While Kim Yuseong, I, Rika Takahashi, and Karen Tojo were tearing through Shibuya's Tokyu Department Store on a mission to deck out Karen for her big date, a very different kind of gathering was brewing across Tokyo.
***
In Meguro Ward, at the sprawling mansion headquarters of the Toseikai Yakuza syndicate, top lieutenants were filing into a meeting room, the air thick with solemnity. At the head of the room sat Naoto Tojo, the sixth boss of the Toseikai. Known as "Blood Sea" Naoto, he was a grizzled man with a scarred hand that he rubbed thoughtfully before slamming a fist onto the table. "It seems Karen's got herself a boy she likes."
The room buzzed with murmurs. These weren't just syndicate bosses—they were Karen's surrogate uncles, men who'd watched her grow up like their own daughter or granddaughter. United by their fierce love for the Toseikai heiress, they'd do anything for her—even lose a finger. Officially, this was an "underground meeting," but in truth, it was the Karen Tojo Fan Club, with Naoto, the ultimate doting dad, as president and member #1.
"Some filthy street mutt sniffing around her? No way I'm letting her over to just anyone," Naoto growled, his scarred face twisting. "Sento!"
"Yes, sir!" Osamu Sento, the syndicate's sharp-witted accountant and resident elite yakuza, adjusted his glasses and projected an image onto the wall. "Name: Ryuji Sakamoto. Born October 7. Family includes archaeologist parents and a younger sister two years younger apart. He's a student at Ichijo Academy, mid-tier grades, and has trained at a karate dojo run by his childhood friend's mother since childhood, so his athleticism is solid. Recently, he hospitalized two punks with two-week injuries after a street scuffle."
"Hmph. Pretty boy with some guts, huh?" Naoto muttered, arms crossed. Sento nodded, flipping to the next slide.
"Based on our mole at Ichijo, the Young Miss fell for Sakamoto this past Monday. Those punks he beat were first-year kendo club members. She confronted him about roughing them up, and that's when she got smitten."
"Damn those punks!" Naoto snarled, fists clenched.
"Moving on," Sento said, clicking to a photo of us—Karen's friends—at her mansion. Naoto's eyes narrowed.
"That kid in the back. Built like a tank."
"Yes, sir. Kim Yuseong, a friend the Young Miss brought over. We checked for rival gang ties, but he's just a sports-loving student. No record, and he's a consistent honor student, never missing the top spot in his grade."
"Impressive kid," Naoto mused. "Next."
"The blonde girl is Rika Kishimoto, another friend. Her father's the famous mangaka Sojiro Kishimoto; her mother, Maria Kishimoto, is a part-time French lecturer at Waseda University, fluent in English, French, Japanese, and Korean. Rika was a teen model in Shizuoka with a keen fashion sense, likely the one who taught the Young Miss makeup."
Sento displayed a before-and-after of Karen's glow-up, and the room erupted in awe.
"She was always cute, but now? Adorable!"
"That's our Young Miss—born to shine."
"I knew she'd be a beauty, but this? Wow."
Naoto, however, glowered at the photos. "Quiet. I'm not in the mood."
The room fell silent, sensing his displeasure. Sento quickly switched to a slide of receipts. "Yesterday, the Young Miss requested a visit to a high-end salon. I escorted her; here's the bill. Today, her card shows charges at Tokyu Department Store's clothing boutiques."
Murmurs grew as the lieutenants pieced it together. Karen, who never cared for makeup, suddenly learned it. The girl who used only shampoo and conditioner hit a celebrity salon. The tomboy who lived in uniforms or sweats was shopping for women's fashion. One conclusion loomed.
"The Young Miss is likely planning a date this weekend," Sento said.
"Sakamotooo!" Naoto roared, eyes blazing, ready to gut Ryuji on the spot.
"Boss, please, calm down!" the lieutenants pleaded, restraining him.
After cooling off, Naoto huffed, "Anyone free this weekend, gather here! We're tailing Karen's date to make sure that Sakamoto kid keeps his hands to himself!"
"Yes, sir!" Eight top Toseikai lieutenants, led by Naoto, locked in for Operation: Protect Karen.
***
"Ugh, I'm beat!" Karen groaned, collapsing into a chair at the Tokyu food court's artisanal burger joint. After two hours of shopping hell, we'd scored her date outfit and accessories. Now, we were scarfing down a late dinner.
"I can't even chew anymore," Rika whined, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk as she shoveled fries.
Karen, watching her, spoke softly. "Rika, I mean it—thanks."
Rika waved it off. "Psh, no biggie. Friends do this stuff. I had fun shopping too, so don't sweat it."
"You've been like that from the start," Karen said, chuckling.
She turned to me, tilting her head. "Kim Yuseong, you good with just one burger? I'm paying, so eat up."
I shrugged. "Lunch was heavy, so I'm fine. Plus, I'm more a rice guy than bread."
"If you're still hungry, say so. This is nothing compared to how you helped me."
I'd pegged her as a brash punk, but up close, she's got a thoughtful side. People surprise you when you get to know them.
As I stared, she flushed. "What? Something on my face?"
"Ketchup," I said.
She blushed harder, wiping her face with a napkin. Rika, sipping cola through a straw, piped up. "So, Karen, where're you meeting Sakamoto tomorrow?"
"Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station, 10 a.m.," Karen said.
"Got a date plan?"
Karen nodded. "Hit a café for tea, catch a movie, grab dinner, then split. That's the vibe, right?"
Rika slammed the table, springing to life. "Weak! That's way too basic for a first date!"
"Huh?!" Karen blinked, startled.
"You can't just copy everyone else's playbook to win his heart!" Rika preached. She pulled out her phone, showing a website for Sunshine City's aquarium in Ikebukuro. "Try this instead of a movie."
An aquarium's a solid date spot—romantic, chill, and not far by subway or bus. Meet in Shibuya, then head to Sunshine City, a cultural hub packed with shops and sights like Shibuya. Karen, swayed by Rika's passion, added the aquarium to her plan.
Dinner done, we parted with Karen at Shibuya Station. Exhausted, I boarded the subway with Rika, who plopped next to me and asked, "What're you doing tomorrow, Ryu-chan?"
"Probably chilling with manga," I said.
"Let's stalk Karen!" she chirped.
"What?" I stared, thinking she was joking, but her sparkling eyes screamed serious.
"Look, I've got weekend plans… freedom… rights…"
"Forget Golden Week?" she teased.
Ugh. That autograph's my kryptonite. I surrendered my Saturday. Once I get that signature, Rika, you're toast.
Rika Kishimoto & Kim Yuseong: Stalking Mission Confirmed!
***
Back in my dorm, I sprawled on my bed, brain fried from Shibuya's chaos. Karen's glow-up is unreal—she's gone from kendo gremlin to heroine material. That frilly outfit Rika picked? Ryuji's doomed. But her yakuza dad and his goons tailing the date? That's a plot twist I didn't see coming. Naoto's fan club vibes are hilarious, but if they catch us stalking, we're screwed.
Rika's the real menace. Dragging me into this spy nonsense while holding her dad's autograph hostage—she's a mastermind. Karen's lucky to have her; that aquarium idea's a pro move. But why am I stuck playing navigator, bag-carrier, and now creep?
Tomorrow's gonna be a circus. Karen and Ryuji's date, Maiya probably scheming, yakuza lurking, and us playing spies. This rom-com's spiraling, and I'm just trying to stay an extra.
At least I've got manga to unwind with tonight—unless Rika texts me a last-minute "mission update."