Page 179 of Mercy Written in Blood

"No business."

Renji looked up. Reina, Hiroshi and Haruki had spoken at once. Hiroshi pointed a wooden spoon towards a carved plaque above the kitchen door. Renji had assumed it was decorative. It read: NO BUSINESS UNTIL DESSERT.

"This is literal?" Renji asked.

"Very," Haruki said.

"There is an active threat."

"There is always an active threat," Reina replied.

"That does not make it less relevant."

"It makes the rule necessary."

Hiroshi tasted the sauce and added more mirin.

"My brother began it."

"Haruki's father?"

"Yes."

Haruki returned his attention to washing rice.

"He got tired of every meal becoming a meeting."

"He overturned the table once," Reina said.

Haruki looked over his shoulder.

"It was one bowl."

"It hit the wall."

"The table stayed upright."

Hiroshi nodded thoughtfully.

"He had a strong arm."

Renji looked at the plaque again. The lettering had faded in places. Not new. Not symbolic. A boundary preserved because someone had once needed it enough to carve it into wood.

"What happens if someone discusses business?" he asked.

"They wash everything," Reina said.

"You made that rule."

"Yes."

"It is self-serving."

"Good rules often are."

Haruki handed Renji a clean bowl.

"No warehouse. No Accord. No threats until dessert."