PROLOGUE:

To say that I grew up in a well-off family would be an understatement. Being born into a yakuza family came with many blessings. It wasn't until I realized my blessings, however, I also realized how unfortunate I was at the same time.

My father, Akiyama Juushiro, became the head of the Akairan yakuza clan at the age of twenty seven. He soon married my mother and had four sons and one daughter within the span of eighteen years. I was born when my eldest brother, Souma, was eighteen and my parents were both well into their forties. Being not only the youngest but also the only daughter, my family considered me as a family treasure since I was in my mother's womb. It was my grandfather that named me Akie, meaning 'autumn painting', after my grandmother.

Although Father was the clan head, Grandfather was a formidable clan elder that held a considerable amount of power. Everyone in the clan regardless of blood relation called Father Oyabun and Grandfather Oji-sama, but there was always something grand about the way Grandfather was referred to - as if there was some sort of fearsome power in those four syllables.

I attended public school and my family's occupation was kept a secret from the public. Although my parents wished for my childhood to be as ordinary as possible, grandfather insisted differently and demanded I be educated to prepare myself for the yakuza world. Thus from the tender age of five I followed my caretaker to learn martial arts from judo to kendo, tea ceremonies, Japanese literature, modern politics, study of Kimono, and etc. I didn't particularly hate these lessons because I found them interesting in one way or another. What I didn't enjoy as much was whenever Grandfather had me accompany him to ceremonies held by alliance clans. Yakuza events were always much more enjoyable when accompanied by my parents or brothers, but when I was with Grandfather, I was expected to be as silent as a mute. The only thing I was allowed to do was nod politely when spoken to and bow as lowly as possible when told to.

I believe I was eight when I realized everything served to make me not only into a yakuza, but an ideal lady that grandfather would hope me to be. I never felt particularly fond of Grandfather to begin with, but this knowledge gave me the motive I needed to escape his grip. It wasn't until my first year in middle school before I was given the opportunity to escape.

"Oji-sama is trying to make his only granddaughter into an offering for a successful political marriage to strengthen the clan." I heard Gin say when I eavesdropped on my brothers one night.

The voice that followed belonged to Souma. "Oji-sama believes that arranging Akie to marry into an affluent family would make her happy."

"Are you saying that's his way of loving his granddaughter 'cause that's a pretty shitty way of showing his affections." Koutei said. "I don't really find the idea of our little sister being sold into marriage appealing."

Hiro clicked his tongue in agreement to Koutei's remark. He rarely spoke during these meetings but I could always tell what he meant by the little sounds he made.

Koutei was about to go on a rant when I heard Souma hush him. I suddenly felt chills run down my spine when I heard Souma call out to me. "Akie, you're there listening to us again, aren't you?"

I could never tell whether Souma had really good ears or if he could read people's minds.

Seeing there was no point in feigning innocence, I slid the bamboo door open just wide enough for my brothers to see my face. I saw Souma, Gin, Koutei, and Hiro sitting around a round table and I immediately noticed the small cups and vials of sake on the table.

Koutei scolded me for eavesdropping but regardless motioned for me to come in and sit by his side.

It seemed to me now that I was physically in the room, my brothers would change the subject of their conversation to something less important - perhaps how I was doing at school or if my friends were treating me alright. But there was an exchanging of looks between Gin and Souma as if they had made a silent decision together and I knew they were going to continue their previous conversation.

"Akie" Gin started, "I'm sure you know already but Father decided to put Souma nii-san and I in charge of our clan's branch quarters in Namimori."

I nodded. "Sou-nii and Gin-nii are moving there next month, right?" To be honest I was quite disappointed that I wouldn't get to see the eldest two of my brothers whenever I wanted to. Souma was the best to talk to whereas Gin's presence was the most comforting.

"That's right. We'll be living in the estate in Namimori. But more importantly, Souma nii-san and I were wondering if you would like to move with us to Namimori, Akie."

Hiro seemed surprised and actually verbalized himself. "Ah, so that's what you've been meaning to tell us tonight, huh?"

I don't think I truly understood how big of a deal the topic Gin brought up was, because I complied immediately without hesitation. "I'll go!" I answered enthusiastically, the thought of moving to a new location appealing to me greatly for some reason.

Koutei laughed at my spontaneity and ruffled my hair with his large hand affectionately. "This isn't something you can decide so quickly knucklehead!" he said. "Souma nii-san and Gin nii-san are serious about their offer, but they're asking you right now so you can think about it seriously before you answer them."

"That's right" Souma nodded. "We want you to consider your options carefully. If you come up with an answer with reason, we can start talking to Oji-sama about the matter."

I had completely forgotten about the fact that Grandfather was the decision maker in the family. How childish I was to think I could suddenly up and disappear from his sight! Gin dismissed me from the room after that, saying that I should go sleep since I had school the next day.

The following week I pondered how Grandfather would be persuaded. It seemed to me I didn't need much reason to go to Namimori but to evade Grandfather's grip. Before I could even begin to wonder how my parents would think, Father surprised me by telling me that the arrangements for my move had already been made. All that had to be done was that I be willing to do this.

I was surprised beyond words, especially when Grandfather called me to his room one day to say lecture me about how to behave in Namimori. Souma was there as well and the entire time he sat there I couldn't help but look at him with wonder as he smiled at me with one of his all-knowing smiles.

"You will be moving just in time to begin your first year of middle school." Grandfather said. He motioned Souma for something on his desk, which Souma retrieved quickly and handed to me. It was a student application for Namimori Middle School. "You missed the entrance exam a month ago but I will talk to them for you. Just fill that application out and turn it in on your first day of school."

Grandfather continued on with his usual instructions in which I should behave appropriately and continue on with my studies. I didn't really take much of it to heart since it was something I had been told for as long as I could remember - but I was surprised by what Grandfather had said before dismissing Souma and I out of the room.

"I expect you to make plenty of friends when you get there, Akie."

I wondered if this was Grandfather's way of being kind to me - which was an abstract idea in itself. It wasn't until later that I realized that Grandfather never said anything without something greater in mind.