228 Chapter two, 2016, just another Christmas: 9 (2/2)

'Huh?' ”Pardon me?”

There was something pained in the expression of the man. ”Japan's changing. I'm one of those who can see how we need to adapt to those changes.”

”Yes?” Yukio didn't say anything else, because it was clear there would be more to come.

”You won't need adapting. You'll be one of those who lead that change. I envy you.” The last words came as the businessman turned and threw Urufu a long and thoughtful glance.

'You don't know half of it. James said Urufu's unchanging. He might lead the change, but unless he adapts he'll break under it himself.' The thought surprised Yukio. He knew it to be right, but he couldn't understand from where it had come. 'Am I growing up?'

”I have a good teacher,” he said instead, because that was probably what the man in front of him wanted to hear.

Around the conference table those seated adjusted their chairs when Urufu coughed, and the two who had stood around a small table laden with sparkling water and fruit quickly grabbed a bite each and returned to their chairs.

That was their signal. Both Yukio and Kyoko bowed and left the room. As the work on whatever case Urufu had chosen progressed, Yukio needed to process the data with the help of Kyoko, who had proven to be far more meticulous than he was. On top of that Kyoko knew how to make it all come to life with her sketchpad.

An ugly part of him resented that her abilities already had overtaken his. It made him feel like the least important of them, but Urufu promised that he valued Yukio's special talent just as much. That talent was yet unknown to him, and sometimes Yukio wondered if Urufu just tried to be kind.

”Something for me yet?” Kyoko asked from her laptop.

Yukio firmly shoved his thoughts away and sent her the highlights. ”Uhum, here.”

”Thanks. Eh, Yukio, why did you remove the organisation chart?”

He looked at his screen. ”They're setting up the new process Urufu talked about earlier.”

”Won't they need an organisation for that?”

'Damn, did I do something wrong?' Yukio took a second look at his screen. 'Hell no!' ”That just has to be backwards. If they do it in a new way they'll have to restaff anyway. If we leave it out they'll create new teams based on the process.”

”Huh?”

Something itched inside of him. ”Let's put it this way Kyoko. If we send the old chart back, won't they try to plug a square hole with a round peg?”

Kyoko looked back at him with big eyes. ”OK, I'll use your data.”

'Damn, I wish Ryu was here, or even better, his father.'