143 5.32 Seijuro Tumbler - A Contract Is Born!!

While we are still having our lunch, the delivery boy came back and he had with him the menu and an order taking form. He was almost out of breath and I offered him cold green tea in which he flatly refuse.

I looked at the menu and quickly choose what I needed. Since fish and vegetables were rather cheap, I choose 2 onigiri, 1 Saba shioyaki, 1 portion of stir fried vegetables and miso soup for lunch in the next 7 days for 11 people from tomorrow onwards. I told him to prepare the receipt and place it on the round table here. I picked a small pebble and told him to put the bill here.

I returned the menu and the order form to him and gave him 5 copper coins for his effort and he thanked me, saying he would come by to pickup the bento boxes later after his rounds.

We soon finished up our lunch and placed the bento boxes on the garden table and was feeling kind of nostalgic since people started to observe us having our lunches not at the terrace but at our own garden furniture. It's not really called a garden right now, but soon right after the construction of the new house, I intend to buy Hiko-sama pottery and use it to decorate the place here.

At the meantime, Hiko-sama had a task to do later which is to register a business trade name and told him to settle any payment first. Also as for the banner, it would be based on payment upon delivery as well. I passes him the money box and told him to keep it with him since I dont really like to have too much gold coins lying around.

"Sensei, if they were to ask who is the Director or Chief Finance Officer, just name it under you. As for the Chief Executive Officer or the Manager, just put it under my name. Please don't forget to bring my ID."

Hiko-sama nodded in apprehension. He slipped the small wooden chest with the mixture of gold, silver and coppers inside his right sleeve and went back to the house. I told him I'd continue to clean the house of Kami-sama and return home afterwards.

I soon reached Kami-sama's House and started to resume my tasks. As this is the last house for the week, I made sure that the house would be as clean as the rest of the houses. I checked the laundry drying in the wind and discovered that its already dry and I brought it into the house.

I started to clean the parts of the house that was left earlier and can't wait to finish up my work to join Hiko-sama and hear his good news upon returning.

---Meanwhile, on Hiko-sama's part---

"Hiko-dono, where are you going this time?" Hiko-sama turned around and saw Izumi holding a basket in her hands and were selling bouquets to those who wanted to present for their spouse, girlfriends or mistresses.

"Oh, I am going to the government district for some official business." Hiko-sama simply replied.

"You seemed busy all the time, running errands for Senpai. He is still doing cleaning?" asked Izumi.

"Yes, he is a very down to earth and humble guy. Even he had so much money, he still obligated to clean houses which was his first earnings ever when he stepped into this village. He never forgets where he comes from." explained Hiko-sama as he feels pride in his heart when he mentions my name in that manner.

"Oh... I see. He is a humble person and doesn't mind sharing his joy and wealth."

"Yes... Oh yeah, before I go. Do you happen to know a few friends that suffers the same fate as you? If you do know them, please invite them over to our place for dinner and supper like last night. I guess Himura has some things to say to them."

"Oh Yes... I know 4 other girls who were the same state as me, I will go and find them and ask them to come along with me tonight. Is that alright for 4 other girls to join us?"

"Sure... Sure... No worries. OK, I've got to hurry now and settle two tasks. I would be back home soon after."

"Thank you, Hiko-dono. See you later for dinner." she bowed and quickly continued her business to sell those flowers to potential customers.

Hiko-sama then proceeded to the government building when he saw a messenger and stopped him.

"I need to send a message, how much do you charge if delivered within the hour?"

"Just 1 copper, sir. What message would you like to send?"

"Come, I write the message for you. And send it to Samurai Kami-san's house. A boy there will receive it."

Hiko-sama wrote that "6 girls will be coming for dinner tonight. They should be those that you needed. Signed, H.S". He gave the message to the messenger and asked him to deliver it first and handed him 3 copper coins. The former thanked Hiko-sama for his generosity and told him that he will deliver it now.

Hiko-sama arrived at the government office and inquired that he wanted to open a business trade name. He was ushered to an office and he entered. Since he was alone, he was promptly served.

Hiko-sama explained that he wanted to open a business trade name at this moment and would be operating at home. When asked what kind of products he would be selling, Hiko-sama simply replied that it's mainly a service for the community.

The registrar nodded and filled the necessary form. When asked about the name of the business, Hiko-sama simply said, "Fasuto Japan KabushikiGaisha" and the registrar raised his glasses on his forehead and said, "That's a very good auspicious name. We do not have any records of such name here and it would befitting for such entry. Beautiful... Beautiful name...."

Hiko-sama smiled when the registrar also noticed it was a fine business trade name.

"Who are the Directors and Vice-Directors? Can we have the ID to officially register it in our records?"

Hiko-sama passed his ID and mine to the registrar and saw the affiliation to one another and assumed that Hiko-sama was the Director while I am the Vice.

The registrar completed the form and showed it to Hiko-sama to confirm. Once confirmed, he asked for 5 silvers and then he officially stamped it as duty paid and returned the perforated form part as the original copy. He gave a receipt as well for the 5 silvers.

"Keep this in a safe place and if anyone comes, just present it to the person to state that you are allowed to operate a business."

"A question, if you may. If I wish to bring this service out of the country to export, who do I look for?"

"Just proceed to business district and look for the main office. They will direct you there. What kind of service that you wish to export?"

"Community service..." Hiko-sama smiled and the registrar scratched his forehead in bewilderment.

"I take my leave, sir. Thank you." Hiko-sama took the two ID, the business trade name and receipt and walked out from there before any more questions were to be asked.

Seems Hiko-sama still does not like to socialise and his quirky answers soon have him a good 2 seconds getaway.

As Hiko-sama was walking on the trading district, he asked the people around if they knew of any shop that deals in banners. Some helpful passerby showed Hiko-sama the local tailor and mercantile shop that would help him out in making banners.

Hiko-sama thanked the passerby and found that the shop he initially bought the clothes for me also deals in making banners.

He walked through the door and a soft tinkle sounded. The apprentice soon recognised Hiko-sama and he exchanged greetings and asked what he could do for Hiko-sama.

"I wanted to make a banner. It should be red in color with gold lettering. My master told me there should be 2 golden balls at the ends of it. Do you have done any kinds of it before?"

"Ah... That's a common banner you were referring to. Our temples in the East and West Side have such banners.Come, let me show you how it looked like."

The apprentice took a long piece of cloth about 2 meters in length and he twirl the ends in the middle part and formed a knot. Then he made the same one on the other end as well. He strung it loose and gotten another apprentice to hold the other end. Hiko-sama looked at it and finds it similar to those dojo entrances and he liked it right away.

"The two ends would be fitted with a golden ball right? The length should be the same length of a house main entrance. How would the golden balls look like, do you have any samples here?"

The apprentice went to fetch a half round ball and the bottom part looked like a button with a kind of hook on it. He explained that the folded part would enter through here and sewn up and then a thin metal wire would be threaded and hooked up against the wall or pillar.

"I wished these words to be spelled out accordingly (Fasuto Japan KabushikiGaisha) in the middle in gold letterings. The size would be like this."

Hiko-sama showed how wide the lettering should be, so that it would be visible when people passes by the house. The apprentice wrote down the business trade name and the size of it.

"You intend to use this business trade name? It's authentic, fresh and auspicious. With its gold lettering and red backing, this would bring prosperity and wealth."

"Ah... That's very good to hear. Once it's done, let me inspect it and pay in full. I need it within 7 days from now. By the way can you find me some fireworks as well? And do you have anyone to help to hang this?"

"The two of us can help you hang them. Sure we can find for you some fireworks. There's an alchemist shop that sells fireworks for all occasions. I can bring you there now, so you can choose which one you wanted." both apprentices grinned to assist in the hanging.

"Ok, please prepare me the receipt and one of you can show me the way." Hiko-sama suggested and waited for the owner to write the receipt and takes the order for the banner.

Upon receiving the receipt, Hiko-sama followed one of them to the alchemist and finds what he wanted. He bought 4 spinning roman candles, 10 rockets and several boxes of colorful sparklers. He paid a total of 10 gold coins and got the receipt for it.

He handed 4 coppers for the boy and told him to give the other 2 coppers to the other one and went back holding all the fireworks in his arms.

He walked past the furniture shop and saw Kayu-San and reminded him of tomorrow. Kayu-San waved back and went to sit on his table with his head buried in his hands.

"Haa... Haa... Haa... He must be thinking that he got tricked B-I-G time by Himura." Hiko-sama laughed softly to himself as he was thinking of the fate that he would have to face in the next day. If he can't complete the task he had promised, he would end up being paid only 200 gold coins and if he delayed the work more than 7 days the price would be lowered to 150 gold. "Himura Kenshin, you really are a genius kid!"

---Meanwhile at Kami-sama's house---

"Aatiicchooooo....! Hmm, I must have caught a cold or something or maybe some dust went into my nose. Haaa... My job is almost done now. A bit more to clean the floor and throw away the water, then that's it." I said aloud to myself as I wrung the rag I used to wipe the floor into the bucket.

"I wonder what time is it now. Shush... Its hard to predict the time if the clouds happen to cover the sun. Maybe I should go to the trading district and look for something nice as a present." I said to myself talking to no one in particular, especially when Max was still in his trailer and its not the episode for him to appear.

"Konnichiwa... Konnichiwa..." I heard someone greeting at the front door and I went there to meet the messenger. He handed me a note and then left. I opened it up and its in Hiragana writings and took a while before the words before me changed to English.

"6 girls will be coming for dinner tonight. They should be those that you needed. Signed, H.S"

"Ehhh.... How come so many girls coming for dinner? Is he starting a harem club or something after he told me Izumi and Riko bathing in the front yard and promoting Karada Soap?"

"Ehhhh..... Is he getting horny? But wait... I get too excited over nothing. Just reading the 1st sentence made me misunderstood the whole meaning. Hmm those that I need."

"Whoa... Sensei, you can really be in the same channel as me right now. Its good he have a great sense of common understanding. He means to say that these 6 would be helping us for the marketing and sales."

"Good... Good... Good... That should be the way! " I laughed out loud and slapped my thighs as Hiko-sama also would know what was going in my head without telling him. He got good initiative after all.

I finished up my tasks and closed the main sliding door and walked out to the trading district right after I had washed my face and cleared all kinds of soot and dirt off my hair and gi.

I asked the passerby if there was a clock shop in the area and they pointed to a watchsmith shop that had a wooden plywood sign outside that looked like the watchtower clock in the square. I thanked them and walked to the watchsmith.

I saw quite a number of table clocks that uses water, another one was using a windup spinning pendulum and then I saw smaller pieces that could fit nicely for the both of us. Since there was no price, I decided to drop in and ask the watchsmith personally.

"Good afternoon good sir, I am looking at the pocket watch outside and was wondering since it does not have a price tag, may I know how much it would costs?"

"Oh, that. Its 20 gold pieces each." replied the watchsmith without looking up.

"May I know good sir, what time do you close up for the day?"

"Nosy kid, I'm here all night. Don't ask if you do not have the money. You know how much is 20 pieces of gold or have you ever seen one?" the watchsmith was looking up and down at me like I'm kind of beggar.

"Fucking old scoot... You gonna get it from me, just watch out." I thought to myself and thanked him and laughed when I used the watch out in a watch shop. Hahahaha.

I hurried back and saw a machinery place right at the end of an alley. I peered in and suddenly I saw what was needed! A place to develop the Seijuro Tumbler. All the parts that I need was here. I saw a hand cement mixer and it was exactly the same concept except minor changes could be done to it to fit the wooden barrel sideways.

"Good day kind sir, I would bring someone here to let you take a look at some drawings and wondering if we would ask you for your kind assistance."

"Oh hello, kid. Sure... No problem. We can wait for you and your uncle."

"Thank you kind sir, I would be back soon. I have to run home to fetch him over."

I walked past the flower shop and saw Izumi was sweeping the store front. "One-sama, you have friends coming over for dinner right? Could you wait for us at this watchtower clock at 630 pm? I have to run back and fetch Hiko-sama and get him here as soon as I can. Remember Onee-sama, 630 pm. Watchtower clock!"

"Oh... Alright Senpai!" she answered as she saw me running back to Hiko-sama as fast as my short legs can carry me. The moment I saw Hiko-sama was already pouring a cup of sake and when he saw me running, he immediately went to his room and took out his katana.

"Who is chasing you?! I'd cut them down before they could say" Hot Hotchie Mama!"

I went to the terrace and landed there for a moment and gasped for air as I slowly said, " No one is chasing me, Sensei. But I am chasing after you. Where's the blueprint for the Seijuro Tumbler?"

"I found someone who could do for us! And Sensei, could you take out 2 rolls of gold coins for me. I want to make a fool out of someone with your help. Bring your katana along. It will scare him too."

Seeing me up to my tricks again, Hiko-sama entered the house and brought out the rolls of gold coins and I told him to keep with him first.

"Come, we make this dream come true. Seijuro Tumbler... Here we come, baby!" I exclaimed happily just like a kid and pulled Hiko-sama sleeve as he walked beside me.

Along the way he explained that he had bought fireworks intended during the unravelling of the business trade name banner. I praised Hiko-sama saying that somehow our thoughts are fused and able to think in the same channel.

"We won't be long right, kid? 6 girls would be here for dinner soon." he explained that the girls would be looking for us if we were not at home.

"Don't worry, Sensei. I met Onee-sama and told her to wait with the others at the watchtower clock in the trading district."Good thinking, kid. At least we know where we can locate them."

After a while, we entered the trading district and went straight right to the machinery shop. The moment the man that I spoke to saw me, he greeted the both of us.

"So, kid. This is your uncle?"

"Yes good sir, this is my uncle. He wanted to show you this blueprint and its something like the machine here but only thing the bucket is sideways, not this way."

"Hello, my name is Hiko and here is the blueprint that I wanted to show you. It belongs to our corporation and they would like to engage a long term contract of this work to someone specialised in machinery. I am the representative of Fasuto Japan KabushikiGaisha."

Hiko-sama knew how to perform in terms of representing the corporation and is definitely fit to be a Director!

I glanced at Hiko-sama and winked at him as the mechanic looked at the blueprint. His eyes sparkled and raised his head, and straightened up.

"My name is Mesen, there is no need to use any honorific. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hiko-sama." he bowed deeply and Hiko-sama bowed back.

"I am truly honored if your corporation wishes to engage us for a long term contract like this and I hope I would be of best service to your corporation. From what I see it is named Seijuro Tumbler and all the description here are all marked accordingly to specification. Even right to this round crank and the cogwheel. Come, Hiko-sama, take a look at this machine."

Mesen brought us to take a look at a cement mixer but in fact it was for a dough mixer for the confectionery shop. We looked closely at it and find the specifications somewhat similar and to be able manufacture this machine would take a week, maybe.

"Yes... It is somewhat looked like this but the wooden drum is enclosed and is sideways. A small opening is needed at the top and covered with a rubber seal to prevent leaking. The crank would be easily operated by this young chap here and the stand would be lower than this. The crank wheel would be the same size and the cogwheel would have more teeth so it is easier to turn."

Hiko-sama was like an expert explaining the things required by the Seijuro Tumbler. Mesen looked at the blueprint and he understood everything that had been explained verbally and visually.

"There are 5 fins inside the bucket something like this." Hiko-sama picked up a broken piece of plywood and placed it in his hands and showed the different angles and shapes, one end is higher than the other."

Mesen understood the moment Hiko-sama mentioned about the fins. He nodded in acknowledgement at the thought of it.

"Our corporation would also need a technical person to maintain this machines at the coats of our customers, meaning that everytime this machine breaks down, the technical team would fix it for the customers for free."

"Mesen-sama, 1st year would be free for the customers to maintain it before it breaks down. Its called preventive and remedial maintenance procedures. But the parts to replace would be borne by them. Mesen-sama, do you understand this part?"

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"Yes... Yes... So meaning that I have to visit to all the customers place within 1 year and to maintainthem for free. But changing of parts would be borne by them. So after one year, how is the contract like?"

"After a year, maintenance and labour would be borne by them. During the first year you would be contracted by the corporation and would be paid a monthly salary to maintain these machines. After a year, you still get the salary, the labour charges would be paid to us but the parts would still be paid to you on the 1st and 2nd year."

"Are you interested to make your dream come true, Mesen-sama? If you are interested, you may work directly with the corporation and earn bonuses every 3 months depending on how many such machines would be made and sold."

"Furthermore, once you are contracted with us, its considered as a lifetime contract and investment. Your little shop here would be shifted to a larger one or remodified to become a sales and service department."

"Tell me more about this shop. Do you live upstairs?" asked Hiko-sama to further understand the situation.

"Yes, I live upstairs. I had been operating this place for 6 years and most times its hard to come by. I would like to take this opportunity Hiko-sama and young master, I would scrap all these unnecessary junk and turn this place as a workshop and showroom for your machines."

"These dough mixer does it come with a patent?"

"No, young master. It doesn't come with a patent. It's for internal use and its not for sale to the public."

"Ah... In that case, we would like to invite you for lunch and we discuss on your future. By the way, howong would you be able to make this machine?"

"I would take about 7 to 10 days for the 1st machine. Once your corporation is satisfied with it, then the subsequent machine would take 5 to 7 days. If I have an experienced helper, subsequent machine can be completed between 3 to 5 days."

"Do you have someone in mind to have an experienced helper?" asked Hiko-sama as the thought of at least 5 machines per month would definitely reap a good profit.

"My nephew. I will inform him to be my helper. Currently he is helping his father from another village not far from here." explained Mesen.

"Good... Good... We will let you know when we meet for lunch and then meet the both of you. Once we sign the lifetime contract, whatever scrap that you have, please do not sell it away, you may sell it to us instead at your asking price."

"Thank you Hiko-sama and young Master. I hope to hear from you real soon and I am delighted to serve your corporation. My word is my honor, kind sir."

Mesen bowed low and we both bowed back. I can see that Mesen is very sincere in taking his livelihood a good turn around.

Mesen handed the blueprint back and we walked out.

"Next stop, an arrogant old fart!" I said between clenched teeth. We walked at the watchsmith shop and performed a drama. I told Hiko-sama to hold on to the katana blade as I tugged his sleeve and pointed at the old fart inside. "Haa... Haa... OK. This must be fun!"

So we walked and stood in front of the glass windows and Hiko-sama was holding the handle of the katana handle and was acting very angry. As for me I played my part as well.

"Brother...! This man bully me! He said I was a nosy kid and I'm wasting his time! I wanted to buy my dad a pocket watch but he treats me like a beggar!"

"Where's that old man!? How dare he look down on you! How dare he treat us like beggars!"

"The old man said I have never seen a gold coin before in my life! Huu... Huu... Huu...! That's him there, right now! He had disgraced us!"

We made our voice audible enough that onlookers were shaking their heads at us and pointed shamelessly at the old man. By this time a small crowd had already gathered.

The old man in the shop was very alarmed and having these kind of spectators would definitely make his business be in a darker shade especially business had been rather bad these days.

He stood up and wanted to approach the main door when we both burst in.

"Brother...! There he is. He wanted to lock us out from his shop! I saw a pocket watch I liked but he never even look at me when I asked him the price!"

"Noo....N..Nooo...you are most welcome here in th...this shop." stammered the old man as he looked at Hiko-sama holding to the handle of the katana as if he would cut off the former head if he spoke a wrong word.

"My Master came here and you did not entertain him?! Why?! Because he looks like a kid?! Do you know he is?! How dare you treat him like a nobody!"

"Nn..noooo...I am s...sorry Master! I thought y...you are just joking around and wasting my time asking about the prices and all. This is the first time a child has entered this shop." explained the watchsmith as he bowed low a and expected his head to be decapitated by the shoulders.

"Brother... Now he is lying! How can he say its the first time a child enters the shop! If an Emperor is a child, would he barred from entering this shop!?"

"Answer my Master, old man!! Grrrr...." growledHiko-sama as he held the handle of the katana and looked menacingly with his forever frowned look.

The mention of the Emperor, made him fall to his knees and he kowtow to the both of us.

"God bless the Emperor! If he is a kid, I will entertain him! Please Masters, do not hurt me and do not act this way. Please be calm. I would even give you a discount just like you are the first person the moment I opened my shop." the old man said in a rather trembling voice.

"Brother, he wanted to give us a discount. How much can a discount cover our infamy that had been caused by this old man! He even said I had not even seen a gold coin before! Show him Brother, that we walk on gold coins all over the castle!" I poke my tongue out and made a face at Hiko-sama that he nearly laughed.

The old man didn't see my expression because he was smelling his own floor with his face. The moment he heard castle he trembled even more.

By now the onlookers were gathering outside and was jostling to see what was happening since there was an angry Samurai and a young kid. A few patrolman came and seeing only Hiko-sama's back, and as long as Hiko-sama never withdraw his katana the situation is still under control. Right until one of the patrol men recognised Hiko-sama and he exclaimed to the rest of his buddies,"That's Hiko Seijuro, from the Samurai Shogunate. Don't worry, he knew never to withdrew his katana in public. And he was with the young kid, most probably his adopted son. Come on guys, let's continue our patrol and disperse this crowd."

By now the patrolman had dispersed the crowd and slowly it thinned out considerably.

"Stand up now! Show me what our Master had asked just now!" growled Hiko-sama as the old man slowly stood up and went to the showcase and brought the two pocket watches. Hiko-sama eyes glinted when he saw those it was exactly what he wanted to buy but I had thought the idea and brought it to reality.

"Brother he said these costs 20 gold coins before I left since he said I'm a nosy kid. I want these 2 pocket watches! I want to make a good present for my father and for my good friend. Huu... Huu... Huu...!"

"Right... Right... Master. These 2 pocket watches costs only 20 pieces of gold. I can put them in the boxes and wrap for you if you want."

"Yes... Wrap it and my Master here will pay. Next time don't belittle people entering your shop anymore, you understand?"

"Yehey... Good good. My father and his good friend can get this present from me... Yehey..." I clapped my hands like a silly little boy as the old man was seriously perspiring profusely as he handled the pocket watches and adjusted the time and wound it a bit. He then laid it inside 2 wooden ornamental box with a cushion on it and placed it into 2 little cute shopping paper bag with his shop name on it.

Hiko-sama handed me the bundle of gold coins secretly and I handed it to the old man. The old man then handed me the two bags and he kept the gold coins away in his drawer, not bothering to count at all.

"Thank you for your hospitality, old man." I said to him

"And thank you for your kind patronage, Master! Take care and be safe and have a great evening...!"

We left and the rest of the spectators all dispersed. We walked and we both were grinning and Hiko-sama suddenly gripped me by my neck and rubbed my head vigorously.

"I was thinking of buying these pocket watch early in the day and you are one step ahead and finally bought it. This one for me? Omagai... I never even dreamed of owning a piece of luxury as this. Its worth 2 months salary right?"

"Yes, Sensei... Each pocket watch costs 20 gold coins. Its 4 months of a samurai salary! Come and meet the girls now, they must be waiting for us!"

"Haa...!Haa...!Haa...!" we both laughed out so loud that tears streamed down our faces. On fact it was the tears that Hiko-sama that had been filled with admiration and appreciation that were beyond words. "You really taught that old man a lesson kid!" I just laughed as we made our way to the watchtower clock.