The Shogun

Chapter 21 : A Set Up

Now

Seiran's study was indescribable. While the entire house was that of Japanese style, the study was that of western. But like the whole house, it had the vintage feel to it. The walls were decorated with laminated brown wood panels. There were a lot of windows that let in a lot of natural sunlight. The room itself was taller, with a separate deck hanging above, accessed by the vintage spiral wood staircase, which led to a series of book shelves that one could see from the bottom. Bookshelf adorned the empty walls, except for one which held a replica of Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night.

The centerpiece of the room, the study table or what Seiran affectionately called 'War Table' , held things that one would see on an author's workspace. A computer that Reina would call old, a few sets of parker pens, a small study lamp to light up the table during the late hours. The floor was carpeted and just below the legs of the table was a rug that one could call authentic. In short, it was a writer's paradise.

But as much as the room was captivating, it was also a mess. Books were strewn on a coffee table and sofas that were in the room, and Seiran's table was cluttered with many papers that the chief editor didn't dare to read.

"I'm sorry about the mess. My mind is captivated with lots of thoughts that I don't get time to organize my stuff", Seiran says as she sits down. This causes Reina to look back at her as Inko was seen clearing away the mess. The crew was setting up the scene and Akira was seen sitting on the now recently cleared sofa.

"Why don't you ask your maids to clean up the place?" Reina asks.

This causes the elderly woman to lean back a bit and say, "To be honest, I don't trust them to clear my room. The only person who knows this room as well as me is Inko and she is someone I can trust with my life".

It made sense. Inko was the head maid and has been with this family for a very long time. And the way she picked up the books and papers, it reminded her of a mother nursing an infant.

"So what's the progress on the statue?" Seiran asks.

"My colleagues, they had just landed on Nabu Island. I believe they will start their search in an hour or two", was the reply Reina gave.

"Let them take their sweet time. Journey to that island is very tiring. We are also not in a hurry", the senior journalist replies with a smile on her face and Reina simply nods as her eyes dart all over the room as if she was searching for someone.

"By the way, Nao-kun will not be joining us today", Seiran says as she sips her tea.

At that very moment, Reina got red and defensively, she retorted, "I was not looking for him".

"I didn't say anything about you looking for him", Seiran fires back with a sly grin on her face and Reina could help but get flustered even more. Ignoring it, the elderly journalist says, "He has some office work today. It's a miracle that he agreed to join me yesterday. He rarely takes a leave".

"I didn't know that he was a workaholic", says the chief editor.

"Workaholic doesn't sum it up. He's always busy. It's surprising that he has time to take care of me", Seiran says as the lighting comes to life.

"Yeah... but to see someone so young be so career focused, it's kinda rare nowadays", Reina says with a smile on her face.

"Yeah, but still. He should enjoy his life more. He is 22 for crying out loud. Work can be done any other time. This is the age he should be experiencing youth. This is the age one should think about relationships", Seiran grumbles.

"Relationships can be dealt with later. What is the use of being in a relationship when you are not financially stable yourself", Reina says but internally she was worried. Naoki is 22! She is 27 herself! The age gap is five years give or take. Wouldn't that be a crime!? No wait! They are consenting adults and Naoki is way mature for a 22 year old. NO! That would be too weird. Her ex was older than her and for today's time, she was a traditionalist. By the way, why was she fantasizing about him!?