Chapter 2

Chrome woke up to a loud rapping on her bedroom door accompanied with a yell of:

"Wake your lazy ass up!"

Her vision was still a bit blurry so she slowly blinked for a few times. She trailed her gaze to where the clock was hanging and just learned that it's almost noon. She overslept. With a rustling sound, she removed the blanket covering her body and sat up on a side of the bed, with her feet set down on the floor

She remembered a moment in the past when her aunt had to rush inside her room, terribly worried because Chrome was still not out of bed earlier like usual. She got a cold that day and her aunt took great care of her, barely leaving her side. Chrome swore she would do the same for her aunt. And she did—she was by her side every minute and every day at the hospital till the sorrowful day came when she died. The noise coming from the other side of the door was suddenly unmuted which brought her back to reality. She was trying her best to hold back tears on the brink of bursting from the memory she had, and shuffled herself to the door that creaked while it was slowly opened, revealing a glaring old man.

"I-I apologize for waking up so late," she stuttered out, not directly looking at her uncle, afraid to see his face knowing how horrible she must have looked right now for crying so much last night.

"Hurry and fix yourself up! We're going somewhere. And…" there was a slight pause, what looked like hesitation to Chrome. "…wear something nice," her uncle finally uttered.

With a confused expression, she nodded dazedly. 'Go where?' she wonders. Her uncle never invited her and her aunt to go hang out before. She's also quite baffled as to why he was home so early. He normally arrives late at night, accompanied by intimidating men in suits if not dark clothing, and tattoos, cackling or arguing alongside each other. Chrome avoided coming out of her room during those times and would rather sleep early, since she did not want to be leered at by any of those men again as what happened to her once before. She does not actually know what her uncle does for work, but it must be a really strange job if he is involved with those kind of people.

She went inside the bathroom and saw herself in the mirror. She's right about how bad she looked, her eyes remained all puffy and red no matter how much she tried to wash her face. After doing a quick hygienic routine, she went back to her room to get dressed. She didn't feel like wearing something too bright and cheery, so she came out in a simple black dress.

"Ya look like you're going to a funeral," her uncle nagged, scowling in disapproval.

"I still want to be in mourning clothes, Uncle Masamoto... f-for Aunt Reiko." Chrome said quietly, lowering her head down and clutching her dress.

"Tsk. Whatever!" he turned slightly away and mumbled, more to himself than to her.

"Let's move it. I want you to shut up the whole time till we get there and don't ask me any of your stupid questions." Chrome only nodded.

It was a short drive into the city. Her uncle rented a parking space then they walked into the streets. After being cooped inside for too long, Chrome felt a bit dizzy for seeing so many people and hearing a lot of different noises. Something was thrown at her and she caught it on impulse.

"Eat. I don't want you to pass out before we get there," it came out as more of a grumble. Her uncle also handed her a bottle of water.

"Thank you." Chrome answered politely. Honestly, she was very grateful. Though, she is still very lost about where all of this is heading to.


Last night was another job done. He usually finishes the chore with only his tonfas, but he was forced to take out his pistol that time since the target was a slippery one. Kyoya had managed to isolate him in his office but the guy just had to throw his pet cat at him and jumped out from the window that opened to an alley. While still inside the office, Kyoya positioned himself by the shattered glass, pulled out his pistol and without mercy, shot the escaping man his brains out.

colleague invited him out for a drink at a bar as "celebration" for successfully assassinating one of the most notorious mob bosses across the country. "It's still noon," Kyoya replied, both puzzled and annoyed. He only wanted to take a long nap—and he does not like to drink alcohol, what more at noon when the sun is burning the brightest?

"People also drink to their spirits at noon," reasoned out as-a-matter-of-factly by a tall and slender male with dyed blonde hair as they walked together towards a tiny pub. He opened the door that made a jingling noise that came from a bell, and stretched out a hand to welcome Kyoya inside.

"Besides, my brother," said the blonde guy while putting his arm around Kyoya "we couldn't go celebrating together tonight since I heard my old man wanted to meet with you and give you 'a little something' for a job well done,"

Kyoya had not realized they were on such familiar terms. He had to admit they have known each other since childhood, but with Kyoya being a moody and antisocial kid, it's a wonder how the outgoing Naoki still tails after him around like a puppy. Naoki Kuroda is the son of a feared Yakuza boss, Sanosuke Kuroda. Their clan is among several in the Japanese underworld involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, extortion, and prostitution. Though Kyoya's never been an official member, Naoki and his father frequently convinces their hired hitman to join. He suspects that tonight's encounter with the boss implies another persuasion for him to sign up. There is one thing he is sure of, that he is obliged never to be a part of one. It is established as a rule, as Kyoya's father had spoken.

"Tell him I don't want it. And who says I want to celebrate? with you out of all people," Kyoya shoved down the arm around his shoulders. Naoki annoys the heck out of him, but they pay him good money so he resists with all his might to try and not kill him or smash a tonfa in his companion's face. Kyoya ordered a cup of black coffee while Naoki had some whiskey.

"Kyoya, I'm hurt!" gasped his friend, placed a hand on his chest as if it hurt, and made a rather exaggerated sad expression. "It's not like you got a girl to do it with anyway. I've got an idea! Come on, let's get you a girl. I know a lot of pretty ones down a district nearby. Or maybe you swing the other way? Like, you want a guy instead? Well, I think I've heard of a place somewhere at—" Kyoya made an action of crashing a tonfa in his face when Naoki backed away and raised both his hands in surrender.

"Kidding! I'm kidding, man. Haha. Sorry. Wait, where are you going?" Kyoya stood up and went for the door.

"Back to my apartment, asshole" growled out by Kyoya.

"I said I was sorry. Hey, 6pm tonight okay!" Naoki shouted out, not knowing whether Kyoya even heard of it or not since the irritated dark head already walked off.


They finally arrived in a casino somewhere within the city. The entrance was a single ordinary-looking door so Chrome was quite surprised when it opened to a well-appointed gambling place. The entrance was supposed to fool and avoid any nosy officials who might put them to jail for operating illegally.

She trailed after her uncle, without not taking notice of some familiar men who had their jackets taken off and were less compelled in hiding their tattoos, greeting her uncle. She could feel them staring at her as they head off to wherever her uncle was going. Chrome shook in apprehension. Why did her uncle bring her here?

They went inside a room, with the permission of two bodyguards outside. It's actually a large office with mahogany walls and furniture except for two leather sofas and a seemingly expensive office chair. The chair swiveled to face them, and Chrome saw a short man with a large forehead.

"Masamoto-san," acknowledged the short person. "I see… is this her?" he said as he glanced at Chrome.

"Yes. Where's the oyabun*?" questioned her uncle.

"He will be here in a few minutes. For the meanwhile, you may take a seat."

They sat down on one of the sofas. Chrome was confused as ever. Who were they waiting for? What is her role in this meeting? All of a sudden, the door opened and in came a tall and strongly-built elderly man in a suit and hat, accompanied by three guards. Chrome felt intimidated by him, though she doesn't seem to be the only one. Her uncle and the short man she learned to be called Inshu-san, stood up and bowed deeply to the man they call oyabun who just entered the room. He shook hands with both of them, then finally noticed Chrome who studied her with his sharp gaze.

"So this is your pretty niece, huh Masamoto? I'm impressed. He will enjoy her immensely." With those words, her eyes widened in fear and she took a step back. Out of the blue, someone pressed a cloth in her nose and mouth. She couldn't breathe except for the toxic smell coming from the handkerchief. With all her strength she tried to pry out the hand in her face, it was all but a failure when she finally lost consciousness.

Chrome later woke up in an unfamiliar room, she saw herself in a mirror in front of the bed she's on. She stood up and went near it and saw herself more clearly, wearing a rather skimpy outfit. There's also some make-up in her face. She realized the situation she's in and in a panic, ran for the door. It was locked! She turned the knob plenty of times and banged on the door. Next, she went to the window and couldn't open it too. She looked down and saw that she is in a few floors up. In a hoarse voice, she screamed for help anyway. Two men barged into the room and pulled her away from the window. They pushed her on the bed while she struggled to free herself from their grip. One of the men had a syringe in his hand and managed to inject it at Chrome. She dozed off, once again.


Later that evening, Kyoya was supposed to meet with the boss at a club. He hates clubs because he hates crowds, but if he wants to receive his payment for the work they made him do last night then he must go. He went through the entrance without being interrupted by bouncers and did his best to avoid the crowd.

"Kyoya!" Naoki shouted as he spotted his friend who had a scowl on his face that says he would kill anyone who would dare touch him.

"Woah. Don't worry, my dad's got a treat for you that would fix that expression. Come on." He led Kyoya to a private room upstairs.

"Ah. There you are, Kyoya!" Sanosuke Kuroda exclaimed as Kyoya entered the room. The young man only nodded in acknowledgement.

"Here, sit down. And this is my payment for last night," he gestured to the case on the table in front of them as he sat down on the couch across Kyoya.

"Thank you, Sanosuke-san. Now, I believe I should take my leave," the younger man answered as he took hold of the case. He was about to stand up when Sanosuke spoke up.

"No, not yet," He breathed in deeply and said: "Kyoya, you are like a son to me. Please, join our clan and let me be a father to you,"

He knows how to answer to that.

"You knew my father. He would not allow it,"

"I know. But this is your life, my son. And your destiny to make. He is long dead; he has nothing else to do with you," Sanosuke argued.

He had seen something in Kyoya since he met the boy a few years back. He saw fearlessness, strength, and intellect—the qualities of becoming a great leader, especially of a ninkyo dantai*. Though, he always knew that the boy would rather be a lone wolf. Still, Sanosuke kept on hiring him to take out his clan's enemies and sometimes payed him more than necessary thinking that it may bribe him into joining them.

"As I have said before and again, I decline your invitation. If you mention it once more, you will no longer be able to employ me for my services," the hitman declared firmly. There was a quiet pause between them and they stared at each other with such serious expressions. Sanosuke then sighed, clearly disappointed.

"All right then," he nodded lightly. "But please let me do something for you, this last time," Sanosuke added. Kyoya didn't say anything so he continued:

"As you know, we run a lot of businesses around here and I would like to treat you to one of them. From what I observe, you are a lonely young man, Kyoya. And there is nothing else better in filling in man's loneliness than female… companionship. Someone new just came in this afternoon, and I would like you to be the first to try her out."

"I don't need companionship," he spat out and stood up from sitting, heading for the door. "Now if you excuse me, I—"

"Sorry about that, oyaji. Kyoya doesn't like women," Naoki stated out from nowhere. He was leaning on a wall holding a drink.

"What do you mean?" Sanosuke asked, quite puzzled. "He likes men?" he added jokingly.

"Hmm. Perhaps. I mean, he seems to prefer more to hang out with me," added Naoki, an amused glint in his eye. Kyoya had paused by the doorway long ago, his back towards them. Naoki could feel the raging aura coming off from his friend's back. He could see him clenching his fists.

"Oh…It's not like there's something wrong with that," said Sanosuke in understanding.

"FINE! Where is she?!" Kyoya bellowed which surprised the father- though his son didn't seem to be so, and what he had instead was a triumphant look in his face.

What Kyoya didn't know is that the club they are in is also a well-known hotspot in prostitution. They lead him to a room, few levels up in the building.

"Well, Kyoya. Have a great night! Take it easy on her, 'kay?" Naoki said before pushing him inside.

"I'm gonna kill him tomorrow," Kyoya growled out.

He looked around the spacious room and saw a petite girl, scantily clad, lying on the bed. She looked to be asleep, but she suddenly stirred. She softly moaned, opened her captivating dark eyes still glazed from sleep, and found his stormy grey ones. Now that she was facing him, he could see her fine features: with full long dark eyelashes, a cute nose, and thin pink lips. Her dark hair contrasts nicely to her smooth ivory skin. He found her to be pretty.

As if in some sort of enchantment, he went near her. 'Might as well give in,' Kyoya thought. He took off his suit jacket, threw down his necktie, and sat down next to Chrome. He placed a hand beside her, cupped her cheek with his other one, and slowly leaned down to reach her lips with his own.

He paused halfway, when he noticed something strange with her. Her eyes—their awfully blank, as if she couldn't see him. Almost lifeless.

He stared at her more and came to a realization.

"Of course, she's drugged. Those bastards," Kyoya cursed to himself. He almost stood up when suddenly a hand clutched his shirt.

"Auntie…don't leave me," her sweet voice cracked as she begged to the person she mistakenly thought was her aunt. He enclosed a hand to her wrist. It seemed so fragile, he could easily break it. He gently removed the hand from his shirt and went somewhere. After a short while, he came back with a glass of water, raised her head and made her drink, which she did willingly.

He carefully put her head down so she can go back to sleep. He felt tired himself so he laid down next to her. Chrome tilted her head to the side and reached out to hold Kyoya's hand. He looked intently at her. Surprisingly, he didn't let go.


Glossary:

oyabun – meaning "boss"

ninkyo dantai – is what the yakuza call themselves, meaning "chivalrous organizations"

These terms were based on my research in Wikipedia.

Author's Note:

I honestly don't know what I'm doing haha.