Luigi and Zelda — The two troublemakers

[Location: Taite, Tokyo, Japan]

[Residence of Sazama Suzuki]

As Mira, Shin, and Shiruu passed through the gate, a man escorted them to the mansion, where a woman dressed in a hakama greeted them with a bow. She kindly requested that Shin and Shiruu change into keikogi, while Mira should switch into a hakama.

Shin and Mira initially headed to the changing room together, but the woman in the hakama halted them, saying, "Young master and young lady, please use separate rooms." She was concerned about their privacy, thinking it inappropriate for them to change together.

Shin and Mira exchanged knowing glances and smiles. Shin hooked his arm around Mira's shoulder and confidently stated, "She's my wife."

Upon hearing this, the woman blushed and bowed, saying, "I apologize, young master and young lady." She was taken aback, unaware that one of Lord Sazama's grandsons was already married.

Later, Shin and Mira changed into their new attire together in the same room.

[Garden of Sazama Mansion]

Sazama shared laughter with his former business associates, reminiscing about their shared past in the corporate world.

Okuda Toyoda enthusiastically commented, "My old friend, I heard that your Suzuki group introduced a new motorcycle this year with a lightweight aluminum frame and a fuel-injected engine. I must say, I'm impressed; it could rival our classic '79 Toyota Supra." He chuckled as he spoke and took a sip of sake.

Sazama furrowed his brows and retorted, "Hehe, you old rascal, are you suggesting that my company is behind the times?"

Okuda Toyoda burst into laughter and replied, "You were the one who said it!"

Sazama grew frustrated and took a sip of sake before exclaiming, "I had a feeling it. You're here just to compare your own company to mine." He paused and added, "Besides, why are you comparing your company's cars to my Suzuki motorcycles?"

Amid laughter, Okuda Toyoda chuckled, and many others from the business world joined in the merriment.

Then, Okuda Toyoda, wearing a smile, continued, "But your company does have its strengths..." He paused and inquired, "You've ventured into the video game industry, haven't you?"

Upon hearing this, Bunko Toyoda glanced in Shiro's direction. Several business figures had observed the profits in the video game sector but chose not to participate, fearing the risks associated with too many companies entering the fray. Such an influx could create uncertainty, impacting the slowly recovering video game industry and its stakeholders.

Sazama grinned with a hint of mockery, stating, "I must admit my elder son made a savvy move, but I'm not particularly fond of their video games."

Katsumi Yamaha, the former chairman of Yamaha Motor Company, who sat with his son and was slightly younger than Sazama and Okuda, quipped, "You don't like your Suzuki products? Now, that's something new."

Ichiro Honda, the former chairman of Honda Motor Company, who was accompanied by his son, nodded in agreement, remarking, "This is indeed a rare occurrence."

Even Okuda Toyoda, while chuckling, found it unusual that his old friend had reservations about Suzuki's products, especially those related to video games. He ventured, "Is it because you dislike video games?" He paused, a smile playing on his lips, and continued, "Perhaps it's because you almost lost your business to arcades in the past?" He suspected this might be the reason, but Sazama shook his head in disagreement.

With a smile, Sazama clarified, "No, it's not that I dislike video games because of past financial troubles."

Okuda, Ichiro, and Katsumi regarded Sazama with a hint of surprise.

Sazama went on to say, still smiling, "In truth, I'm quite fond of modern video games, and I've even developed a mild addiction to them..."

To their astonishment, Okuda and the others reacted, "Really?"

Sazama nodded, accompanied by a chuckle.

Ichiro Honda expressed his surprise, "Then why don't you like your Suzuki video games?"

Sazama nodded and explained, "I may not care for my own Suzuki video games, but..." He paused, chuckling, and concluded, "I'm quite a fan of KiShin's video games."

Okuda Toyoda smiled and commented, "Ah, that emerging company? My son mentioned it to me." He glanced at Bunko Toyoda, who nodded in agreement.

Sazama nodded in response to his intrigued old friends, adding, "Indeed, that company might be small at the moment, but their video games consistently captivate me..."

---

As Sazama and his old friends engaged in conversation, Shiro noticed that two of his sons were still absent. He turned to Airi and asked, "Did you really invite those two troublemakers?"

Airi hurriedly nodded and reassured him, "Shinro just called me and mentioned they were momentarily delayed by a guard, but they should be arriving shortly."

Shiro nodded and then turned his attention to Shito and Shintani, who were instructing the staff on food and cake preparations for the garden celebration.

Shuichi, Shito's son, approached them and greeted, "How are you doing, Uncle Shiro and Aunt Airi?"

Shiro's expression softened as he nodded and inquired, "I'm doing well. How about you? How's life treating you in the US?"

Airi also nodded in greeting.

Shuichi smiled and replied, "I'm doing well."

Shiko and Seki also joined them and greeted Shuichi. Shiko beamed as he said, "You've grown into a fine young man, Shuichi."

Seki nodded with a smile and added, "He's become quite tall and handsome, even more than me now."

Shuichi appeared flattered as he shook his head and said, "Me? Handsome? That's not true." He paused, gazing at Shiko and Seki, and continued, "I think you two are even taller and more handsome..."

Shiko and Seki exchanged glances and quickly shook their heads, replying, "Sonna koto nai desu (That's not true)..." Afterward, they engaged in a conversation with each other.

Welcome to the Japanese world... Where compliments are often denied and reciprocated with more praise, creating a delightful exchange of modesty.

---

Shin, Mira, and Shiruu had changed into their traditional attire. As Shin and Mira looked at the woman who had assisted them earlier, Shin inquired, "Where are Luigi and Zelda?" Seeing the woman's confusion, Shin clarified, "They're our golden retriever and Norwegian forest cat."

The woman's face finally registered recognition, and she replied, "Oh, they've already gone to the garden."

Shin and Mira exchanged surprised glances, and Shin exclaimed, "They beat us there?"

The woman smiled helplessly as she explained, "Don't worry, one of the staff is looking after them."

---

Meanwhile, in the garden, Luigi and Zelda made their entrance, capturing the attention of some of the guests.

"Woof!" exclaimed the golden retriever, his tongue hanging out in excitement.

"Oh, a golden retriever!"

"What a cute cat!"

Reina, Etsuko, and Kazue, engaged in a conversation, spotted the dog and cat. Reina exclaimed, "Wow! I never knew Grandpa and Grandma had pets!"

Etsuko, with her blonde-dyed hair, chuckled and remarked, "It's not unusual for older folks to have a dog and a cat."

Kazue, with black hair and light makeup, added, "This is the first time I've seen them, though..."

Kumiko, who was some distance away, also looked at the dog and cat with confusion.

Reina approached the dog and cat to caress their fur, but the two animals became alarmed and avoided her touch.

Kazue and Etsuko, standing nearby, suggested, "Let's call Grandma; maybe they'll be more approachable if she's around."

Reina nodded, and when they spoke to their Grandma Kumiko, she simply said, "Those aren't our pets."

Reina and the others were taken aback as they looked at the golden retriever and Norwegian cat.

Kumiko turned to one of the staff and inquired, "Who allowed pets to enter the garden?"

The staff member, part of the celebration party's team, responded, "They belong to one of the guests, Madam."

Kumiko frowned, as she couldn't recall any guests with pets on the guest list.

The staff explained, "They are the pets of one of your grandsons, Madam."

Kumiko, Reina, and the others were taken by surprise.

Kumiko glanced at each of her grandsons—Atsushi, Shuji, Shuichi, and even Shiko and Seki. However, they all seemed engrossed in their own activities, and when they occasionally glanced at the dog and cat, they paid no special attention to them.

Frowning, Kumiko wondered which of her grandsons owned the two pets.