Sazama's birthday

[Taite, Tokyo, Japan]

July 30, 1991

[Sazama Suzuki's Residence]

The celebration for Sazama was held in the spacious main hall, but the garden was adorned with chabudai tables laden with delicious dishes. The garden's atmosphere, complete with a serene pond, lifted everyone's spirits, drawing most of the guests outdoors.

Shimizu Myoga, Sazama's eldest daughter, graced the party with her husband, Minoru Myoga, and their only daughter, Etsuko.

Mai Suzuki, Sazama's second daughter, who remained unmarried, was also in attendance. She owned several small businesses in Tokyo.

Shira Miyoshi, the third daughter of Sazama, arrived with her husband, Taito Miyoshi, and their daughter, Kazue Miyoshi.

Shiro, along with his wife and children, joined the celebration, dressed in traditional attire. Shiro wore a Kimono, his sons donned Keikogi, and his daughters were elegantly clad in hakama.

Shiko and Seki respectfully bowed to their grandfather to express their love and respect.

Later on, Shito, along with his wife and son, also joined in celebrating Sazama's birthday.

Shintani Suzuki, Sazama's third son, attended with his wife, Mae Suzuki, and their son, Atsushi Suzuki.

Shigero Suzuki, the fourth son of Sazama Suzuki, arrived with his wife, Misaki Suzuki, and their son, Shuji Suzuki.

Shintani, Shiro's third brother, joined Shito's side after warmly greeting their father. Shintani was particularly close to Shito.

On the other hand, Shigeo Suzuki shared a friendly exchange with Shiro as he, along with his wife and son, approached him, saying, "Brother Shiro! How have you been?"

Shiro responded with a smile, "I've been doing well."

While they were engaged in conversation, guests who were not family members but rather CEOs and company presidents from the business world, many of whom were seniors like Sazama, also attended the celebration.

When Sazama spotted them, he invited them to participate in a playful samurai fight, which led to bursts of laughter among the guests.

These individuals were once Sazama's friends in the business world, and their influence is still prevalent today. Shiro, the current chairman of the Suzuki Group, engaged in conversations with them, while the vice chairman of the Suzuki Group, Shito, was equally enthusiastic.

Kumiko warmly welcomed the guests who had come to celebrate Sazama's birthday. Among them was Okuda Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation, who shared a similar age with Sazama.

As Okuda Toyoda, his white beard resplendent, gazed into Sazama's eyes, it seemed as if a spark of recognition ignited.

Sazama, his voice resonating with depth, inquired, "Who extended an invitation to you here?" Kumiko stood helplessly and silently by his side.

Okuda Toyoda chuckled, assisted by his son, Bunko Toyoda, who now served as the current chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation.

"Old friend, are you taken aback to see me still kicking?" Okuda Toyoda laughed as he bantered with Sazama.

The party continued, with the Suzuki siblings, who had reunited, engaged in animated conversations.

Shiro occasionally furrowed his brows as he noticed the absence of Shinro.

Shuichi, Shito's son, had already presented his grandfather with a calligraphy piece and a selection of European beers.

"Not bad," Sazama remarked with a nod.

Following this, Sazama's grandsons and granddaughters also bestowed gifts upon the elderly man.

Airi, who stood beside Shiro, couldn't help but wonder whether Shinro would attend, given his persistently negative view of the family. Airi and Ruki exchanged glances, realizing that Shiruu was also absent.

---

While these events were unfolding, just three minutes earlier, Shin was driving to what he still referred to as his grandfather's residence, with Mira seated beside him.

"Are you certain it's okay to bring Luigi and Zelda to the party?" Mira asked with a hint of uncertainty. Luigi, their dog, was gazing out of the car window, while Zelda was peacefully asleep on Mira's lap.

Shin simply nodded with a smile and commented, "It doesn't matter." He paused, casting a fond look at Luigi, and added, "Besides, if we leave them alone at home, who knows what kind of chaos they might create."

Mira reciprocated the smile, and after a short while, they arrived at the imposing gate of a grand Japanese Traditional Mansion.

As Mira beheld the magnificent mansion, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Your family is incredibly wealthy, Shin..."

"Woof! Woof!" Luigi's barks startled Zelda, causing her to look around in confusion while grooming her fur.

A man dressed in a black suit, clearly a guard for Suzuki Sazama's residence, approached Shin and Mira with a furrowed brow. He seemed to think they were tourists who believed Sazama's mansion was a public attraction.

Shin and Mira exchanged glances, and Shin chuckled as he explained, "I've been invited to Sazama Suzuki's party."

The guard furrowed his brows even deeper, then rubbed his chin as he inquired, "May we see your invitation card?"

Shin shook his head regretfully, replying, "Unfortunately, I haven't received one."

The guard shook his head in response, stating, "I can't confirm your invitation without the card."

Mira, growing anxious, rushed to explain, "But the Suzuki Family members don't need invitation cards!"

The guard paused, nodded, and then playfully quipped, "That's true, but that privilege applies only to the Suzuki family..." He scrutinized Shin and Mira, along with their dog and cat, before concluding, "I don't believe you're part of the Suzuki family."

Mira frowned and retorted, "Are you passing judgment on us?"

The man quickly shook his head, saying, "Certainly not!"

Shin, still wearing a puzzled expression, asked, "Then why do you assume we're not part of the Suzuki family?"

The man nodded as he explained, "Every year, during Sazama-sama's birthday, the Suzuki family gathers to celebrate, and in all the years I've been here, I've never seen the two of you attend his birthday celebration. So, I naturally assumed you're not part of the Suzuki family."

Mira's frown deepened as she replied, "So, that's the basis for your assumption that we're not part of the Suzuki family?"

The man nodded and firmly stated, "That's correct, miss. So, if I were you, I'd kindly depart this place before we have to involve the authorities."

Just as the man had uttered these words, Shiruu, riding his Toyota motorcycle, observed the situation and overheard what the guard had said to Shin and Mira.

Without hesitation, Shiruu approached them and declared, "Hey, I have an invitation card."

The guard turned his gaze toward Shiruu, and Shin and Mira nodded in recognition as they saw Shiruu's arrival.

With a furrowed brow, the guard extended his hand with an open palm and inquired, "May I see the invitation?"

Shiruu nodded and handed over the invitation card.

The guard examined the elegantly designed golden card and then nodded, saying, "You may enter, sir."

Shiruu agreed but also pointed at Shin and Mira, stating, "Yes, and these two individuals are indeed part of the Suzuki family, so they should be allowed entry as well."

The guard cast a doubtful look at Shin and Mira and began to explain, "I apologize, sir, but I still can't permit their entry unless they..."

The guard had not yet finished his statement when Shin quickly interjected, "Then I'll call my mother, and you can speak to her." He swiftly dialed his mother, Airi.

The call was promptly answered, and Shin explained, "Mom, we're currently being stopped by a guard here, and we don't have an invitation card."

Airi's voice sounded hurried, and Shin handed the phone to the guard. After listening to the woman's voice and tone, the guard nodded and then bowed to Shin, saying, "I apologize, young master and young lady. You may enter now." He acknowledged his mistake with a bow.

Shin and Mira responded with a nod and a smile as they proceeded to enter the mansion alongside Shiruu.