dominion

2012

She is the youngest in this room, but she is the center and the zenith.

"With the success of the Tokyo branch, we've decided to expand to Yokohama."

In the last year, she has been able to take a step back. 

"The projected revenue for Q3..."

As her cousin talks, Satoru rereads through the business plan. It's a pet project, a labor of love; Satoru has no problem throwing her lot behind it.

Necessity is the mother of innovation; the inclusion of brilliant minds creates novel ideas. Embracing change and shrugging the shackles of stagnation has brought her success.

This meeting is for their stakeholders; her cousins have already secured their funding.

Satoru inherited a broken empire.

The previous Gojo clan head was a puppet leader who was put into power as a babe. His regent consisted of his mother and a council of three elders. With his installment, the glory the Gojo possessed at the turn of the century steadily declined. The loss of their noble title further impacted their state of entropy; they did not seek prominent roles in the government, nor did they make investments or find lucrative businesses. They invested in themselves, and the family suffered.

The familial wealth became personal wealth. The coffers were depleted, but somehow, the personal wealth of the three council members was overflowing. So destitute was the family; they exploited the defunct primeval feudal system and demanded aid from their vassals. The Kiyooka, Maeda, Hisamatsu, and Higashibōjō hold blood ties to the Gojo; they are auxiliary branches of the Gojo clan. This decision impacted their relations for the next half-century. 

From the political quagmire and tangled web, to the crippling debt, financial quandaries, and familial upheaval, Satoru inherited a broken empire.

She fixes it; her methods are unorthodox, immoral, and ruthless but efficient. 

And that starts with the removal of the old regime. 

Her ascendance began in a period of mourning, but the beginnings of a golden era.  

"That concludes our presentation."

Her cousins bow, and the floor opens for questions. 

Satoru raises her hand.

It might be time to expand to Osaka as well.

---

Tsimiki has a recital this Friday, and Megumi has a sleepover next weekend... Satoru frowns. Did she approve that? Has she had the child's family investigated? Has she met the child's parents? Himatsu Misa did her due diligence, but Satoru is weary. Omega pups are vulnerable without their alpha or omega parent or guardian and susceptible to danger and exploitation. Megumi is strong, but she can't leave her well-being to strangers-

"Satoru."

She grunts and takes a sip of tea. She grimaces, it's cold.

Her mother's lips purse in displeasure, "Were you listening to a word I said?"

Every month, the devil has a long-standing tradition. Tea with her mother and lunch with her father, rarely with both.

She likes these dedicated encounters. It lets her get to know the people who should have raised her.

"One of your college friends is cheating on her husband. You think it's her fault for marrying a beta," Satoru drawls. "Hinata-nee-san's mate is pregnant again, and while you like grandchildren, you prefer quality over quantity. I don't blame you; Hideki is an idiot. Makoto-nee-san keeps blowing off the dates you set up, and the matchmaker is threatening to sever the contract. You also keep mentioning your paternal family when you think I'm not paying attention," She finishes. "You're testing my reaction. Please don't insult my intelligence or waste our time. What's the problem this time?"

"Satoru," He begins delicately, "Higashibōjō Gin's widow and children are threatening to sue his estate. They say the will is fraudulent, and the changes were made under duress."

Satoru is generous; she is benevolent; she should have killed the councilmen, their immediate families, and whoever sought to sow dissent.

She should have reminded them why there are four vassals instead of five.

"Higashibōjō Gin is lucky he died of natural causes," Satoru's smile has too many teeth. "Had he lived, I would have killed him and his immediate family."

Her mother gasps and pales.

"Mother," She says brightly, "Are you satisfied with my vision for the clan? Do you like that we're no longer mocked and derided? Are you happy that your social circle has expanded? Are you content with your monthly stipend? Is your life of leisure no longer fulfilling?"

Her mother splutters, aghast, "No, you've brought us back to prominence; why wouldn't I be happy?"

Her smile becomes a rictus grin. "Really? It doesn't sound like it. It sounds like you're letting gnats buzz in your ear, it sounds like your steel spine becomes weak to begging, it sounds like you're entertaining sedition."

Gray eyes widen and alarm curdles his scent.

"Mother, tell your relatives to drop the lawsuit; tell them to not speak or even think. Every second they live is out of mercy and my love for you. If they plot sedition, I will kill them. They will not go quietly into the night, not like Higashibōjō Gin," Satoru says with little cause to repine. Her mother pales further and grips the low table. "Do you understand me?"

Her mother nods faintly.

"Great! Let's leave on a good note. Do you want to come to Tsumiki's recital on Friday?"

Every month, the devil has a long-standing tradition. Tea with her mother and lunch with her father, rarely with both.

She thinks she'll cut back on tea time.