The host had no idea about someone's dark speculation below the stage. Following the script, he continued with the proceedings. "I'm sure everyone is very curious about these three new hotel owners—next, the three gentlemen will answer the questions you're most interested in.
"First, why did these three gentlemen from overseas choose to build a hotel in Osaka?"
He turned and repeated the question in English, then held the microphone out to the three foreign sports stars.
Ray Curtis took the microphone and answered in Japanese with a smile. "Because this place could be called the second hometown of the three of us."
A small stir ran through the audience. The high school students had somehow gathered together again, and Suzuki Sonoko stared at the blond, blue-eyed sports star in surprise. "His Japanese is actually so good."
As though he had heard the guests' doubts, Ray Curtis glanced at his fellow sports stars. "My wife and Mike's wife are both locals. As for Rika, although he has no relatives here, he loves ninjas and samurai—so the three of us hit it off immediately and decided to open our hotel here."
Rika Barret, who loved ninja and samurai culture, raised both arms and swiftly performed several ninjutsu moves. Then, amid the guests' good-natured laughter, he lowered his hands.
With that question answered, the host moved on to the next. "This hotel is called K3 Hotel—does the 'K' stand for 'King'? Does it symbolize the three of your important standing in the sports world?"
Important standing in the sports world? Vodka muttered inwardly. I think it sounds more like an abbreviation for Kill, symbolizing Uzo slaughtering people here. Three Ks means killing three people.
"Oh no, of course not." Onstage, Ray Curtis denied the host's suggestion and explained in detail.
"The first