With a flash of golden light, Emeric reappeared in Motohama's place, holding a golden mask. A small mental effort, and a normal Japanese schoolboy "emerges" from the mask. Unconscious, but whole.
«Hmm," Emeric stretched his neck and checked his body to reassure himself. I didn't want to catch any side effects, like another sick fetish of this not-so-humble guy.
Emeric stuck his hand into subspace and pulled out a wad of Japanese yen, which he immediately stuffed into the pockets of his 'victim'. Some sort of compensation for the inconvenience caused. Motohoma needed it as a simple GPS to get to this area and check Solomon's Mask at the same time. Incidentally, he wouldn't remember what happened to him, or rather, he would remember something completely different. Solomon's Mask, as a deep penetration tool, had built-in functions for "consequences". That is, what the "victim" would remember after what happened. One could leave the memories, including the fact of the "captivity", or make it appear as if the victim had thought of doing such a thing himself, but in such a case no one insured the wearer against suspicions that might themselves surface in the victim. He opted for a simple "switch", that is, he mixed in his memories and "flight" and a lot of other things. In short, he did whatever it took. Motohama has served his function. No, he still needs him to come back.
To be honest, it was not the most pleasant experience after using this artifact. The victim and the master were too much merged, their thoughts were confused, but still he was the one who was driving. In general, it was better not to use it often. It was good that he wouldn't need the mask in the future operation. He could do it on his own.
A large old Japanese-style manor was just visible nearby. Emeric began to use the power of destruction, which began to seep through the magical defenses in invisible, almost harmless streams. Wisdom allowed him to bypass any defenses and quietly, one might even say single-handedly, penetrate the minds of the few guards along with the inhabitants.
Emeric walked calmly onto the property and headed inside the house. As he expected, absolutely no one stopped him, as if they didn't see him in front of them. Periodically, already in the house, he turned his head with interest and looked at various pieces of art, of course, only of Japanese origin. Every touch of this halo of habitat was imbued with pride in his culture.
In general, Japan is an amazing country. The highest standard of living, one of the highest average life expectancy, a strong economy, and many details that make this country one of the most, you could say, wealthy. All of these factors without a doubt make this country great, but.... Again, things have not been easy with her.
Why is Japanese culture so different from others? Why has it attracted all other countries with its exoticism? And how different is the mentality of the Japanese from everyone else?
There's a bit of history to start with. During the period called "Sakoku", which was introduced by Takugawa and lasted from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century, Japan was completely isolated. It should be noted that Japan, due to its island geography, was not the most travel-friendly country at that time, but the purposeful isolation only made it worse. For two hundred years, this country had almost no contact with others and boiled in its own cauldron. This was one of the most important factors that formed such a different mentality.
Many have heard, about the many peculiarities of etiquette, bowing, honorees, attitude towards elders, ignoring others and so on. Their workaholism, their corporate culture, the ways of the samurai and blah blah blah. In general, the Japanese were very different from most people.
That's why a certain conservatism was so strong in them. No, it's not about nationalism or racism, but.... From their side, many foreigners do behave like barbarians. Of course, in the last century this point has smoothed out a bit, but it is still difficult to communicate with a person who thinks in completely different categories.
And the Himejima clan, which was already a representative of conservatism and national pride, elevated this point to the absolute. A strict upbringing, in the spirit of old Japanese traditions, played a decisive role.
That's why Shuri's departure and marriage to a fallen angel displeased her clanmates so much. In their eyes, she had dishonored herself and dishonored the clan. That's why, despite Suo Himejima's order to simply capture her, the conflict had reached a murderous level.
Naturally, that doesn't excuse them. It's just that Emeric, as always, was trying to sort out cause and effect. A kind of simulator to keep the mind sharp.
Emeric carefully closed the shoji, paper door behind him. Right in front of him, on a futon, a Japanese mattress, sat a Japanese man in his late teens. About sixty years old, and with gray in his temples. Wisdom, which had ceased to ruffle, gave unmistakable signals. This was his current victim. The perpetrator of Akeno's mother's death.
«What's to be done with you? - Emeric mumbled, squatting down beside the old man. He put his palm on the old man's forehead and tried to use Wisdom. It didn't want to work correctly in this case, but it was giving out some facts.
He was not remorseful over the death of his niece. Rather, he was more angry that they had lost so many trained ommeji because of that oversight.
Inner pride prevented him from somehow sympathizing even with his great-uncle granddaughter ... He was sure of his right....
«Hmm," Emeric snorted and snapped the old man's neck in one vicious motion. He didn't even have time to make a sound, only a crunching sound that announced his demise. He had originally planned to think of it as dying in his sleep, but....
I couldn't contain my temper and decided to eliminate this proud old man in a showy manner. He didn't deserve to die peacefully in his sleep. The snapped neck will be a perfect epitaph for this collection of all the hardened stereotypes about the conservatism of any culture.
«Rest in peace, Shuri Himejima.... - Emeric whispered and looked around. But he shook his head and walked away to his GPS.
The option to just tear the place apart had come up, but Wisdom, stupid as she was, had said that the clan's general course had long since changed. Suo was the result of his era, and the clan was now ruled by his daughter, who sympathized with Shuri. Oh, and Akeno loved... A touching reunion wasn't in his plans, at least not until the investigation into the old man's death hit a dead end. But he made a note of it. He didn't want to have anything to do with the Japanese clans, but Akeno might want to meet her aunt, who she kind of liked.
No need to massacre those who had no part in it. He was not an unfeeling killer, but whoever dared to offend his family would pay dearly for it.
This is how the head of one of Japan's five major clans was quietly and ordinarily murdered. Suo Himejima is dead.
*****
«Your mom... - Emeric looked Akeno solidly in the eye. - Completely avenged...
The details of the whole incident were unnecessary. With some sixth sense, Akeno understood the full meaning of the words.
Akeno, unable to hold back her tears once again hugged him and began to wail:
«Thank you... thank you.
Many would say that revenge is not always the right way. That the old man could have been left alone. And it is necessary to find the strength not to look back, and it is better to just talk and part in peace. Naturally, somewhere at this point will turn on a touching soundtrack and go memories from the good past. But...
Tell that to the little girl who saw her own mother murdered in front of her eyes. It's easy to judge other people's actions and feelings when it doesn't concern you. But Akeno didn't need redemption or forgiveness.
She needed revenge. She needed the simple fact that those responsible for her beloved mom's death were dead. This isn't a story about forgiveness. It's a story about payback, to just move on. To finally let go of the grudges against her father and try to reconnect. We all, deep down, long for reconciliation.
«After the peace summit," Emeric wiped away Akeno's tears with his hands. - We can organize a picnic or something similar... Should we invite your father?
Akeno, after thinking for a moment, kissed him on the lips and nodded with a small smile.
You don't have to jump right in. You can move slowly, step by step, building relationships and getting to know your family again.
Emeric nodded back in relief.
«That's fine.
*****
«Let me summarize it all... - Sona fixed her glasses with a sigh and stared at the confused schoolboy. - You were abducted by... by aliens?
«Yes, kaicho! - Motohama nodded furiously.
«And as... some kind of compensation," she said the words in syllables, not quite believing what was happening. - They left you a bundle of money and a bar of gold, didn't they?
«That's right!...
With an agonized groan, Sona covered her eyes. The author's handwriting was all too recognizable. She'd never considered herself an idiot, so she quickly put two and two together.
«Uh, kaicho," Motohama carefully inserted his own question. - I won't have to do a month of community service, will I...?
«Two months! - Disregarding his cries of protest, Sona ruled. She hadn't forgotten the fiasco with the "miscalculation" of her parameters. Her breasts were a little bigger! - Damn you, Emeric!
***
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