ok, here is the next chapter.

As you will see, i'm changing the PoV here. to Niko.

I will change back to Maki for the next chapter, then Niko again and so on.

Dw I'll put up the person name in chapter title so you know~


A family always tries to do the best for each other,

Or at least, that's what I believe.

Living as a Yakuza clan is surely not as easy as it looks for the society—being talked behind our back, being judged before our eyes meet….

It's really annoying.

I wish there were more people who are a lot braver than those chickens.

….and I also wish that there was more excitement than to fight endlessly with those impudent law enforcements.

They surely just want to show off their authority over this territory. In fact, this territory has been ours and they're the ones who declared themselves as the guardian of this area.

Stupid jerks…

When I sit near my garden—I could hear someone running towards me so quickly, is he in panic?

He surely is.

I tried to look at him—and he is already so close to me, carrying a roll of letter in his hand.

He bowed to me as in asking for forgiveness,

I wonder what this is all about?

I took the letter off this hands and opened it,

It says….

Rest in Peace,

The leader of Yazawa clan…

Death cause: Unknown

What kind of letter is this?!

"Hey! You! Why are yo—…."

I hold myself as I noticed…

He…

Is not only bowing to me…

He is crying….

And he tried his best to not make a sound.

"….hey…." I repeated again softly.

"Is this real….?" I asked.

He nodded slowly.

This….

This is really heartbreaking.


I approached the main hall,

I could see the whole clan—except for my younger brother and sisters who were sitting around a pale and stiff body. My mother cried in misery and I….

I think I want to do the same….

But….

Is this really what he wants?

I remember well when…he always told me to keep smiling despite any problems that strikes upon my life.

If I honor him—I must do what he wanted!

"Hey! All of you!" I shouted clearly. Everyone raises their head to look at me.

"Why are you all crying?! You all should've known that this isn't what he wanted! If you all want to honor him! Keep smiling!" I shouted once again.

My mother seemed to look intrigued with my words,

She started with wiping her own tears,

"I'm sorry…. Niko-chan…. I forgot that it was what he asked us… thank you…for reminding…." She said as she continued to wipe her own tears, flowing down from her eyes.

And from that, she stood up and look at everyone who tried their best to smile brightly,

"Now, everyone, let's all prepare a party to send his soul to a peace. We can talk about the other thing later!" my mother said clearly,

Everyone nodded their head as they smiled—now somewhat wryly.

"Niko, please get all of your sibling ready, while we prepare for the celebration…"

"Understood!"

And I quickly run to my sibling's room.


By the time I tried to look after them,

I realized about what I may have done to them. For no matter how many times I tried to keep my smile— it was really hard when I remember how important he was to me. I believe, my mother felt the same too. For once—I was about to cry my heart out, though when I saw the smile on my siblings…

What kind of sister am I for trying to break them into sadness?

I refuse to see their smile disappear.

Perhaps they will know someday

But now is obviously not the right time.

When I changed their clothes, I could see them playing around happily,

I really hope none of them question about where he might be.…

I wouldn't know what to say to them—for now….

When I lead my siblings out of their room,

They quickly ran to the crowd of our people happily. Glad, they know what to do with them. Though I wonder what they planned for my father? I hope they managed to make something. I noticed that we missed a few people here. I tried to look outside and…

I could see them burning a lot of wood and a body inside it.

They have started with the farewell ceremony, my mother seems to be quiet as she tried so hard to smile. The others seem to do the same as well.

I turn back my sight, perhaps I should go there too…

But…

Nah—I'll just take care of my siblings.

I really doubt I can hold my tears

I'm still pretty bad at that…

Even though…It was my idea to do this...

I'm really sorry, father….

When I see my siblings playing with my people happily, I started to realize that a few of my people were still trying their best to not cry. '

Maybe I better do something for them… such as, cooking something?

I'm very good at cooking because I've been taught to do so. My mother wants me to be able to make food for our family. Ever since the poisoning incident that took the life of both my grandfather and grandmother, we always cook for ourselves and for our people.

It's not easy being the child who is born in this Yakuza family, because we always need to watch our backs even towards they who're close to us..

As I walk through the hallway, I could see a faint shadow moving under the bush.

What's that?

A fox?

And a Tanuki?

Both tend to pay a visit to my place, though I never actually see them clearly. Many say that they could be dangerous, but some said that they're very cute and fluffy.

Perhaps it's better to leave them for now.

Though what I always wonder— they are two different species, right? How could they live together peacefully? Most animals tend to protect their own territory, right? What about them?

When I was about to continue walking, I heard them starting to make a strange sound… Then the bush began to shuffle.

Are they fighting?

That's bad…

Maybe they're not that peaceful after all.

I tried to approach them carefully, I didn't want one or the other to die in my backyard. Especially also because I have my younger siblings, that kind of sight won't be good for them.

Though as I approached closer…

I can see the fox trying to mate with the Tanuki…

I know both looks almost the same…

But….

What the heck?!

You two are not even in the same species!

"Hey-hey! You can't marry her! Stupid fox!" I yelled as I tried to scare it,

The fox seems to ignore me…

And that Tanuki….

Just…

Even though she's an animal…why does her face look so lewd.

She laid down on the ground, lifting up all of her legs.

It's like she is the one who invited the fox to do it…

Either way!

These two animals need to understand that they're not even the same species. I need to separate them somehow to prevent any chaos.

Even though honestly I don't even know if it's actually possible for them to make babies…

But! This kind of a lewd sight is not for my siblings too!

"Fine! But don't do that here!" I yelled as I kicked the fox away.

The Tanuki quickly run to the fox..

Then I could see them starting to snuggle.

I wonder if they can even communicate with each other. Animals are weird.

Back to my previous activity… I need to get to the kitchen and start cooking. People might have been waiting and my siblings, who are also probably hungry by now.

I really need to work this out.

As I passed through my father's room—I stopped for a bit. It's somewhat sad to remember that he was always there. He really likes playing a song, for me, for mother, and for everyone. I really hope that I could hear his music again. Now….no one here can play music… and certainly not me. I don't have any music background… I don't even know how to sing properly.

I decided to stop again just to take a short look at his room. I feel like something is asking me to approach it…

So I did…

And when I got closer, I heard a thumping sound from inside.

Is someone inside?

That's unlikely.

Everyone should've been at the funeral or the party, right?

Maybe it's a mouse?

Well I just decided to open the door anyway….

And…

This….

This is really a problem now….

Someone….is actually inside—and he looks like he is looking for something.

I raised my eyebrow and quickly open the door widely before I shouted,

"Hey! You!"

He looked at me, in a state of frenzy

"What are you—..!" and he quickly picked up something.

I tried to dodge him as he tried to hit me immediately with something that he held, though he was then making an escape through the side.

"Wait!" I shouted again, as loud as I can—hoping that someone will take a notice of it.

I keep running towards him, he is so quick.

He also decided to make an obstacle for me.

Do he think he can stop me?

I doubt that!

I am the great Niko! A daughter of—…


I couldn't remember what exactly happened,

But I swear my head hits something very rough…

And now I ended up to be ….hmm….

Where am I?

This grass field….

Forest….

And the bright blue night sky…

This is really beautiful….

Wait-wait-wait! Don't tell me…

I'm not in heaven, right?

"Uwoo….. you finally conscious…" I heard a voice speak from somewhere.

I tried to get up slowly and…

I see this ginger haired girl, sitting on a stone next to a sleeping bear. I also can see a few stacks of boxes near her…and a small tent.

Is she a merchant?

"Huh? Who the heck are you…" I said to her.

"Uwa-wa…. That's rude… what's with people these days…" she said.

"Just say it, who the heck are you?" I asked again.

She sighed,

"I'm Kousaka Honoka, an ordinary merchant…" she said.

An ordinary merchant with a bear pet? She must be joking.

"You crazy? You have a pet bear. You can't be an ordinary merchant…"

"W-well! Kuma-san is only a childhood friend…" she said.

"Only? He is a damned beast!" I yelled at her,

"Wuaaa—don't yell at us like that, Kuma-san doesn't like it. "

"He can't even understand what I'm saying!" I yelled again at her.

"But he does! He understand what I'm saying!"

"Huh? That can't be possible! A bear can't understand human, they just eat and sleep…!"

"He is not like that!" she pouts at me.

Sigh…

Is she a little imaginative girl inside?

Either way,

That bear doesn't look responding to me.

What a kid…

Who believes a bear can understand what humans are saying anyway…

"Either way— why am I here with you now?" I asked.

"Because…. you're…. the fated one?" she asked somewhat innocently.

What the hell is she talking about anyway?

What fate comes to a person like me?

Shouldn't I have enough already?

"A—Your eyes, you're really telling me that you doubted that, right?" she asked loudly,

"You're doubting me, right?" She repeated her question again—somewhat annoyingly cheerful.

"Why are you saying that anyway? I'm a daughter of the biggest Yakuza clan! You can't tell me what to do or what to think!" I said clearly.

"Eh? Who are you?" she asked again.

"a daughter of the biggest yakuza clan!"

"Uh… what is 'yakuza'?" She asked,

"It's a criminal organization! You should fear us!" I said clearly to her again.

"Why?"

"Because—we could kill you if we wanted to!"

"But…. everyone can kill each other as long as they have the will to do so, right? You don't have to be the member of any organization?"

I don't know what to say to this girl again.

Either she is fearless or just plain dumb.

"Don't you know that you might be in danger as you talk to me?" I asked.

"But…everyone can be in danger? I've seen a lot of people with danger right in front of their eyes…"

Hmmm…

Somehow, she is showing a hint of wisdom here.

"Fine….whatever…" I said.

She giggled,

"Alright… hehe…"

"What are you selling anyway?" I asked,

"Just something that's designed for everyone who needs most…" she said.

"Huh?"

"Maybe in your language, you can say that I'm selling a wish…"

"What? That's ridiculous, how can you selling a wish?"

"By….selling it?" She replied innocently.

Uhm… right… but that's not quite the question.

Ah well.

"How much is it?" I asked.

"As much as you want to pay it with…" she replied.

Hmm…now-now, that's somewhat a beautiful concept. Selling wishes for as much as someone pays it? Awesome…

"Then, if I said, I'll buy it with my soul, are you going to give me as much as my soul is worth?"

"Yep…"

"That's amazing…" I said.

"Hehe, so are you going to buy any?" she asked.

"I would if I can do that!" I said.

I value my soul a lot, I can't pay with my soul.

Who will take care of my siblings if I pay her with my soul.

"You can do that…"

"It's not about if you can take that or not, I just can't waste it away so easily… I have something important, ok?" I said as I crossed my arm.

"Oh, is that so….?" She pouts,

"Yep, pretty much…" I replied.

"Then… if you really want to pay with that, why don't you pay with a substitute of your soul?" she asked.

"Huh? If that possible then you got a deal."

"Really?" she asked cheerfully.

"Yeah, really…" I replied.

"Then! You just need to follow this recipe!" she handed me two pieces of paper.

I looked at it,

There are Male and Female here…

"Hey, why there are male and female here? Shouldn't you just give me a female one?" I asked.

"I'm not quite sure myself, honestly, but… it might be related to the gender that will be your wish maker…"

"Oh…."

I tried to look at the paper again.

It says something like this.

Female:

A gem to decide her eye color,

A leather to decide the strength of her skin,

A fabric to decide her hair color,

A weapon to decide her power,

A sheathe to decide her depth,

A pair of the same fruit to decide her size,

A female soul to decide her heart.

Hmm…

And the male one says…

Male:

A gem to decide his eye color,

A leather to decide his strength

A fabric to decide his hair color,

A weapon to decide his power,

A long object to decide his length,

A shield to decide his dominance,

A male soul to decide his heart.

Hmm…

They are so close to each other. Only a slight difference…

"What do I have to do after I collected them?" I asked.

"Just place it near this…" she said as she handed me a red box with a bright pink flower decoration.

"This?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Yup…"

"This is awfully small!" I yelled at her.

And the bear suddenly roared at me,

"W-whoa-wha…. Kuma-san, don't be angry!" she said as she pat his head.

I sighed weakly at her,

"Listen now... I can't possibly put bigger things than that because the box is too small!" I said.

"You can!" she said.

"How?!"

"Well, it is like this…" she took the box off me again along with the paper,

"What do you want to make? Male or female?" she asked.

"Let's go with a male…"

Because I don't want her to screw up with the female one… I might make the female one…

"Alright…" She rolled the paper of the male recipe. Then she opened the box….

Strangely…

She was able to put the whole paper in.

Then next she went back to pick up a long spear…..

Wait a minute…

"Hey, wait, a long spear? Really?" I asked.

"Hehe, yup, this should be his weapon!" she said.

"But, there is also something long that we need to put in too, right? What if that decides the length instead of power?"

"Oh? Hehe, don't worry, it's not about the object, it's about the quality of each object. So say that if you put in a spear like this, he will have the quality of length only...not the exact length"

What is this length in context anyway?

I'm afraid to ask, but I guess that just should be ignored anyway, I want to make the female one.

Anyhow,

When she placed the spear near the box—somehow, the box just absorbed it in. It's like it is eating it…

What kind of magic is this?

It seems so scary.

"So...did you got it?" She asked.

"Yes…pretty much…." I raised my eyebrow.

"Ok! Here, have fun finding the rest of the items!" She said.

"Hey, say though, can I exchange it with the empty one?" I asked.

"Nope. You can't. There's only one box for each person. If you take the others, then the other might not get their part…"

"You can switch mine with someone else and warn about it—or just keep replacing it until someone actually wants a man with spear length quality…" I said.

She remained quiet for a moment, then she averted her eyes,

"Ahhh! Time is up!" She said.

What the heck?

"I have to go now, bye!"

The hell?


The hell just happened now?

Did she actually—….

Oh….

I could feel my head spinning a while ago.

It was really a terrible headache…

I must be dreaming….

I woke up in my room and realized that my mother has been sitting next to me, she looks really worried,

"Niko-chan…" she called my name.

"Ah…Mama….what happened?" I asked.

"We found you unconscious next to papa's room. We thought you got hit emotionally, but we found a trace of violence on you…." she said calmly.

"Ah—well….I saw someone….trying to pry for something inside papa's room…" I said.

"I see. We will find that someone, can you describe them?"

"I…I honestly don't really remember him, I didn't pay much attention until he…did something and made me fall unconscious…" I replied.

Ah—She seems to be really troubled now.

Geez…what am I saying…

"But I'm fine! I can find him by myself later—then I'll kick his ass!" I said.

My mother giggled at me,

"You really look like papa when you do that…" she said.

"Huh, really? I didn't think like that, but—yeah, you don't have to worry me! I'll be fine on my own!" I said.

"Alright-alright…" she giggled again.

It's kind of awkward now, I don't know what I should I do next…"

"Oh, by the way… I found this box in your hands…" she said as she handed me a red box with a bright pink flower pattern.

Wow…then…was that not a dream?

"I tried to open it, but I can't…." she said.

I stared into it for a while, now I'm not quite sure of it. Maybe I should try to open that later when I gather all the materials, I don't want anything bad to happen to my mother, knowing that one of the recipe is a soul…not to mention about the male soul requirement though…

Either way,

I still don't want to risk it.

And to remember that something was inserted inside this box….

I wonder if I can somehow change it….

I really don't want a man with spear quality….

Heck,

I don't even want a man to begin with!


Ok, thats it. I might be posting the next chapter after a while, i gtg back to my homeland and not quite sure if i can write there, but I hope i'm not too busy with family business.

See you next chapter!

Thanks if you do reviews/faves/follows!