How it began.
"That's time." Kiryu said, checking his watch. It's been a few hours since Club Four Shine had glamorously opened, alluring men and women of all kinds to chat with their beautiful lineup of hostesses. The girls worked hard and worked smart, just as they always did, and their efforts brought home the big bag of cash by the night's end.
"How much did we take in?" Yuki eagerly asked, watching as their hired cleaners finished sweeping the floor. Hired cleaners, who knew she'd never have to bend over and pick up a rowdy customer's udon mess? Once a beginner, barely holding its weight, run of the mill club, success had been but a pipe dream to Yuki. The host club industry was difficult, she knew that first hand, but she had not expected management to be this difficult. "Ten million yen." Kiryu replied with a smile. "A new record."
Yuki jumped with joy.
Sure, she had trouble in the beginning as a hostess, but her former boss, Youda had done his best to shield Yuki from how much trouble they were in. Things had almost taken a grim turn those 18 years ago at Club Sunshine until the Lord of the Night came. It was by complete chance that he stumbled into their graveyard, and overnight he helped transform a shoddy building into Sotenbori's number one club. Then, one day he left. Without a word, without a trace. It saddened her deeply, as it appeared he was genuine upon his attachment towards them. To leave like that broke her heart. For years she was angry at him, the feelings of betrayal intense, but she learned to let it go. After all, their success was a parting gift, and she had a lot to thank him for. To hate him was to leave his efforts in vein.
Club Sunshine remained at the very top for eighteen years, and Yuki stood as its top hostess. Even with age she couldn't be stopped. That was, until Kanzaki came along. Without her former manager nor the guidance of the owner, Youda-san, she was left in peril at his takeover. To perfectly encapsulate who Kanzaki was you would have to remove every inch of your soul. He cared not about quality, nor happiness, only money. He ruled with a fist so moulded in iron you may forget he had an arm of flesh underneath. His regime rode off the coats of Sunshine's success and ran everything the Lord of the Night built up straight into the ground.
She left soon after he appeared, to fulfill a dream she desired: starting her own club. She had poured every last ounce of money she had into this project and was certain with what she has learned over the years that she would amass an amount of success similar to that of Sunshine. How naive she was, to believe that leaving would solve everything. Kanzaki would pursue her to the ends of the Earth to ensure she had nowhere else to go. Nabbing hostesses, paying off managers, slander, you name it. To him, it was all a game, and she was never even a player. It wasn't long before she found herself in the same position Sunshine had been all those years ago.
Desperation at a timely cost swirled in her head, and Yuki was almost ready to give up, until he showed up. It was like lightning striking twice. On the night that their last hope had been paid off, Kazuma Kiryu stepped in to the door. Although mistaken initially as a manager, he stuck around when he learned of how dire the situation was, and together they had taken down Kanzaki, ending his reign once and for all. It was a lot of hard work, but together they pulled through. Yuki couldn't hold back the tears as life had given her a second chance to even the odds.
It was in their final battle that a ghost swirled in through the air. The sound of two limp bodyguards hitting the floor scared the youth out of her. She turned her head and almost never recovered as whiplash slapped her at Mach speed. Standing there with a sickly grin on his face and an eyepatch she hadn't forgotten in all this time was the Lord of the Night, Goro Majima. As it turns out, he had been working with Youda from behind the scenes to aid in their battle. Seeing him again set her heart on fire in a way she had not before.
Despite his new looney look and sometimes crazy attitude that contrasted the man she once had known, she was still over the moon for him as she had been all those years ago. Yes, it was true that she held feelings for him as early as 1989. Although she desperately wanted to speak the truth, she had not the courage to say what was on her mind. Watching him stand there was as if she were in high school once more standing afar down the hall, gazing at a boy she had fallen for.
She had thought of all the things she wanted to say to him when he had appeared again , all of the rage and sadness that she harboured for those early years, but it all went away when their eyes (or rather just his eye) met. So, believe how she felt when Majima had such a strong case of time dilution he didn't seem to recognize it had been eighteen years! Eighteen years! How could someone not know that?! Was he even aware of how tragic his sudden departure had been? For days, she wept alone, mourning in what she believed had been his untimely demise. "Sorry, Yuki-chan. I had a lot going on during that time." Well, at least he apologized, and he was here.
For how long though? That thought pressed the back of her head and scared her. Was he going to take off forever and they'd never see one another again?! Although such a thought shook her to her core, Majima reassured her with the one thing she'd wanted to hear for so long. "So, Yuki-chan," he asked the night they had won. "Ya got a ring yet or what?"
Thank good for her health, she may have had a heart attack. Yuki had never had a boyfriend before! Ironic, given her status, but she had never seemed to have found the right one. Oh, how it felt so right when in the presence of Majima, and Majima felt the same way. When she said no, the brightest smile that had ever come across a man curled up his face. Under the freezing winter wind in a dingy back alley, Yuki and Majima had shared their first kiss, ensuring their status as a couple.
Oh, and they've been keeping it a secret for two weeks now.
Anyways, back to the present. Enough of the needless exposition! Kiryu and the rest of the girls were lounging in the back room, removing their makeup and the like. "Club 4-Shine!" All of them posed with their elbow bent to their head and cheered with glee towards their night. "If we keep going at this rate we might become the best club in all of the prefecture!" Koyuki said in an ecstatic voice, with her hands clasped together, perhaps getting a little too ahead of herself.
"Woah! Think about all the food that title will pay for!" Kana joined in.
"Heh, I don't believe there'd be much trouble scarfing all of that down, huh?" Kiryu replied with crossed arms.
"Are you asking for a challenge, Kiryu-san?" She said, cheekily putting a finger to her lip, of which still has lipstick. She smudged it without a care.
Speaking of food, he was wondering what to get Haruka for dinner. He'd be home late, of course, which didn't trouble her, though the long nights away didn't help in growing up. It happened a lot with Kazama, and as much of a responsibility he owed to the Dojima family, he wished he would've seen his father more. "Do you think Kazama-san will be here today, just as he promised?" A young Kiryu would ask his brother, pleading for an answer in confidence.
"When is he ever?" Nishiki used to sneer with shake his head. While Kiryu always had his head against the window, watching the rain outside, Nishiki's eyes were deep in a magazine that he had found on the side of the street when they snuck out to Kamurocho. It's cover was shrink wrapped at some point, and was the exact type of book you wanted to sneak between the mattress. No kid should have their eyes on, but every kid wanted to. "Every time he says he'll be here something comes up... Starting to believe he doesn't want to see us, man."
It was then that Kiryu leapt up from his bed and stood opposite from Nishiki, a look with fighting eyes. "How dare you say that about Kazama-san!" He'd yell, a deep seated explosion of heat from within his heart. "The responsibility he owes to that family is the same that we have to him! It's not his fault!"
Nishiki reeled back into his pillow, taken aback by his brother's sudden fit of anger. He set aside the book and kept a free hand in case he was itching to get slugged. "Geez, you don't have to remind me. Of course we owe everything to the man, Kiryu. All I'm sayin' is maybe a part of him doesn't want to face us. Remember the last time you asked about what it was like?" He shivered. "Scared me shitless with that look, same one you got right now."
"... He'll come." Kiryu sat down with his head back to the window. "I know he will." But he didn't. Not that day, and not the next. It had taken a whole week for Kazama to drop by. As profusely as he apologized, even Kiryu could not find himself completely forgiving of such excuses. So, he had a resentment for his absence within his early years. Reflecting on family left a taste as bitter as it was sweet. He tried not to think about the what ifs, but it creeped up on him at the worst moments. He hoped to the clouds that Haruka never had to feel that way about him. No what ifs. That was his motto with her.
It was then as all the girls were finishing packing up that Majima opened the door and strolled right in. "Yo, Kiryu-chan!" He waved his hand in the air and spoke in his usual, dallying voice. "That was some nice shit out there, huh? You thinkin' of going pro?"
"Who knows. Maybe I'd even take your title." Kiryu laughed. Majima smirked and put his legs apart, bending over with his fists raised. Oh no. He knew where this was going.
"Heh, only way you're gonna take that name is from my dead body. Whaddya say, you up for another round?"
"Picked a good time to test me. I just got off the clock." Kiryu replied, throwing his fists in the air just in case. Not that he was looking for a fight, but with Majima there was rarely any choice.
"Nyehaha ~" Majima cackled like a hyena, putting his legs apart with one arm crossing over the other, hanging just below his jaw in a thuggish stance. "Is that so? Well, how can I say no. You got me tickin', Kiryu-chan!"
"Don't either of you dare!" Yuki intervened, stepping between them. "Do you know how long it takes to clean this place?! The cleaners have already clocked out! I'm not spending all night here just because the two of you enjoy duking it out!" She turned to Kiryu with a steaming red face. "That's unprofessional, Kiryu-san!" Her heels flipped to Majima. "And you! How long does it take for you to get here?! I said nine! What does that click say?! Not nine!"
"Hm?" Kiryu tilted his head, confused. "You're not here for me, Majima?"
"Nah, I got a hot date tonight." All of the women, including Yuki, reeled back in shock at what he had said. The secret was out.
"Oh." Kiryu nodded, understanding the situation. "You've got Yuki to help get you shaped up. I shouldn't have to ask you this, but don't you know how to dress yourself?" Kiryu practically retracted the statement upon a glance at Majima. Right, like someone in that getup would know how to look doable for a date.
"Huh?! The hell are ya so dense for, Kiryu-chan?!" He replied with a droopy frown, disappointed in his best friend's naivety. "Yuki-chan and I are hittin' it out on the town!" It was only when it was spelled out for him that Kiryu took it all in. He leaped like a rocket into the air.
"N-no way! You?!"
"What, ya think I can't bag a girl as great as her?! You oughtta know I got some class, Kiryu-chan!" There it was again, he was in a fighting stance.
"Yuki has a b-boyfriend?!" Koyuki held her hands over her mouth. It was like watching your older sister bring home a guy for the first time! She didn't know whether to cheer or faint. So, she did both. The rest of the girls started to gossip and squeal in a circle as Yuki shook her head violently.
"N-no!" She tried to deny. "That's not true at all, Majima-san!" Try as she might, the secret couldn't be kept any longer.
"Oh, so that's how it is?" Majima leaned in close with furrowed brows, much to the woman's dismay as she tried to hide. "Then what the hell is this, Yuki-chan?!"
There was lipstick imprinted in the shape of huge lips on the side of his cheek. "Oh my god..." Kiryu's jaw dropped.
"Perhaps ya forgot what you had for dinner, huh?!" Yuki could take the embarrassment no longer.
"Hng... fine! Yes, we are dating, but that is not my lips! Have you been kissing someone else?!"
"Nah." Majima waved her off. The man wouldn't dare. He reached into his pocket. "Took a turn tonight on my way and got ya new lipstick!"
He handed it to her. Yuki stared at his gift and held it close to her heart. "Majima-san...!" Her voice rose in elation. "Thank you! You remembered!"
"Is lipstick truly that important?" Kiryu asked. Perhaps the dating world was far more complicated than he imagined. He figured the standard flowers and drinks was enough. Yuki's grip on her gift was tighter than any opponent he'd ever faced.
"It's the one I always used back when I worked at Club Sunshine. No matter how hard I tried, I could never find the brand again. Hah, I was so broken to learn that the shop had gone out of business a year later. I could never find another case."
"At least not here." Majima added, scratching the back of his head. "Had to shake down someone who knew. Turns out, they're selling this shit on the whole other side of the city!"
"You're far more considerate than you lead on." Kiryu said, causing Majima to swing on over next to him, acting tenderly with his arm around his shoulder.
"Pretty damn nice of ya to say, Kiryu-chan ~" He brushed his finger across his adversary's chest, giggling in a breathy voice. Kiryu remained silent. "Are ya tryin' to get up in my pants or somethin'?!" He shouted with furrowed brows, pushing right off of him. "Hate to break it to ya, but I'm a taken man now! Trying to get in the way is reason enough to throw down."
"Gotta fight for the right to love, yeah?" Majima was once again in a fighting stance. Now for the third time. Yuki stepped in front of him.
"Hey, are you forgetting someone?" She asked with hands by her hips. "No one is going to brawl. I'll drag both of you out myself if I have to."
"Alright, alright." Majima waved her off with a smile. "Ya got me pegged, Yuki-chan. It ain't like I'd wanna throw down with ya in the first place."
"You better treat her with the absolute best that you can afford!" Koyuki interjected, now completely awake and completely off the charts. She pursed her lips with a pouting face, directing her eyes of wrath towards Majima. She held no such fear to even the greatest of yakuza. All that she cared for was right in his arms, and that was the girl's concern. If her idol wasn't crowned with the status she deserved by the end of the night she didn't know what she'd do.
"Oh, I don't think I deserve that..." Yuki crossed an arm over the other. Majima approached Koyuki, eating her up with his impenetrable cold stare, sizing the hostess in less than a moment. She held her ground, unfaltered, standing as solid as a statue against him.
"Request accepted, through and through." Majima shot a childish grin with a thumbs up, delighting her ear to ear with his reply.
"Come on," He signaled to Yuki, halfway out the door. "Wanna get out of here?"
"W-wait," She replied, all frazzled. "I'm not even dressed!"
"Really? Hadn't noticed." He said with a wink. Or, a blink, depending on how you looked at it. Majima could only look at it one way. He stretched his hand out for her to take. Take she did, red as a cherry, and was that a dash of pink slashed across his own cheeks? He didn't let her see it for too long, slipping out into the night alongside Yuki.
"Could this night get any stranger?" Kiryu asked, flipping off the lights. He should pick up Haruka some dinner. It's late, but she'd appreciate some tuna.
Never did she imagine that she would be in a car this huge. A limo! A limo, of all things! How much would this one ride cost?! She was provoked to ask Majima, who was slumped back in the leather seat with his arms set as far as he could put them. He had his head back, and despite the tired look in his eyes, he seemed at peace in between his trance of consciousness. Yuki wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right time or words to break the silence between them. It was like their first meeting all over again. "You don't gotta worry," Majima whispered. "Stretch your feet out and treat it like you just slipped right into bed at home. You got to be exhausted after tonight. Heh, I'm proud of ya, Yuki-chan."
"O-oh, why's that?" She asked.
"Your big break, of course."
"Oh, that. Well, it's nothing!"
"Nah, don't be so modest." Majima shook his head. "Take tonight to wallow in your victory. That rat, Kanzaki really put you through the ringer, huh?" He scoffed. "Serves him right for trying to turn tail on you and take it all as a takeover. Bet he had his reasons, but people just don't learn, do they?"
"No." Yuki shook her head, her eyes out the window, watching as the streets flew by. Hundreds of people every night. Where were they all going? "No, people never do."
"Mm, yep. That's how it is." Majima sighed. Man, he thought This conversation's as dry as a summer road. Although they'd been dating in secret for a while, truth be told the two of them haven't gone out on a date yet. He could feel it in this stiff air that suffocated this back room. It wasn't something that went unnoticed. Come to think of it, Yuki started acting strange when they were alone lately. Maybe it was all this crap about business. Was he more of a mentor, or a boyfriend? Time to step it up.
"Heh, you ready to blow your socks off?" Majima asked excitedly, sitting up. Got her attention now with that hook.
"I've been wondering for a while now where we've been going," Yuki replied. "We're pretty far from all the clubs."
" 'Cuz we ain't going to them!" He said, a bit too loudly, forgetting to tone down his mad dog voice. Remember, not in front of her. Majima coughed to stabilize his pitch, allowing her to chalk up his craziness to a fluke. "You heard about that new joint down the river, right? The one that serves you fish while you watch the ocean."
"Oh, I read that last week in a magazine!" Yuki's eyes lit up. "20,000 Eats Under The Sea. It was named after that theme park ride in Tokyo. A really tacky name... but I've been dreaming of their fish for months now! I've imagined all their dishes in my head, drawing up tastes and praying I'd one day get my hands on one of them, but no one can afford a seat there! Even if I had the means, getting a reservation at this point takes until Christmas, and then the circle would start again!"
"Time to make your dreams come true." The car stopped. Their chauffer opened the door. The restaurant was right in front of them. Yuki fainted. "Shit."
Kiryu was half a mile from Club Four Shine. He had stopped at a Smile Burger and picked up three combos. Not the healthiest option, although at least he didn't have to waste anymore time. It was late, and by the time he got home it would be midnight. A two hour drive was a good chance to get some rest. Managing the club tuckered him out more than the hourly street brawl. Still, he didn't like coming home at such a time. Sure, it was the weekend, but sleep schedules were important. If you strayed slightly then the damage could be severe. He knows: he, Yumi, and Nishiki stayed up once to watch a meteor shower. A great memory, there were millions in the sky, but was it worth twitching the next morning in school?
It hurt. To think of Yumi and Nishiki. Everytime he told himself he was moving past what had happened he'd see their faces in crowds and wake up in cold sweats. He never imagined out of the three of them that he'd be the last remaining. Remaining, what a terrible word, but what was more fitting to their situation? Sometimes he caught himself in weak moments, with all the pain burdened on his shoulders. A part of him believed he may not be able to open his heart again, and a latent sliver of his soul tried to seal himself off, but it was those around him that kept him standing. Majima, Kashiwagi, Sayama, and Haruka. When he thought of them, he felt foolish as to think he was ever alone. It was because of their resolve to move forward that he followed.
"Wondering about what you'll dream tonight?" The driver asked. "I can see it in your eyes, young man. Aye, I used to think of that myself. Every night I'd walk home with so many thoughts I had never considered my head was so empty when it mattered. It's the reason I got into this, you know? Not just to rest your feet, but to give company to those who want it. I know with all the thinking I did, that I'd love to have someone who had understood the soft peace that the ride home brought."
"It hadn't come to mind that I wandered so much when I was alone." Kiryu replied with a smile. He could feel his back easing into the seat already. "You can become so lost in there that you forget what's in front of you."
"Maybe so, but reflection's the only thing that shows us what we need, isn't it?"
"Yeah, you're correct about that."
"What's your name?" The driver replied.
"Kiryu. Kazuma Kiryu."
"Interesting name. Onodera."
"Heh, I could say the same to you. I take it that's not local?"
"No, sir. Can't say I grew up around these parts. There's a certain softness to this town through all the rough edges, don't you think? I mean, one look out at the lake and I can feel my troubles leaving."
"What sort of troubles do you have, Onodera-san?" Kiryu asked.
"What I'll have tonight." He laughed. "That's how you know you're old, when the peace of age is disturbed only by the most boring troubles."
"Hope I can grow into that one day." Kiryu replied.
"You've got time. I take it there's a lot on your mind?"
"Lately, there always is." He said, letting out a faint sigh.
"Don't worry, she loves you."
"Hm?" Kiryu raised a brow.
"Many men take a tour on this old thing with their hearts on their sleeves, fretting over whether or not she feels the same. Seen more men cry me a river than women in my day."
"It's not that kind of girl." Kiryu shook his head.
"Does it matter?" Onodera shrugged. "Whoever she is, I'm sure she's at home thinking about how happy she'll be when you step through the door. I'm right, aren't I?
"In that regard, I can't be certain." Kiryu replied. "I want to believe."
"Then take it from a man who if ever, is rarely wrong." Onodera laughed.
The rest of the trip was made of small talk and periods of silence between them. Though some may consider awkward, it proved to be largely peaceful through the bits of cathartic release in conversation. He took the right cab home. As the evening wind brushed against his hair he could feel all the doubts slip away into the trees beyond them in the background.
"My fare." Kiryu said, stepping out of the car.
"My, my, a big spender you are!" Onodera said in awe, his eyes glued to the bills. He examined them thoroughly, impressed at the abundance. "You say this isn't much? Did you have to fight an army for this, sir?"
"Something like that." Kiryu said with a smile. "Thank you." With that, he walked away. Onodera double checked, ensuring that it was all there. His eyes widened in surprise. "Kiryu-san!" He called out, falling on deaf ears. "There's something wrong, Kiryu-san!" He gave up, there was no point. Too far gone now. "Decent man. Decent tips too."
Kiryu stood at the door. "Sorry, Haruka." He whispered in a defeated voice. Not another moment to waste, he used his keys and stepped inside, bracing for whatever lie in front of him. The house was quiet. Only the sound of his feet shuffling against the creaking floorboards was discernible. He removed his shoes, placing them as quietly as he could along the mat. "Is anyone home?" The man asked in a soft, slow voice, as not to stir even a mouse.
The house was dimly lit. Only the blue light of a television cut against the darkness and gave way to his shadow. Kiryu entered their living room, Haruka was fast asleep on her sleeping mat. It seems she'd been waiting for him. She looked so adorable when her eyes were closed. There were papers sprawled all about on the coffee table, she'd been doing her homework while he was out.
It was impressive to say the least that Haruka kept near the top of her class despite how much had happened to her this past year. Most other girls would be on a long road to recovery, but Haruka's endurance was a testament to her strength. Kiryu was so proud. Each of the smallest steps she made was enough to brighten a thousand suns to shed light over a million worlds. Is this what being a father felt like? He'd never imagined himself to have a daughter. It stroked his curiosity when he considered their situation. Did she see him as a father figure? If so, he tried to set the best example and prayed that the lessons he taught her carried on for years to come.
If Haruka grew with a heart half as whole as the one she has now, he knew that he made the right decisions in raising her. Kiryu flipped the light, it was time to carry this little girl to bed. "Uncle Kaz?" Haruka yawned, calling out to the light in groggily voice. She rubbed her eyes to wipe away the filter of her dreams. "You're back!"
"Sorry, did I wake you?" He asked, setting the bagged food aside.
"No, I haven't been laying here for long. I'm just really happy you're back."
"I'm late. I shouldn't leave you alone all the time." Before he could continue, Haruka threw her arms around his waist and embraced Kiryu in a loving hug.
"That doesn't matter, Uncle Kaz." She shook her head, burying it in his stomach. "As long as you do come home, that's all I care about."
"Haruka..." He patted her on the head. All of his fears washed away from the shores of his doubt.
The two of them ate. Haruka loved the meal, swaying her head as she munched on her fries.
"Did you finish your homework?" Kiryu asked, lighting a cigarette.
"Mhm! There's a lot of math. I'm really good at it."
"Good, good. I'm glad. School's important for kids your age. It's setting the stage for the rest of your life."
"Did it help make your life?" She asked with child curiosity.
Kiryu didn't know what to say at first. What could he say? "No, no it didn't." He took a drag, shielding his daughter from the smoke. "That's the thing about life, though. It changes alongside you, and nothing is set in stone. It might get worse one day, but that doesn't mean it won't ever get better."
"Ir gfet iht." Haruka replied with a mouth full of burger. It nearly spilled out onto the table! "Uncle Kaz," she reached beneath her homework and handed him a few familiar slips of paper. "You still haven't filled these out yet."
"That's right. I've been busy, but I'll never get around to it if I don't start now." Adoption papers. Several of them, on top of a decree for land he'd purchased. Thanks to all the extra hours he had been pulling at Four Shine this dream was able to become a reality. How sad it made him to know he'd be leaving soon enough. No one aside from Majima knew. He thought of gathering advice about what he should do before leaving, but from the stories Yuki had spilled, that idea of a mentor quickly left. Kiryu didn't have all the details down, and he had a clear vision.
An orphanage. It's where it all began for he and Haruka. Kazama, despite his darkness, did everything in his power to provide a home for those who had nowhere else to turn. There was always light to shine from even the depths, and those who need it most are the ones who will shape the world around them. That's what Kiryu opted to do from this point on: repaying that kindness to the world. He figured that in terms of leaving a legacy behind, this would be the best thing he could do. The loneliness of a single child is enough reason to make this happen. Even if there was one more addition, Kiryu was happy to provide the means for them to flourish. "Got any names for the place?" He asked.
"Radiant Residences!"
"Radiant Residences? That's quite profound for your age."
"I want it to remind me of Sunflower. Something that shines super bright for all the kids!"
"Hah, it seems like you're really accepting of this. Sorry you've had to move so much this past year. I know its hard to make friends at your age."
"Don't be sorry, Uncle Kaz." She shook her head while clinging tight to her soft drink straw. "Besides, soon I'll have more friends than I can count. Before, it was only me and my mother, and then you came along. Now, it's more than I can ever imagine. If we can make all these kids as happy as you make me, then I don't care how big our family is."
"You're really smart for your age, you know?" He smiled, patting her head once more before standing up. "Come on, it's time for bed."
"OK!"
Yuki's lips were squished into mush. That was the first piece of stimulation that ran to her mind as she awoke. It was just how tight his grip was! "Mmnfh!"
"You in there, Yuki-chan?!" Majima shouted, startling her back to stardom. There were half a million stars in the sky, each of them beaming right at her. Why are you in space? They asked, the woman unresponsive for an answer. She threw her hands out, swatting the air to signal her date that the coddling was taking her breath away, and not in the way she wanted. She felt the leather slip away from her cheeks. "Sorry 'bout that. I ain't used to people falling out in front of me." Majima said with a smile, stretching his hand out. The vibrant violet lights reflecting off the restaurant behind them made the man a neon prince. "Heh, your chariot awaits."
"I don't think that's the right use of the phrase." She laughed. "Majima, do you know anything about princes?"
" 'Course I do." After all, she had always wanted a prince, right? He took her by the hand, guiding her along the red carpet. "Pretty fancy, huh? Ain't no way I'm losin' ya in this place, keep tight." So she did, trailing close behind him. Beneath the gloves she could faintly feel the texture of his hands. Warm as a soft autumn leaf, and rugged, that she was certain of. The way he held her, it was the caressing of a touch lost years prior. She wondered, who was the last one to feel this? Would she be the last one? Is she the only one? The stars spoke once again. How brightly do you shine? Their flashes of light overwhelmed her, and she buried her head as close to that hand as possible until they stepped inside.
It wasn't as she expected. The walls were a crimson red, bricked up. Minimal with no sort of decorations. Was this truly the same building with all that spectacle pulled out just a moment ago? She stared at Majima, concerned. Perhaps they'd gone the wrong way? Yuki reached out for an answer, but only received a signature grin. "Heh, they ain't much for show, are they?"
"Is this some kind of joke?" She asked. "Where are we?"
"Gotta be a little patient." Majima strolled up to the front desk, which stood out the most. By all means, it was neatly polished with the restaurant's logo, so what was the big deal? "Yo. Got a reservation for me and my lady here."
"Your name?" He asked in a demanding voice.
"Goro." A quick check through the book.
"Nothing in there." He replied, annoyed. "Got any other names?"
"Check again." He instructed.
"There is no mention of a Goro. Look, this isn't some sort of guessing game until you see someone on the list." Majima sighed. Figures, the nerve of some people. That's the last time he sent Nishida out to do something useful. Fine, if it was going to be the hard way. Avoiding all personal space, he leaned in super close to the clerk.
"Black Koi." Majima whispered. The clerk tinged in his eyes. His heart practically stopped upon the He reached for the phone. "A moment of your time." He held a finger up, awaiting for someone to pick up. The lone dial tone built a wall of tension. Unwavered, Majima waited. Tapping his foot to the beat of his own heart, he never once broke
"Yes, sir." He finished, hanging up. "My apologies, Goro-san."
"Majima, just stick with that and yer boss won't be hearing none of that again, alright?"
"Hold still." Yuki was in awe. She didn't have enough time to think of what sort of exchange took place before the floor started to move! She yelped, leaping back into Majima. Majima watched calmly as they slowly descended beneath the ground. It was pitch black now. The only thing discernible were the sounds of gears grinding against the chains that lowered them further from the land of the common. "What is this?!" She asked, refusing to let go of his arm. After a solid minute the ride stopped. There was no more noise, only darkness. She kept silent, waiting in anticipation for the unknown. Like a bat, the only thing she could make out were the sounds around to guide her. Majima was close, she knew that. The walls, well, she wasn't too sure. Was this the end? Or, was it an intermission? Furthermore, just where was she? It didn't take long for her answer to arrive as the wall in front of them hoisted above their heads, filling their column of darkness with a flourishing wave of colour.
"What did I say? Your chariot awaits."
The bland, brown ceiling was all that stimulated Koyuki's eyes as she lie awake in her room, the only company being the faint sounds of the city below to keep her company. Why did this churning in her stomach have to persist now, when she was so desperate to slip into dreams? It's been like this for a few days lately. There wasn't anything particularly derailing the young woman's life. Great job, better grades than she expected, and a wide circle of friends, old and new (figuratively and literally.) Plus, it was finally winter break! That meant she could do whatever she wished until the new year. If that meant getting wasted and waking up at midnight with her face in a half eaten rice bowl, wondering where her pants had went, then it was all left to her desire.
Still, having everything didn't mean anything if the one thing you desired was left to be fulfilled. Koyuki wanted love. Her heart fluttered a million miles a second whenever the word entered her mind. She desired the warmth of someone's body next to hers. The woman imagined how sensual it felt for their arms to wrap around her back and warm hands lie just below her collarbone, wearing their embrace as if it were a cape of compassion. She wanted someone who would let her spill into a thousand pieces at the end of every night and whisper how they'd been waiting all day to see you, and in turn she wanted to wait all day to see someone!
More than anything, Koyuki wanted to know what it was like to be afraid. To fear that one day you will wake up and this person will not be beside you anymore, because only in those waking moments on nights such as these will you realize how much you truly love them, and have true appreciation for their presence. Boyfriend, girlfriend, who cared whether it was either or not, she was tired of sharing this crummy mattress alone!
She sighed. As fun as it was to be a hostess, to be under the great Yuki's wing, she wondered how someone did it for so long and not get burnt out. At first, she attributed this to seasonal depression with the holidays rolling around, but perhaps it had been festering for far longer, and persisted much to her dismay. Was there real love to find in a world of smoke and mirrors, or was the concept nothing short of a false reality?
Wow! That was a lot of thinking. Way too much, especially when she hadn't even had dinner yet! Koyuki stood up, marched into the lonely halls, trying not to make any noise as to not wake Kana up in the other room, and made some ramen. Then, she sat back down and turned on her favourite cartoon. Koyuki was alone, but she was not lonely, and that was ok.
It was glorious. Much more beautiful than she could have ever imagined. An entire restaurant packed deep below the surface. There was at least a thousand square feet of glass at every corner, each window reflecting the gorgeous sea-life that swam peacefully around the lake, as peaceful as one could be. It's navy blue walls complimented the obtusely shaped windows perfectly. She wondered, clinging tightly to Majima's arm with the cutest smile he had ever seen on her face, if those above could even begin to grasp such a sight, just as she struggled to right now in the moment.
"Heh, what do you think?" Majima asked, even he was amazed. She was speechless.
"I don't even know where to start. How... How did you even begin to afford a reservation here?"
"No need to pry about that, Yuki-chan." He said, waving her concern aside. "I can't lie to ya, it nearly costed a friggin' arm, but let's focus on living in the moment."
"You must be Majima." A man with a heavy scar approached them.
"Yeah, the one and only." Majima nodded, trying to keep a pleasant face.
"Our greatest regards from the owner." He bowed. "Please, follow me." He guided them to their table. Yuki tried her best to take in every nook and cranny of this once in a lifetime opportunity, embedding this memory deep in her head so that she may never forget. She was so busy trying to get the most out of her eyes that she hadn't come to notice some strange things about this restaurant. For one, just how scary all the servers looked. Each of them appeared equipped to snap an arm on throwing you out, and how they all wore suits that covered their arms completely. In addition to this, the clientele were no pushovers either. They looked like they belonged to the front row of the Grand. Speaking of which, she hadn't ever been inside there either. She knew Majima at some point managed it, but never bothered to ask what it was like - not wanting to impose on his status. All of them were staring intently at Majima. Seems he wasn't a regular.
"Your seats." Their waiter said, ushering them in. They sat right in front of the liveliest window, where many of fish circled in awe at the sight of their figures. "Please, hit that bell when you require my assistance. I'll be there at a moment's notice."
"I appreciate it." Majima sneered, sitting down. "Tell your boss the favor's on me now."
"Of course, but would you like to speak with him yourself?" He asked.
"Nah, I wouldn't want to butt in on the business. Bet he's swamped right up to the knees in work with this place. Besides, the main focus for tonight is right in front of me."
"I understand." The waiter nodded, leaving.
Majima and Yuki, after five minutes of arguing over what the best type of fish was, ordered engawa. It was the best sushi either of them ever had. "Um, Majima-san..."
"Hm?" He asked, his mouth full of fish.
"Should we really be eating in front of... them?" She asked in a whisper, pointing to the fish. It was then that Majima realized the irony of this restaurant.
"Well, ya bring up a good point." He stopped eating, stared down at his fish with discontent, and then turned to the window. He furrowed his brows, closely examining the finned friends as they enjoyed their lives. "Don't see any of the ones we're eating right now, so it should be good!" She laughed. "What?"
"Is that your excuse? For all we know, they could be thinking about who is up next. Imagine if that were us!"
"I doubt these fish have brains big enough to even know what they are." Majima said, resuming his scarfing of the sushi. This time, he was staring straight at the fish.
"They're smarter than you think, you know! I read it in the news."
"Heh, no you didn't."
"Did so. When was the last time you read the news?"
"Don't got the time. It ain't like I'm enthused about finding out what's going on with taxes and the like." He bit his tongue. "Not since '89..."
"What was that?"
"Nothin'!" He shook his head frantically, begging she'd forget the topic. If he had someone find out about that tax scandal, well, he'd never see the sun again from how many people would clammer to his door asking for his head. The only thing that would piss him off more than an army of protestors knocking on his sleep is the thought of his date being ruined by these damned eyes. She noticed it too, how practically the whole restaurant was watching their every move. No surprise he wouldn't be popular here. Upon being the Lord of the Night, he was a Tojo captain deep in Omi territory.
If these shit-heads know what's good for them they won't try anything. He thought to himself, scouting the room in between bites. The very last option he wanted to resort to was violence. Normally itching for battle, he loathed the thought of a fight now. Any other time, sure, he was more than ready, but not tonight. Yamagashi's got some interesting people lined up to eat here. All of them were Omi, he could tell by their look. He took a wild guess and assumed they were the same family. This idea he had was starting to look like a bad idea, but could you blame a guy for wanting this night to be the best she's had? The least he could do for making her wait 18 years. "Majima, are you even listening?"
"Huh?" Thrown right back into the main event. "Not a word." He grinned. "This sushi's so good it rattles my head. I might have to go to the back and thank the chef myself."
"Well, I was saying something super important!"
"Oh. Well, there's no harm in asking again, right? My ears are completely open."
"I wanted to know..." She lowered her head. Oh, no. He's seen this look before. "Why did you go all out for me? You never bothered to go this far before." What an oddly profound question. That was not what he expected. Majima stopped eating and gave it some thought. What were the right words to say?
" 'Cuz you deserve it." He said. "Back then, it ain't like..." He started, unsure how to continue. "I mean, it wasn't..." There was a million things Majima needed to say to her, but he didn't know if he'd be making the right choice if he did. He knew that prying deeper into this question was only going to lead to another. The dreaded one he dared not answer. She'd find out eventually, wouldn't she? Handing out the answer wasn't so simple. She and Youda probably had more of a right to know everything about him then he figured. Majima tried to keep the distance, but he stepped over that line, and doing that meant being exposed, he knew that well. Still, he couldn't have controlled himself. "Sometimes, it takes a guy a few years to piece it together."
"Piece it together? You mean how you felt?" She asked.
"More than that, yeah." He sighed. "There's a lot of shit I didn't account for back then. Life's a crazy ride. You set a course and you end up on the other side of the sea."
"I don't understand."
"You and Youda-chan, ya stuck with me when I was in a bad time. Then I up and left you without warning. No letter, no nothing. It wasn't right, and I didn't even know if I had the guts to show my face here after all this time. Took me a while to figure out what ya really meant to me. So spare the modesty, alright?" That felt cathartic. "You're still my number one girl, Yuki-chan, and I gotta treat you."
She looked like she was about to cry. "Shit, what did I say?"
"No... It's not that." Yuki smiled. She reached her hand out to take ahold of Majima's. "It's just that you're the sweetest guy I know. Even if you have the worst taste in sushi!"
"Huh?! I thought this was the best thing ya ever tasted! Should I have set a reservation at a steakhouse instead?"
"This place is a dream, but..." The waiter hastily approached them, shuffling through as though one had committed a cardinal sin.
"Is everything to your liking?" He asked, ruining the moment.
"Great. Is it time for the bill?" Majima replied through his teeth.
"Actually, the boss wants to meet with you, if you don't mind."
"Sorry, I'm kind of in the middle of something here." Majima stood up, urging Yuki to do the same with the flare of his eye. He reached into his jacket, taking out a fat stack of yen. It was far more than what the dinner was worth. "Here's a little extra for the hospitality." The waiter took hold of Majima's arm.
"Please, sir. We oblige you to reconsider." He repeated himself, now in a much more threatening voice. This wasn't a request you could pass up.
"What kind of stunt are you trying to pull?" Majima leaned in close. "Yamagashi better got a real good reason for this."
"I assure you. Tonight is a special night, Goro Majima." The act was over. One by one the patrons stood up. Yuki huddled closely behind Majima, not sure what to make of it, though he knew exactly what was going on. What kind of bastard double crosses you for a cheap shot? After all he did for him.
"What's going on?" Yuki crumbled, the terror present in her voice.
"Stick right behind me and don't say a word." Majima's tone of voice shifted, reminiscent of a man who had come to pass many years ago, or maybe was waiting for the right moment to re-emerge. "Heh, maybe I should refute my tip. Food was great, but the service was piss-poor if you don't mind me sayin'. Here I was thinking you'd really stepped your game up, but it's good to know you're all still shit-stains waiting to be wiped." The first punch was thrown. Majima took hold of the waiter's arm, poked him in the eyes and socked him a few times over the head.
Yuki was frozen the entire time. She watched as the night around her started to collapse. Majima's words left her mind as quickly as they came. Before she knew it, people were flying and priceless suits were getting torn to bits. One of the men came straight for her. On instinct, she grabbed her plate and smashed it across his head with a scream. "Yuki!" Majima pivoted. It was now his turn to get socked in the face. She knelt down next to the man, praying that she hadn't killed him or anything of the sort! He raised his arm, attempting to grab her. Another scream ensued, she stomped on him with her heel.
Majima re-emerged holding one of the men by the back of their collar, kicking them straight into a stray table. Before he knew it, they were dropping like flies. "We done here?" He asked in an exasperated voice, trying to catch his breath. The kitchen door swung open. Out walked a man dressed in a dazzling purple suit, his ashy hair swept back to show off his strong, square face. The most distinct feature on him was the scar that ran down his eye. "Yo." He grinned.
"What a mess you've made, Majima." Yamagashi said, wagging his finger with a tsk sound. "I invite you to my establishment, in the best seats, and this is how you repay me?"
"I'm asking you the same thing. The hell is this all of this about?" He took him by the collar. "You figure it's easier to kill someone when they're on a date?"
"It would be so simple." Yamagashi whispered. "She doesn't know who you are, does she?"
"Are you really willin' to take my head over this?" He let go, chuckling. "Shoulda figured you're not the type to play fairly. A favour's a favour, yeah?"
"Only until opportunity strikes." Yamagashi said. "It's time to die, Majima."
Majima said nothing. Without another word, Yamagashi removed his jacket. Majima kept his on. "You're really going to disgrace me?" He asked, scoffing at his inaction.
"Let's get this over with." Yuki hid underneath a table. She siphoned some food from one of the plates, stress-eating as she watched her boyfriend engage in deadly combat. Without another word, Yamagishi threw a flurry of punches, each one Majima was able to dodge, but backing him up to the wall. When there was no more space, he threw a fake-out kick. An elbow straight to the face! His opponent backed up, gripping their nose. Was it broken? He didn't have time to figure out, as Majima charged him.
He ran forward, doing an incredible kick that involved a cartwheel and landed perfectly, grabbing a plate and smashing it over his face. Yuki did her best to cheer despite how afraid she was. She'd always loved watching him fight. A haymaker. Countered with a grab, doing even more damage to the nose. Majima slammed him by the ear onto a wall and ran his face across the wall, kicking him to the ground through the back of the knee and then a final slam before finishing with a stomp. Yamagishi was down for the count. Nothing worth breaking a sweat over.
"Are you alright?" He asked in a soft voice, reaching his hand out to Yuki. She nodded, taking his hand. Together they left. It was overrated.
Yuki and Majima walked down the streets of Sotenbori, each with their own questions. She held her arms tightly to her chest, wondering how to come out and address the elephant. "Sorry our meal got a little sour towards the end." He said, lighting a cigarette.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"Huh? You didn't get hit in the head did you?" He replied, trying to brush it aside.
"I'm serious, Majima." Yuki repeated herself in an angrier voice. "Just who are you?"
"..." Did he tell her everything? Was she ready? Was he ready? "I ain't the squeakiest guy, Yuki-chan." He sighed. "I worked - " Majima stopped himself. No lies. "I work with some dangerous people. If we're getting honest, I always have. I didn't want ya part of that world. I can't lose you." He looked to her for an answer. She was silent. Great, he knew where this was going. Maybe if he closed his eye he could shut out all images of her walking off this bridge without him.
"I had an idea, you know." She replied. "You're a sketchy, one eyed bastard, Majima-san. From the moment I saw you I knew something was up. Still, I never asked until now because... Because I hadn't realized how much I cared about your safety." She held her head low, hiding her face. It was practically on fire! "It's a scary world, what you do. It terrifies me every time you get in a fight." She saw how defeated he appeared. Like a sad puppy. It was too much. He felt the squeezing of his palm.
"That doesn't mean I'm running." The woman stated with a strong voice. "So, don't you.. go running off either."
"Yuki." He dropped his cigarette into the water. Oh well.
"You're a good person. You've never given me reason to think otherwise. As long as you keep being you and come back then that is all I care about." She squeezed tighter. "Don't you ever leave me again! Got it?"
"Woah, where did this Yuki come from?" He asked.
"Things change." She shrugged. "Maybe some things just take time to piece together." They shared a passionate kiss over the Sotenbori bridge.
"So, how was that for a first date?" Majima walked alongside her with his arm wrapped around her shoulder.
"Well..." She tilted her head.
"You wanted a steakhouse, right?"
"No, it's that you didn't have to pull out the red carpet." Yuki dug her head into his chest. "All I wanted was to spend time at home with you."
"The night's still young. How about a second?" And so, they headed back to her apartment and curled up on the couch with a bowl of instant noodles, falling asleep to a nature documentary.
Hello, it's been a long while since I've posted. I wanted to make an announcement: I have played almost every yakuza game and have fallen in love. Go play it. Seriously, they're great. I'm glad you enjoyed this pair as much as I do, they're really cute. Anyways, I want to branch out and make different stories - still of the same series and still with romance, but I want my fics to be larger stories that involve a lot of cool things like action, drama, horror, and comedy instead of being one-offs. I have a few in the work right now with Devil May Cry and Yakuza (I wanna make my own version of yakuza 3). I'm still working on how to be a writer, even after all this time. Apologies if some of my stories meander or feel the same, I'm trying to evolve to bring you the best I can :3
If you have any criticisms or suggestions for what I should do in other stories, please leave a comment!