The Residential District at the more
desired end of town was well known for its peaceful atmosphere, wonderful architecture and the overall niceness of its people. Of course this wasn't always
the case as the residents often found an excuse to whisper and gossip behind closed doors and other's backs to talk about the latest news in the district -
who was seen visiting who's house and who supposedly walked over Shiarishi-san's flowerbed. Of course now it seemed discussions and gossip was on one
thing, and one thing alone. That new house being built in the Residential District with that large plot of land about it. Workers were there most hours of the
day, and those living in the residential district could barely believe their eyes when they saw it.
It was large, bright, gaudy and rather a staple for the nouveau riche and the whole thing seemed to have an air for the need to
have as much money thrown at it, and to make it obvious that it was done so, regardless of how ridiculous it seemed. In fact the whole thing seemed ridiculous
and the rumours buzzing about consisted of whether the owner had planning permission from the government at all, if he bribed them, or perhaps whether this was
all a big horrible practical joke. That certainly seemed like the case for the bright yellow sedan chair with the (supposed) pure gold poles of which up to
twelve people carried (six on each side) which was never seen used for the owner himself - he preferred to walk - but instead carried as many people as could
fit inside every other night to observe the semi-built house and end up having rip-roaring parties in the almost-built downstairs rooms well into the evening.
And the cause for all this discussion was that the one building the rather distasteful monstrosity was none other than the now
retired Minekura Tokugowa - after retiring from the professional fighting circuit he decided to retire part of his stage name also. His agent thought that the
whole procedure was a very bad move, but, oddly enough it worked. Speculation abound as to the reasons for him leaving the sword fighting arena, though in any
interviews the Cherry Basket took consisted of the same; "Eh, I had cash to throw away" and left it at that. Truth be told yet another argument had
occurred between himself and Akako, resulting in them both storming out of the little shack of a house over a matter on Minekura's Scrooge-like ability to
keep his money as close to himself as possible - among a number of other less-than savoury discussions. What resulted was that Minekura decided he needed to
spend some money, but not being one to splash out he had little idea what to spend it on, and instead decided to put money into the first thing he saw - which,
oddly enough was a small struggling tea house, of which the owner offered him 70% of all takings, if it could be just stopped from going under. Then, the
Empress died. Suddenly the business was booming with the arrival of mourners and then eventually tourists visiting to get a glimpse of the new Emperor and
Minekura suddenly found all the money he had given in was returning tenfold.
It didn't stop there and very soon the ex-sword fighter was pouring money into or buying up various businesses all over the
city, putting him somewhere on the top ten list of wealthiest citizens within a few months. After his newfound talent in business, he became the forerunner of
several new construction projects about the city, including several new modernised tea shops, was drawing up plans for a new, and far bigger theatre than any
had ever seen before in the Cultural District and a new sports arena for the University of Erion - to help train youngsters in the field of
swordsmanship. Now he was sorting out building a new residence for himself and, not one to do things by halves, deemed that it be the biggest and
most noticeable house in the entire District. Well, it certainly was so.
"Oi-!" he shouted out to the foreman of the workers, instructing him to come closer while he observed the rest of the building work, twirling his new
ivory and gold pipe between his fingers as he looked over the semi-built building. "How much longer has it got to go? I've got a bloody drinking party
for next week" he grumbled somewhat irritably, "Is it going to be finished for then?" he raised an eyebrow expectantly at the foreman, one arm
folded as he lightly tapped some of the ash from his pipe. The small man nodded and gave a cheery smile, "Oh definately, sir!" he gestured to the
partially-built second storey, "We'll be done within four days if we keep at this pace, then we just need to do all the detailing you had asked
for" Seemingly pleased with the answer he recieved, Minekura sat the pipe back in the corver of his mouth, smirking quite happily, "Good" he
said lightly, reaching into his sleeve and whipping out a fair sum of money tied in a wad, tossing it to the foreman who uttered a thousand thank-yous before
returning to work.
Minekura wasn't being charitable, that was the first thing he would insist. No, he was just 'throwing money away', as
usual.


