Grotesque Puppetry

By Lord Raa

Disclaim-me-do: And I don't like seeing the hero's nipples this much.

Part 5

Mitsune Konno's eyes widened as Tsuruko Aoyama sat calmly. "Y-you wouldn't call the cops, your sister's involved!"

"While it is true that my young sister is involved in this matter, I have little doubt that a skilled attorney could persuade the court that she was led astray by two women with dubious moral compasses. Especially given the lack of appropriate supervision," the married woman answered. "But yes, it is true that I would prefer it if the police were not called. So we are back to you either paying Keitaro-san 10 million yen in compensation and leaving the Hinata Sou forever, or you are an indentured servant for the next 12 months.

"Personally, I think it would be best if you were to leave, but I don't see where you're getting 10 million yen from."

"Aneue…" Motoko protested weakly.

The married woman turned to her sister. "What is it, Motoko-han? Have I misjudged the situation completely? Are you the 'ring leader' here?"

"N-no, it's just that…"

"Please, Tsuruko-san," Keitaro interrupted. "I don't want to cause any bother."

Tsuruko looked at the genuine compassion in the ronin's face. 'Why did I have to find such a good person after I got married?' "Seeking justice is never a bother, Keitaro-san."

'Why is Motoko's sister like that with Keitaro?' Kitsune wondered. 'There must be more to her marriage than meets the eye…'

"But…" Keitaro trailed off.

"What if their next victim was not as lucky as you? What if they were seriously hurt or even killed?" Tsuruko asked. "As much as you need to rest, Keitaro-san, you should take responsibility and help me teach them that their actions have consequences."

The bespectacled youth realised that there was nothing he could do about this. "You're not going to take no for an answer, are you? But what do I do? I don't like seeing people hurt."

"Therein lies the rub. It may surprise some of you to know this, but I don't derive great pleasure from hurting people or otherwise causing them discomfort. You all need to be taught a lesson, but it seems that this indentured servitude isn't going to work out as well as we had planned." The elder sister took a deep breath. "Don't worry, this isn't some sort of badly plotted hentai OAV – you're not going to be used to pleasure immoral Salarymen."

Keitaro and Shinobu blushed at the mention of a hentai OAV.

Tsuruko looked at the faces of everyone there. 'I just don't know what to do… I don't want to hurt Motoko-han's friends, but I can't let them get away with what they've done.'

"We should give them another chance," Keitaro spoke up. "If they were truly horrible people, my grandmother wouldn't have accepted them as tenants."

Kitsune turned to Naru and nodded. "Yeah, we were just being young and foolish!"

"Youthful indiscretions?" Tsuruko asked rhetorically. "Well I suppose that I had one or two of my own, so I really can't take the moral high ground. However, I don't recall ever hospitalising anyone. You will receive your work assignments in the morning."

Kitsune and Naru were concerned for Motoko. Normally, the kendoist would have stood with them fearlessly against anything that threatened them.

But that was before family became involved.

"What can Tsuruko-san do to us?" Naru asked. "I mean, can she even do half of what she's saying?"

"Well," the short-haired girl said taking in a deep breath, "normally, I'd say that Haruka-san wouldn't let her do anything to hurt us. But…"

"But that was before we hurt Keitaro…"

"Yeah," Kitsune nodded. "Maybe we should have talked to Haruka-san first; told her that we'd given it long enough and we weren't comfortable with him staying here."

"Yeah," Naru sighed. "So what do we do? Do we do what Tsuruko-san tells us? Do we try to sneak off? Do we try to go to the police?"

The ash-blonde rubbed the back of her head as she considered their options. "That depends on whether Tsuruko-san is telling us the truth about her family's influence or not."

"Let's say she is and the Aoyama clan can do what she says."

"Ok. Let's say she's telling the truth and this is the worst case scenario," Kitsune nodded. "If we sneak off in the night, then she'll start her plans against us. You know, like talking with the Toudai entrance board and my publisher. You won't get into Toudai and I won't get another article published."

"That would be bad," the brunette nodded in understanding. "Maybe we could start a new life under an assumed identity?"

The sake-loving girl shook her head in disbelief at that suggestion. "Well, that would be expensive. And I don't know anyone who could set us up with new identities. Plus there's a chance someone would recognise us. How do you feel about having a new face?"

"I don't like the sound of that," Naru admitted.

"Plastic surgery ain't cheap, neither."

"Well, I guess that rules that out. What about the police?"

Kitsune scratched her head as she took in a deep breath. "I don't know a great deal about the legal process, but we might be able to use anti-extortion laws to help us out here."

"That sounds promising," the Toudai-bound girl said, perking up.

"It does, but it's an awkward situation here. One, I'm not sure we can get the police to believe us without any evidence. Two, even if we do have some evidence, there's a good chance that the Aoyama clan will be able to find a lawyer that will get whatever we produce thrown out of court. And the third thing we've got going against us is Keitaro and how we treated him."

"Oh, that could be worse than just running away."

"But that's just if Tsuruko-san isn't lying to us. Do you want to take the chance that she's bluffing?"

"No," Naru said.

"Mother and Father mentioned to me that they feel you've been given too much freedom since you've been here, Motoko-han," Tsuruko said in a measured tone.

"So I do have to go back to Kyoto," the younger sister sighed despondently.

"Not necessarily, Motoko-han. There is a phrase that they use when discussing noble families: an heir and a spare."

"Where are you going with this, Aneue?"

"My husband's… preferences are hardly a state secret, Motoko-han. And because of that, it has been suggested that you get married to a suitable man," the married woman explained. "As luck would have it, there is a man in Tokyo that our parents would consider suitable for you."

Motoko swallowed nervously. "H-have you met this man?"

"No," Tsuruko answered. "But I have been told that he is of noble blood, handsome, rich and is skilled at kendo. Of course, there are other men that meet at least two of these criteria in Kyoto."

"…"

"That is assuming that you are interested in men."

"Aneue!" Motoko hissed, her cheeks turning red.

"Now that I think about it, if you are… not interested in men, then it would make sense how your friends coerced you into mistreating Keitaro-san," Tsuruko mused. "Is that the case, Motoko-han? Were you led astray by two man-hating lesbians?"

"W-w-we are not man-hating l-le…. you know," the younger sister spluttered, unable to utter the offending word.

"So if you weren't seduced by your friends, why would you treat a man so badly? I understand why Keitaro-san's presence might upset you here, but to hospitalise him over a couple of misunderstandings? Something is not right here."

Motoko was at a loss for words to come up with a valid explanation for the situation.

"You know," Tsuruko smirked, "I was just wondering what you would have done had I said that I was taking you back to Kyoto for an arranged marriage. Would you have come quietly? Would you be enthusiastic? Would your friends be jealous of your new fiancé? Or would you lie to me, claiming that you already had a fiancé?"

"I… well, it would depend on who it was that our parents were talking to."

"What if it was Tatewaki Kuno that Mother wanted you to marry? He's handsome, from a noble family, rich and skilled at kendo."

"…" The colour drained from Motoko's face as she realised just how much worse things could get.

The Hinata Sou's resident kendoist had heard many stories about Tatewaki Kuno, mainly focusing on his arrogance and fickle nature.

"I see you finally understand how lenient we've been so far, Motoko-han," the married sister said in a deadly serious tone. "But the good news is that my desire to see you happy is as great as my desire for justice. At least, it is at the moment."

At the Hinata Teahouse, the phone started to ring. Haruka casually reached over and picked up the receiver.

"Hinata Teahouse, how may I help you?"

"¬Haruka-san?¬"

"Speaking," the smoker replied. "Wait, is that you, Kanako-chan?"

"¬Yeah… I'm calling from a hospital; I've got some bad news about Granny…¬"

Haruka closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steel herself. "What happened?"

"¬Granny died last night,¬" Kanako said sadly. "¬They're sending me to live with you and Onii-chan at the Inn.¬"

"Ah, about Keitaro…"

"¬Did something happen to Onii-chan?¬"

"It's complicated, Kanako-chan," Haruka said with an audible wince. "It's best if I speak to you in person."

"¬I'll be there as soon as I can, Haruka-san,¬" Kanako declared before hanging up the phone.

Replacing the receiver, Haruka let out a sigh. "Peachy, just peachy. I better tell Keitaro and the others. Mayumi, keep an eye on things, I need to go to the Inn."

"Sure thing."

In Keitaro's room, Haruka sat in front of her nephew and Tsuruko.

"Keitaro, I've got some bad news. Our grandmother died last night."

"W-w-what? Granny Hina is…?" the ronin stammered in shock.

"Kanako-chan just phoned me at the teashop," the smoker explained.

"But… Granny Hina…" Keitaro repeated. "I didn't even see her when I took over and now I'll never see her again."

Tsuruko felt her heart go out to the young man. "Keitaro-san, I… I am sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do to help you at this time, please just ask."

"Thank you, Tsuruko-san," the bespectacled youth smiled weakly. He lifted his glasses off his face and leaned into his hands with a sigh. "I… can I be left alone for a bit?"

Tsuruko looked at Haruka, who nodded. "All right, Keitaro-san, we'll leave you to mourn in private."

"If you need anything, let us know, ok?" Haruka said rubbing Keitaro's head sympathetically.

"Thank you, Aunt Haruka."

Outside Keitaro's room, Tsuruko turned to Haruka.

"I am sorry for your loss, Haruka-san. Do you wish to tell the others about Hina-san's passing now or would you prefer to take some time to prepare yourself first?"

Haruka took a deep breath. "I don't know what to do, Tsuruko-san. I mean, I should tell the others, but it's just now that it's sinking in."

"It is always difficult when you lose a loved one," the kendoist nodded reassuringly. "Would you like me to tell the others for you?"

"Thanks, but I should tell them myself," the smoker smiled weakly.

"Very well, but I'll still sit in when you tell them."

Kitsune lounged on the sofa, trying to act nonchalant up until Tsuruko walked in and glared at her.

"Please give what Haruka-san has to tell you your full attention," the elder Aoyama spoke in an even tone.

Motoko was trying to project a calm aura as she sat beside the other residents. She pondered what could cause her sister to sit in on this important meeting with Haruka.

Naru was sporting a frown as she walked from her room. "I was studying, you know."

Shinobu and Kaolla filed in from the kitchen, the blonde chewing on a banana.

"Is something the matter?" the chef asked.

"I have something important to tell you all," Haruka said as she gestured for everyone to sit down. "I received a phone call earlier that brought me some bad news. Granny Hina passed away last night."

"What?" the older residents chorused.

"But..." Shinobu whimpered.

"I don't know any of the details," the smoker added. "But I do know that Keitaro's sister, Kanako-chan, will be joining us."

"What's Kanako-chan like, Haruka-san?" Tsuruko asked.

"She's..." Haruka paused to let out a small laugh. "She's quite fond of Keitaro. A little overprotective too..."

The conspirators winced, but Kitsune reacted quickly enough to ask a question. "I don't suppose that she needs to know about... you know, does she?"

"I think that it would be most pertinent, Miss Konno," Tsuruko answered sternly. "Do you not consider family to be important?"

"Well, the thing is..." the short-haired girl trailed off, hoping that one of her friends would come to her aid.

"We're already being punished," Naru added.

"There is that," Haruka conceded. "And if Kanako was to find out about anything that had happened here, she'd get worked up and possibly cause trouble for anyone she thought was guilty."

"W-what kind of trouble?" Shinobu asked, her face marred by her expression of fear and concern.

"It's best if you don't know, Shinobu-chan," the smoker said. "You shouldn't be thinking about things like that."

"Oh," Kitsune said, putting together the pieces of this puzzle. "But if you think that it's best if she doesn't know, then we won't tell her."

"How noble of you," the elder Aoyama shook her head. "How noble that you won't be confessing your crimes against Keitaro to his family for fear of the repercussions."

Motoko looked suitably shamed by her sister's comments.

Haruka looked at Tsuruko, who was unapologetic. "But if everyone was to do what they'd been told, then I don't see what would be gained by telling Kanako-chan what's happened, do you?"

"I don't entirely disagree with that, Haruka-san. But should any of you fail to put in your best efforts, I will explain everything to Kanako-chan," Tsuruko warned. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure that you all have much to discuss."

Motoko watched her sister leave the room and sighed. 'Aneue, I'm sorry. I never meant for things to end up like this.'

Keitaro looked up at the door to his room when he heard a knock.

"Who is it?" he asked, trying to compose himself.

"It's Tsuruko," the voice replied. "May I speak with you?"

"... Yes," Keitaro answered. He sniffed, dried his eyes and then blew his nose.

Tsuruko entered, closing the door behind her. She sat in the seiza position, waiting for Keitaro to acknowledge her.

"Is something wrong, Tsuruko-san?"

"Yes," the kendoist sighed. "I... there is something that I feel I must tell you, but I do not know how to. If I don't tell you, I would feel that I was taking advantage of your good nature and just as bad as the others.

"I would be bringing shame on everyone involved."

Keitaro was taken aback by this. He tried to work out what could be causing Tsuruko such a problem. "I-is it because of Motoko-chan?"

"It's complicated, Keitaro-san, and I'm not sure how best to articulate it without making things worse," Tsuruko said with a sigh. "I apologise for bothering you with this at such a difficult time, but you deserve to know so that you're not hurt by my actions."

The bespectacled youth blinked. "J-just what are you trying to tell me, Tsuruko-san?"

The kendoist closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "Keitaro-san, I haven't been able to see the 'terrible monster of a man' that my sister complained about. Instead, I see a young man with terrible luck being hurt by people he thought were his friends. To make matters worse, I find myself increasingly attracted to you."

Keitaro's jaw dropped. "Y-you mean you'd want to...?"

"Were I in Motoko-han's position, I would have supported you in your attempts to enter Toudai. And after I finished my schooling, I would ask about an engagement between us," Tsuruko continued, a light blush appearing on her cheeks. She looked up at Keitaro. "I... I'm sorry for telling you this now, Keitaro-san, but I couldn't remain silent on the matter."

"I... I don't know what to say, Tsuruko-san. I mean, your husband..."

"Please, say nothing, I don't want to cause any more trouble for you," the married woman said, pleading with the ronin. "Please excuse me, I need to attend to something."

"O-ok," Keitaro nodded. When he was left alone, he leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "Wow..."

Motoko swallowed nervously as she saw her sister approach her.

"Aneue, is there something I can do for you?"

"Walk with me, Motoko-han, we have something to discuss," the elder sister said in a stern tone.

The pair walked in silence for several minutes before Tsuruko finally spoke.

"Motoko-han, if I was to say to you that I might have a way out of this for your friends that doesn't involve being Keitaro-san's indentured servants, what would your response be?"

"I... what would it involve, Aneue?"

"You taking responsibility for what happened to Keitaro-san."

Motoko stopped dead in her tracks. "W-what?"

"Don't worry, Motoko-han, it doesn't involve huge debts or the authorities," Tsuruko said reassuringly as she looked over her shoulder. "Tell me, do you really think of Keitaro-san as an unrepentant pervert with an insatiable appetite?"

"Well, there were all the times he tripped up and landed on someone, not to mention all the times he walked in on us when we were changing."

"Do you honestly think that he engineered all of those incidents?"

"..." Motoko thought back to the incidents in question. 'I think that I once saw Kitsune take the sign away from the baths Keitaro walked in on Naru-sempai...'

Tsuruko turned to face her sister. "Motoko-han, answer my question, do you really see Keitaro Urashima as an unrepentant and insatiable pervert? Or is he just a victim of circumstances?"

"Well, I suppose now that I think about it, he was unlucky. But that doesn't mean he didn't enjoy touching any of us!"

"That is true, Motoko-han," Tsuruko smiled. "But I'm glad that you're coming around to see Keitaro-san in a more positive light."

"Just what are you planning, Aneue?"

The married woman's smile turned predatory. "All shall be revealed in good time, Motoko-han."

Keitaro emerged from his room to find Haruka. He knew that she would want to spend some time alone to help deal with the death of their grandmother, but wanted to show her that if she needed him, he'd help her in any way he could.

He walked past the TV room to see Naru and Kitsune stop talking the moment he came into view.

"Keitaro," Naru said, hoping to get him out of the way as soon as possible.

"Naru," the ronin replied before turning away to walk to the teahouse. He let out a sigh as he slowly descended the stone steps.

Knocking on the door of the teahouse, Keitaro announced his presence. "Haruka-san? It's me, Keitaro!"

"Hi, Keitaro, what can I do for you?" Haruka asked, her eyes red.

"Actually, I wanted to ask if I could do anything for you."

The smoker gave a genuine smile. "Thanks, Keitaro, I appreciate it. If I need anything, I'll let you know."

Keitaro smiled back for a moment before his face fell. "Oh crap! I meant to ask earlier, but I completely forgot. Now I feel like a complete jerk for mentioning it now!"

"What's up, Keitaro?"

"Well, you know that Dr. Saotome? Well, he wanted to ask you out for a couple of drinks some time. I told him I'd ask you, but I completely forgot until just now," the ronin said apologetically as he opened his wallet to get the doctor's business card.

Haruka laughed tiredly as she accepted the card. "I just don't know what to say, Keitaro. I'll see how I feel after Kanako arrives."

To be continued...

Pre-read by Chi Vayne, previewed on GenocideHeart's forum, there may be another chapter before too long.