"It is a pleasure to meet you. I’m Tsukiyama from the HR department of Clan Flash."
"I’m Yamazaki from the HR department of Clan Genesis. I'm very glad to meet you."
"I’m Hayashi from the Akabane Merchant Association's public relations department."
"“Huh?”"
"Eh?"
Both Tsukiyama and Yamazaki turned to Hayashi at the same time, wearing question marks on their faces. They had assumed he was another scout from some unknown clan, and thought they'd simply outmatch him on the conditions they could offer... but instead, he was from the Akabane Merchant Association—completely unrelated to clans and Awakeners. What on earth was he even doing here?
"Could the merchant association guy please back off? We’re here on Awakener business."
"Exactly. What would a regular civilian want with Miss Kogami?"
"Civilian or not, what's wrong with the Akabane Merchant Association approaching a customer in Akabane?"
"Well, that's—"
"Enough."
The three who had started bickering instantly fell silent at Inari’s voice. Even though they came here to negotiate, they had started quarreling right in front of her. Normally, people assigned to scouting or PR were highly skilled in communication. These three were no exception—but caught off-guard by the unexpected situation, they hadn't been able to maintain their usual professionalism.
Even so, they had to recover somehow.
But. Inari was now standing there, hands on her hips, very clearly in "angry mode." You could almost hear the puff puff of her indignation. The three men broke into cold sweat under that pressure.
"Not only didst thou trail after me, but now thou dost squabble in broad daylight on a public street! Are ye not ashamed, grown men, all three of ye? Even one dragged into this mess such as I findeth it disgraceful! Surely, the culprits themselves canst not claim otherwise?"
"N-no, you are absolutely right..."
"Completely as you say..."
"We apologize."
"Hmph. ‘Tis well that thou can at least admit thy faults."
Though her posture remained stern, Inari’s expression softened a little as she followed up with a questioning "And?". But the three just exchanged confused glances. Normally in such a situation, they'd expect the person to demand some sort of compensation. They had met plenty of Awakeners like that before. Yet the air around Inari didn't suggest that at all. So what was she expecting from them?
Unable to stand the silence, Tsukiyama asked.
"Uh, Miss Kogami... may I ask what exactly it is you are seeking from us?"
"What am I seeking, thou ask? Didst thou truly intend to hand me nothing but yon slips of paper and leave without aim?"
"Ah—no, that’s not what I meant—"
"Then what else? Or wouldst thou have me simply leave thee here?"
"N-no! Allow me to properly reintroduce myself! I am Tsukiyama from Clan Flash's HR, and I have come with a scouting offer!"
"I am Yamazaki from Clan Genesis’s HR! Likewise, we hope to recruit you and would love to discuss it in detail!"
"I am Hayashi from the Akabane Merchant Association’s PR. Actually, I was hoping to ask for your help promoting us—"
"Mm-hmm."
Nodding at their explanations, Inari suddenly widened her eyes.
"Fools! Matters such as these ought to be passed through mine affiliated clan first, should they not!? What manner of lunacy is this, approaching me directly!?"
"Ugh…"
They had no rebuttal. It was absolutely correct. Scout attempts were a common thing, but poaching valuable talent could directly impact a clan’s strength. Thus, although not written law, there was a strong "unspoken rule" that clans should obtain prior consent from each other to avoid sparking major conflicts.
Even merchant associations were expected to honor similar etiquette. What Hayashi had done—directly approaching someone affiliated with FoxPhone as their mascot—was akin to bypassing an idol's agency to offer her work personally. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t "illegal," but it was highly frowned upon.
Inari herself didn’t intend to be overly harsh normally. However—when they went so far as to start brawling right in front of her—there was no choice. If breaking the rules resulted in such a mess, then as one responsible, she had no choice but to become a demon—well, a fox, technically—and scold them properly for their own good.
"Truly, I had no wish to make a fuss. Yet, if such commotion must arise, then so be it. Know that I shall not entertain any offers that goeth not through mine clan. Be gone if thou persist otherwise."
"M-Miss Kogami! Please, reconsider—"
"Nay."
"It really is a very good offer, even if you just hear us out—!"
"Ah, then could you at least listen to our propo—"
"Silence!"
Her voice rang out, cracking like a whip. The three flinched and collapsed into sitting positions on the ground.
It had just been a raised voice, surely nothing more. And yet—how could this be?
Even the HR men, not just the civilian Hayashi, were so overwhelmed they fell to the ground. This was not a Skill. They understood that much.
It was... pure power.
"Thou... it seemeth none of thee hath listened to a word I said."
"Ah, no! That’s not—"
"Or dost thou mean to imply thou hadst no intention of heeding me at all, hmm?"
The three realized. Inari might be smiling outwardly—but her eyes were not smiling at all. In fact, she was genuinely angry now—not the earlier cute puff-puff anger, but seriously mad.
In panic, they scrambled to apologize—but Inari instead began to speak more.
"Tell me, know ye of the 'Eight Virtues of Loyalty and Righteousness'? 'Tis from Nanso Satomi Hakkenden, dost thou not know?"
Thus began Inari's lengthy scolding session—which would later be uploaded onto social media and go viral in an instant.
Naturally, Inari herself remained blissfully unaware of any of it.
===========================
Trivia~
"Eight Virtues of Loyalty and Righteousness" (仁義八行, Jingi Hakkō) refers to a concept from a famous Japanese epic novel called 南総里見八犬伝 (Nansō Satomi Hakkenden), written by Kyokutei Bakin between 1814–1842, for over 28 years.
The story is a huge sprawling tale about eight samurai brothers, each embodying one of eight virtues. 仁 (Jin) Benevolence, 義 (Gi) Righteousness, 礼 (Rei) Courtesy / Propriety, 智 (Chi) Wisdom, 忠 (Chū) Loyalty, 信 (Shin) Faith / Trustworthiness, 孝 (Kō) Filial Piety (respect for parents/ancestors), and 悌 (Tei) Brotherly Respect (fraternal duty)
Each of the eight brothers is linked to one of these virtues and bears a bead inscribed with the corresponding kanji. They are all sworn to loyalty and justice, fighting to help the Satomi clan survive and flourish during chaotic times.