Seoul Kitchen: Chapter 39 (Patreon)

Into the Tyger's Den

Jig-Jig Street was probably the seediest part of Japantown. Located just a stone throw away from the Market, where one could fill their stomach, this was where one satisfied their carnal desires. With neon signs boldly advertising their service and dolls plying their trade at every corner, they weren't shy about what they offered.

Normally, he'd stay clear of this place, not out of principle, but for his own safety. He wasn't about to fool around the place which the Tyger Claws called their own. This time however, he was here to meet with the powers that be. The Local Tyger Claws finally accepted his request for an audience and now, it was time for him to make his pitch.

Clutching his bag as he walked down the infamous red street district, he felt on edge even with Rebecca and Maine's crew accompanying him. Maybe it was just his nerves talking, but there was something about how the doll's and enforced eyed them. It's as if they were watching their every move, stalking them like their namesake, and waiting for just the right moment.

Whatever the case was, he kept his eyes forward, and his pace steady as they passed them by. He couldn't afford to show weakness, not when whatever happens here could decide the future of the Cherry Blossom Market, but his own as well. There was no room for second guessing, all there was to do now was act.

As they approached the meeting place, Maine warned them, "Last chance to back out." Stopping before the entrance of the Pachinko Parlor, the man eyed the guards warrily before asking them, "Are you two sure about this?"

Chef had asked that question himself so many times. This was it, the Tyger Claws were willing to talk, but were they ready? Was he ready? As he glanced towards his output, she stared back, squeezing his hands before nodding. It was now or never.

Feeling his shaking hands grow steady, he looked back at the shop before answering, "Yeah." Glancing towards the familiar guards, they nodded before stepping aside, welcoming him to their den. The voice in the back of his head screamed, but pushed it back to its little corner. "It's either them or the Corpo's and I'd rather take my chance with them," He told his friend.

It was fucked up that he realied on the Tyger Claws, but that was just the reality in this world. You simply had to find people you trust and the Corpo's were not on the top of that list. He only had to look at Toga to know what they could do to him.

Snorting, Maine replied, "Fair enough." Pulling on Pillars collar and tugging him away from the embrace of a doll, he gestured at a nearby bar, "We'll wait out here while you two meet with Wakako." Looking him in the eyes, the man told him, "If anything happens, you know what to do."

Nodding back, he replied. "Thanks Maine, I owe you one." They weren't just here as a show of force, but people he and Rebecca could trust to pull them out if things went south. The chances were slim and the odds against them, but it was better than none.

Grinning, he teased the man, "Just call me when you two need your wedding cake done, ok?" As Maine blinked and Dorio slipped a hand around his arms, he chuckled. He was definitely looking forward to these two getting married.

Rolling his eyes, Maine chuckled before waving them, "Yeah yeah. Just so long as you invite me to yours." With Rebecca smiling and wrapping her hand around Chef's arm, they slipped away from the group and entered the parlor.

Passing by the flashing lights of the machine and the patrons hooked to the rush of gambling, they slipped to the back rooms, before being stopped by a guard. Raising a brow at the extra security tonight, he approached the man and told him, "We're here to see the Wakako."

Searching through his message folders, Chibi Kiwi tossed it across the man before their eyes lit up. "She told me to give you this," He added as the man's eyes scanned across the message. Nodding in satisfaction, he motioned him over as he parted the curtains to the office, "Follow me."

As Chef stepped inside, the man stepped in front of Rebecca and blocked her way. Baring her teeth, Rebecca was about to shout at the man before he cut her off, taking us both in surprise, "Not you. Only him!" Wakako had never been this guarded before.

Already, He felt alarm bells ringing inside his head. Despite a part of him just telling him to roll with it, they couldn't take this lying down. Resting his hand on his gun, Chef replied firmly, "She's with me."

Eyes narrowed, the man growled back, "The terms have changed." As the man reached for his belt, he'd quickly find his jaw firmly against the gaping maw of Gut's muzzle.

Baring her teeth, Rebecca gritted out, "Then give me one good reason why I shouldn't blow your brains out." Chef could feel my heart hammer away as I stood there, but they couldn't back down. One show of weakness was all the Tygers needed to start pushing.

Both held their grounds, but it was the Tygers that would blink first. Slowly pulling his hands away from his belt, the man choked out, "Boss's orders." The man flinched as Rebecca pressed her gun closer before he hurriedly explained, "She'd only meet him and him alone."

This still doesn't explain the heightened security for both Chef and Rebecca. As Rebecca's hands slipped down to the trigger, the man finally cracked, "Not Wakako. Her!" Chef and Rebecca shared a glance. Someone higher than Wakako had just stepped in.

Debating for a moment, Chef sighed as he relented. Nodding at Rebecca, he told her, "I'll handle this." Working with the Tyger Claws was always a delicate balance. One had to be both strong and firm, yet willing to yield at times.

Hissing, Rebecca pulled her gun away and the rest quickly followed suit, lowering their weapons as the guard let out a sigh of relief. "Tsk, fine," His output grumbled as she warned the rest, "But I swear, touch one hair on him and I'll raze this place to the ground!"

Giving a quick look of apology to his lover, Chef would have to face this alone. Walking pass Wakako's desk, the man led him down a corridor that he hadn't noticed. Wakako did like her lights dim and the black hallway barely stood out against the black.

Heading deeper inside the dark corridors, he soon found himself inside a dimly lit room. With only a lantern to serve as his light as some cushions for seats, the room was as bare and empty as one could get. Gesturing at the cushions, the guard instructed him, "Wait here."

Leaving him in his lonesome, Chef walked over to the cushion before setting his bag beside his seat. Easing himself into the cushion, he sat on his calves as he waited. He hated the feeling of his legs going numb as his weight pressed down on his legs, but he tolerated it as a show of respect.

Tensing his legs from time to time, he waited inside the cold and dark room as he breathed in deeply and calmed his frayed nerves. The wait was always worse than the actual negotiations himself. Looking around, he familiarized himself with the room. No windows and no camera's from as far as he could tell, this was as private of a room as one could get.

Straining his ears, he heard nothing other than the hum of the AC through the vents. Times like these made him wish he had better senses, but those thoughts had to weigh as he gathered his thoughts. It never hurts to get ready.

As the minutes ticked out, he felt eyes start to feel heavy and his breathing grew shallower. Just as he thought that his contact ghosted him, Chef would feel the warm embrace of a woman wrapping around his shoulder.

Chef felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as he felt the sharp claws trailing up his neck and across his chen. Leaning against him, and feeling her chest against his back, Chef froze as she whispered huskily into his ears, "So this is the famous Chef."

It took his everything not to flinch and push her back as she chuckled, "I've heard many great things about you, selling such mouth watering dishes at such a cheap price, but I didn't quite expect you to be a feast for my own eyes~" Despite the sensuality dripping from her voice, he felt the daggers tapping at his skin.

As he glanced at the woman while she rested her chin against his shoulder and saw the playful smile across her lips, he'd hear a familiar voice echo out, "Sienne, be nice." The other woman's voice was older, more serious and most importantly of all, far more friendly than the woman clinging to him; Wakako was here.

Pouting at the old matron, the dusky skinned woman replied, "I was only teasing." The older woman however wouldn't have any as she stared back. Sighing, the woman finally pulled back as she grumbled, "Fine."

Slipping away, she plopped herself down across him, legs crossed as the tiger's ears atop her head twitched in annoyance. Tearing my eyes away from their exotic features, he greeted the older lady warmly, "Wakako-san." Bowing briefly, he told her, "It's good to see again." Relief flooded his form as the woman's familiar face form sat down beside her younger companion.

Reaching for his bag, he pulled out a box of snacks before sliding it to the elder. "Manju?" He offered with a smile.

The woman brightened up as she received the box of maple leaf shaped sweet filled buns. "You spoil me dear," The woman replied as she slid it to her side. "I'm sure my grandchildren would love these," She added.

Seeing the way the Tiger's tail swayed behind the woman, Chef reached in before pulling the same snack from thin air. He didn't expect that Wakako would bring someone else with her and someone higher up the ladder of all things, but the two didn't need to know that.

"I brought extra," He told them as she handed the other to the younger of the two, satisfying them for now. Feeling peckish himself, he made some for himself before setting it down between the three of them. Reaching inside and taking a bite, he offered, "Feel free to have some."

"My my, you certainly came prepared," Wakako chuckled before she gestured at the shadows. "These would certainly go well with tea," He told him before servants slipped inside, bringing with them some tea and plates. Serving them a cup, they bowed before leaving.

All three of them ate in silence soon after, enjoying the tea as a quiet lull settled upon the room. As Wakako finished her cup, she set the fine porcelain aside before she questioned "Now, while I appreciate the snacks, you didn't come here just for tea, with little old me, did you?"

Setting my snacks aside, I nodded back. "I came here to do business," I replied as I glanced between the two, "I take it you've seen my proposal?" Why else would sit with someone so important as to sit beside the Old Lady of Westbrook herself?

"I have," She replied before she locked eyes with him, her gaze now devoid of warmth and mirth. "And I hope you understand that this is quite the request you've made." She added pointedly, letting the unspoken threat hang over them. If there was one thing he learned from working with her was that she hated having her time wasted.

"I do and I'm more than willing to match my new expenses," He replied as he began bargaining with them.

Snorting, the woman told him, "Oh, payment isn't an option as you've proven time and time again with your loans." Resting her hands on her box of snacks, she added, "There are always buyers for your rare and indistinguishable forgeries, but you're asking quite a lot."

"I'd be happy to part with another stall or two," She offered, but I held firm. Making my intent clear. I wasn't going to step out of here with just more space for my store. "But that's not what you wanted, is it?" She replied, understanding my intent.

"I want to buy the entire market," I told them, affirming my voice.

A soft chuckle broke through the tense air as the eyes of the younger of the two lit up with mirth before they slowly slipped away. Giving him a look, she asked, "You're not joking, are you?" He shook his head in reply. He was dead serious.

Taking a deep breath, Wakako sighed before she shook her head. "Chef, you've been one of my most reliable suppliers, but you have to understand that I simply can't sell the market away," She replied tensely as Chef frowned.

"And even if you do have the funds," The younger of the two cut in as she tilted her head at him, "Why would we sell something so lucrative?" Now wasn't that a million eddie questions. There was going to be no sale involving money. He had to push on with his plans.

Reaching for one of the empty plates, Chef asked. "What if I'll offer something better than the market?" As their brow rose in intrigue, he smiled. "Something that would be far more lucrative if we all play it right," He offered as he made his pitch. He could replace the income they go from the stores easily.

Motioning him to continue, Wakako leaned closer as she replied, "Go on."

"Have you wondered where I get my products?" He asked as he filtered through the various foods he could prepare for them. Perhaps something rare, or maybe something filling? The options were limitless, but it needed to be… memorable.

"I'd be lying if I say that I haven't tried prying into the matter," She replied, grimacing as she paused. Looking back at him, she asked, "Where do you get your products?" Even the woman beside her looked intrigued as well as she watched him at the edge of her vision.

Unable to hold himself, he chuckled, "The funny thing is that you've been staring right at it the entire time," Pressing his hands across the plate, he reached towards the familiar constellations inside his mind's eye.

"I'm starting to get a bit hungry," He told them as he pulled his hands away, revealing the freshly cooked beef wrapped in perfectly cooked pastry. Handing his dish to his wide eyed audience, he offered, "How about some Beef Wellington with Truffle sauce?" Showing them his hands, he clapped them together before catching a sparkling wine.

"To wash it all down, have some fine vintage from Champagne…" He trailed off, sighing in dismay as he added, "That is before it got nuked." As much of a protectionist the French were when it came to their food and beverage, there was a reason why they're so sought after.

Handing over the bottle to the younger of the two, he leaned back as he let the two process it all. Inspecting the bottle, the woman held the neck away from her before swiping her claw up the cork. With a pop, it flew away, letting the precious liquid spill down on the floor.

Pouring herself a cup, the woman downed the drink before letting out a satisfied sigh. "That's a fancy trick you got there, I'll give you that," the woman replied as she eyed him with barely disguised desire and greed, "But that doesn't prove anything."

Rolling his eyes, he grabbed a chess wheel from thin air, before letting it slam down beside her. "So how about some cheese with that whine then," he fired back.

"Ok, you certainly made your point and I'm definitely interested in your power." Grimacing, the younger woman grumbled, before her frown turned to a grin. "So what's stopping me from just strapping you to a chair and milking you for all you're worth?" She asked as silence descended upon the room.

That had been the one question that haunted him all these years. What would stop them from taking him? While he was optimistic that he'd eventually have enough influence that he'd be untouchable, he had to be realistic now. He had only one answer to that question.

Looking her dead in the eyes, he asked, "Do you know how freshly made candy is? You know, lollipops, mints, that kind of stuff." Holding his hands, molten candy started to pour down his palm. He let the viscous fluid fill the cup and overflow from its vessel before stopping as he answered for them, "You're looking at 200 F to 300 F of hot, molten, and sticky syrup."

It was funny how food could quickly turn deadly in certain circumstances. A flood of molasses, burning whisky, and even as mundane as freshly brewed coffee could have disfiguring consequences. "Want to figure out how fast I could fill this room with candy before my brain shuts down?" He asked as he kicked the ball back on their court.

Reaching out, Sienna dipped her finger on the slowly spreading puddle before pulling a chunk and pulling it away. Watching the liquid drip down her fingers as flesh blistered under the heat, she replied, "Cute, but I could figure out a few ways to keep you sedated,"

Schooling his features as sweat dripped down his forehead, he replied, "You certainly can, but you'll find that working with me would be the less sticky option of the two." To make a deal with the Tygers, total victory wasn't the goal, but rather making it so that it would be far too unpleasant if a fight were to break out.

"The second option would work regardless. And yes, it would be…" Wakako trailed off as she gave me an appraising look, "But I would like to know what our investment can do to protect itself."

"Just because the ownership doesn't mean we can continue the old arrangements," He offered. They were already offering protection, so why not avail it for himself? "If that isn't enough, perhaps I could even make a pitch to a certain Smasher," he trailed off, watching their eyes narrow. "I wonder if the New York native would love to have a taste of home when she uses her gemini," He mused.

He was bluffing. Yes, he had gained the favor of several edgerunners and it wouldn't be a stretch to call in favors in exchange for a meal of a lifetime, but Smasher was an entirely different beast. "I could call my contact in Arasaka," He threatened as he readied Eve's numbers, "It always helps to make friends. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to talk to Smasher on my behalf."

There was a tense pause between them as Wakako palled and Sienna bristled. He could see the eyes turning into slit at the mention of the boogeyman's name, before her shoulder started to shake as she chuckled. Slowly, her chuckle turned to full blown laughter.

Getting herself under control, she wiped the tear from her eyes as she replied, "You, I like you." Grinning, she told him, "You certainly have more balls than half of those corpos that tried strong arming out of our half of the Market." Turning to the elder, she told her, "I think we should give this boy a chance."

Seeing Wakako nod, he let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that he had earned their respect, though a detail he heard was concerning. "Half?" She asked, wondering if he had just misheard it.

"Yes, half," The woman confirmed, making his stomach drop. Did the Corpos own the other half? He was sure that the Tyger Claws owned much of it, but only half? Doing his best to hide his grimace, he listened closely to what the woman had to say.

"If you continue working for us, you can have our part of the lease," The woman offered before she told him, "But the other half? You'll have to convince the representative of the Market." Chef paused for a moment to consider things.

This… certainly explained things. The shop owners could always band together and throw their weight under the banner of someone else. While less than desirable as he might have to make another pitch to someone else, but he already has half and that was no small feat.

"May I ask who's the other owner?" He asked, curious on who he will have to work with.

"She's an old friend of mine. We used to work together until she retired and set up shop in the market," Sienna replied as she reached for her pockets. "Given that you've been there for quite some time, I think you've met her," She told him before she handed him a coupon of all things.

"Here, have the coupons she keeps handing out," She told him as he stared at the familiar chibi cat girl winking at him. "Her name is Kali Belladonna."

A/N:

Longer than usual so it took me a bit. Might do one more before moving to some commission again.