You're the mafia princess?!

Festival Flower

Shinichi’s Point of view

 -Lotus Clan-

“Yeah, if you could just set that up for me that’d be great. Thanks”

Beep

“Who was that?” A girl said as she was stroking her finger against my chest gently. I was sitting in a booth inside the bar I usually come in. Women were sitting with me, trying as hard as they could to get me to bed with them.

I shook my head, “Nothing, just some business as usual. Now, where were we?”

Smiling, I took my glass from the table and sipped some wine. My phone then rang once again, but this time it was just a message.

Beep

From: Old man

Subject: COME HOME

Message:

Stop whoring with your women and come home!!! Did you forget we’re having guests over tonight?!

-Shinji Amemiya

Click

I rolled my eyes and sighed, “Sorry ladies. I’ll have to go on ahead” As I stood up, the women whined disappointedly in unison. Walking out, I waved my hand at them and went home by car.

“I’m home” I called, taking off my shoes as I walked inside our house. One of our clan members, Momo-san, greeted me as I headed to the kitchen.

“Is my old man here?” I asked, and in response, Momo-san shook her head. I cussed, “Che, that annoying little…! Why’d he make me hurry up anyway?! Ah doesn’t matter…”

Momo-san handed the apron to me and bowed, “Are you going to cook again, brother*?” I nodded my head in response, taking the apron and wrapping it around me.

I headed for the kitchen counters and smiled at her, “Yeah. Since the ‘great’ Shinji isn’t here yet, let me have some fun.”

And then I started making something.

Yeah, that’s right. I’m not just a rich, handsome, clever, and responsible playboy that every girl wants, I also LOVE cooking. And well, that’s something my father isn’t proud of for some reason. He always tells me, ‘don’t be a queer, Shinichi, and let women do the cooking.’

Ugh, please. You’re just jealous your son has more talent than you, you noisy old man.

He isn’t a good dad, and we always argue about me cooking food. That’s why I only do it whenever he isn’t around.

Everybody else seems to be okay with it though. In fact, every time my dad brings guests here, I always cook for them and they totally love what I make!

They even ask for seconds! No, no, thirds!

Nobody has ever said that my cooking was not good. EVER. And that’s something I am not planning to change…

When I finished cooking, I took a shower to cool down and get dressed. I should always look as handsome and fresh as possible; you never know when a cutie comes at your door.

I was in my room getting ready when I heard the front door open. There were voices accompanied by the sounds of footsteps. One of them was my father and the other was a man.

There was a knock on my door.

Knock

Knock

“Yeah?” I asked.

It was Momo-san, replying from the other side of the door, “Brother, your father is here. He’d like you to join them in the dining room.”

Taking steps to the door, I opened it and nodded at Momo-san with a smile, “I’m already on my way. Thank you.”

I headed to where my dad and his guests were. I was shocked to see who my dad brought home with him. 

“What are you standing there for? Say hello to our guests, Shinichi.”

He brought Izayoi Ohno and his son. God, my dad can be such a schmoozer.

I rolled my eyes and gave a slight bow, “Good evening Ohno-san and… his son.”

My dad gave a pointed stare, silently telling me not to do anything careless. Whatever. I took my seat across Izayoi-san and Keiji-san and faked a smile.

“Okay, let’s dig in?” My dad beamed and Izayoi-san nodded with a smile, “Yes. Let’s.” And with that, we started to eat the food which by the way, I cooked earlier.

For almost the whole time, my dad and Izayoi-san talked about random business things. Not forgetting that my dad always sucked up to him. Heh, it was kind of irritating and boring to listen to them talk. Even Keiji-san was silent.

“So, how old are you Shinichi-kun?” Izayoi-san looked at me with a smile, his chin resting on his palm. I blinked and looked at him, “Me?? Oh, I’m 18 years old.”

His lips formed of an ‘O’ shape and he smiled once again, “You’re just about a year older than my Kei here!” He said that as he pulled Keiji-san by the shoulder.

Keiji had a blank expression on his face.

“Ah…” I laughed awkwardly. Is this guy really Izayoi-san’s son? I mean they look alike and all, but he doesn’t act like him at all. Izayoi-san seems like the type who could get along with just about anybody and this guy here…. This Keiji ‘Ohno’…. He looks like a loser with no friends.

I don’t think he and I would get along.

Bah! Why am I even thinking of stupid things like that? I am SOOOOO not going for that idiotic contest about making this guy fall in love with me.

“Well, look at the time. I think we should get going now, Amemiya-san.” Izayoi-san said as he and Keiji stood up. My father and I did the same.

We all headed to the front door and one of our members opened it for them. Izayoi-san gave a grin, “Thank you so much for the dinner. The food was simply delicious; I couldn’t stop from getting more.”

Ohohohoho! Why thank you Izayoi-san. I’m so glad the Scarlet Clan leader has refined tastes. I know my food is great and obviously, nobody in the world could resist getting more!

“It was delicious, right Keiji?” Izayoi-san tugged his son.

Go ahead booooy, compliment my cooking~

Keiji let out a deep sigh and frowned.

What’s with that face??

Annoyed with your dad’s cheerfulness?

“It was sickening. I couldn’t stop feeling like wanting to vomit.”

Eh?

EH!?!??!?!?!

WHAT DID HE JUST SAY ABOUT MY COOKING?!

I was about to get in there and grab Keiji by the collar, but Izayoi-san interrupted, “Okay. We must go. Thank you again for the invite” He smiled and left with his son.

My father glared at me, “So care to explain why you almost did something stupid just now?”

“Ha?” I looked at dad, “Didn’t you hear what that little twit spat from his mouth?! He insulted our dinner. OUR dinner!”

He rolled his eyes, “So what? It’s just stupid food. Momo-san just probably lost her touch.” What the hell? This kiss up! Why isn’t he defending our so-called clan pride like he always does?!

I grabbed his wrist angrily, “What the hell is wrong with you, dad?! He just belittled us and you’re okay with that?!”

“Gah! Let go you brat!” He swiped his hand away from my grip, “What’s your problem? Why are you being so sensitive over food?”

I fell silent.

Oh s**t.

He’ll found out that I-…

He c****d his eyebrow at me, “Shinichi, were you the one who made dinner tonight?”

Ack. What should I say?

This is going to turn out bad.

“Why you little…!” He scowled at me, “Didn’t I tell you to stop doing that?! What are you, a queer?!”

God damn it, why does he keep saying that it’s gay to f*****g cook?! So tell me, it’s more likely I’m a homosexual if I cook really good food rather than ‘woo’ some other guy?

Christ, I’ve had it!

“Will you quit it with the whole cooking thing?! You’re pissing me off!” I yelled, “Why can’t you be a normal dad for once and just be happy with what I like doing? I always do everything you tell me so why can’t you just let me be?!”

He jerked away, taking steps backward, “Well… that’s…”

“You enjoyed what I made, didn’t you? Right?” I questioned him as if I was the authority. He swallowed and then sighed, “Alright! Fine! I’ll let you do what you want!”

For real?! No way?!

That’s good news!!!

“But” He cleared his throat, “Only if you pass a test.”

“Test? What test?” I titled my head a bit.

He nodded his head, “I’ll set up one of our commercial buildings for you. You’re going to have some kind of food place or whatever where you can cook. Your test will be showing me that people will like your cooking. If you can reach a certain amount of money from your ‘food place’ then I’ll let you do as you please.”

My eyes saw sparkles around the room. I felt a ray of hope shine down on me.

“But you can’t use any of our clan members to help you around your food place.”  He said as a grin was plastered on his face.

“What?” I blinked, “Then who is going to be my waiters while I cook, ha?!”

He sighed and started to walk away, “Figure it out yourself. The test will last a day, so you better be ready, son.”

Ack!

Well, this was kind of a good thing since my dad is finally giving me a chance to prove to him that my talent is absolutely great.

But where in the world am I going to find people?

Ah no matter, I’ll find a way.

After our conversation, I headed to my room to relax on my bed. And maybe I just wanted to brainstorm for my test.

All the while I still can’t forget what that punk, Keiji, said a while ago…

It was sickening.

Great Buddha, I know you can’t do evil things to people, so could you at least let that little punk trip and fall down on his face? That would be fine, thank you.

Gaaah! Just thinking about him makes my blood boil!!!!!

Ah!!! I have an idea!!! Since I’m doing that test thing, why not invite that twerp?! No no, not invite… but challenge! Heh! Let’s see if he can still say my food is horrible! I’ll show him!

Right, tomorrow I’m going to head over his school and give him my challenge!

Goodnight!

I grabbed my blanket and closed my eyes.

The next day came. I was impatient for the time that I would go to Ichimiya Academy but reminded myself to keep calm because that time would come eventually. When school was finally done for the day, I hurriedly headed to the other school.

I waited, a little restlessly, at their school gate.

“Ah! Heeeey!”

I heard someone call from outside. It was a tall guy, waving his arms while running towards my direction.

Huh? Was he calling me? Wait, where have I seen him before? He seems familiar.

He was breathing heavily by the time he had reached me. He then gave me a smile that could light up a room, wait, scratch that, a whole building!! Why is he so bright?! What is this shining aura?! Was he the great Buddha?!?!

“Aren’t you from the Lotus clan?” He asked cheerfully.

Eh? Ah! Now I remember! This guy was from that other clan… the dragon clan, I think? I forgot his name.

I nodded slowly, “Yeah… I’m Shinichi Amemiya.”

“Oh!!” He blinked multiple times in a ridiculously fast way like I couldn’t count how many times he even blinked, “Shin-chan! Nice to meet you!!! I’m Mamoru Ryuzaki!” He bowed while chuckling like a kid.

“Eh?” I blinked in surprise.

Did he just call me Shin…-c-c-c-chan?

“Oi Ryuzaki” Another guy approached us, “What are you doing?”

He was familiar too. Wasn’t he also from another clan?

“Hayato-kun~! Meet Shin-chan from the Lotus clan!” He beamed at the other male named Hayato. Erm, why do they seem so… friendly with one another?

“Ah? Lotus clan?” He looked at me, “Nice to meet you. I’m Mikoshiba from the Fire clan.”

What’s with these people!? Why are they acting so… so familiar with each other?! Don’t they realize we’re enemies?!!?!

“So Shin-chan!” Ryuzaki clasped his hands together, “What are you doing here all alone??” I looked at him, “Oh.”

I gave out an evil chuckle, “I am here to declare my challenge to the one called Keiji Ohno!!”

“Eh?” Ryuzaki blinked.

“Challenge?” Mikoshiba asked.

I nodded with zest, “Yeah! Last night he called my cooking horrible… but I’m about to make him regret that!”

“EH?!” Ryuzaki suddenly panicked and wrapped his arms around me rightly, “NO!!! Shin-chan violence is bad! B-A-D!!! Don’t hurt Kei-chan!!!”

W-w-w-wha??!

Why is he crushing me?!

“Tsk tsk tsk,” Mikoshiba said, “Man, you know you’re going to be dead if you do something to Keiji Ohno. He may not look like it but he is from the Scarlet clan, yeah?”

“No, No! You got it all wrong!” I squirmed, “I’m not going to beat him up!”

“Oh?” Ryuzaki loosened his grip, “then what??”

I inhaled and exhaled deeply.

Ahhh, I almost died back there.

After fixing myself up, I explained my situation with my dad and his test.

Mikoshiba nodded his head, “Dude, and I thought I had it rough with my dad” He patted my shoulder and fist pumped his free arm, “I BELIEVE IN YOU! DO YOUR BEST!!!”

Eh? Is fist pumping still in these days? How… weird.

Suddenly I heard Ryuzaki whining like a baby, “S-shin-chan….” Cartoon-like tears suddenly overflowed his eyes.

He then enclosed one of my hands with both of his palms and nodded his head, “I ALSO BELIEVE IN YOU NEH!!!”

Both he and Mikoshiba remained in place and I felt the wind blow over us. The sun’s rays were starting to look dim and the sky was of an orange hue.

E-EH?!

What’s with this *shounen-manga atmosphere?!

Now, all we need are some credits to roll over the screen and it’ll become a shounen-anime………..

So weird….

“SHIN-CHAN!” Ryuzaki called.

I stiffened and responded quickly, “Y-yeah?”

“LET’S GO TO KEI-CHAN RIGHT NOW SO YOU CAN FULFILL YOUR DREAM!!!” He shouted at the top of his lungs.

That surely would catch everyone’s attention…

“YEAH!!!!” Mikoshiba also yelled with the same enthusiasm as Ryuzaki, “LET’S GO! RIGHT NOW!”

H-huh? What?! Even him!?

Both of them grabbed me by my wrists, Ryuzaki on the left and Mikoshiba on the right. They ran as fast as they could inside the grounds of Ichimiya Academy, dragging me along with them.

A-ack!

Why does it feel like they’re making me proclaim my love for someone?!