English, but I hope I misunderstood. What does ‘entertain you this evening’ mean?”
“This is a kyabakura,” Tanaka said. “It’s a hostess bar. She is a mama-san.”
“You mean a madam?”
“No,” Tanaka replied quickly. “More like a manager of the hostesses. It’s not what you think, Cain-san. This is very popular in Japan. It’s just fun conversation and drinking.”
“Good. I’m down for good convo and drinking.”
“Especially after this week, right?” Tanaka asked.
Cain smiled. “I’m down for it any day of the week, actually.” His smile widened and he began laughing.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Tanaka-san, do you know what irony is?”
“I think so.”
“Too much media attention here got me a ‘lady of the evening,’” Cain said with air quotes. “But not so long ago, a lady of the evening got me too much media attention.”
“Sounds like one of your stories for another time, as you often say.”
Both laughed.
“I’m sorry,” Cain said. “I can’t help it. I grew up in a storytelling family.”
“I know,” Tanaka said. “When I worked with Bonnie, she used to tell marvelous stories, too.”
“She and I get it from our pops. I’ll introduce you if I can talk ’em into making the long flight out here.”
“I would like that very much,” Tanaka said. “My father is not a storyteller. He is very typical Japanese. Very serious and quiet.”
“He must be very proud of you for saving our bacon during the attack.”
“He’s not proud. The van had two flat tires, and I could not protect Sato-san.”
“That’s simply not true. If you were not there to contact the police and give them our vehicle info and direction of travel, I’m not sure how much longer our car was gonna hold up. It was taking a real beating.”
The mama-san returned with two stunning young Eastern European women who looked as though they should be on the cover of a fashion magazine. “May I introduce Sabrina and Natasha?”
“Hello,” the girls said, smiling naturally.
Cain and Tanaka sprang from the booth, allowing the hostesses to take the center seats.
“Please enjoy your evening, gentlemen.” The mama-san bowed and disappeared into the crowd, which seemed to be growing.
“Thank you.” Sabrina smiled as she tossed her long, dark locks of hair off her shoulder. Her blue eyes sparkled against the stark contrast of her black hair.
“Where are you from?” Cain asked.
“Where do you think I’m from?” she asked with a flirtatious tone.
“Eastern Europe.”
“You’re getting warmer.” She smiled.
“Romania,” Cain blurted out.
“Yes!” She seemed genuinely surprised. “How did you guess that?”
“I recognized your accent. I’ve been to Romania a few times.”
“Really? I never meet anybody in here who has been to my country before.”
“Well, I’m not just anybody.” The sake Cain had had at Hakugei made it even easier for him to banter back and forth with her.
Sabrina laughed. “True. You are somebody.”
Cain and Sabrina laughed together and she touched his shoulder.
“Why were you in Romania?”
“I was on a mission,” Cain said, lowering his voice.
Sabrina leaned in. “What kind of mission?”
Cain leaned in closer. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
She shook her head and smiled at him.
The bar manager stopped by their table. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You, too,” Cain replied. “Thank you for the hospitality tonight.”
“Thank you for protecting Sato-san. He used to be one of our favorite customers, but we have not seen him in several weeks.”
Mr. Sato hangs out here? Cain thought. The multimillion-dollar CEO? I can’t see him singing, but I guess I can imagine him enjoying the company of these women.
Tanaka stopped talking with the Russian hostess, Natasha, and turned to the manager. “Sato-san is very busy managing the company. He has been working day and night. But he is well, and I will let him know you have asked about him. I am sure that will please him.”
“Arigato,” the manager gratefully responded. “Also, I would like to present you with a bottle of our finest champagne. On the house, of course.” He motioned to a bartender, who brought over some glasses and a bottle of Dom Pérignon nestled in a silver bucket of ice.
Cain and Tanaka thanked the manager, and then toasted each other.
“I toast to Cain-san and his new life in Japan.”
“To turning Japanese in twenty years—maybe only ten after tonight. Kanpai!”
Tanaka opened his blazer and reached into his inner pocket. He pulled out two cigars and held them in the air. “Here you go,” he said as he handed one to Cain.
“First Sabrina, then Dom Pérignon, and now a Romeo y Julieta. I can’t wait to see what’s next,” Cain