A large crowd is gathered at the harbourfront, spilling onto the marina.
‘What a welcome,’ Hotaka says. ‘There’s a TV crew.’
Sakura groans. ‘I don’t think I can face this.’
‘You have to.’
‘But I’m exhausted. I won’t know what to say.’
‘You, lost for words?’ Hotaka holds up a clenched fist. ‘You can do it.’
‘Sure, easy as jumping off a cliff.’
‘Hey, that was mean!’
Uncle Yori is waiting. He’s been able to close the gate into his wharf, keeping the crowd out. As Hotaka and Sakura pull alongside, Osamu steps from the boat-shed.
‘I couldn’t keep him out,’ Uncle Yori explains. ‘He said you need him.’
‘And you do,’ Osamu adds.
Sakura groans. ‘Like a hole in the head.’
‘You guys have been gone for ages. What have you been doing?’
‘What’s it matter?’ Sakura snaps as she clambers off the boat.
‘What’s it matter? See the crowd? Several hundred people here to see you, and you ask what’s it matter? This could be bigger than Godzilla. While you’ve been on the high seas, a TV crew and newspaper reporters from Sendai have shown up, plus there’s a team flying up from Tokyo as we speak! And you ask—’
‘Okay, got the picture.’ Sakura steadies herself against the boat-shed. ‘I’ll handle it.’
‘No, you won’t. You’re a mess. Those creeps will eat you. They’ll put words in your mouth and have you saying all the wrong things. You need a media manager, someone to keep those dogs at bay. And who better than…moi!’
‘Are you kidding?’
‘Trust me. I know what I’m talking about.’
‘You aren’t kidding. I’m outa here!’ Sakura starts to walk away, but Osamu stops her.
‘At least hear me out. Please.’
Sakura stops and turns back to him. ‘Go on, then. I’m listening.’
‘First off, it’s not easy for me to say this; after all, probably the one thing we both agree on is that we disagree a lot.’
Sakura nods. ‘True.’
‘But I honestly think that what you’ve done is incredibly brave. You’ve stood up and said something that many in this town might have thought but haven’t had the guts to say. In doing so you’ve become a voice for many, an important voice. You’ve also started a fight that could radically change this town. I feel honoured to call you my friend.’
Sakura’s jaw drops. ‘Oh my god! Am I hearing things?’
‘Please don’t make fun of me. I mean what I say.’
‘I’m not making fun of you. I just didn’t expect this.’ Sakura reaches out to Osamu. ‘Thanks.’
‘There’s more. This won’t be an easy fight. There are big forces out there who want to squash you, and have the means to do it. How you handle the next part of this fight will be crucial. Do the wrong thing and you’ll lose before you know it. I think I know how you can win, but you’ll need to do what I say. Am I in?’
Sakura throws a questioning glance at Hotaka.
‘What he says makes sense,’ Hotaka replies, and then adds with a grin: ‘For once. Maybe you should give him a chance.’
‘Okay,’ she says. ‘You’re in. So what’s our plan of attack for the media? I have to front them.’
‘No, let them come to you. You call the shots. You have to own this story. We must have those media grubs telling your story, not theirs or anyone else’s.’
‘Good point,’ Sakura says. ‘But how do we make that happen?’
Osamu claps his hands together, businesslike. ‘You stay exactly where you are. I go to the media and explain that due to the huge stress you’ve been put under by the school, local government and the Shonkyshow Construction Co, you’re exhausted and distressed. Despite this you will speak to them. But only for a short time; you really do need to recuperate. I’ll explain that a fuller interview will be possible tomorrow.’
‘Provided they behave,’ Hotaka adds.
‘Exactly! And Sakura will be the judge of that. Misbehave, and they don’t get a second go. And if at any time you feel bullied or threatened, give your minder a nod.’ Osamu points to Hotaka’s uncle. ‘He’ll expel them on the spot. You cool with that, Captain Yori?’
‘Absolutely,’ Uncle Yori replies with a smile. He’s enjoying this.
‘I’d also appreciate it, Captain, if you’d come to the gate with me. Those media dogs can get snappy.’ Osamu turns to Sakura. ‘You okay? Ready for the show?’
‘As ready as I’ll ever be. Open those flood gates.’
Osamu nods to Hotaka and his uncle, and they head off.
‘So what have you got lined up for me?’ Hotaka asks as they walk.
‘Plenty. You see, a lot has happened since this morning. Principal Hashimoto is tearing his hair out.’
‘How come?’
‘Remember how he said at assembly that there were three others in this with Sakura? Once word got out about you putting up your hand, at least twenty others have done the same. Even your kendo pal has joined the team, plus a few of his mates.’ Osamu shakes his head. ‘This is going to get big and almost certainly nasty. Sakura has to be careful.’ Osamu stops and pulls Hotaka closer. ‘She can’t go home tonight. The media will find out where she lives and pester her nonstop.’
‘I hoped you’d say that.’ Osamu hands Hotaka a piece of paper. ‘When you’re clear of here, call my cousin. He’s come to Omori-wan from Kyoto for work. Tell him to bring his car around to Wharf 21. Go there and wait for him.’
‘Wharf 21? That’s way down the other end of the marina. How will Sakura get there?’
‘Your uncle has that sorted.’
Hotaka slaps Osamu on the back. ‘You’ve really thought this through, bud. Good work.’
‘I hope so,’ Osamu replies. ‘These dudes can be devious.’
They go on to the gate. As they near it the media people call out.
‘The graffiti girl,’ a TV reporter yells. ‘We want to talk to the graffiti girl.’
‘Yeah,’ another calls out. ‘Where is she?’
Uncle Yori steps forward. ‘Settle down,’ he shouts. ‘All of you. The girl you want is Miss Sakura Tsukino. Refer to her properly and we might just let you in for a little chat.’
A newspaper reporter responds quickly. ‘Would it be possible to interview Miss Tsukino please?’
‘Certainly, sir,’ Uncle Yori replies. ‘See what manners do.’ He unlocks the gate, keeping a firm grip on it, and directs Hotaka through. ‘Let this guy out first,’ he shouts. ‘And don’t bother pestering him. He’s not part of this thing at all.’
Hotaka squeezes through the gate and pushes past the media people, smiling to himself as he hears his uncle laying down the law.
‘Listen up, everyone. A few ground rules before anyone gets in.’