An international clan is, in simple terms, a clan that has received recognition from two or more rulers. There are only fourteen of them in the whole world. Twelve clans that persuaded two rulers, and two clans that managed to persuade three. Here the words "honor" and "reputation" mean a lot, if not everything. Vaughn, Spain is still, for four hundred years, suffering because of its long-dead kinglet, who thought of breaking his word. The once mighty state within a few years slipped to a third-rate country, and only after the Second World War, which was also in this world, began to be selected for second roles. A considerable achievement, by the way. In general, in this world, you can be sure that no ruler of a more or less developed state will get dirty and conclude an agreement with the first clan that comes along. To do this, the clan must be old, respected, strong, rich ... in general, the most-the most. And, of course, you also need to present a gift to the ruler, because no one will listen to you for nothing. However, Sheena's father once said that it was easier to pick up a second gift, but recognizing a superplan is not the same as giving permission to found a new, young and little-giving state. Another log in my eye, by the way. And even though such a clan will have more problems, the two countries cannot be friends until the grave, forever, anyway, but there will still be more buns. And how will the reputation rise…
Now, I think everyone understands how difficult it is to become an international clan and how prestigious and profitable it is. And most importantly, how powerful is the old man sitting across from me. But he is also a Virtuoso! It's funny when you think about who I'm baiting with cheap coffee.
We need to start asking questions. An old man, if he has nothing to do, can sit like this for hours, and my curiosity will soon boil my blood. And just as I was taking a deep breath, the doorbell hit my nerves. It's so long. And then again. And more. And a couple more times. After that, the unexpected visitor rang an uncomplicated melody. And again a long call.
—Is that... who?"
It seems that the old man's nerves are not designed for this. But that's bullshit, now I'll tell him who it is.
— Sheena, Kenta-san. She's such an entertainer.
Opening the door, he met an angry look. Sheena had stopped ringing only when she heard the lock open, and now she stood with her left hand on her hip and her right hand holding her school bag.
— Completely fucked up, freeloader, am I supposed to wait for you all evening?
I didn't understand. What's that supposed to mean? What does "freeloader" mean? Who has a freeloader? And why the hell is she throwing such words? And it would be fine if she said it in jest, but her tone leaves no doubt that it was an open insult.
And without even asking permission, she pushed me away and went into
my
house. It's not even arrogance anymore, it's rudeness. I didn't even understand what was going on at first, she was always impudent, but now she has overstepped all bounds of decency. But by the time I came to my senses, she was already in the living room, and it was somehow uncomfortable for me to swear with Sheena in front of her grandfather. So I had to shove my indignation with every second increasing anger far away, make a brick face and follow her. Don't forget to close the door.
I found Sheena in the middle of the living room, crumpled and confused.
— Hi, Grandpa, what are you doing here?
A great question.
The old man looked at her, then over her shoulder at me.
— I'm just messing around. Unlike you, as far as my ears can tell.
— Well, I... it's… Oh, and you're drinking that idiot's coffee again. You don't regret your health at all. Let me make you some tea instead. — And, quickly picking up a cup and saucer, she headed to the kitchen, but did not fail to throw, passing by me: — Otherwise this half-man will drive you completely into the coffin.
After watching her go, I sat back down on the sofa. It looks like it's time to break off all relations with her. It doesn't fit in any gate anymore. What I might not have paid attention to in private, in the presence of anyone, sounds completely different. And this is her "nedomuzhchina"! No comments at all. If she were a guy, I'd break her arms and legs. And would not look at the presence of her grandfather, nor at her fighting rank. Fortunately, I have almost restored my capabilities since a year ago. M-yes, almost. However, it would be enough for her.
Calming down a little, he looked at the old man. What can I say? She's obviously going to get at home. Grandfather's face is now a visual aid for the effect of lemon on the average person.
— I apologize for the words... and actions of my granddaughter.
He clearly didn't like the way Sheena was behaving in someone else's house. I'm used to it, but this is the first time he's encountered it. It's even strange, for all the years that we have been neighbors, he crossed paths with the Tire for the first time at my place. It's like this house belongs to her, and I'm just visiting here, if anyone didn't understand.
— She should apologize, not you.
— First of all to me. — Yeah, Japan, the mores are like that here. — I'm her grandfather, and her upbringing...
— I'm sorry to interrupt, Kenta-san, but little depends on you here. The tire is no longer a child, and everything that is possible has already been invested in it. If a person is destined to be a homicidal maniac, then, no matter how you raise him, that's what he will grow up to be. And if a woman was born a bitch, then nothing will change her.
— A very controversial statement.
— Not very, Kenta-san, just controversial, and I understand that. But that's my opinion. If completely different children grow up in two identical families with the same income, with parents who have the same character, at the same social level, even with similar friends of parents, it means something.
— And have you met with such a person personally?
- yes. — And in my world, and in this one.
— Well, let's not argue. Everyone has their own opinion. I consider myself obliged to apologize to you. — I just waved my hand in response. — Let's go home, and I will definitely talk to her.
"You'd better tell Kagami-san everything, she'll show her Kuzma's mother."
- what?
— The Russian expression is.
— Mm, I see. Perhaps you're right, who better than a mother to explain how a girl should behave.
Soon Sheena returned, carrying a tray with two cups. She put one in front of the old man, and took the other herself. Well, I reached for cigarettes.
— Hmm, I think I have something with my eyesight, - Kenta said thoughtfully, without even touching his tea. — I can't find the third cup.
"That's because she's not here, Grandpa.
"Why isn't she here?"
— Because the little one can make his own tea if he wants. And here she is in vain, it would be better to play a fool and somehow try to get out of it.
— Sheena, a disgrace to the family, go home. — The friendly intonation of the old man did not agree with the meaning of his phrase in any way.
- what?
Judging by the girl's squeak, she heard much more in her grandfather's words and intonation than I did. Which, of course, is not surprising.
— Go home, and don't stick your nose out of there until I get back! The head of the Koyama clan pressed softly, but weightily.
Jumping up from her seat, Sheena rushed to the exit. Even if not running, but
very
quickly. After a couple of moments, she came back and, picking up her school bag, disappeared just as quickly.
N-yes, the situation. It's as if your best friend came to you... not-uh, as if you came to your best friend, and your daughter, sister or wife there would come there and start insulting and humiliating that friend. And he, a friend, among other things, would also have to listen to family squabbles. So Sheena framed the old man badly.
"I'm sorry, Shinji. — I nod in response. Don't say that everything is fine. "I'll make sure she... repents."
Oh, wow. However, it serves her right.
Okay, let's change the subject. After stubbing out my cigarette, I turned to the old man:
— Kenta-san, I have a question for you, even a few, I still can't ask.
— I'm listening to you, Shinji.
— Tell me, how did it happen that the head of the Koyama clan and his family settled... here? I'm sure you can build a castle for yourself if you want, but at the same time you live in a large house, but obviously not according to your status. And the place itself. Why not in the center, but on the outskirts of Tokyo?
— Hmm, an interesting question. You see, Shinji, you're wrong about the status. There are some unspoken rules among the aristocracy, something like etiquette, but more flexible, changing with time. For example, a house. For about a century or so until the sixteenth, it was believed that the castle, in addition to its basic functions, was a sign of strength and well-being. From the sixteenth to the nineteenth, the castle gave way to the palace. Later, the houses of the aristocracy began to shrink. Now our house is the standard of good taste, for one family. The more people in the family, the bigger the house, respectively.
— Again, I apologize for interrupting, Kenta-san, but your house, in my opinion, is a little too big for five people.
— This is not a big house, Shinji, and our family is small. The house is designed for a family of seven or eight people plus servants. So, this is about the size. Now let's talk about why here. What do you know about the ancestral lands?
— Judging by the name, the lands belonging to one or another kind.
— That's right. I will also add that the granted land is the highest degree of encouragement, not counting, of course, permission to create a clan. For in Japan, as in the vast majority of other countries, the land belongs only to the head of state. And only he can give a part of it. The aristocracy gets only pathetic pieces, and those huge territories that they manage on behalf of the emperor, in fact, do not belong to them. By the way, during the shogunate, many people forgot about it, for which they paid under Meiji. The lands donated by the sovereign cease to be his property, and they can be sold-bought, given to someone, taken away, in the end. True, it is not as easy to take away land now as it used to be, after all, there are a few more laws, but more complicated does not mean it is impossible, and this happens. Also, the emperors from time to time bought the ancestral lands, and sometimes even took them away, though not from the clans, but this also happened. Such is the cycle of the earth in nature. In total, the ancestral territories in our state are about ten percent of the total area of the state. I won't say that it's not enough, but it's not much either.
— About like Italy.