The Deal

Ren blinked a few times. Did he hear it right? Aiko was offering him an official job this time.

"And what if I refuse to accept your offer?" he wanted to really make sure if she was sincere about the part that she no longer considered him as their enemy.

Aiko let out a sigh, "I'll still try my best to persuade you. For instance, we can negotiate on your payment. If it is what you desire, I can increase the amount. However, if you will still decline it, then I have no choice but to let you go. Honestly, it is not really in my nature to impose things on people."

Based on her response, Ren was finally convinced that it was not a trap for him. They were really prepared to let him go even if he decided not to accept the job offer.

"How much is it? I mean my payment...how much do you plan to give me?"

Aiko's eyes widened for a moment. She didn't hide the fact that she was surprised at Ren's response.

The surprised expression on her face was quickly replaced by a huge smile.

"Five hundred thousand", she replied.

Ren was disappointed with her response. It's not like he was the avaricious type of a person. In fact, he wasn't actually the materialistic type. However, after all the talk that she gave him, he expected the price to be higher than that.

"Why do you look so disappointed? I am not yet finished. Five hundred thousand is only for your accommodation, though I'd suggest it's better for you to just remain here at our estate so that it's easier for us to contact each other. We'll make sure to transfer you in a more luxurious room if that's what you want. We'll also continue to provide your other daily expenses like your food. And for the best part, we'll pay you ten million right now. We'll give an additional five million once you finish your mission."

Aiko had a smug and proud look on her face as she spoke these words.

Now, it was Ren's turn to have an astonished expression on his face. He couldn't believe what he heard. The Genjis were no doubt very wealthy. As he thought about it, he realized that it shouldn't really come as a surprise. Their entire estate was hectares wide. All members of the Genji clan lived within the vicinity of the estate.

Not only that, but the main mansion, the one where Ren was currently staying at and the which they also called as their headquarters was so enormous.

But despite all of these obvious signs of their clan's huge wealth, the members didn't seem to have a luxurious lifestyle. That was probably the reason why Ren had didn't really consider the possibility of them being crazy rich.

He didn't know how they were able to accumulate such wealth, but he was certain of one thing. The Genji clan was one of the oldest and longest standing clans. That was something that his mother taught him.

"Still can't decide?" said Aiko as she noticed that Ren was still silent. She pulled a wide drawer under the table. Ren had only realized that time that the long table actually had drawers underneath it.

She pulled out a black briefcase from the drawer then laid it on the table. She unlocked it then pushed it towards Ren.

Ren eyed the thick stack of bills that were neatly organized inside the briefcase.

"This is the ten million. Do you still have hesitations?"

The fact that she was ready to pay Ren instantly showed him how serious she was with her job offer to him.

Ren reached out for the black case and gently closed it, "It's not about the money. I was just curious that's why I asked how much you would pay me if I accepted your offer. The compensation is actually a lot. I suggest you reconsider it as I feel like I'd be robbing you if you'll give that all to me."

A loud laughter escaped Aiko's lips, "I'm telling you young man, this is comparatively low. You'd be surprised to find out how much we paid people in our previous dealings."

Ren wondered if she was insulting him. He was well aware how obvious it was that he wasn't used to receiving such a huge amount of money.

"Don't get me wrong. I meant to offense by my words. I only wanted to say that it was fine. You can take it all. We'll have no regrets. We don't really mind spending that much money especially if it's for a good cause."

The fact that Aiko referred to it as a 'good cause' was a proof of how their clan really took their business with Tomo Ogawa seriously. While it was true that Ren knew a couple of things that no one else from the Genjis knew about him, he couldn't also deny the fact that there were still so many things that he didn't know about the man.

Despite his reservations, there was a huge part of him that wanted to accept the offer, and it was mainly because he had also some questions regarding Tomo Ogawa that he wanted to be answered.

In addition to that, he wanted to know what was in the diary that everyone was so desperate to get their hands on it. What was so special about it? Why would the Genjis go through such great lengths just to take possession of it? Why would a man like Tomo Ogawa purchase it?

"I see. If you insist, then I have no choice but to accept it."

"Great!" Aiko exclaimed in excitement.

"But I have two more conditions."

"Tell me."

"The next time I need to go out to investigate or to do something for the job, and I am accompanied by anyone from your clan, we have to do it privately. As much as possible, I shouldn't be seen in the public with anyone of you", Ren explained to Aiko.

"Hmmm", Aiko mumbled as she contemplated Ren's first condition. "May I know that reason for that?"

"Let's just say I've dealt with dangerous people from the past, and they are looking for me. I know what these people are capable of, and the last thing I want to do is to drag you and your clan in my personal problem. This is for your protection, not mine."

Ren was sincere with what he said. He genuinely didn't want harm to come to the Genjis because of him. All he wanted was to finish this last mission with them then after that, he would disappear entirely from their sight. He didn't want to involve them in his own mess. He would face it on his own once he was done with his job with Tomo Ogawa.

"I appreciate the concern. Though I think you shouldn't worry about or safety. We're used to facing danger in our daily lives. Still, since it is your personal wish, then I would heed to it. What's the other condition?"

"Allow me to lead our investigations and next missions."

"Well...about that..." Aiko trailed off. Ren could tell that she was having hesitations. "I'm not so sure if I can grant that. You see, you'll continue to work with Akira and her group. You might know this already, but all of them are gifted and that's the reason why they were the only ones chosen among all the people from our clan to pursue such jobs. You can pretty much say that they were the elite squad of the Genji clan. Having a mere human to command and lead them would be hard for them to accept."

Aiko had a point and Ren understood it. It was not just because of their pride, but more importantly, it was because they couldn't trust his skills to lead them. If he was in their position, he would probably think of the same thing as well.

However, Ren was determined with his condition. He was confident and bold enough to insist it because he knew that he wasn't as weak and as unskilled as they thought he was.

"But they would listen to you, wouldn't they?"

Aiko squinted her eyes. She was right with her initial thought about Ren. He was indeed a smart young man. He was right. Akira and her team might disapprove at first, but there was no way they wouldn't agree after she convinced them with her wisdom.

"Also, I am not going to ask for it if I am not confident with my own capabilities. I might just be an ordinary human to all of you, but I am more than just this. You said it yourself; you need me, and you need me for a reason. Have a little more faith in me."

Aiko couldn't deny it. She was honestly swayed by Ren's convincing words.

"So, are you up for it?"

A smile once again appeared on her face as she heard Ren imitate the same words that she asked to him earlier.

"Yes", she replied.

"Then that's a deal. It's nice working with you, ma'am Aiko."