YF - Chapter 8

Riley has barely showered and dressed after the sushi meeting before her phone is already receiving texts with more tasks for her to perform. One of the Yakuza from the meeting liked her so much that, according to this text, he wants her to take care of him as he stays the night as a guest of the Aramaki in the main house.

But before that, Riley has to collect a debt. She’s been given a new suit to wear, and she leaves the house keeping an eye out, but sees no sign of Aki anywhere. The best Riley can hope for is a glimpse of her, but tonight she can’t even get that.

The apartment that she’s been sent to visit is a modest 2DK on the fourth floor of one of Kamurocho’s many tenements that are tucked behind the storefronts and businesses.

Riley knocks roughly on the door.

The young woman who answers has huge glasses, which are crooked. Her hair is a wild mess and an oversized sweatshirt swallows her scrawny body.

“Geck,” she says upon seeing that the visitor is blatantly a Yakuza enforcer.

“You’re due in 3 days,” Riley informs her bluntly. This woman knows this. There is nothing mysterious about a gambling debt. She knows that she owes it and someone must know that she doesn’t have the money, thus the visit from Riley to make sure that she understands.

Before she can reply, a family comes out of the stairwell: a mother and two small children.

The woman in the apartment, whose name is Okuta, smiles and waves at them. The mother politely pretends that Riley does not exist, exchanges greetings with Okuta, and hustles her children into her home and away from the scary Yakuza.

Riley’s about to ask Okuta if she understands the situation that she is in, but another family is coming.

Annoyed, Riley pushes Okuta back into the apartment and follows her in, closing the door firmly.

The place is a mess. This Okuta is a slob. She is also… a manga artist.

“I’ll get the money,” she assures Riley as Riley looks around.

“I know you will,” Riley replies darkly, bending to look at the papers scattered over the table in the front room. Ink, pens, pencils, and various supplies are everywhere. She sees letters from major magazines. Okuta is employed. “You should have money.”

“It’s writer’s block,” the small woman says pitifully. Then she gives Riley a strange look. “I just need some inspiration to finish so I can be paid.”

Riley turns and takes a closer look at the papers. It’s explicit yuri hentai about tough girls bullying innocent girls.

“You owe money and you want to ask me for a favor?” Riley asks her in a dangerous tone. She shrinks back. Riley looms over her. She could give this woman the inspiration that she needs, but as a Yakuza she should punish her harshly for her lack of respect. Punishment is correct, but inspiration will increase the probability that this woman will actually be able to pay what she owes.

It seems simple enough to do both.