Chapter 3

Yakuzas are notorious groups that acts as the underground government of Japan. They are the walls covered with spikes. Keeping things in order in the brute, old-fashioned Japanese way. I always imagined a yakuza house to be full of muscled fighters and dragons all over the place.

This "yakuza" house is far from what I imagined. It is everything that the Yakuzas hated. How Kotobuki managed to get into this business and survived without people laughing at him. I don't think I'll ever know. Marble floors, westernized furniture everywhere, I doubt anyone who'd visit would realize that this place is of a yakuza's. A perfect hideout. Mugi's dad smiled at me, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking about as my gaze wandered around. I stopped acting like a little kid and tried to look serious. This is a chance for a new beginning in my life. I would at least need to look my part in this yakuza thing.

"Heh. That's one nice frown you got there. You're getting the hang of it." the man approved. That's a good thing, I think. Then I noticed a floral door. Hmm very elaborated in design.

"I assume that she's here..." I said in english. Still trying to get the hang of my job. But he waved his forefinger at me.

"Tsch. Tsch. Don't use the word "assume" else you'd be making an ass out of u and me" he cracked with a huge grin on his face. I smiled. The man knows his english humor. He waved his hand and gestured towards the door.

"Please take care of my daughter. I will entrust her into your hands." I bowed in respect. He may be a yakuza but damn is he a good father or what? He left me staring at the door. My hands are trembling a bit. It's been years... have she changed a lot? Or maybe I'm the one who changed so much that the Ritsu she knew disappeared...

After mustering up enough courage... I pushed the door open and behold. A golden haired sleeping beauty laid on a beautiful bed that only matched her grace. Her father notioned for me to go closer and walked by me. We stopped by her bed when he whispered for me to hide behind him. After which he gently nudged her arm and called to her.

"Mugi, wake up. I have a surprise for you." she shifted and slowly looked up to him. Her long eyelashes fluttering up and down. Her eyes are obviously tempted to go back under the covers. But her thick eyebrows knotted a bit in faint determination. She will not act like a kid in front of her father anymore, her actions almost shouted that. It was kinda cute.

"Good morning father. What will you surprise me with this time?" She asked with an impish smile. I remember Mugi mentioning that her father can be too overwhelming when he's giving out gifts. It's understandable. If I had a daughter like Mugi I'll try to shower her with as much gifts as I can.

The older Kotobuki grinned and stepped aside to show her his "gift".

"Sup Mugi?" I greeted and gave her my usual "V" sign. Her eyes opened wide and was soon filled with joyous tears. With that, she zealously, tackled me.

"RITSU!" her actions are all inelegant by society's standard but Mugi didn't seem to care about that. I hugged her back to let her know that this happy meeting is not one-sided.

It was a while before she calmed down and sat back on her bed. Her father, watching what happened is looking like he's proud of himself for setting me up as her bodyguard. He coughed to give him our immediate attention. He seem to do that a lot.

"As I've said earlier I had a surprise for you right? Well as you can see it's Miss Tainaka. But she's not just here as a guest." Mugi cocked her head a bit sideways, looking confused.

"What do you mean by that?" with that he laughed and roughly pat my back in a brute way that almost made my heart jump out of my mouth.

"Ritsu here is now to be your personal bodyguard. I've just hired her this morning. It seemed convenient since you already knew each other way back." I tried to looked my part again and gave her a small grin. Mugi however, looked aghast.

"No! Ritsu is my friend! I will not turn her into a servant!" for once her father looked helpless. I can't blame him though. I also thought that this idea could actually work out.

"But dear, you don't really have to see her in that way. She can just accompany you. Well, a lot of accompaniment, but it's for your protection. I just want you to be safe and that's why I'm entrusting her, a dear friend of yours, to be by your side always. Is that too much to ask for?" he pleaded as he held her hands. His eyes suddenly met mine and I had a feeling that I had to back up his perfect acting else he'd have my guts ripped off and displayed in the market tomorrow morning. Ok. Adlib time.

"Y-yeah. Like what he said. I have too much time to kill and it's like hitting two birds with one stone. I get a job and I get to hang around you again. It's a perfect job for me..." I looked sideways and turned to the window. "... unless you didn't really want to see me again" I dramatically said and posed like I'm on the edge of a cliff.

"Ritsu! Mou..." she puffed her red cheeks. She realized that we were putting on a show. She gave us a dirty look and sighed.

"Fine, it's your win. Now stop exaggerating the mood." she muttered as she crossed her arms.

"Well I thought it was pretty convincing." her dad proudly said.

"Yeah. Like Oscar material-convincing." I piped in.

"I-I think you guys are Sunday gag shows worthy." she stammered. Oh, that's right. Mugi always had a hard time doing jokes and banters with others. She called it "skinship". We laughed at Mugi's little quirk.

"You're right Mugi, who am I kidding. But rest assured I'll guard you well. It's my job after all." I added to show her father that I won't just be another stomach to feed in this household.

"Thank you Ritsu" she whispered so softly that it was barely audible. Yeah it's the same old Mugi alright. Oujou-sama types are always like that.

"Since that is all done and settled with I'll have Ritsu shown to her room." Mugi shifted a bit in her bed and stared at her father like she wanted to say something. Or maybe that's just my imagination.

"Join us for breakfast later dear." he smiled and closed the door.

My room isn't that far away from Mugi's. Probably so I can come to her aid whenever she needs it. Typical. I don't hate it though. She's my friend. I'll gladly do anything for her.

Her father really is too nice. He even gave me a good drumset and a sound proofed room. In fact the entire room is bigger than my old condominium. But nothing beats Mugi's room. I was too happy to take note of it earlier but it was way too spacious just for one person. I wonder if she gets lonely a lot when she was a child. Well, I'll have none of that. I'm here now.

It would have been nice if the rest of us are also here. Yui will probably bounce off the floor and eat, poke everything she'd see. Azusa will give Yui a stern lecture but become immersed in interesting objects as well and Mi-...

I felt a throbbing pain in my heart. It felt like that I'm shattering from the inside. I fucking hate this feeling...

"Mio..." a tear is threatening to escape from my tear ducts. But I won't let it. I'm not here to mope around. I'm here to have fun with my good old friend Mugi. Fuck that bitch. I won't let her ruin this happy mood I've got here.

It took me a while to get to the dining room. This house is seriously bigger than I imagined. Why do rich people always make gigantic maze-like houses? Don't they get tired by walking all over the place like this? If not that at least put up a map of the house. It's like a freaking mall. Seriously.

"Ritsu!" her father exclaimed. "I was wondering if you got lost. I forgot that we haven't shown you the entire house yet." I bowed a little and sat down.

"It's alright Sir." I said to my employer. I need to ask him more about the entire yakuza thing but I'd wait for him to give me some info. I don't want to look like a meddlesome pawn.

"Say, Ritsu," he started. Oh good, is he gonna talk about the yakuza?

"Thanks for agreeing to this. Mugi really needs someone to be with her right now. And I can't do that for her." Or not.

"What do you mean? Have something happened?"

"Her mother, is in deep coma right now. We were sabotaged by an opposing group and planned out an accident. Thankfully we're all alive. But her condition is getting worse... I'm trying the best I can. But Mugi... she's also suffering. I can't comfort her while tending to her mother." his voice is as heavy as the situation. And I'm at loss for words.

"And it's not only that. I fear for her safety as well. I can't relax and focus on what should be done with me worrying about her." he gave a sad smile at looked straight at me. "And that's where you come in Ritsu." I fully understand what's going on in his head right now. I gave a firm nod.

"I'll do my best to protect her and accompany her. Just do your thing. I can handle this fine."

"Thanks," he muttered. And after a long pause he spoke in his usual voice. "Now about the yakuza training I've told you about."

"Y-yakuza training? You mean that really exists?" it sounds like studying. I hate studying.

"As every profession in the world does. You will be taught in different arts to sharpen your skills. You will also have to be more fluent in English in several other languages. Really it's a wonder that you finished college." Ow. That one was a bullseye. "Either way, I'll treat you as her friend and bodyguard. There will be some times however where you'll have to keep a secret from her. I trust you will keep it when it happens. And-" he abruptly stopped. Which can only mean one thing. Mugi have entered the room.

I turned and saw her properly dressed. Her hair as elegant as ever. It strikes me strange though that one would dress properly just for breakfast in her own home. The only reason I could think of is...

Yep. Definitely an ojou.

"Sorry for being late Father." she politely said and bowed. Her father shook his head and rang a small bell. It signaled the maids and they promptly showed up with delicious foods. I continued being overwhelmed. Almost everything in this house is grandiose. I had to stop myself from gobbling up the food served to me. It was a hard task but I managed.

It was a quiet meal. There were a couple of small conversations exchanged between but these were no more than the typical words exchanged on a family table. How are you doing? What have you been up to lately? Yesterday. Tomorrow. If I haven't learned about the incident earlier I would have thought that everything is normal about them. Mugi changed. She's less cheery from before, for reasons I understand.

During our parting, what else could have happened to the others? I felt old all of a sudden. I could no longer claim that we're going to Budokan. I can no longer depend on Mio for the most trivial or important things. I won't see Mio ever again. And I have to accept that. Is that what being an adult means? To accept that things will change no matter what?

If so, I don't like it one bit.

I watched Mugi as she elegantly ate that french cheese omelet. Yes, elegantly. I don't know how rich people does it. Our eyes met for a second and smiled. She's probably thinking along the same lines as me. It's pretty nostalgic. I haven't bonded much with Mugi, even during college. But the one day that stuck out as a fond memory was when I invited her to go to the arcade. Yeah. Those laid back days when everything was fun, I miss it more than ever.

After we finished breakfast my employer had to go his yakuza business thing. And that left Mugi and I to do whatever we please. With a few rules though. That if we're to go outside I'll bring along the other guards. For extra safety. Because obviously, my awesomeness is not enough. Tsch.

"So Ritsu, how did you end up here?" Mugi asked curiously as she sat on the swing. We're currently in a playground in her backyard. Their backyard consisted of forests and mountains. We're in the playground closest to their mansion. I seriously can't fathom how rich the Kotobukis are.

"Ritsu?" Crap. I wasn't able to reply right away. I curse this short attention span.

"Oh, it's a long story. But I'll try to make it short. Your dad picked me up after I fought with a bunch of guys and after seeing me fight he decided to hire me." I paused and made a wild hand motion. "End of long story." I said in a matter-of-factly voice. Mugi suppressed a giggle. At least she's cheery enough. She have it tough right now. It would be nice to help her out. This would also help me forget about the bad things. Painful things.

…

Ah, the skies are beautiful today.

I can feel a tear coming out. I looked away. Mugi sensed that something is wrong with me and held my hand. She didn't say generic words like; are you okay, what's the problem and so. She just stayed with me and held my hand gently. I didn't cry. But still, it's rather pathetic to be comforted by someone you're supposed to comfort instead.

No words are exchanged. Maybe silence is all I really needed.

She lead me to a small pavilion. There we sat together and looked at the beautiful scenery. It was relaxing. I don't remember being this relaxed before in my life. Maybe it's the place. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the wind. Maybe-

"It's been a while."

Maybe it's Mugi.

"Yeah."

It's good to have a friend. To have someone to lean on at times you feel down.

"Hey Mugi," I stood in front of her and kneel before her. "I, Tainaka Ritsu, hereby swears my loyalty to you and that I will protect you, Kotubuki Mugi, with my life." I hate corny things. I hate serious words. I hate acting like a stupid knight in armor because it's what that got me into a shitty life in the first place. But for a friend I'm alright with all these things. Nothing is more important than good relations.

"Ritsu! Don't kneel! Stand up. You don't have to act like that. Geez, did father told you to do that?" she's flustered. With her hands on her hips and that cute little pout. It's hard not to smother her with hugs. If I were Yui I'd totally do it right now.

"Nah. I just felt like I had to do my part as a yakuza. Haha." I stuck a tongue out. And then I sat beside her again.

"Hey, Ritsu..." she looked at me, worried. Ah here it comes. The curious cat. Her eyes can't hide the questions in her mind. Geez. She's so honest...

"Is it okay?" my voice is shaking.

"Hm?" her long lashes fluttered and a comforting smile appeared.

"For me to tell you. I don't want you to bear my problems. It's not like you can do anything about it either."

"..."

"..."

"Please do."