Page 57 of Son of Shadows

He nodded. “But even if the drinks don’t flow, the rules are the same here as any other.”

But a dry izakaya . . . That concept alone shook him to his core. Such things shouldn’t be allowed to exist.

Fine. There were worse things in life. Koichi couldn’t think of any right now, but he was sure there were worse things out there.

Like the sound of Ryuichi-kage snickering from the shadows.

Since the sake option was gone, Koichi turned his thoughts to what he really needed to accomplish. “Maybe you can help me with something. I have a bit of a problem.”

The server shook his rectangular-shaped head. “We all got problems.”

When he started to crawl away, Koichi pulled his coins out and held them up to get his attention.

At first, he didn’t think it’d work. Not until the server returned and took them. “What do you need?”

“Where can I find the Ryukage?”

The server’s eyes widened. “Are you out of your mind? Why would anyone want him back? Or to find him? Do you have a death wish?”

“Not today. But it is important that I find him.” He passed a handful of silver to the waiter.

Trying to act discreet, the waiter quickly put the coin in his pocket. Then he leaned forward and made sure no one else was listening. “I’ve heard rumors. And you didn’t hear it from me, but they say there’s a ferryman who knows the place. A real stickler, doesn’t talk much, and he works exclusively for the lord of Kagemura.”

“How does that help me? I’m not the lord of Kagemura.”

The waiter leaned in and whispered, “He’ll take anyone, but the price is high.”

“How much are we talking?” Koichi asked.

He shrugged. “It depends on his mood. Pray you catch him in a good one.”

A moment later, a large, wolflike yōkai, his mouth filled with rows and rows of sharp teeth, sat down next to them. He was twice as tall as any man. He had to hunch over to make sure he didn’t go through the ceiling. He had the biggest smile on his face.

The waiter lifted his head to the newcomer. “Haru, what brings you in today? You look like you’ve just struck a deal.”

“I have. Business is booming.” He laughed. “So I thought I’d treat myself a little.”

Koichi stared at his hat. He had never seen anything quite like it. It was a metal helmet, but it looked like two thin sheets of metal fused together with a bowl attached to cover the head. In an odd way, it resembled a lizard.

Haru smiled. “I see you’re staring at my hat. It’s from Portugal. I was told this once belonged to the king. It’s their version of the emperor.”

“Portu . . . what?” Koichi cocked his head. He’d never heard of it.

“Portugal.”

He still had no idea. “Where’s that?”

Haru became oddly quiet. “I’m not too sure, actually, but it has to be far. I’ve never seen anything quite like the man who sold it to me.”

“Are you sure it was a man?”

He nodded. “He had really pale skin and hair, and he talked funny.”

Koichi pointed at the kasa. “How do you know it’s real?”

“Has to be. The man who sold it to me wore funny clothes and . . .” His eyes narrowed on Koichi. “Wait a second. You’re a human, aren’t you?” The yōkai sniffed him and recoiled. “Definitely human. You reek of the human world. When’s the last time you went to a bathhouse?”

Now the beast sounded like Haruki.