The Emperor's Dragon II

Business

Rikiya Yotsubashi was not accustomed to waiting. But here he was. At least here was sumptuously appointed and a nervous looking intern was making sure he had everything he needed. The couch was perfectly padded, and the room had a fine view of the skyline, with the glass tinted just the right amount to block the glare without impeding his view.

The intern had assured him that he'd be seen shortly and Rikiya had forcibly reminded himself that right now, he was the CEO of Detnerat, not the Head of the Meta Liberation Army. Detnerat commanded some respect but in JBQC's headquarters, Detnerat was just another company. Though, they had invited him.

"Ah, Rikiya," the voice was warm. Janee was always warm. She approached him with a smile.

As always, Janee was immaculately presented. Rikiya had offered her a job at Detnerat but she'd refused. Gently refused but still refused. It was part of the corporate game.

"Janee," he greeted her.

"Thank you for coming," she said with a smile and then gestured towards the other side of the waiting room. There was an office there. Rikiya recognised it as the CEO's office. That was unusual.

"Your owner is here?"

"You indicated you wanted to talk once the legal issues were resolved," Janee reminded him. It was a remarkably straightforward statement from her.

He recalled that Detnerat had given a response similar to that for an inquiry by JBQC. He had no idea they were still interested. "We did," Rikiya replied pleasantly. "I trust the resolution was equitable?"

"It could have been better," Janee said breezily. "But we can work with the resolution." She gestured for him to precede her into the CEO's office.

Rikiya hadn't been here before. There was a large desk near the window and a set of couches off to the side. Surprisingly, there was a three-tatami area to the side with a low table and cushions set into the far corner. The walls appeared to be traditional paper inset into wooden frames. It was eclectic to say the least. It fitted with what he knew of the villain who had been the CEO of JBQC.

There was a girl, in a UA uniform sitting on one of the couches. Janee moved to them and indicated that Rikiya should take a seat at the other couch. He did so and examined the teenager. Her uniform indicated she was from the Support Course and had pink hair in dreadlocks. Her eyes were green yellow with cross hairs in them. Rikiya had known that JBQC had changed owners, but this was the owner?

He should walk out but Janee wouldn't have invited him here frivolously. She knew what an insult it would be to him to meet a teenager!

"Mei Hatsume is the owner of JBQC," Janee interpreted his stare.

"No," Rikiya said firmly. "A villain usually called All For One is the owner of JBQC," he replied.

"I don't know that person," Janee was equally firm. She'd always been firm on not knowing the villain. She knew, obviously, but she never admitted it.

Rikiya frowned, trying to remember what All For One was calling himself. "Hisashi Riji," he snapped when he remembered.

The teenager gave him a look. "I bought him out," she told him flatly.

It took him a moment to comprehend that. "What?"

"I bought him out," the salmon haired teen repeated. "A man like that, with injuries like that, how much do you think he'd pay for relief?" she asked blandly.

Rikiya frowned. Logically it made sense, but it also made absolutely no sense either. How had she known All For One? Who negotiated for her because he refused to believe she had done that herself?