At 12 noon, the tenants of Mr. Kitaoji's shop-lots showed up for the sudden meeting. Usually their meeting was held every month on the 15th but Mr. Kitaoji sent out a notice for each of them two days ago for an emergency meeting. They couldn't complain since he was their landlord.
Tsubaki sat beside Miss Aigasaki, the owner of a florist beside her bakery. They didn't talk much as each one of them were thinking what their landlord had wanted to say. Considering the man's behaviour, it was not going to be something good.
"You guys are here."
Their heads turned towards the arrogant voice. Mr. Kitaoji who was dressed in a flamboyant blue suit sat at the head of the table. He stared at Tsubaki for a while before throwing his glance to everyone in the meeting room. His gaze made Tsubaki shuddered.
Disgusting!
"I don't want to beat around the bush. I intend to increase your rents by 8%. I'd give you a 30 days' notice before the new rent is implemented."
"What?"
Everyone was shocked with the sudden announcement. Mr. Goto, the owner of a sports equipment shop immediately stood up and looked at Mr. Kitaoji in disbelief. He tried to control the anger in his voice, didn't want to excessively cause a scene.
"I'm sorry but Mr. Kitaoji, you have just increased our rent by the beginning of the year. On what basis do you need to increase our rent by 8%? May we know the reason?"
Mr. Kitaoji looked smug while answering Mr. Goto's questions. "I own this building. Do I need to provide another reason?"
"We need a valid reason, Mr. Kitaoji," Tsubaki butted in. Day by day, she was disgusted by the asshole in front of her. "You as our landlord indeed have the right to increase our rents but we still need a valid reason. Your reason is undoubtedly couldn't be justified."
Mr. Kitaoji raised one of his brows, looking challengingly at Tsubaki. "You could file a complaint to the association. Why don't you try to file one?"
Tsubaki sneered. The association wouldn't react to their complaints even though they filed hundreds of them. Mr. Kitaoji's uncle was the head of the business association. While his grandfather was a nice man who was always looked after his tenats, the old man's grandson was entirely a scumbag. Ever since he took over the shop-lots from Old Master Kitaoji, he had never brought peace in their minds and hearts.
"You know the association won't do anything to our complaints against you."
Mr. Kitaoji leaned back, he smiled too sweetly at Tsubaki. If she couldn't control her anger, she would have smack the pretentious face. She had always has a good temper but maybe this guy would push her to her limits.
"I'll give the official notice later." Mr. Kitaoji stood up. He didn't have intention to stay here any longer. "You guys should make Miss Hanada as your representative. Maybe I'd change my mind."
Mr. Kitaoji left while laughing. Tsubaki clenched her fists. She understood why her landlord suggested her to be their representative to negotiate with him. He wanted to play a game with her, pressuring her info accepting him.
He was a scumbag, through and through!
"Ignore him, Miss Hanada. We could think of something else." Mr. Goto looked at the woman, trying to ease the situation. "He's not worth your time."
"Yes. We could try contacting Old Master Kitaoji. Maybe he could beat some sense into that immature grandson of his." Another shop tenant chimed in.
Tsubaki looked around, all of them were worried about her. They knew how Mr. Kitaoji had been pursuing her without taking her feelings into consideration.
"Thank you, everyone." Tsubaki smiled halfheartedly. "I'll try contacting Old Master Kitaoji myself. Please don't worry."
She won't fall under the despicable man's pressure.
After the meeting, they went back to their respective shops. The customers were coming nonstop to get their lunch. Tsubaki quickly put on her apron to help her employees. She put on a smiling face for their customers. Even though what happened between her and Mr. Kitaoji wasn't pleasant, she wouldn't show it in front of the happy faces in front of her.
"Sister Tsubaki, did Mr. Kitaoji said something during the meeting?" Kohana asked her once the customers exited the bakery. Only a few remained in the dining area, enjoying their afternoon tea.
"Yes. And something despicable, that is." Tsubaki took a cloth from under the counter. She wiped the counter clean from any bread crumbs.
"What happened?"
"We'll discuss later." Tsubaki glanced at the remaining customers. Kohana took the hint and continued with her task.
"Oh! I forgot to mention it." Chiyo suddenly exclaimed after she finished placing the new batch of croissants in its respective shelf. "Mr. Fuse has already came to take his cakes. He was looking for you, Sister Tsubaki. So I just told him you were gone for a moment."
"Why? Did he has anything else to order?"
Tsubaki raised her brows, knowing Chiyo she knew the young girl just wanted to gossip. Chiyo tended to daydream about anything related to romance encounters. Tsubaki and the other girls would just listen to her without minding much of it.
"Yes." Chiyo smiled meaningfully.
"I think it isn't anything serious when you smile like that." Kohana pointed out.
"Hey! I'm being serious." Chiyo pouted. She glanced at Tsubaki. "I think he wants to order you. As a romantic interest." Chiyo quickly left after saying it. Tsubaki blinked in confusion, she couldn't immediately digest what the bubbly girl had said.
What?