Golden Japanesque: A Splendid Yokohama Romance, Vol. 2

Rintarou teases Maria, but she feels attracted to him. When Maria is invited to a party, things may not be as they seem. Could this be a scheme by a third party?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Rintarou's playful teasing continues to captivate Maria's heart, even as she grapples with an enigmatic attraction towards him. Yet, when Maria receives an invitation to join Rintarou at a prestigious high-society party held by his family, she begins to suspect that there is more to this gathering than meets the eye. Could this be a cunning scheme orchestrated by a third party with ulterior motives?

As Maria steps into the grand ballroom, she can't help but feel a sense of unease. The air is filled with anticipation, and the guests are dressed in their finest attire. Rintarou, standing by the entrance, greets her with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Maria, my dear," he says, his voice low and seductive. "I'm so glad you could join me tonight. I have something special in store for you."

Maria's heart races as she follows Rintarou through the crowd, her senses on high alert. She can't shake the feeling that something is not quite right. The party seems to be going smoothly, with laughter and conversation filling the air. But as Maria looks around, she notices that there are eyes on her, watching her every move.

"Who are those people?" she asks Rintarou, her voice tinged with suspicion. "I don't recognize any of them."

Rintarou shrugs nonchalantly. "They're just some friends of my family's. Don't worry about them, Maria. They're harmless."

But Maria can't shake the feeling that something is off. She takes a sip of her drink, trying to calm her nerves. As she does so, she notices a man in the corner of the room, watching her intently. He is tall and muscular, with dark hair and piercing eyes. He doesn't say a word, but his presence is unsettling.

Maria's mind begins to race with possibilities. Could this be a scheme by Rintarou's family to embarrass her? Or is it something more sinister? She can't help but feel that she is being watched, and that her every move is being scrutinized.

As the night wears on, Maria becomes more and more aware of the tension in the room. Rintarou's playful teasing continues, but it now feels more like a game than a genuine expression of affection. Maria's heart is heavy with doubt, and she can't shake the feeling that she is being played.

Just when Maria can't take it anymore, she excuses herself and leaves the party. She walks through the streets of Yokohama, lost in thought. She doesn't know where to go, but she knows that she needs to get away from Rintarou and his family.

As she walks, she hears a noise behind her. She turns around, and to her surprise, she sees the man from the party following her. He doesn't say a word, but his eyes are fixed on her. Maria's heart races, and she begins to run.

She runs through the streets of Yokohama, her breath coming in quick gasps. The man follows her, his footsteps echoing behind her. Maria's mind is racing, and she can't think straight. She doesn't know what to do, but she knows that she needs to get away from him.

Just when Maria thinks that she is safe, she hears a loud noise behind her. She turns around, and to her horror, she sees the man standing in front of her, holding a knife.

"Please, don't hurt me," Maria pleads, her voice trembling. "I don't know what you want, but I don't have anything to do with whatever it is."

The man doesn't say a word, but his eyes are cold and calculating. He raises the knife, and Maria's heart sinks.

Just then, a voice calls out from the shadows.

"Stop!"

Maria turns around, and to her relief, she sees Rintarou standing there, holding a gun.

"What the hell is going on?" Rintarou asks, his voice tense.

The man, who turns out to be one of Rintarou's family's servants, drops the knife and steps back.

"I'm sorry, sir," he says, his voice trembling. "I didn't know what I was doing. I was just following orders."

Rintarou looks at the man for a moment, his eyes cold and calculating.

"Orders?" he asks. "From whom?"

The man hesitates for a moment, but then he speaks.

"From my master, sir. He wanted me to keep an eye on you and make sure that you didn't cause any trouble."

Rintarou's expression darkens.

"Your master?" he asks. "Who is he?"

The man hesitates again, but then he speaks.

"He's a powerful man, sir. He has connections to the underworld. He's not someone you want to mess with."

Rintarou's eyes narrow, and he takes a step forward.

"I don't care about your master," he says. "I care about you, Maria. And I don't want you to be in any more danger."

Maria looks at Rintarou, her heart pounding in her chest. She can't believe that he was willing to risk his life to protect her.

"Thank you," she says, her voice trembling. "I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here."

Rintarou smiles, his eyes warm and sincere.

"You're welcome," he says. "I'm always here to protect you, Maria. No matter what."

As they walk away from the scene, Maria can't help but feel a sense of relief. She knows that she is safe now, thanks to Rintarou. And she knows that she will never forget the night that she almost lost her life.

The Meiji-era Yokohama romance continues, but this time, Maria is more aware of the dangers that lurk around every corner. She knows that she needs to be careful, and that she needs to trust Rintarou with her life. And she knows that they will face whatever challenges come their way, together.

Weight: 140g
Dimension: 125 x 191 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781975319786