Hitoko, sitting comfortably in her usual, favored seat in her frequent haunt, awaited her guest as patiently as she could. Food and drink - her usual, of course - were ordered for one as she expected it to be a short visit. Better for everyone that way.

Osamu elects to sit one table past Hitoko, still in distance to easily chat but not directly at the same table.

"You move fast Hitoko-san" He places an order for some tea. "I take it that things went well? And that your advance arrived on time?"

"I think that the people who know how serious my business is all recognize that, ah, efficient timelines reduce the risk for everyone concerned. Asako-sama is of course one of those wise people who appreciate keeping things... straightforward. And yes, the timeline moved so efficiently thanks to my steps preventing unwanted complications," Hitoko says, grinning proudly. She pauses then feigns a tickle in her throat, waving at a server for some water.

As it's prepared and brought over, she adds, in clear voice, "Asako-sama has been most supportive of my event planning."

"Well, do you have the party favors?" Osamu pulls out a small package to slide over. "And if so, how many were you able to obtain?"

The ronin smirks. "Ah, good Asako-sama is so delightfully to-the-point," she murmurs happily. She coughs lightly, using the motion of covering her mouth to pull a data stick from one sleeve and place it at the edge of the table, under a napkin she'd plucked up and used to cover the feigned coughing fit.

"Party favors pour forth for those with... just the right touch. I expect you'll find plenty of use for 23 cases," Hitoko says with obvious pride. "As you may have heard, this one is highly skilled," she adds, smirking.

"Business is always on my mind Hitoko-san." Osamu replies, sipping his tea to hide his smile. "You have absolutely earned your comission. I have your payment here. As I offered an advance as a sign of good faith, I would appreciate you delivering the favors before the remainder of the payment comes through."

"Though...what is your upcoming schedule? And...I know this is a delicate question, have you ever considered having your business bought out by a franchise?"

Hitoko smiles and starts to respond to the first matters, then is completely thrown off by the next thing the Phoenix says.

"Ah, Asako-sama, I... I'm an independent contractor. I am... Forgive me, uh, perhaps being a bit dense about..." The ronin holds up a hand in front of her - towards the empty side of her table, which no doubt looks odd in the moment - and takes a deep breath. Placing that hand alongside her cheek, her face turns more intensely thoughtful.

"First, you'll find everything you need for your favors right there," she says, eyes pointing him to the napkin on the side of her table. "All the help I can give you," she says, letting a little smile of pride sneak out before she refocuses.

"Now, um, perhaps this... Business model you're inquiring about," she says, voice going a bit lower to reduce any eavesdropping, though there seems no one around taking any notice of them so far. "Perhaps a bit more of a picture needs to be painted? I'm sure we've both seen lots of, uh, creative arrangements that weren't necessarily good business." She smiles, a little bit forced, as wariness struggles against curiosity.

Osamu reaches over and discreetly takes the napkin.

"Forgive me, I will try to speak plainer: would you be interested in operating your business under a Phoenix backer? This Phoenix, if you please."

The ronin's eyebrows raise, like the thought is so novel it had never actually occurred to her.

"Take my operation in house, Asako-sama? I thought the noble clans preferred to contract out their... event planning... in case they didn't like the results. Healthier to keep the relationship just business, you might say?" Hitoko's face seems to slip back and forth between curiosity and skepticism, so it's difficult to tell whether she's genuinely interested.