Free The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra

office?”
    Shin’ichi put his hands stiffly at his sides and bowed repeatedly. “Oh, yes, Madam, very much.”
    “Well then, Shin’ichi, please come to the office tomorrow morning early. We will find someone else to cook the rice.” This conscientious boy might prove important in the house’s future with Kin facing retirement.
    The thin figure continued bowing as Rie nodded, then turned and left the kitchen.
    O-Natsu walked over to Shin’ichi. “You have attracted Oku-san’s favor.” She looked directly at him. “See that you don’t disappoint her. She will treat you fairly.”
    “Oh, I will never disappoint her,” he replied. He bowed again.
    That evening Rie opened the door of the inner office and found Kin sitting alone, as she hoped.
    “Excuse me, may I come in?” she asked softly. She had long been thinking of ways to help the house. A solid idea had formed over the past week.
    “Yes, do.” Kin beckoned toward the seat opposite him.
    “Kin-san,” Rie began, seating herself, I have an idea, two suggestions, for our business.” She smiled.
    Kin nodded. “Yes?”
    “They will help White Tiger, I’m certain.”
    “Well, what is it? Your suggestion about our Edo shipments was useful.” He looked at Rie.
    “Can’t we expand our moneylending and gold-silver exchange?
    58oyce Lebra
    That way we can counter any risk in increasing production and shipments to Edo.” She tapped the table with her fan.
    Kin nodded and scratched his cheek. “You may be right. Yes, far less risk in moneylending, gold-silver exchange too. They are traditionally safe, and we always get a faster return on the financial side. More secure too. I’ll take it up with your father and husband.”
    Rie nodded. “You know my husband seems much more cautious in business than you or Father. Or than I am.” She bit her lip. She knew Kin understood.
    “That’s the survival strategy of smaller houses, O-Josama. They can’t afford the risks we can. It’s often written in their house rules: ‘take no unnecessary risks.’”
    “Is that so?” She sipped a cup of tea pensively. “And another thing. A boy is boiling rice in the kitchen. He seems so capable I would like you to consider using him in the office.”
    “We could try him out. How old is he? Why don’t you bring him to the office tomorrow? I’ll give him a task, and if he does it well I’ll recommend him to your father.”
    “Thank you, Kin-san. He must be thirteen. Yes, I’ll bring him in early.” She smiled. Kin was even more receptive than she had hoped. Pragmatism . . . that was the key to approaching him.
    Early the next morning Rie met a smiling, bowing Shin’ichi at the kitchen door, before anyone had started work.
    “Good morning, Madam,” he said in his high piping voice when Rie greeted him.
    “Yes, Shin’ichi. Good. Come, we will go to the office and you will meet our banto, Kin. I believe he has a job for you this morning.” She motioned for him to follow.
    Shin’ichi bobbed up and down three times and trailed Rie, who slid open the door to the inner office.
    “Good morning, Kin-san. Here we are.” She glanced through
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    the door to the outer office where barrels of sake were stacked at one side of the room from floor to ceiling. Near the front entrance was a low table on which stood three small barrels and rows of tasting cups to entice customers.
    Kin bowed smartly and, noting her glance toward the door to the outer office, he closed it and turned to Rie and Shin’ichi. Shin’ichi shivered and thrust his hands into his sleeves but stood respectfully back from the hibachi.
    “How is your rheumatism this morning, Kin-san?” Rie inquired.
    “We have to expect it in winter.” He rubbed his hands together briskly.
    “Well, I never hear you complain.” Rie motioned Shin’ichi to her side.
    “Here is Shin’ichi, the boy I mentioned,” she said.
    Kin looked at the smartly bowing boy. His hawk eyes took in