CHAPTER XXII
…
The Spring season had already arrived, and the frozen patches of snow in the city were beginning to thaw away. Even then, the cold still lasted into late March. It marked a new chapter for most people's lives - some have renewed aspirations, and some a different intention at all. Some began new jobs in different companies, and others pursued a more ambitious lifestyle than that of an ordinary salaryman. Everyone eventually must soon face the fact that you're either the boss, or work for one.
For the now dominant organized criminal mob in Chiba prefecture, spring was very unpredictable and full of potential. The Chiba Outfit had now replaced the third largest Yakuza clan, the Inagawa-kai, as one of the ruling powers in the Kanto region. This would inevitably culminate into another conflict in the foreseeable future, but for the top boss of the Outfit, Hikigaya Hachiman was not troubled at all.
That weekend, just after the school year ended and they celebrated the last day at a party, Miura Yumiko walked alongside Hachiman. It was a cold, damp evening but for them the weather did not depress at all. Both of them did not have an umbrella on them, but luckily both were wearing coats. As they strolled down the streets, they laughed and kept bumping each other recklessly, trying to nudge each other into the rain.
Hachiman had already forgotten how their banter had started in the first place.
"Okay, stop this. I don't want my socks to get wet."
"Eh, you're just being a pussy."
"What are you, twelve? You wanna jump into puddles, don't rope me in."
"Come on, Hikio, lighten up."
Hachiman wondered why he agreed to come with Yumiko over to her grandmother's house. He'd been in Yotsukaido before, but he wasn't fond of his memories there. Besides, he'd never been to this particular district. The Miura family still retained their large estate in Onagi district, although having to cede much of the legitimacy over the golf club in the area. Miyako Miura had been the only one living in the mansion since her husband passed away years ago. She was too proud to allow herself to fall into one of those miserable nursing homes.
This, Hachiman learned from word of the mouth - the residents all knew and respected the family back in the day when they were at their most powerful.
However, there was a certain charisma to his friend that Hachiman simply couldn't refuse. And he would not be so impolite as to refuse a free meal after all. It was nice that the estate wasn't far from Yotsukaido station where they got off, and by the time they arrived a delicious meal would be irresistible.
They reached a corner of the street where a road branched off into the thickets. However, the road was awfully muddy from the melting snow. Hachiman stopped when he noticed his friend fall behind. "What?" He asked.
"I don't wanna step into that. My shoes'll get dirty," she said.
Hachiman sneered at Yumiko. "Well look who's being a pussy now." He kicked the ground with his foot, sending streaks of water towards her white sneakers. It painted it with dirty flecks of mud, which horrified her. "How do you like this? OCD much, Yumiko?" He snickered.
"No! Oh come on," she cried. She was about to retaliate by stepping on his feet when she paused. "Okay, okay. Just carry me over until we reach the other end of the street."
"You're being such a brat."
"Me? You dirtied my sneakers - again! This isn't the first time!"
"Yeah, but you do the same to me."
"Just please? Like, you're always so cynical."
Hachiman sighed and raised his hands, finally relenting. He didn't think of it as a big deal. He turned around and Yumiko gingerly put her hands on his shoulders and pulled herself up. Hachiman leaned slightly to adjust his balance, relieved that she was not as much of a burden as he expected. Of course, he thought, she'll kill me if she could read my mind, but…
"Ah~!"
Yumiko let out a soft moan that startled Hachiman. He instantly jerked his hand away from where it was before.
"Goddamn it, Hikio! Hold me properly!" Yumiko snapped, her arms now wrapped around Hachiman's neck, after she almost slipped off of his back.
Hachiman was in disbelief at his situation. "Woman, you'll be the death of me," he growled. He placed his hands behind her legs firmly and propped her up, finally achieving a steady position together. He glanced at Yumiko wearily, who returned a look at him. Their faces were quite close together. He could feel her warmth, but he couldn't exactly appreciate it at the moment.
Hachiman started walking with Yumiko on his back. The road they went down through was flanked with pines and cherry blossoms, which had yet to bloom. After a while, she started to ease up and lean against him comfortably. She became very quiet. The silence was fine, but Hachiman decided to say something this time.
"Hey, what's your plan?" He asked.
"Hmm… let's sit down and drink after we leave, yeah? And maybe fuck around for a bit more."
Hachiman was amused. "No, Yumiko." He chuckled. "I mean, what are you planning to do in life?"
"Well you stumped me." Yumiko perked up, looking at him. "Isn't that, like, one of the weirdest fucking questions you could ask me?" She jested playfully, letting out a laugh and grinning.
"Okay," she finally said, humming pensively. "You know, I wanna be a doctor. Or a forensics expert - a detective like Sherlock or something. You see the crimes goin' on in the news, I'll be the one to shut that shit down."
"Why don't you be an astronaut like Neil Armstrong as well?" Hachiman quipped sarcastically, raising an eyebrow at her. "Get real, Yumiko. This isn't the movies. This is real life."
"Hey! I'm allowed to dream."
"Well, I don't mean to stifle your aspirations or anything but that's just what it is: a dream. You've got to be asleep to believe it."
Yumiko pouted. She harrumphed a reply, looking away from him dejectedly. Hachiman gave some more thought to what she'd said. Regardless of his pessimism, he was inwardly pleased that his friend had ambitions.
But Hachiman was still incredulous. "A doctor?" He said.
"Don't look at me like that," she muttered. "I'm willing to take up medicine even if I'm already set in a Management course. I guess it's alright to follow in my Pa's footsteps and become a physician as well. I may not look like it, but I'll make a better doctor than you, Hachi."
A thought crossed his mind. "You know, there's surely a doctor who's considered to be the worst doctor in the world - and by process of elimination, you could determine who that is. If you really tried. And the funny thing is, right now, some guy has an appointment to see him today," Hachiman giggled.
"What're you trying to put over?" She said impatiently. "I hope that one day I get to be the doctor who'll save your life. Maybe that'll teach you."
"You hope? That's like hoping for me to get hit by a car just so you can heal me. On top of that, you're going to charge me an obscene amount of money!"
They both laughed humorously.
Hachiman sighed contentedly. "But hey, if you ever do become a doctor... maybe you can find a cure for cancer or the like. Maybe save my ass one day." He chuckled softly.
"Ha! What, you're gonna die or something?" She sneered.
"Yumiko, everybody dies."
"Yeah I know but you, I won't be surprised, seeing that you've got a bad habit of smoking. I hate to break it to you mate, but you're so done."
Hachiman smiled. "Hey doc, you don't have to cure cancer at all okay? All I want is that you take away the hope, because that's the thing that's killing me."
Hachiman was very much amused by this; the irony was real and of course, humorous. It is good to face death with humor. That was a belief he began to hold, for all it's worth. Yumiko grinned naively.
"What about you, Hachiman?" She asked, leaning closer. "Don't you have any plans?"
He huffed a bit. "Of course I did. Everybody's got to have one at least."
Yumiko couldn't help but feel curious, as she usually could understand what Hachiman meant with absolute clarity, but in this case, there was a particular nuance that seeped between the lines. Whether she decided to press any further was different. She understood that he was not very open with his thoughts, and respected it. Still, her curiosity led her on.
"You did, huh? What happened to it?" She asked. Hachiman looked down at the ground, falling silent.
"The plan changed." He said.
He would rather not have to tell her the truth of it all, and she understood.
Yumiko was silent for a pause. "I used to think that we'd end up together, Hayato-kun and I. Y'know, I could imagine marrying him if he'd asked. I think I… really loved him once. Do you get me?" She did not smile, but watched Hachiman to see his reaction. He hummed, listening. She continued. "Then the plan went to shit. Hayato-kun went away with that girl, while I'm left in the dust. How sad." She laughed dryly.
They finally reached the dry end of the road. The entrance gate to the Miura estate was right ahead of them, and the mansion was seen on the gentle hill. The rain had also rescinded a bit. Hachiman stopped, and Yumiko got off him and on her feet. He brushed himself off, and then faced her.
"The problem with your plan, my friend, is that it depended on other people," he said. "You depended on him reciprocating your feelings. Actually loving you back. You can't depend on other people. They're unreliable, unpredictable and quite often, disappointing."
"But not all of them." She said shortly. "Like, you're different, Hikio. If I'd gotten to know you better when we're in high school, maybe…" she trailed off, not allowing him to hear the last part.
"What were you saying?"
"Nothing. I just wish I'd gotten to know you better."
She was facing away from him when she answered. They passed through the large gate and slowly started walking up towards the house. Yumiko was quiet for a while, but her eyes seemed to deepen; her emerald green irises flickered momentarily with a certain melancholy before she breathed. She shoved her hands in her pockets and turned to him and smiled sadly.
"You must think I'm a stupid bitch huh, for falling over Hayato-kun… well, you're right," she muttered morosely.
"I think love is kinda like, two people on a seesaw. When one goes up, the other goes down. The balance is always fucked because of selfishness, or stupidity, or because of people like me, who only know of one way to get rid of the pain. By giving it back." She rubbed her eyes quickly with her sleeves before looking up and gazing at Hachiman searchingly. "So uh, Hikio… I'm sorry. For everything."
Hachiman sighed, allowing a small smile to form on his lips, though it was one that did not seem to reach the eyes. "It's okay, Yumiko. I don't hate any of it."
Yumiko was already happier at that. She walked into the terrace porch with a renewed spring in her steps, and rang the doorbell. Her grandmother soon appeared in the doorway.
Miyako-sama was appalled after seeing the tracks they made on the marble terrace floor, but sighed. "Oh, there you are, you two. The rainstorm caught up to you, didn't it? Well, go on Yumi-nee and get changed so you don't catch a cold. The housekeeper is out on Sundays, so you'll have to fish around the wardrobe a bit. And Yumi-nee, if you'll be so kind, give Hikigaya-san a dry towelette as well."
They both took off their shoes and hung their coats on a stand beside the door. Yumiko rushed to embrace her grandmother, before strolling into the grand house and disappearing up the stairs. Now, Miyako-sama turned towards the young man and the two shared a mutual nod of respect.
There was also another person at the table when they entered the dining room. It happened to be Miura Sanada, the District Attorney of Chiba and resident Chief Prosecutor in the courts. It wasn't exactly a thrilling meeting. But Hachiman did not expect to see Yumiko's father, already due to the subtle antagonism between the mother and her son, so it had to be the elder Miura who was to be seen. Sanada-san grinned assertively, as he rose to greet the guest. They shook hands.
"How are you, Hikigaya-san?"
Hachiman answered politely. "Fine, sir."
"I heard you've got a decent job now, managing a bar downtown."
"That's right. Well, I try my best to make ends meet."
They took their seats at the table. Miyako-sama sat in her place at the high end, between the two. Hachiman and the District Attorney sat across from each other. Yumiko hadn't reappeared yet. The food was already set and appealing, but there was a different atmosphere in the room. Miyako-sama simply remained quiet, her eyes half-closed as she sipped her tea serenely.
"You're a very hard worker, aren't you?" Sanada-san said. "This business of selling alcohol and gambling is lucrative, ain't it. Unfortunately, the Diet is passing a new prohibition law this summer, so I think you'll be taking quite a toll."
"We'll just have to adapt then. That's always the case with us, anyways."
"No, not in this case." Miura Sanada began to speak. "Anyhow there is a matter I'd like to discuss, in case Oba-san has not yet learned of it. Hikigaya-san has gone to court last 5th March, a private arraignment, over several criminal charges. Strangely enough, it was kept off the columns in the following news. With all due respect, I'm not trying to put anything over, but it would be nice if you could clear things up, Hikigaya-san, on what that was all about. I think Yumi-nee would be quite interested in particular." Sanada-san had just finished in time when Yumiko entered the room, and she'd sensed the tense atmosphere.
Sanada-san produced a folded paper article and waved it in view. It was an old print of the daily Asahi shimbun, and in a corner on the fold was a small column, complete with two small mugshots of arrested suspects. It was from around 2019, and Hachiman instantly knew what it was.
The dining room was silent for a moment. Hachiman seemed to have frozen in place.
Miyako-sama seemed surprised. "Is this true?"
Yumiko did not hide her astonishment. She took the newspaper from her uncle and perused it furiously. "You? Caught? A criminal? Hachiman..."
"Yes, it's true. I attended an arraignment last Friday in Chiba, where I was indicted of smuggling contraband goods, extortion, even racketeering charges, and a couple more wrongdoings. Thankfully enough, I was found not guilty on all charges. I leave it to you to make of it what you will. To confess, I was in fact caught and jailed for a petty crime three years ago. I'm not proud of it, I was a stupid idiot. There, I said it."
They all listened to Hachiman's confession. Suddenly, Yumiko burst out in laughter. Even Miyako-sama elicited a slight giggle.
"Hikio, I didn't know you were a delinquent as well! Ahaha, serves you right!"
Miyako-sama spoke softly. "To be fair, Hikigaya-san was a young man back then. No, not a criminal at all. He is an inveterate optimist, that's what he is."
Yumiko examined the photo on the old print closer. "Eh… Hachiman, you're smiling in this shot. Why's that?" She asked.
Hachiman shrugged, acting guiltily. "I guess I just found my predicament funny."
Sanada-san was not amused. He remained stern towards the young man. "Well, you had better straightened out now, kid. This time's different," he warned.
"I think it's good to know that Hikigaya-san is willing to do what needs to be done in order to survive. Or at least, his obligation to his family. That's a reason and a principle enough one can live by."
Sanada-san was adamant. He shook his head to disagree. "Resorting to life by the edge doesn't make him a better man. Come to think of it, I don't really know you at all, do I, boy? What do you think?"
All eyes were now on him. Yumiko was inwardly anxious on how Hachiman would react to her uncle's questioning. But Hachiman smiled and spoke to answer softly.
"Well, here's the story. I'm not from a big family, I know that. I'm no valedictorian, but that's okay. I worked shifts and learned the name of the game early on, and I'm making all the right connections. I'm just working to put food on the family table. That's all there is to it. And I guess, maybe with the right woman, I could go all the way to the top."
Miyako-sama was the first to agree. "Couldn't have said it better." Miyako-sama gave a pleased look, and turned to Sanada-san. "I like this boy, he reminds me of your brother, doesn't he?... and Yumi-nee, why, your face is red. Whatever's the matter?" Miyako-sama noticed and looked at her granddaughter.
Yumiko now had her left hand over her face, hunched down and blushing profusely. What Hachiman had said elicited such a reaction from her. What he said was embarrassing, she thought. But upon realizing that she was projecting assumptions with him and her, she panicked. Why did I think of that? Yumiko thought, and sank into her seat.
"I-It's nothing!"
"Yumi-nee, you and Hikigaya-kun seem fit for each other, don't you think?" The elderly woman said, pursuing it. "You seem like exactly the kind of woman he needs in his life," she whispered.
"Grandma! D-Don't say those t-things! It's embarrassing!"
"Mmhm. She's playing hard-to-get, don't mind her." Miyako-sama turned back to Hachiman. "What do you think, Hikigaya-san?"
"We're good friends together. I like Yumiko-chan."
"That's a good start."
Sanada-san was watching the two intently while drinking his coffee.
Yumiko was beet-red with indignation. "Can you guys s-stop talking like I'm not here?!" She blurted impatiently. She did not look up however, and instead forked the dish on her plate. "Ugh, what a way to kill the mood..."
"Speaking of which, Yumi-nee, you're transferring to the Minato Lyceum this spring correct? Hikigaya-san, I don't see why you shouldn't transfer as well. It so happens to be convenient, and you two can stay together. It's quite a prestigious school, but I'm sure you'll pass the exams, and we can work things out."
Yumiko perked up, enthusiastic. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot to mention it to you Hikio. Let's go to the Lyceum together!" She stopped, stammering a bit. "W-Well, I mean, if you want to."
Hachiman was inwardly taken aback, posed with such a choice. "I'll have to see..." He mumbled pensively.
Miyako-sama however had another pretext in mind. "Yumi-nee, you want Hikigaya-kun to go with you? Just tell him that, and he'll be convinced," she suggested.
"Grandma! That's not it!"
"Hikigaya-san, Yumi-nee would be very happy if you do go with her. After all, you're her competition, the rival who pushes her to be better. And of course, her favourite friend." Miyako-sama took a sip from her teacup before saying, "I can get in contact with some people I know who could take care of your accommodations in Tokyo. They'll give you a fine apartment in the city proper."
Hachiman realized there was really nothing stopping him from getting into the Minato Lyceum, or any other university for that matter. He certainly had the connections, and plenty of money by now. Hell, he could probably get into Stanford on a whim. It was easy for him to slip his way through with his own resources. Still, he had his reservations. For he did not believe in petty distinctions or cardboard 'diplomas'. But then again, it would be an addition to his reputation if he did acquire such a diploma in any case. Finally, was there a reason not to? One more year. Then he can reunite with his family in the States. He meditated on it.
Hachiman decided. "I'm grateful, but there's no need. I can make my own arrangements, ma'am," Hachiman answered. "If Sanada-san is agreeable to it, I could check in a good apartment hotel in the city for Miura-san and I."
"You're okay with it?!" Yumiko exclaimed, unable to hide her excitement.
"I'm not against the idea. We could move in together- er, live in the same building, and it's going to be easy attending the Lyceum."
"Yeah, you're right," Yumiko nodded.
Miyako-sama was impressed. "Good man. What do you say, my son?" Miyako-sama turned to Sanada-san.
Sanada-san shrugged, fully leaving the decision to her niece. "If that's what Yumi-nee wants, then very good. It's a splendid plan."
"Excellent."
And so Hachiman continued to eat at the table with the Miuras. For a moment, he enjoyed the respite from the struggles he'd been through up to this point. He knew that it was not the end of his story yet. However, he already knew he had no place with the Miuras. For Hikigaya Hachiman already had his place in a mob family's table.
…
…
-End of Part 2-
…
A.N. There we go I guess. Now we can get started with Part 3. Really looking forward to this, this is the part that I wanted to write down the most. Does anyone else think I've gone overboard with the story? I hope not. Well, I'm going to return with a more familiar mix of school/college life, mixed with the crime drama. I want to make sure that Part 3 will be better, worthwhile and a good, thrilling read for the audience.
Now the tricky part is getting it all together.. But that's the thrill of writing I think. I'm certainly not the best author, hell I made some pretty terrible pieces a lot. I enjoy movies and novels, and try to learn and imitate their greatness. Still, I dont think this is the best I can do, so I'll try harder.
I want to thank you all, those who followed and supported my story. Thanks to the reviewers, the guests who had been my cruel critics who kicked me into the right direction, and of course those who gave me their thoughts and reviews on my work. Helped me a whole lot, I changed and practiced my style, gave me inspiration and new ideas, and I wouldn't have gotten this far without it.