Chapter 01
Mikey I — Her
Her dark hair is splayed across the expanse of the white pillows.
He runs his fingers through the strands, massaging his fingertips on her scalp. She stirs from her sleep, equally deep and dark eyes fluttering awake in a daze. He expects his heart to leap in his chest, to get that same wild adrenaline he used to feel whenever he sleeps with her—but everything is cold and strange and empty. He couldn't find it in himself to smile back.
To his dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty.
She opens her mouth and is about to pounce onto him for the umpteenth time that night, but his phone vibrates quietly on the nightstand. She leans back down amidst the pillows and pulls the blanket to cover her naked figure.
Mikey twists away from her reach, sitting up on the other edge of the bed and peering at the caller ID. He quirks an eyebrow—it is strange for Kakucho to call at such ungodly hour in the morning.
"Sorry, boss, but Sanzu and I fucked up," Bonten's Third says without preamble.
Ah, that would be it.
Mikey hunches forward, elbows to his knees. He feels the slightest shift coming from the bed, a small hand reaching out to touch the bare skin of his back. He moves away from her touch.
"Meeting at the office in an hour." He is aware that it is nearly two in the morning, but at this point, he doesn't care. He needs something to happen to feel alive again at the very least, to get his blood pumping with violence and death. "Gather everyone."
"Yes, boss," Kakucho replies and ends the call.
"Who was that?" she asks, nestled among the pillows, heavy-lidded eyes gazing up at him.
"I have to go," he says instead. He stands up, uncaring if he is naked with the lamp's orange glow all over his skin. He fetches his clothes off the floor and glances at her over his shoulder. "Can I use your shower?"
"Of course." Her voice wavers. She moves to stand but he holds a hand up, stopping her.
He doesn't trust himself to see her bare once again. He needs to leave before the familiar thud of lust and need overcome his senses, and he would have to tumble back into bed with her.
He finishes quickly, fusses over his clothes, and cards a hand through his still-damp blond hair.
"Are you coming back, Mikey?" she asks—she always asks every time he has to leave.
"I don't know," he whispers before he closes the door on her.
But they both know the answer to that question.
He arrives at the Bonten office and finds his seven executives flopped down on their cushioned seats, the sleepiness and exhaustion written all over their faces. The atmosphere is heavy and tense—blood lingers in the air, dried all over Sanzu's arms and some on Kakucho's hands as well. Even the warm golden glow from the crystallized chandelier above their heads is suddenly too bright and too unbearable.
Mikey perches himself on his high-backed chair at the head of the table, one leg crossed over the other and chin lazily propped up on his palm.
"So, what happened?" he asks, obsidian eyes sweeping across the tired faces.
"It was our fault," Kakucho is quick to take responsibility. Mikey likes that in Kakucho—a man with a strong sense of accountability, admirable in a man within a crime syndicate. "We were following orders regarding the hideouts."
"Not our fault that someone was still in there." In contrast, Haruchiyo Sanzu sneers, unable to see any wrongdoings in their actions. His ponytail is down, letting his long pink hair over his shoulders. "Out of the five hideouts that we raided in the past few months, this last one is the only place with people still in it. The rest were completely abandoned."
Ran Haitani pulls a face, purple eyes hazy with sleep. "Please don't tell me you hurt them."
Sanzu gestures with an exasperated hand. "They shot at us first," he argues. "Do you really think I'd stand there while they shoot at me and my partner? No, I didn't think so, Haitani."
Rindou sighs, seated beside his older brother. "He's not dead, is he?"
Kakucho shakes his head. "No, it was only a graze on his shoulder. He's at the hospital right now."
Again, Sanzu makes an annoyed noise from the back of his throat. "I don't understand why we are sparing insignificant geezers from dying," he complains. "If Kaku just let me kill them, then we wouldn't have bothered with hospital bills."
"I'll personally pay the hospital bills," Ran answers, much to the other executives' surprise.
Now, Mikey has to wonder. Why do the Haitani brothers suddenly care too much?
Takeomi shifts uncomfortably on his seat. "You said there were three of them, correct?"
"Yes." Kakucho lists them on his fingers. "One wounded, two captured and currently in the basement."
"Are they hurt?" Ran asks, the concern evident in his voice.
"The other two—no," Kakucho confirms.
"Thank god," Ran sighs in relief and collapses on his chair.
Mikey has heard enough. He leans on the table, and his slightest movement has everyone flinching and turning towards him. His eyes feel heavy, his body ready to hit the soft mattress. Doing this at this hour is the greatest torture, when he could be sleeping at home.
Or in her arms.
He shakes his thoughts aside and looks at the Haitani brothers.
"Why are you so worried, Ran, Rindou? You were the ones who suggested taking over these hideouts from the Karasuda-kai. You were the ones who assured us that the weak Karasuda-kai won't even have the manpower to fight back. So why are you so concerned when one of their men is wounded?"
Takeomi stares at the two brothers, his nail tapping on the polished wooden table. "Are you worried about the Karasuda-kai boss?" he asks. "According to our intel, he is gone for years and left his own men to fend for themselves. Left them to their own devices."
Kokonoi nods, seated between Takeomi and Sanzu. "Plus, Karasuda-kai's assets have all been rerouted as Bonten's assets. Their financial resources are all but depleted, and they have no other means to regain their losses, not with their boss being so far away and—" He pauses for the right word—"neglectful."
Mikey props his chin on his hand again, eyes darting back and forth on the players in this game.
"Weak as Karasuda-kai is, we cannot deny that they are a subsidiary to a bigger yakuza family," Ran says.
"You mean Shirakawa-kai?" Kakucho sighs. "Yeah, that will be a problem."
"But Shirakawa-kai is stationed all the way in Osaka," Mochi points out. "If they really gave two shits about them, we wouldn't have gotten this far without their intervention. Right?"
"Karasuda-kai is like the black sheep of the family," Rindou says. "But that doesn't mean their parents wouldn't hear all the troubles brewing. One way or another, the Shirakawa-kai will find out about the lost hideouts and lost revenue—and killing one of their men is a sure way to get Bonten on their death radar," he explains, shooting a dark glare in Sanzu's direction.
Sanzu smiles politely.
Mikey purses his lips. Finally, something interestingly dangerous is happening. He could feel it, the first inklings of excitement setting his veins and blood afire. Months of inactivity and the casual dealings with other rival gangs have not been enough.
This is what he—the Bonten leader—needs, craves even.
"Do you think they'll retaliate?" he asks.
Ran pauses. "They might," he answers. "The yakuza value family and honor most of all."
The leader nods, not at all perturbed. "How soon do you think?"
"As soon as the word reaches them in Osaka," Rindou says.
On cue, Ran's phone blasts a loud ringing tone. Everyone turns to him expectantly, some annoyed at the shrill noise. The elder Haitani brother waits for their leader's approval. Mikey gestures with a hand, but also to put the caller on speaker. Ran presses the button and pushes his phone to the middle of the table.
From his position at the very head, Mikey could only see the random number and no caller ID.
"Good evening." A smooth and calm voice resonates in the room. "Am I speaking to Ran Haitani?"
"Yes." In contrast, Ran's voice is strained. "Who is this?"
"This is Volkner. Do you remember me?"
Mikey notices the two brothers exchange furtive glances to one another. It is unlike for them—Roppongi's handsome, charming, self-assured Haitani brothers to look like children caught red-handed by a parent. To Bonten's leader, it is rather amusing.
Ran swallows as he forces a playful lilt in his tone. "Of course, Volkner. How could I ever forget? How are you? How are things in Shirakawa-kai?"
"Exciting as usual," the other man answers. An abrupt silence falls on his end, and the Bonten members all glance at each other. "I heard unfortunate reports about Karasuda-kai. Are you a member of Bonten?"
"Yes," Ran says. The tension suffocates everyone else, hunched forward and listening with bated breaths, staring at the unknown caller screen. "Is there a problem with that, Volkner?"
"Do you have time to meet up?"
"Am I in trouble?" Ran teases while he plays for time. Everyone else presses their lips into a thin line, and Mikey is the only one to nod. "We can meet—just tell me where and when."
"Six o'clock tomorrow evening, at the old Max Maniacs warehouse. You know which one."
"Of course." Ran nods as Kokonoi scribbles the details down.
"I assume the rest of Bonten is listening."
Everyone stops in their tracks. Koko's pen is suspended over the paper, Sanzu's sneer turns into a quiet snarl, and Rindou's frown deepens towards his brother's direction. Kaku and Mochi glance at their leader, waiting for his decision.
Mikey leans back on his chair and laces his fingers over his lap. "Yes, this is the leader speaking."
The voice hums. "Good, then this should be easy. Bring the boss, the Haitani brothers, and one other man for tomorrow's meeting. No weapons allowed. Any back-ups, we would know. Any weapons, we would know."
The boss shrugs his shoulders. "Of course."
On the table, Ran and Rindou are elbowing and whispering to themselves.
"Well, in that case, we shall see you tomorrow," the man continues. "Good evening, gentlemen."
"Ah, wait, Volkner—" Ran sputters. The other line goes silent, waiting. "Rindou has a question for you."
"Yes, Haitani-kun?"
"Is the boss going to be there tomorrow?" Rindou murmurs, glaring daggers at his brother.
"Perhaps," Volkner answers maddeningly, and then ends the call with another, "Good evening."
The call drops, and everyone waits until the phone's screen goes dark.
Mochi and Takeomi both exhale at the same time, Kakucho caresses his forehead, and Kokonoi sets to work on his laptop. Finally, Ran takes his phone and puts it back in his pocket.
Mikey tilts his head. "You personally know this Volkner? As well as the Shirakawa-kai boss, don't you?"
This time, Rindou answers for both of them, looking even more stressed. "Yes, we worked with them for a few years before we joined Tenjiku or any other gangs."
"So, it's going to be Mikey and the Haitanis tomorrow." Takeomi produces a cigarette from his pocket, but immediately receives a death glare from Mikey—he doesn't want the conference room to smell like smoke for the rest of the meeting. The Bonten advisor grins sheepishly and puts his cigarette away.
"Who's going to be the last man?" Takeomi asks instead.
"Me, of course." Sanzu rolls his eyes, as though it is the most obvious answer.
"I'd rather that we don't," Ran interrupts.
"You fucker—" Sanzu starts.
"Why, Ran?" Mikey blinks, curiosity piqued. "Why not Sanzu?"
"Because Mr. Smartass here shot one of their men," Ran states, matter-of-fact. "If I know the Shirakawa-kai boss, and unfortunately, I do—bringing the idiot responsible for shooting their man is a death sentence."
"That sounds stupid," Sanzu whines.
"If anything, we need to bring someone handsome and charming." Ran's purple eyes scan across the rest.
"Say no more." Mochi smooths his shirt down and pretends fixing his dark hair—
"Okay, Kakucho, you're coming with us!" Ran chirps.
"What?!" Kakucho sputters, a blush staining his cheeks. "Why me?!"
The next evening, the four Bonten members arrive at the agreed place, thirty minutes before the time.
Mikey wears his usual white leather coat, letting it hang over his shoulders. His black long sleeve is simple, as well as the white pants and combat boots he wears. Kakucho is similarly dressed, but the Haitani brothers always have to make an appearance—dark and crisp designer clothes with expensive boots and rings. He could even tell that Ran trimmed his long black-and-blond hair a little for this occasion.
The old Max Maniacs warehouse is located in the back streets of Roppongi. Far from the entertainment district's glittering nightclubs and bars. The air is stale, dust clouding with every step and quite irritates Mikey's nose. He looks around the secluded warehouse with quiet satisfaction.
Five minutes before the meeting, Rindou Haitani starts bouncing on his tiptoes.
"I think I'm going to puke," he grumbles, fidgeting where he stands.
"What's wrong?" Kakucho asks, immediately concerned.
"He's got butterflies in his stomach," Ran teases and Rindou raises his fist as a warning.
"Are you actually excited, Rindou?" Mikey asks. He thought they would be walking into the lion's den for antagonizing Tokyo's local yakuza family, weak as they are, but it seems his concerns are unfounded.
"I don't know what to expect," Rindou answers, uneasy.
"One minute," Kakucho murmurs, and Rindou all but chokes on his own spit. Ran laughs before they turn towards the set of steel doors on the other side of the warehouse.
As the time ticks towards six o'clock, the metallic clang echoes throughout the empty space. Mikey stands a little straighter, rolling his shoulders back, eyes narrowed to the slowly opening of doors. The red-orange shafts of sunset spills through the crack, followed by a slight shadow entering.
His eyes widen at the realization. He glances to his side, to where Ran and Rindou are standing, waiting, just like him and Kakucho.
To his increasing surprise, Ran is grinning from ear-to-ear, purple eyes glimmering with mischief. Rindou sighs in relief, no longer nervously bouncing on his tiptoes, his tense shoulders relaxing.
Mikey frowns and looks back at the stranger.
Her auburn hair is thick and falls in loose waves over her waist. The sunset makes it shine even more, a shade of red-bronze hair framing a small face. Her mismatched eyes of one deep blue and one light gray are atrocious—it is as though God could not decide on this girl's palette, and so threw several colors on her at once, desperate to make her stand out in the crowd.
She wears a bodycon white dress with a sweetheart neckline, teasing a hint of her chest, with the skirts tight around her hips and thighs. Is she not cold? It's the middle of March! Her feet are quiet as she takes assured steps towards Bonten.
Her blue-and-gray eyes spare one dismissive glance at Mikey, before she turns her attention to the rest of his companions.
"Good evening, gentlemen." She stands on the other side, hands clasped in front of her, a smile in place.
"Good evening, Shirakawa-sama." Ran and Rindou bow at the waist, completely in sync with one another.
Kakucho, looking rather awkward and out of place, follows their lead and bows as well. "Good evening," he murmurs under his breath, eyes downcast to the dusty floor.
Mikey doesn't move. Not one muscle. Not one inch. His men are bowing to one woman he doesn't know. Doesn't deserve to be bowed to. He glares at the smug smile in her lips, the way her eyes sparkle, not at him, but at the Haitani brothers. The way she cherishes the moment, basking in the attention and reverence and—fuck if it doesn't irritate Mikey all the more.
Suddenly, a vision in all white steps behind the young woman. He is a tall man with long dark hair pulled into a low ponytail behind his back, strong and broad shoulders that fill his white overcoat in the right places, with a light lavender scarf tucked under his lapels.
"Pleased to make your acquaintances, Bonten," the man says, tipping his white hat to them.
Mikey recognizes that voice, that overly smooth and suave voice. This is Volkner.
So who is this smiling brat in front of him?
Ran, Rindou, and Kakucho straighten from their bows.
"My name is Manjiro Sano, and I am Bonten's leader," he starts, wanting to take control. He doesn't trust this Volkner person when he is standing too far back, as if he could not be bothered with them. He doesn't like how the young woman tilts her head and smiles at Kakucho.
"Arianne—a pleasure."
"Indeed," Mikey whispers, not at all impressed at her terseness.
"I have three questions for you."
"Already? Holy shit," Rindou grumbles.
"First question—are you really the Bonten leader?" she asks with a blink.
"Yes," Mikey grinds out, annoyed, and childishly retorts, "Are you the Shirakawa-kai boss?"
She just smiles and starts sauntering towards him.
"So, let me get this straight—" Her feet are light over the floor, the smile on her lips never faltering as she stands before him, an inch or two shorter, tipping her head back. At a closer inspection, Mikey notices the flecks in her blue-and-gray eyes, and he could smell lavender from her skin.
"Bonten took over Karasuda-kai's assets and hideouts all throughout Tokyo," she lists them off, her defiant gaze never wavering even as Mikey sneers down on her. "On top of all that, your men shot one of my men. My second question is—how do you answer that, Manjiro-san?"
Her eyes narrow ever so slightly, taking note of his eyes, his nose, his mouth.
"I take all responsibility," is all he says.
Mikey feels the danger dripping from her next words.
"Third question—would you submit for punishment?" she breathes, her warm breath on his chin.
"What kind of punishment?" he hears himself say, dancing to the tune of her dangerous rhythm.
"Mhm." She purses her lips, gaze flicking sideways to his executives. "I'll take the Haitani brothers."
"I'm sorry?" He blinks, confused. "You'll punish the Haitani brothers?"
"I would do with them as I see fit." She draws back from him, giving him space to breathe, and smiles at Ran and Rindou. She turns around with a bounce of her hair over her shoulders. "Come along, Haitani."
Mikey turns to his men. His quiet confusion is mirrored in Kakucho, but not in Ran and Rindou. If there is anything worth noting, it is the way Ran chuckles under his breath and the casual way Rindou adjusts his glasses over the bridge of his nose.
Across from them, the young woman and her guard are waiting by the steel doors.
"What the hell?" the leader hisses over to his executives.
"It's fine, Mikey," Ran reassures him. "We know Yancy. This will be quick."
"Is she actually the boss?" Mikey says through gritted teeth.
"Unfortunately." Rindou shrugs, quite relaxed now.
"Are you sure she's not gonna murder you somewhere else?" Kakucho whispers back.
"If it's Yancy, it will be fine," Rindou says. "We'll be back soon and tell you all about it later."
"Whatever." Mikey waves a hand, effectively dismissing the two brothers. His eyes are squinted as Ran and Rindou step away from the group and approach the young woman. He doesn't miss the quick brightening of her eyes and the slight bounce in her steps.
His lips press into an annoyed frown. Setting up a meeting only to steal the Haitani brothers, he notes with a glare towards their group. Who does she think she is? Does she think I'm a fool?
Kakucho leans forward to whisper. "What now, Mikey?"
He scoffs. "I don't care," he snaps, unable to keep the familiar surge of childish pettiness from resurfacing. All of them setting this up as an important meeting with an all-powerful boss, only to be met with a spoiled brat whose priorities are askew.
The group is now heading towards the doors. Despite himself, Mikey lingers for a few more seconds, gaze never leaving her back as she retreats, leading her guard and the Haitani brothers away.
And despite the growing irritation settling in his bones, he stays a bit longer to get one last glimpse of her.
Author's Notes: Hello, everyone, and Happy New Year! This will be my first fic for 2023, as well as my first ever fic for the Tokyo Revengers fandom. I've been a fan since last year and I personally couldn't sit still until I write a fic and publish it. I'm really anxious about this, but let me just rip the band aid off and get on with it!
The story will focus on Bonten! Almost everything is experimental for me, including the OC that I'm trying to study. It will be very long and plot-heavy, will contain mature themes, and explicit sexual scenes. And by explicit, I mean heavy, shameless, filthy kind of sex because I wanted to try my hand at writing smut, lmao. As for the mature themes, the plot will focus on the topics of yakuza, mafia, underworld, drugs/prostitution, and the like, because I've been wanting to write about the yakuza for the longest time. The story will be told in 3rd person limited POV—I just find it much easier to delve deeper into a character's thoughts and feelings (and also neater in terms of storytelling).
Lastly, ever since I started watching TR, Mikey was my first favorite character (second is Draken). When I got to read the Bonten arc, I fell in love with the group even more. Sanzu is the love of my life and I want to portray him as soft but still unhinged in this story.
Sorry for ranting—just wanted to get these out of the way. Thank you so much for taking the time and stopping by to read! Hopefully you enjoyed reading the first chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! I wanted to publish the story just in time before the anime's Season 2 drops, haha! Again, thank you so much! Any feedback, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated! 🌸