had a mani pedi before!"

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure I look like the kind of guy who does this all the time."

We both have a little laugh and I tilt my head back. The women here are really nice and, while I was a bit disappointed that Tatsu isn't the one with me, I really like Akihiko. He's a good guy. The fact he seems to really respect Tatsu is all the reassurance I need. Sure, it sounds like his business is kind of sketchy, but Akihiko trusts him.

"Okay, maybe not, but you're convinced?"

"I'm sold. Mani pedi's rule."

"Well, I don't want to kill the vibe, but you promised you would answer my questions about Tatsu's business. I guess what I really want to know is... how illegal is it?"

Akihiko groans like he knew this question was coming. "What we do isn't illegal. It's just giving out loans and collecting on those loans. That's not a crime."

"Right, but you made it sound sketchy, so... what's the sketchy part?"

***

"A massage parlor? Is it one of those massage parlors," Tatsu asks, looking over the loan application and the business license.

Megumi pushes up her glasses. "They started with a loan from us, an agency tied directly to a Yakuza clan, and are paying protection money to that clan and possibly another one. Yes, I think it's one of those."

She has a sip of her coffee and grimaces. "Ugh, that newbie can't brew coffee to save his fucking life."

"Well that complicates things. I can't exactly walk in there and threaten them if they're paying protection to another clan. They're probably employing underage girls, maybe some blackmail?"

"That doesn't work, either. Our clan has a stake in their business and, again -"

"They might be protected. What a headache," Tatsu says, sighing. Leaning back in the swivel chair, he thinks for a few moments. "What if we just asked nicely?"

"Yeah, let me know how that goes."

The two of them sit there in silence for a bit until, suddenly, Megumi jumps up in her seat.

"I think I have an idea."

"Shoot."

"Put them in a situation where they'll be dying to tell you who's protecting them."

"And how am I gonna do that?"

Megumi smirked and had a long, slow sip of coffee. "Make them feel like they need protection."

***

"So, it's completely predatory?"

"Some of it is," Akihiko admits as the two of us lay on our separate tables, getting a couples massage. The whole thing is completely absurd - me getting a couples massage with Tatsu's bodyguard, or employee, or whatever - but I'm learning a lot. "We handle some pretty big accounts that are legit. Like, investment stuff. That's not predatory."

"Okay, the investment stuff is legit and you use the money to offer loans that are kind of shady. Why do you even need to do the loans, though? Isn't the investment enough?"

I let out a little grunt and ball up my fists. I've never had a massage and she's really getting in there with her knuckles!

"Hnnnn... the percentage you get on investments isn't as big and we're not the Daiwa, you know? Oh, that's the spot! Right there... you need to have hundreds of accounts and you don't actually make any commission until they sell shares or move investments around. We're a new company, we can't wait decades to turn a profit."

"So, it's like a Ponzi scheme," I say, moaning and biting my lip as I feel a little crack in my back.

"Huh?"

"Right, that doesn't translate well. How do I explain? You take your clients investments and turn them into quick profits with small loans that you charge ridiculous rates for. Then, you turn those larger profits around and invest them for your other clients after taking a cut to keep yourselves in business."

"If that's what a ponzi scheme is, then yeah."

"But that means the whole thing falls apart if you can't collect from the people you're loaning money to."