[ Nishikiyama's reaction doesn't hide his position and Mine almost recoils to apologize. He's still too used to etiquette, maybe more from his civilian life than from the yakuza, and even with someone close to his own age. He bites back his defense, though. With a sense of the other family members waiting, too, it's a given that he turns around for a moment to look.

Seeing Kazama pass through, Mine's expression doesn't readily change like Nishikiyama's does, but that his stare has found the man is more than obvious. ]

Thank you. I was optimistic things would go well. [ His acceptance of that praise is brief, and probably still more formal than Nishikiyama cares for, but Mine's confidence rings with it. Speeches today would not have been made if not for his influence. Now that there isn't anyone else here, he can claim it. ]

Yes, [ Mine confirms, anyway. ] it won't interfere with tonight.

               

[ That was his exit for leaving with everyone else and getting his car. An effort at remaining discreet is abandoned, then; he has mountains of money left to spend even after sinking millions of yen into the Nishikiyama Family. This time, and before long, Nishikiyama needn't be the one to start a conversation. Mine turns his head to the passenger side, a pause from watching the straight lanes of the expressway. He tries not to remember a car chase. ]

I'm curious about something. [ Rumors have made their way around but, arrogantly, Mine thinks he would have heard if there was anything close to a decision. ] Are you considering either Shindo-san or Kanda-san for the position of Captain?