He had often wished his older sister, Asumi, had been able to become the family heir, but as she had not only been born mute but was also female, tradition dictated that she could not inherit the family business as its head. Roka had resented this fact ever since he had learned of it, especially because he loved and respected his sister and strived to be like her ever since they were little, but there wasn't much he felt he could do in the face of his parents or centuries of tradition. So, as with most things he did to please his family, he went along with it despite his reluctance.
Many of the people at the convention were older men and women around his parents' age or older, so although he was 27, Roka hadn't really seen or met very many people in his age bracket or younger. Not until he was heading out of a conference that had just ended to get lunch and noticed a youthful-looking brunet who seemed to be alone. Maybe he wasn't alone, but at least at that moment there didn't seem to be anyone else around him, so Roka decided to go up to him in order to introduce himself - not for the sake of business, but out of curiosity and interest.
"Hello," he greeted with a smile and a wave. "Roka Toshiro. Heir to Toshiro Industries in Japan. May I ask if you're with anyone here?"
Flint was attending actually dressed in the top-end suit he reserved only for the business world -- attending conventions and meetings with CEOs and Board Members and - ugh - the odd politician sniffing for campaign donations. Flint was here only on strict necessity. He wanted to secure the last few brand deals with some of the larger companies and finalize the sourcing of some of the materials for his new store in Destiny City - he was determined to provide all bodies and all people access to quality, comfortable clothing - and he was walking through the hall looking almost like he was Secret Service and not the youngest CEO present, as far as he knew. Allegedly. He honestly just wanted a break. He'd slipped away from some business partners from other companies whom both knew his mission, supported him for his sound business plan, and respected his identity choices, and was walking for the restaurant that was close by that frankly he felt was probably hoping to be overhyped when he spied Roka looking... Oh he looked uncomfortable and Flint averted plans, turning and approaching with a genuine concerned look.
"Hey, you look completely uncomfortable. Are you alright? Do you need a drink of water, or...?" Flint asked. He didn't care how new Roka might be -- he knew some of these people weren't going to have the basic decency to check on someone if it didn't somehow serve them and it irked Flint to know that... So he would.
Roka stared. He knew it was rude, so he quickly looked away, but he was so stunned that the stranger would be so concerned about his comfort and what he needed - especially an American stranger, or at least what seemed to be an American stranger - that he was actually speechless for a few seconds.
"I...I'm sorry, I didn't realize I looked uncomfortable," he answered hesitantly, his smile turning apologetic. Maybe he didn't have as good a poker face as he thought he'd developed. Drat. "Actually...yes, water would be nice. Um...do you know where we might be able to get some...? A nearby water fountain or a restaurant, perhaps...?" The young man had seemed to be headed on his way out when Roka had approached him, anyway. Maybe he had been about to go get some lunch.
"Ah, don't feel bad!" Flint waved patiently. "Not everyone here is some soulless CEO out to profit first." Flint grinned, winking warmly. "I was actually heading to lunch nearby to see if the restaurant was good or just overpriced. I'd be happy to buy you lunch.": Flint smiled, doing some mental calculations before bowing in a respectful Japanese manner. He was guessing, largely from Roka's accent and appearance, and if he wasn't polite, Siv alone might come for him with one of her LARP props.
"My name's Flint. Flint Roland of the Roiland Fashion Company and owner of Silk Moth. It's delightful to meet you." Flint beamed kindly. He hoped it was kind. "Is this your first time?"
Roka had to laugh at that. "Is...is that what you think of everyone here?" he asked. He wondered if he thought the same of him, though he felt himself blush when the other young man - was he a CEO, then? - winked at him. Then he heard the offer to buy him lunch and quickly shook his head.
"Oh - thank you, but I'm perfectly capable of buying my own lunch," he assured the stranger, not wanting him to think he was looking for handouts. "I would be...happy to accommodate you, though, if you would allow me. I...don't really know anyone here, I'm afraid, being from overseas."
He blinked repeatedly in surprise when he was bowed to in the traditional Japanese manner before bowing back the same way. Did the young man know he was Japanese? He must have, considering how Roka thought he must have stuck out like a sore thumb. His blush increased as he grew more embarrassed.
"Flint Roland? O-Oh, a pleasure to meet you, Flint!" Roka was quick to respond, annoyed with himself for forgetting his manners. "I'm so sorry; I'm Roka Toshiro; the only son and heir to Toshiro Industries. We're not very well-known here yet, since we originated in Japan, but I'm hoping to change that soon."
When he was asked if it was his first time, Roka sighed and tucked a stray lock of hair behind one ear. "...Is it that obvious?" he asked with a sheepish little smile.
"Mmm. My opinion is case by case. A couple CEO friends, some acquaintances, some I can't abide on morality grounds. Ethics are important to me." Flint explained. He looked...red. "I always felt those of us with wealth should act responsibly and take care of those beneath us. And there's good business in it, too. A happy, healthy, well-paid employee is harder working if treated respectfully, which benefits everyone in the company, you know?" Flint shrugged shyly.
He blinked a moment, head tilting. He actually didn't want to be rude. Or offend, and blinked, curiously. "You sure? Alright. But I owe you a treat later." Flint smiled again. "Don't worry. New cultures can be rough, I'm happy to help."
Flint's ears pricked at 'Japan', face lighting up and he fished his phone out rapidly.
"Japan? Hold one. I actually have someone... Let me..." Flint typed a quick message, wending it off to Siv.
A good minute later the reply came in all caps English initially then...amusingly, in hiragana and kanji keyboard smashing ending in a rapid English, 'ARE YOU ACTUALLY SERIOUS?! THEY'RE KNOWN INJAPAN F--' Flint sighed, chuckling and put his phone away. "Alright. Sorry Roka. Mr. Toshjiro? Whichever you prefer? One of my friends grew up half her life in Kyoto so I felt it worth asking for information." A pause. "And she's losing her mind, which is entertaining if I'm honest, and don't apologize. It's no trouble, I just wanted to check for an idea of your family business and the like. Her dad has a cyber security firm. I'm negotiating a modelling contract with her sister as freelance. Actually, she, a friend of mine named Ezekiel, and I were in Kyoto for Hanami back in March-April, it was wonderful." Flint blushed himself, smiling shyly.
"As for obvious, it is a little, but only because I pay attention. If you want, after lunch I can help you meet some of the people in your industry, assuming your family plans to establish a branch in the States." A pause. His head tilted.
"And I mean. I'm working on a new store, depending on details? If you are interested in sharing. Look, I understand if this is odd or different, I usually work with suppliers through interpreters, if you want me to call someone in--"
He didn't mind asking Siv to help navigate! She understood the culture; he was a foreigner! ...Actually, she said so was she, raised in it or not, based on cultural norms, but...
Roka nodded and listened as Flint spoke, curious and intrigued. Flint seemed like a very interesting person. Despite his having approached Roka first and seeming very passionate about certain things, he also seemed quite shy and his complexion was very flushed as he spoke. Roka couldn't help but find it quite endearing. "I agree about those with wealth and power needing to act responsibly and having a duty to help the less fortunate," he stated. "As well as what you're saying about it being good business. Happy employees and a happy work environment make for a much better business."
Chuckling when Flint asked if he was sure about treating him, Roka nodded. "Yes, thank you. I would feel indebted to you and we've only just met. You don't owe me anything!" he assured him, laughing. "Thank you for your offer to help and your understanding. Do you mind me asking how old you are, Flint? You said you're 'of the Roland Fashion Company' and that you own 'Silk Moth'. Are you a CEO yourself?"
When the other young man heard him mention Japan and commented on it, Roka tilted his head slightly. "Hmm?" He waited as Flint sent a message to someone and then got a message back before putting his phone away.
"Oh, please, just 'Roka' is fine!" he laughed sheepishly. "'Mr. Toshiro' is far too formal for my taste, especially if we're going to be friends. Which I'd really like to be, if you don't mind," he added with a shy smile of his own. "Would you rather I call you Mr. Roland?" He was so nervous and flustered himself, he only just realized he had introduced himself twice. Then again, he doubted Flint had heard him the first time, so that was probably fine. They both seemed like nervous wrecks.
"Kyoto? Oh, that's amazing!" Roka exclaimed happily. But then he blushed again when Flint said that his friend was losing her mind after he asked about his company for information. "Cyber security? How cool! And a modeling contract? Wow, you really do have a lot of connections, don't you?"
He chuckled. "Ahh, that must have been nice. I miss Hanami," he said upon being told about their trip. "I'm so glad you enjoyed it, especially with your friends."
Blinking in astonishment after Flint offered to help introduce him to some of the people in his industry after lunch, he asked, "You would...do that? Are you sure? What can I do for you in return? Ah...do you happen to know anyone in music technology? You said your business is in fashion, right?"
The last few comments had him a little confused, though. "I'm sorry, interested in sharing what? A...store?"
"Exactly! And a happy business is better quality. People notice when the quality dips." Flint sighed, recalling the response when his parents died. He'd been... Conflicted, and it affected business for a few months until Flint decided to do things his way - people over mass profit. Someone who agreed? Was a good business partner.
"I am owner and CEO of the entire business, correct." Flint nodded, straightening.
"Fair enough. I'm..." Flint turned red. "Flint is fine. As for my message ah,. forgive me. A friend of mine spent half her life in Kyoto, so I figured I'd get her help assessing a few things." But Flint offered a sincere smile. "Her name's Siv. Adopted herself but her family is from Kyoto. I have a feeling she'd love to meet you sometime. And-- Flint is fine. The only people whom use Mr. Roland are my employees unless it's a check-in."
Because Flint didn't want a gap if something came up. He also showed Roka the text from Siv. A lot of 'YOU WHAT' and keysmashing by phone.... In English and random Kanji.
"Siv does work at Best Buy, I think. But I can see if she can help if you need it with anything like documents some time. I'll pay her. Even if she gives me a ration of s**t. She's daughter of a security company owner." Flint didn't know details. But now he was excited. A friend! And he winked.
"Though be careful. I try to take care of my friends. I hope you like travel and the like." Flint was beaming, wide.
After a moment, Flint blinked, realizing--
"OH. My age! I turned 21 on the first of June! Sorry, I..." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, ears turning red.
"I got excited. Most of my friends at these things are older than me."
"They do indeed," Roka agreed at the comment that people noticed when quality dipped. He himself noticed Flint's sigh and wondered if there was a story behind that comment, but thought it might be prying too much to ask. Perhaps another time once they got to know each other a little better.
"Really?!" he asked in astonishment when Flint had confirmed himself as the owner and CEO of his business. "But that must be a huge business! And...you're running it all on your own? Is your family not helping you?"
He nodded at the statement that calling him Flint was fine, though he wondered why it made him turn red. "Understood. Flint it is, then."
Then Roka smiled when he was asked to forgive him. "Not at all! I completely understand why you would want to do that. Siv, is it?" He made a mental note regarding the name. "I would love to meet her, too! Does she live in Destiny City?"
He looked over the text that Siv sent before putting a hand over his mouth, his face turning beet red in embarrassment. "Oh, uh...sorry about that," he apologized to Flint with a nervous laugh. "It doesn't feel like we're that big a deal...in fact, I'm sure your company is more famous than ours. But I'm flattered she seems to know us so well!"
When Flint offered to see if Siv could help Roka, he clasped his hands together gratefully and said, "Thank you, Flint. That would mean a great deal. I'll be sure to pay you and her back as well, whether financially or otherwise."
And then Flint winked at him. Roka's blush worsened, but he smiled shyly back.
"'Be careful'?" he asked timidly. "Is there something I should worry about...? You sound extremely generous; if anyone should be careful, it sounds to me like you should be or you might end up giving away your whole fortune!"
He was 21?! "Ah...I'm not surprised," Roka admitted when Flint declared his age. "That's quite young to be the owner and CEO of your own company no matter much help you may or may not have running it."
"My parents are... Deceased." Flint admitted. "I have no siblings, regrettably, either. My mother inherited it from her uncle when she was having me." Flint explained, shrugging. "There was a lot of paperwork, including with the labor board for it or something too." Flint didn't know why, only that it was a family business.
"Siv? Sher's big into gaming and tech. I'd be delighted to introduce you. She's living with her parents...I think our mutual friend Zeke - Ezekiel - is living there too. He's in Uni. We were all in Kyoto for Hanami, actually." Flint beamed. He had no idea Roka knew Zeke. Or Susanoo, or...well. He'd probably be vibrating.
"Oh...I'm so sorry to hear that," Roka said, looking apologetic. "Both about your parents and not having siblings. And that's quite a lot to inherit, especially so young. Congratulations on managing to keep the business running even now."
He smiled and dipped his head gratefully when Flint said he'd be able to introduce Roka to Siv. "Thank you. That sounds really nice. And yes, I think you just mentioned going to Kyoto for Hanami; you said it was back in March or April, right?" He chuckled. "I'm glad you had a wonderful time."
Watching the others leave the building, Roka asked, "Want to get lunch together, Flint? I'm getting a little hungry."
"Mmm! Thank you. I try to share with others. It's...way too much." Flint smiled. "And ahh... Sorry. It was my first time in Kyoto proper since most business happens in Tokyo, we were staying with her family - Siv's - and it was lovely!... I really enjoyed it. Perhaps next year we can all go together. I can pay first class for everyone, or something." Flint could afford the jet. He didn't want to. Those flight crews worked hard.
"Lunch! Lunch is amazing. I have a feeling we'll be talking a lot today, if you're okay with it." Flint smiled, offering an arm politely.
"Don't be sorry! I can tell you were passionate about that trip," Roka laughed. "I'm really glad that you enjoyed it so much. And thank you, you're terribly generous, but if you aren't careful, someone might take advantage of that generous, giving nature of yours."
The silver-haired young man beamed at the brunet. "Of course I'm okay with it! Come on, let's go find some food so we can chat over lunch," he urged, making an inviting gesture as he went to head toward the building's exit.
When Flint offered his arm, however, he blushed and took it. "Thank you, Flint. I'm glad I got to meet you today. That's one good thing to come out of this boring convention, at least."
Eos Galvus
((The End))
