June 1, 1995

Showa Street, Kamurocho

months before the incident

In the bustling red light district of Tokyo, a place named Kamurocho. Hinote Sawamura, was walking with a man in the prime of his adulthood. The man wore a white suit over a black dress shirt. With long black hair parted, giving him a playboy look. His sharp features scanned the shops.

Akira Nishikiyama

Of the Dojima Family,

A Tojo Clan Subsidiary

This, is a man he considered to be an older brother, Akira Nishikiyama, or Nishiki as he is called by his friends. "Yumi's gonna be pissed that you snuck out of sunflower, AGAIN," Nishiki sighed. Hinote pouted, wearing a white hoodie and red shorts with black rainboots.

"But I wanna suprise Yumi-nee for her birthday! You always know what to buy!" Hinote replied, pointing at Nishiki and stomping his foot. Nishiki held up his hands in fake surrender. "Look, I just didn't expect to go to the Kazama family office to see you having tea with Kashiwagi-san and Kazama-oyabun like you're at a tea party," Nishiki said, looking at Le Marche's windows.

"What are you getting Yumi-nee?" Hinote asked shuffling his feet. "It's a secret, okay? But it's gonna be something really pretty," Nishiki answered cryptically with a grin. "Awww," Hinote whined and Nishiki ruffled his mop of black hair.

The two of them entered Le Marche, Nishiki is talking to the cashier. Hinote was fascinated by all the jewelry. Allowing Nishiki to buy his gift for Hinote's big sister without you watching.

Hinote were admiring some earrings, and Nishiki tapped him on the shoulder. He held up a gift wrapped box and gave it a little shake. "Now, what did you want to get Yumi? You always draw cards for her," Nishiki asked as they both left Le Marche.

"I wanted to do something different. I got bored drawing cards for her every year," Hinote explained with a skip in his step. "So, what are you thinking?" Nishiki asked and they both stopped in front of Ebisu Pawn Shop.

Hinote almost slammed the door open with your excitement. His eyes locked onto a trinket. "Oh! This one!" he exclaimed as he brought it to the cashier. Nishiki sauntered to the register and put down the appropriate amount of Yen.

Hinote ans Nishiki left the shop, holding a gift wrapped item. Hinote yawned and admired the gift. "C'mon, let's get you back to Sunflower," Nishiki said, holding his small hand as they both went to his car.

June 30, 1995

The bar, Serena

"Surprise!" A chorus of voices yelled. A woman with long brown hair and twinkling dark chocolate eyes. Wearing a white cardigan, a black knee-length skirt, and a pair of heels. This is Hinote's fellow orphan, and blood related older sister.

Yumi Sawamura

Serena Employee

Yumi blushed and smiled at the festivities. "We got you! We got you!" Hinote laughed and pointed at Yumi. "Oh? Did you now?" Yumi asked rhetorically, before tickling him.

He fell to the floor as Yumi kept assaulting him with tickles. "I think he's had enough," a deep, stoic voice said with a hint of amusement. Black hair that is messily slicked back. A goatee and piercing brown eyes.

He wears a grey suit jacket and suit pants. Underneath the suit is a maroon shirt with a popped collar and slightly unbuttoned. White snakeskin loafers and a black belt with a silver buckle. This is a man Hinote looks up to along with Nishiki.

Kazuma Kiryu

Lieutenant Advisor of the Dojima Family,

A Tojo Clan subsidiary

His normally steely face is curved a bit upward in a faint smile. "Hmm, are you sure? Hinote has been a naughty boy," Yumi asked in false thought. Kiryu looked down at Hinote and picked him up by the scruff of his collar. Putting him on his feet.

"My, my, I thought you were a good boy. It appears you haven't raised him right Yumi," The other woman in the room commented. She wears her brown hair in a bun. A beauty mark on her cheek, below her left eye. A white dress shirt, unbuttoned to show her black top. A thick, gold chained necklace. Double button grey bell bottom slacks and black high heels.

Reina Kirei

Proprietor of Serena

Hinote blushed heavily, as his crush smiled at him. He had a thing for women older than him. She gave Hinote a beautiful smile and set down a cake. Nishiki and Kiryu sat on one side of the booth. While Hinote sat right next to Yumi. She blew out the candles.

"Happy birthday Yumi-nee!" Hinote exclaimed, giving her a big hug. Which Yumi gladly returned, resting her chin on her brother's head. "Happy birthday Yumi-chan," Reina said. "Happy birthday Yumi!" Nishiki said both happily and anxiously. Kiryu said happy birthday in his usual stoic way. Yet there was a genuine smile on his face.

"Thanks everyone!" Yumi said gratefully. Yumi kissed Hinote's forehead and seperated from the hug. "Here, Yumi. I got you a present," Nishiki handed Yumi a salmon box with a yellow ribbon. "What, really? Can I open it now?" Yumi asked, like Hinote when it was his birthday. Nishiki nodded and Yumi excitedly opened the gift.

"Wow! It's gorgeous! Are you sure?! Is this really mine to keep?" Yumi asked. "Absolutely!" Nishiki said, happy at Yumi's smile. "Umm, Yumi," Kiryu spoke up. Despite his voice and face never wavering. He seemed shy, which is quite unlike how he normally is.

"Actually... I have a present for you too," Kiryu said, his forehead began to glisten with sweat. "Oh, really? Thank you!" Yumi replied, her childish smile growing even more. Kiryu definitely saw the resemblance between Hinote and Yumi. Both of them share the same adorable smile.

"Here... Here you go," Kiryu handed off his gift. It's a golden ring with a small ruby. Engraved inside the band is 'YUMI'. "A ring? Kazuma, is this for me?" Yumi asked. "Hey hey, what's up with that tacky ring? You find it in the bargain bin?" Nishiki asked with a joking, but somewhat jealous smile.

"C'mon, don't be mean!" Reina chastised Nishiki. Hinote bit his lip, and Reina handed him a brown bag with gift paper inside it. Inside the bag is his gift to his sister. "You can do it," Reina softly encouraged him.

"Yumi-nee? Here's my gift! It's not a drawing! I hope you like it!" Hinote rattled off quickly, shoving the bag into Yumi's arms. Yumi is wearing the ring Kiryu gave her. "Oh? What could it be?" Yumi asked with curiosity.

She took the gift paper out of the small bag. Then, in her hands, with wide eyes, is a locket with flower engravings. Yumi opened it up to see a picture of her and Hinote when Hinote was a baby. While Yumi was a preteen, holding the swaddled Hinote . Yumi smiled with tears brimming her eyes. "It's not that expensive, but.." Hinote folded his hands looking down.

Yumi interrupted him, by wrapping him in a hug. "I don't care if it's one yen or ten billion yen. Because it's your gift, it's priceless to me," Yumi said and gave Hinote a kiss on the forehead.

The party went on as they all had cake. Enjoying a happy night. However, all good things must come to an end.

October 1, 1995

Night of the incident

It's a rainy night in Kamurocho. Two siblings were assaulted by the Yakuza. Yumi was being held by some men. While Hinote ran at them. One man, the Patriarch socked the boy in the face.

"No! Leave him alone!" Yumi cried as Sohei Dojima punched Hinote in the gut. He grumbled and his men began to tow off Yumi, she struggled, trying to get back to Hinote. He stood back up, and with a yell, he ran at Dojima with a fire in his eyes.

With another punch to the head, he fell to the wet streets. Helplessly watching Yumi be taken away. His head was ringing, and blood dripped onto the asphalt. He shakily stood up. Then began to limp to the Theater District.

"Hinote!" Nishiki called to Hinote. His voice was muffled by the ringing in his ears. "Fuck! C'mon, we gotta move!" Nishiki exclaimed as he picked Hinote up. He sprinted down the streets to the Dojima Family office.

When they entered the office. Nishiki placed him down. Then, Nishiki kicked open the door. Hinote crawled inside the room. To see Dojima over Yumi, kissing her. Six shots rang out, and Sohei Dojima fell dead.

Yumi scrambled to the corner of the room. She began to cry, shaking and somewhat out of it. "Y-Yumi-nee?" Hinote said, trying to get her attention. Yet she was ignoring him. "Yumi-nee?" Hinote said again, reaching her hand out. She recoiled in fear, fear of him.

He was so focused on Yumi, he didn't notice Kiryu entering. Seeing Hinote knelt in front of a crying Yumi. Nishiki pointing his smoking gun at where Dojima once stood. His body on the ground with a look of shock etched onto his face.

Black spots began to swarm his vision. He couldn't hear what Kiryu was saying to Nishiki. Dojima's blows to your head are catching up to him. He fell unconscious, as he heard footsteps rapidly approach him.

October 3, 1995

Toutou Hospital

Hinota were being escorted to Yumi's room by Reina. Her face was one of shame. "Are you sure? You might not like what you'll see," Reina warned. With a small fire in his eyes. He entered Yumi's room. She was looking at the pendant he gave her for her birthday.

She looked straight into his eyes, and gave him that same smile. "Who are you?" She asked politely. His stepped back, shaking his head in denial. "No, no, she's not Yumi-nee," He said his voice shaking. Reina tried to put her hand on his shoulder.

"No! She's not Yumi-nee! This isn't real! This is a dream! Leave me alone!" Hinota screamed, running away. "Hinota! Wait!" Reina called, but he ignored her. He ran out of the hospital, he had to see Kazama. He always knows what to do.

October 3, 1995

Kazama Family Office

He and Kazama sat in chairs. His face, while cold, his eyes were caring and concerned. In his hands is a cane with a golden dragon on it. His dark hair, beginning to grey is slicked back. He also has a grey moustache. He is sporting a dark suit.

Shintaro Kazama

Patriarch of the Kazama Family,

A Tojo Clan Subsidiary

Another man entered the office. He has steely eyes, and wears a grey suit. His hair is grey and slicked back. His facial features are squared and strong. His most distinct feature is the scar running from his nose to his cheek.

Osamu Kashiwagi

Captain of the Kazama Family,

A Tojo Clan Subsidiary

"Hinota, this wasn't your fault. You did all you could. You're only a child, what could you do against Dojima?" Kazama tried to assure him. "What happened to Kazuma and Nishiki?!" You asked frantically as he remembered they were there, nearly spilling his tea.

Kazama's face was one of shame. "Kazuma, has been arrested for the murder of Dojima," Kazama answered without pulling punches. "What?! No! Kazuma would never kill his boss!" He exclaimed in denial.

"You're right, he didn't, Hinota, think about that night. Nishiki also said Kazuma killed Dojima. Yumi is in no condition to speak. You are the only one with the truth. What happened?" Kazama grilled him. Hinota put the tea on the table and tried to recall that night.

"Yumi-nee and I, we were, attacked. Dojima, he knocked me to the ground. Nishiki came by, and we went to the office. He opened the door, and when I went in. I heard shots, and Dojima, dead," Hinota recalled and fully realized what happened. Kazama shook his head.

"I figured as much, thank you for confirming this Hinota. I'll take you back to Sunflower," Kazama said as he got up. "I can do it Oyabun," Kashiwagi spoke up. "No, the boy is my responsibility," Kazama said sternly.

"I wanna stay," Hinota said and Kazama turned to him. "I wanna join the family!" He exclaimed and Kazama closed his eyes in contemplation. However, that was only a courtesy. Internally his answer was instant. He gave that answer by smacking Hinota in the shin with his cane. Causing the boy to yelp. Then he is hit in the stomach with the butt of the cane. Kazama shook his head.

"I can do it! Just teach me! Kazuma and Nishiki became strong because of the Yakuza! I wanna be strong too!" Hinota exclaimed. Kazama harshly poked him in the stomach with his cane again. "Stay out of the business," Kazama ordered him.

Hinota ran out of the office. "Y/N! Wait!" Kazama called after him. Yet he didn't hear him. Hinota just ran away, wanting to be alone.

October 4, 1995

West Park

Hinota camped out with the homeless people. He are sitting under a tree. Scared, alone, alone with his thoughts. He felt betrayed by Yumi. She didn't even remember him. Her own brother! What kinda of bullshit is that?! Kiryu is in jail, and Nishiki is doing God knows what.

Hinota has no one, no one but himself. "I have to get stronger. If I make it to the top, Yumi, she'll have to remember me! If I get money and strength, I'll show Kazama that I can be strong!" He swore, your fire burning bright.

"That's quite the declaration boy," a harsh, but elderly voice said. By his accent, he is not from Japan, but he is Asian. Hinota looked up to get a good look at the man.

His face is sharp, and paler than most. His eyes are an uncommon blue. While his grey hair is long and stringy. He wears a long, black buttoned up raincoat. Pointed boots with steeled toes. Scuffed jeans, along with fingerless gloves.

"Luckily for you, I need a successor. Come boy, let's get you something to eat," The man snapped his finger. Hinota stood up to follow. Ready to begin his journey. Even though he just wants some food right now.

Yakuza: Like A Phoenix

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