Foreground Part I
[Word Count: 1922]
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Sitting around at Yuki's place proved to be less than entertaining for Leo. Uncertain about the purpose behind their visit, he didn't want to touch or disturb anything in the apartment. With a lack of activities or instructions, he decided to take a seat on one of the kitchen chairs and idly twiddled his thumbs, his mind wandering in the absence of any immediate engagement. The silence in the apartment only amplified his curiosity and anticipation, wondering when Yuki would return and what her next move would be.
What was Yuki doing exactly?
Minutes before Takeshi left Yuki's office, he observed as she made a phone call, utilizing her established contacts to inquire about the adoption process. The faint murmurs on the other end of the line indicated confusion before providing her with an answer.
As the conversation concluded, Yuki looked up at Takeshi with a shy expression. "Hey, Takeshi. Do you happen to know if Leo has any parents?"
Takeshi's imagination ran wild, wondering about the kind of parents Leo might have had. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine, imagining the potential atrocities that could have led to the child's situation.
Takeshi shook his head in response, and Yuki scratched her chin nervously. "I don't know," she answered with a tinge of dejection.
Takeshi's hopes soared momentarily, realizing that if Leo had parents or relatives, Yuki would likely send him back to his family out of respect. However, his optimism was short-lived.
"Don't worry, boss. We'll take care of it if need be," the voice on the other end reassured Yuki, hinting at a more drastic solution.
Yuki's firm response quelled any homicidal thoughts brewing on the other side. "No, no, that won't be necessary. I'll find out as I go through the process. Separating someone from their family is the last thing I want to do," she declared, dismissing any violent intentions.
With a sigh, Yuki bid farewell to the person on the phone and wished them well before hanging up. Glancing down at her desk, she appeared somewhat dejected. Her wish for a like-minded ally and a potential family member had been dashed as quickly as it arose.
Takeshi disliked seeing Yuki in such a state. Her intentions were noble, but he knew that if her hopes had come to fruition, she would eventually witness her dreams crumble in the face of a devil in disguise. It would only be a matter of time before her ship sank, carrying Leo with it.
Taking a deep breath, Yuki closed her eyes momentarily before opening them again. Not all dreams come true, but there was always a chance. She resolved to rip off the bandaid and proceed with the adoption process as soon as possible.
Picking up her pen, Yuki focused on finishing the remaining paperwork so she could initiate the necessary steps to determine if Leo could become the family member she hoped for. Asking Takeshi to leave, she instructed him to find Leo and keep an eye on him. Despite her doubts, she was unwilling to give up on the idea. In her heart, she genuinely wanted what was best for him, and she believed that the Yakuza was not where he belonged.
Shortly after, Takeshi returned with the news that Shouzou had taken Leo on a scouting mission.
Yuki's grip on her pen tightened. "What?"
In moments like these, Yuki displayed the commanding presence of a true Yakuza boss, concealing her inner turmoil. When she inherited her father's position, the weight on her shoulders was immense. Not only did she have to cope with her father's passing, but she also had to upend her entire life to accommodate her unexpected role. It was during her father's funeral that she discovered his true nature—a Yakuza who had mercilessly controlled the import trade, regardless of the consequences.
Prior to that revelation, Yuki had harbored a deep aversion to the Yakuza. In her eyes, they only brought unnecessary violence to a world already plagued by it. News broadcasts repeatedly showed scenes of Yakuza gang violence, capturing the impact it had on both Yakuza members and innocent civilians. Bystanders often found themselves caught in the
crossfire of gang wars, sometimes merely due to being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
Yakuza violence knew no boundaries—it affected people of all ages, from the young to the elderly. But that was the harsh reality.
Yuki despised it, yet felt powerless to change it. The responsibility for such change fell on the shoulders of the prime minister, but even they turned out to be disappointments. Candidates would promise justice and transformation, only to fall silent once in office. Things remained unchanged, and people suffered in silence.
Prior to her father's passing, Yuki lived a normal life, attending college with aspirations of obtaining a physics degree. Everything made sense, and she had a clear path ahead. But suddenly, everything crumbled.
Her father's death shattered her image of the kind, caring man she had known. He transformed from a loving family figure into a ruthless Yakuza leader who slaughtered generations in pursuit of a monopoly on imported goods.
And now, faced with vultures encroaching on her territory and snakes whispering false promises, it was only a matter of time before Yuki succumbed to the weight of her position.
Orders to kill encroachers were issued, along with threats to their families. It was all done from behind a desk—out of sight, out of mind.
During this time, Shouzou had also joined the Yakuza, lightening the burden on Yuki's shoulders and allowing her some respite. It was then that she began to grasp the gravity of her actions. She had issued orders for the sake of issuing orders, condemning countless lives in the process. Families were torn apart in an instant.
In just three months, Yuki had caused more deaths than her father had in his lifetime. Yet, within the Yakuza, no one blamed her. It was a new generation, more willing to shed blood.
No one blamed her.
No one but herself.
To this day, Yuki carried the burden of guilt. The transformation of her father's image was merely a façade, a feeble attempt to make up for the countless lives she had inadvertently destroyed. But she couldn't wallow in self-pity. She held a position of power and had the opportunity to effect genuine change for her community.
Yet, such change wouldn't come easily. What had been done was done.
Under Yuki's initial leadership, a bloody war ensued, with expectations of a more violent era for the Yakuza. As a result, the number of members dwindled to a mere fraction of its previous size. The iron grip they once held on imported goods diminished to a mere pinch. A downfall had occurred. When Yuki made a sudden new approach, some saw it as a weakness, seizing the opportunity to exploit it. The only positive outcome was the end of a possible bloody era.
Many members departed, seeking refuge with other Yakuza groups. Those who remained did so out of loyalty to the previous boss or because they saw genuine potential in Yuki's ideals. Of course, there were those with less honorable intentions, but figures like Shouzou kept them in line or positioned them on the frontlines.
Yuki silently thanked Shouzou for everything he had done, often turning a blind eye to some of his ventures. However, there were limits to her tolerance. Taking a child on a scouting mission? Yuki didn't know her cousin all that well, but she was aware that he had little to no interest in kids. The fact that Shouzou took Leo along, and on a mission, no less, didn't sit well with her.
With little she could do at the moment, Yuki focused on her paperwork, hoping that Shouzou and Leo would return safely. She ordered Takeshi to return to the first floor and keep an eye out, to which he simply nodded and proceeded downstairs. Unbeknownst to Takeshi, he missed Leo and a few other members heading down into the basement, leaving him to wait around.
As Takeshi waited, conflicting emotions flooded his mind. On one hand, Leo might be gone, but on the other.
Shouzou eventually returned, alone, potentially signaling trouble. Takeshi could only assume the worst had happened. Observing Shouzou make a beeline toward the basement, Takeshi didn't question it. He knew there was only one reason Shouzou would head to the basement immediately after a mission—they had caught another Yakuza. Otherwise, Shouzou would have gone upstairs and reported to Yuki.
Swallowing a nervous lump in his throat, Takeshi reluctantly followed Shouzou. He couldn't help but feel torn between his greatest hopes and his deepest fears. Entering the padded room, Takeshi's wanted to curse. Leo was safe and sound, the complete opposite of the man sitting across the table from him.
Passing along the message as requested, Takeshi stayed behind in the room while Leo left, leaving the grown-ups to talk. As Masumi began to recount what happened, Takeshi watched unfazed, unlike everyone else in the room.
Shouzou's eyes widened, and he covered his mouth, deep in thought. "You mean the kid has a devil contract?"
Briefly looking away from Masumi, Shouzou was even more shocked to see Takeshi unfazed. Takeshi had always been cautious around Leo, but now...
"He knew," Shouzou concluded.
It was at this moment that Shouzou noticed the unusual silence in the room. Wherever Takeshi went, a certain chatterbox named Kaito would follow. Suddenly, everything clicked in Shouzou's head. "Kaito! Takeshi left with Kaito, and only he and Leo came back."
Turning around abruptly, Shouzou hurriedly left the room and raced up the stairs. As he opened the door to leave the basement, he spotted Yuki with Leo in tow. Shouzou was about to call out to Yuki, but any words died in his throat when he made brief eye contact with Leo. He could only watch as Yuki proudly led Leo out the door.
Finally snapping out of his stupor, Shouzou regained his composure and signaled another group. He ordered them to follow Yuki, exclaiming, "What are you doing? You're supposed to be her guards!"
A group of four, taken aback, suddenly went wide-eyed. Normally, Yuki would inform them if she was leaving, so they quickly jumped from their seats and hurried after her with urgency.
Shouzou followed them out and walked to his car, a nagging feeling tugging at him. He had an inkling of where Yuki was going, but there was only one way to find out. Pulling into the street, he made a beeline toward Yuki's apartment.
Shouzou parked his black sedan in front of the entrance and stepped out, making his way into the lobby. Leaning against the wall beside the elevator, he patiently waited for its arrival. After what seemed like an eternity, the familiar DING signaled the opening of the elevator doors, revealing Yuki stepping out
Yuki wandered around for a moment until she heard a cough, causing her to slowly turn and briefly lock eyes with Shouzou. She quickly looked away, attempting to whistle innocently. Shouzou couldn't help but recognize Yuki's usual antics, fighting back a smile.
Pushing himself off the wall, Shouzou approached Yuki. "What are you up to?" he asked, keeping his tone simple.
"Just stuff," Yuki replied nonchalantly, resuming her whistling.
Letting out a sigh, Shouzou took the lead, walking ahead of Yuki. "Let's get going then. I'll drive you," he offered.
"Hai, hai," Yuki responded, following along.