In a private club on Ginza's Central Avenue in Tokyo.
People of all shapes and sizes, dressed in the most bizarre and eccentric attire, came and went. There was a samurai who seemed to have stepped straight out of the Edo period, sporting a chonmage topknot and wearing a traditional hakama. An elderly man with silver hair and a deeply wrinkled face strode about with surprising agility. A child, barely five feet tall and appearing no older than seven or eight, was accompanied by a massive wolf with four eyes and six legs... Of course, to an ordinary person, that "pet dog" would be invisible.
On paper, this was a private club open only to members. In reality, it was the largest underground black market for the jujutsu world in the Tokyo region.
Because the jujutsu authorities strictly controlled the circulation of high-grade cursed tools, this place had become the premier destination for freelance sorcerers to hunt for rare treasures and bolster their own strength.
According to Mei Mei, if luck was on one's side, one could even purchase a Special Grade cursed tool here. Naturally, commensurate with their rarity, the prices of such tools were astronomical. Most people, even if they encountered one, would be unable to afford it even if they spent their entire fortunes—"Which is precisely why we must work harder to make money," she had said, throwing an arm around his shoulders.
As a top-tier freelance jujutsu sorcerer, Mei Mei was a regular at the underground black market. Today, she had brought him along to "broaden his horizons."
"With the help of our Black Bird International company, you will be accumulating a considerable fortune in the future. Learning how to find the right channels for that wealth will be a most important lesson," Mei Mei said.
Ren walked by her left side toward the entrance, where two servers stood waiting. He glanced at the woman beside him. Mei Mei wore an elegant, formal black gown with lace trim. Her shimmering silver hair was neatly pinned back, and a veiled hat dipped low, its brim replacing her usual braid to cover her right eye. The look added an air of profound mystery and sophistication to her already enigmatic presence.
To the right of her stood a young boy in a dress shirt and bowtie. He was glaring at Ren with resentful little eyes, his gaze fixed and unblinking. This was the same boy who had called Mei Mei this morning from the Imperial Hotel's royal suite in Tokyo. His name was Ui Ui, Mei Mei's biological younger brother.
Ren merely offered a faint, unbothered smile in response to the boy's undisguised hostility.
Hmm... Ren could understand the boy's hostility. Boys his age often had a certain "sister complex." If their own sister got too close to another man, they'd feel as if she were being stolen away.
So, Ren calmly accepted the boy's furious glare.
Rewind to this morning.
Ren was lying in the luxurious king-size bed of the Imperial Hotel Tokyo's Royal Suite—or more accurately, lying on Mei Mei's warm, smooth, and enveloping body—after having already "placed his order" with his usual familiarity.
"Oh, this is your sister's good friend, Ren," Mei Mei explained imperturbably in response to the boy's question.
Ren had expected a glare full of resentment and complaint. Instead, Mei Mei simply continued to tease the his chin, even curving her lips into a smile and casting him a flirtatious, enchanting glance.
Then... her long, smooth, jade-like leg lifted high, wrapping around his neck and pressing down on his shoulders, pulling his entire upper body down toward her.
"Good friend?" The boy's voice crackled over the phone, still laced with astonishment.
"Hmm... He's a very important business partner.
Last night... I was discussing a collaboration plan with him. Because it was such a crucial project, we lost track of time and kept talking... until now."
"So, could you please make breakfast for him too, Ui Ui? You'll do this for Sister, won't you, hmm?"
The young boy's voice on the other end of the line had been hesitant, but upon hearing Mei Mei's last words, it immediately turned resolute.
"I understand. I'll do it. But I'm only doing this for you, Nee-sama!"
Mei Mei hung up the phone and gazed down at the man beneath her with a look of affectionate yet slightly helpless tenderness.
"Now I have another adorable 'little brother' to cherish," she murmured, her crimson lips curving into a slight smile, her tone delighted.
"Having cute little brothers is a blessing, but it would be such a headache if they started fighting for my attention."
"So, to save your 'Sister' the trouble later, could you promise me you won't do any more of these naughty things, Ren?"
A muffled, incoherent response came from under the covers.
"Excellent." Mei Mei's smile widened as she stared up at the ceiling, her lips parted slightly. A gleam of delight flickered in her deep, dark eyes, and her breathtakingly beautiful face was locked in a strange mix of excitement and exhaustion.
"Before the official breakfast arrives, please enjoy a little dessert, my dear... *little brother*."
…
After finishing the "Breakfast of Love" Ui Ui had meticulously prepared, they set out for their main event of the day: a tour of Tokyo's largest underground black market, just as Mei Mei had planned.
Following a brief identity check, a waiter led them toward Mei Mei's private booth. The young man bowed respectfully as he walked, greeting them with practiced courtesy.
"Welcome, Miss Mei Mei. Welcome, Mr. Ui Ui."
It was clear they were regulars here. When the man turned to Ren, his greeting lost its smooth, rehearsed flow.
"And you," he said, glancing at the business card in his hand before looking up at Ren. "Black Flash Tyrant, Mr. Ren."
"What?" Ren blinked, wondering if he'd misheard.
Mei Mei pressed a small slip of paper into his hand.
"The company just rushed this business card for you."
Ren looked down and saw a small, square, pearl-white card. Embossed in gold lettering were several large characters:
[Blackbird International Security Co.
Special Technical Consultant
Black Flash Tyrant
Kanzaki Ren]
"I can understand 'Special Technical Consultant,'" Ren muttered, glaring at the card as he walked beside Mei Mei. "But what the hell is 'Black Flash Tyrant'?"
Mei Mei turned to him, a smug smile playing on her charming face. "I just came up with that for you. What do you think? Doesn't it fit perfectly?"
"Since you can land Black Flashes without limit, I designed this title for you."
"...Isn't this a bit too flashy?" Ren took a deep breath.
"Not flashy at all. After all, is there any Jujutsu Sorcerer in this world more skilled at landing Black Flashes than you?"
"Besides, for a freelance Jujutsu Sorcerer, being a bit flashy isn't a bad thing. Unlike at the school, the missions you take on aren't directly assigned by the authorities. Instead, clients choose you based on your reputation and credentials. The more striking and imposing your title, the easier it will be to attract high-paying commissions."
She patted Ren on the shoulder.
"In short, you'll be operating in the freelance Jujutsu Sorcerer world under the name 'Black Flash Tyrant' from now on. This will be beneficial for both you and the company."
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