Birthday party

I woke up the next morning in slight pain because of my wounds, but I've had worse and shrugged it off. The reason I didn't really use the nano-stem substance is because even me, the inventor of the solution, has limited access to it. Hell, I've only got about six vials on me, that I save for emergency use. The piano that I got for one of the vials I considered a once in a lifetime opportunity... guess that sounds like an emergency use.

After I replaced my bandages, I made sure they couldn't be seen so Raku wouldn't be worried. *Raku should have already left for school... let me see if Ryu and the guys have anything planned.* I thought making my way to the mess hall.

Rei: "Ryu! Did you guys plan anything for today?"

Ryu: "We bought some balloons, and a big 'Happy Birthday' banner. The cake should be here in about two hours. " he spoke while still ordering the other yakuza on how to decorate the hall.

Rei: "Good job Ryu, but about the gifts... what did you guys get him? I'm on my way to get him some kitchen knives, and perhaps a new recipe book."

Ryu: "I see, that's a good idea. I got him an apron and a collection of foreign spices."

After making sure that my gifts and Ryu's won't overlap, I took the bike out to the nearest shopping mall. I searched the entire place, until I found a beautiful collection of three steel knives. Each knife had a a unique hilt, and looked like quite the quality. The price seemed to agree, costing a bit too much for a set of knives but making a perfect birthday gift.

I bought some gift wrapping and quickly left for home to help Ryu with the organising. Riding my bike back, I was startled by a sound I didn't hear for about 10 years...

*Ding*

*What the actual fu-... nothing for that much time and out of the blue you issue me a quest...*

<Mission: Protect the carriage>

<Mission description: a carriage carrying a damsel in distress is trying to escape pursuers. Make sure the lady is safe.>

<Mission rewards: 3 gacha tickets>

Rei: "Where do I even find th-"

I was cut off by the sound of horses neighing from behind me. *I swear that horses aren't supposed to run this fast* I thought as the carriage actually caught up with my superbike. On top of the carriage stood an old man in full butler attire, who seemed like he was trying to tell me something.

Old man: "I... so....f..." I couldn't hear what he was saying so I slowed down a little. "I'm sorry, but the protection the Young Miss comes first" he shouts as he soon overtakes me.

Behind the carriage, making its way to the side was a Jeep with about three people. I'm now in between the carriage and the jeep, but one of the people in the jeep aims a hand-gun at me, making me accelerate and take cover on the left side of the carriage as they are now also caught up but on the right. Inside of the carriage, I notice a young beautiful woman; long pink hair, a voluptuous body and with a very cute face. She looks between me and the Jeep next to her, thinking that I'm also one of the pursuers.

*Goddamit... I'm so sorry...* I apologised to my bike for the stunt I thought of pulling. Grabbing Raku's wrapped up gift in one hand and removing my helmet with the other, I balance myself on top of the bike and jump towards the carriage.

*Thump*

I landed on the roof of the moving carriage on my feet, trying to balance myself with Raku's gift still in my hand as I lost grip of my helmet.

The pursuers in the jeep smashed open the carriage door, and one of them is attempting to step inside. This proved to be very difficult, as the old man driving the coach pulled by horses was moving it left and right to try and evade the pursuers.

Using the momentum provided by the swinging of the carriage, I jumped again, kicking one of the men out of the jeep and taking his place. There were now two remaining, one on my right and the one driving the Jeep.

The one to my right pulled out a gun, but I reacted quicker and *crack*... I decided to snap the arm at the elbow. He looked horrified at the state of his limb, releasing a howl because of the unbearable pain. That didn't last long as I elbowed him in the neck, cutting his respiration for a few minutes. The one driving the jeep is now in a state of complete panic, looking back toward me and towards the road.

I get him in a tight headlock from behind, while he struggled to break free by trying everything, from turning his head to scratching my arm with the hand that wasn't holding the wheel. In a few moments he passed out and before the car was about to crash I stood up, grabbing the steering wheel and placing the driver in the free seat next to him. I saw that the carriage slowed down at this point, almost coming to a halt so I stop the car as well.

*ding* <Mission complete, awarding host 3 gacha tickets>

While smiling at the rewards,I take the two remaining men out of the car and drag them with me toward the carriage. I had a place to be after all so the old man can deal with them.

Old man: "Thank you for your assistance young man! This lowly old man will not forget about your bravery!" He spoke whilst performing a respectful bow as the young lady in the carriage got out, and is walking towards me.

The girl: "Thank you for saving me sir. My name is Hazelrink Charlotte, but you may call me Charlotte." I got a better look at this girl, and thought that she is one of the most beautiful women I've seen in my entire life. Snapping out of my short awe that she did not seem to notice, I decided to introduce myself.

Rei: "You are very welcome Charlotte, my name is Ichijo Rei." When she shook my hand, my sleeve moved up a bit revealing my tattoos. She didn't notice them, but I'm sure that the old man did, as he was looking at me now with a wary gaze.

Old man: "Those are quite the tattoos you have there young man... and at such a young age. You wouldn't be yakuza... now would you?" He narrowed his gaze at me.

Rei: "You are absolutely right, I am Yakuza. But I am also on my way to my brother's birthday, so if you can excuse me." I placed the two men still in my hand on the floor, and made my way towards the jeep since my original ride... yeh... let's not talk about it. I placed Raku's gift on the passenger seat and drove past the carriage in quite the rush, leaving a Charlotte gazing in the distance, in the direction that the car just took.

Old man: *Why are good girls always going for the worst of men...* he released a sigh, seing how the young miss was clearly quite smitten.

-1 hour later-

I arrived at the clan mansion just an hour before Raku was supposed to be here, finding the dining hall prepared for the party. I place my gift in the huge pile of other gifts, and find Ryu to check if everything was in order.

Rei: "Ryu! Everything going according to schedule?"

Ryu: "Yep, everything is ready, we are just waiting for master Raku and his friends to arrive." He spoke with a bright smile on his face.

Rei: "Good...now listen... there's a jeep parked outside. I want you to get one of the boys and tell him to get rid of it." I spoke while trying to avoid his eyes.

Ryu: "A Jeep? Why is there a.... sir, what happened to the bike?"

Rei: "Well, I encountered a certain situation.... where the removal of the bike was necessary. I'm sorry Ryu." I'm still avoiding his eyes, which I knew were pretty moist right now.

Ryu: "It's fine sir... it was only a gift after all..." he spoke with a pretty depressed expression.

I chose to escape this moment, going up to my room to check out my rewards.

Rei: *Use the 3 lottery tickets*

<Using the 3 gacha tickets... loading....

<*ding* Following items received: Complete Painting Mastery, World Class Trumpet skills, World Class Racer skills.>

Rei: *Goddamn... every single one is an absolute bless...* He thought with a yawn, as he was pretty fatigued after the carriage incident and decided to take a nap before Raku would arrive.

-1 hour later-

Raku and co arrive at the mansion which is surprisingly in complete silence. Raku sees that the door is unlocked and steps inside...

Rei and the guys: "Surprise!! Happy birthday Raku/Young master!"

Raku was startled at first, but that soon changed into a warm smile as all of his friends started to get out their gifts for Raku. The party went extremely well, the food was delicious and the cake was sublime. I noticed that Mikoto was giving me subtle glances every now and then, but would quickly avert her gaze as soon as my eyes met hers. Other than that, the party went as expected and Raku was completely ecstatic with my knives.

As the party continued until the late evening, Raku's friends had to go as they didn't want to worry their parents, while me,Ryu and the other guys packed up the stuff.

Issei: "Rei, come here. I want to discuss something with you in private."

He lead me to his office, and he poured two cups of sake.

Issei: "I've discussed matters with the Bee Hive Gang's boss, and we've come to an agreement. You will find out tomorrow, around the same time that Raku's school finishes. Also, about Raku and school." He hands me the cup before he continues. "It seems that he isn't doing so well at school, so I've decided to ask the best of the best to help him. Rei, the teacher interviews start tomorrow at nine o'clock sharp. Don't be late." He downs his drink in one go, and turns towards the desk to some paperwork.

Rei: "Alright, I understand." I nod my head, not really thinking too much about it. I came back home, and I don't really want to spend my days idly. Helping out my brother with school is a bonus.