Chapter 1: Pardon...?
Every day, something around me loses its worth-gradually, inevitably-until the day comes when it must be discarded. And that doesn't change, even when "thing" becomes "someone."
...Okay, not gonna lie-that was a solid internal monologue.
"Hey, Akeshi, where's your dad?"
Winter, first year of high school.
I am now sit in front of several men dressed in black suits. All of them scarred-knife slashes, bullet wounds-men who've seen fights and won.
"I'm not sure where he is. I just got home from work."
I pick up the envelope left on the table and hand it to the man in charge.
He reads it. His brow creases. Then his lips curl.
"...He ran. That bastard ran! And he left his own son behind!"
"You never know what might happen in life." That's my father's motto.
He was always one step behind the trend, gambling on businesses he didn't understand. What was left were piles of unused junk-and worse, piles of debt.
And yet, for reasons beyond logic, my mother adored him.
Time passed, but she kept her youthful beauty. When we walked together, strangers often mistook her for my sister. I once asked her why she chose someone like him.
She smiled:
"Don't you think it's kind of charming? A man who tries his hardest, even when he's hopelessly foolish?"
Love is blind. And damn, was she blind..
Still, I was complicit too. I said nothing. Just kept working, watching as the money I earned was used to patch his failures.
"How much did he borrow, Take-kun?" I ask.
Take-kun-Kurosawa Takeshi-sighs and sits.
"...Forget it. No point yelling at you. Let's see... about 30 million yen."
What?!
"He kept borrowing-said he'd pay back, but never did. It snowballed."
Ah, right. Should've mentioned-I'm not exactly scared of them. "Here, have some tea."
Because I know Takeshi from primary school. Despite his bear-like frame, he's always been gentle.
'Thirty million... Even with everything I've saved, plus scholarships, it's not even a drop in the bucket.'
"Damn you, Kotarou... You ran to Vegas? You left your son behind, you bastard..."
The letter reads:
Akeshi,
I know this is sudden, but your mother and I are going abroad. Japan's too small for us. We're heading to Vegas to try our luck. I've contacted a lawyer to handle things. So don't worry.
Bye.
–Dad
Yeah. That was the letter. I still remember standing there, completely dumbfounded.
"Honestly, with parents like that, it's a miracle you turned out fine," Takeshi mutters.
"...Or maybe it was because of me?" he adds, puffing his chest.
I smile. "Probably, yeah."
"So? What now?"
"I might need to take you in."
Ah. So this is how it ends. Welcome to the 24/7 grind.
"Don't worry, Akeshi!" he declares. "I'll convince the boss to let you work under me. I'll make sure you have a future!"
"Absolutely!"
"Just trust us!"
The two other men give thumbs-ups, wide grins stretching across scarred faces.
"Today," they declare in unison, "the Gorilla Gang's got your back."
Ring. Ring. Ring.
The three of them flinch at the deafening chime.
I rush to the door.
"I'm coming!"
"Who is it?"
I open the door to see a girl, breathless.
"....Tarazune-kun," she says, catching her breath. "I'm here to help."
I would like to ask what does she mean by that but I will do that later.
And then I get a proper look at her.
Jet-black hair, long and straight like a midnight curtain. Chestnut eyes, clear and radiant, as if pearls had learned to stare.
Calling her a model would be an insult-she was on another level entirely.
Last year, she was crowned Rowards Most Beautiful Girl. No one in school doesn't know her name. Obviously.
"Amanika-san... correct?"
"Yes, President."
Oh, right. I forgot to mention-I'm the student council president at our school.
"How did you know my address?"
"Mind if I come in?"
She walks in, ignoring the question. Crap.
If she sees Takeshi, she'll definitely freak out.
"Who's that, Akeshi?" Takeshi's voice booms.
No. No no no.
" Miss Amanika?"
"She's even prettier up close," the other two mutter.
"Miss nino. Why are you here?"
Takeshi steps forward.
She doesn't flinch.
"I'm here to speak with Kurosawa Takeshi, lieutenant of the Hatsuna Syndicate. Correct?"
What? How the hell does she know that?
"Hey, little lady... How do you-?"
"Whoa whoa, calm down," I interrupt. "You're scaring her."
It doesn't help.
"You wear the same uniform as Akeshi. Who are you?"
"I'm Amanika. I don't mind if you've forgotten my name. I wouldn't expect a gorilla to remember it anyway."
Oh no.
Takeshi's face twitches. "You think I'm some kind of idiot?"
She beams. "Even gorillas are more intimidating than you. Oh, sorry-that's an insult to gorillas."
STOP. PLEASE.
Despite his build, Takeshi's a softy. I can tell he's one insult away from tears.
"Dear, don't run off like that."
A woman steps in-sharp suit, long pencil skirt, commanding presence. She resembles Amanika so much it's clear she's her mother.
Her voice, though gentle, is lethal. Like poison wrapped in silk.
"Let's talk this out, shall we? Mr. 'Daddy's Perfect~"
Pfft. I nearly choke. She has to be her daughter.
"My daddy worked every day for Mom and me. He kissed me goodnight and Mom good morning."
She closes in.
"Now, imagine what that daughter would think if she found out what Daddy was really doing in front of Mommy..."
This tag-team duo... they're dangerous.
"I... I-uh.."
Time to step in.
"This is about me, right? So how about we all calm down and talk this through?"
Amanika's mother glares at me.
"Kid, the adults are talking."
"Yeah, and it's my life we're discussing. I don't think dragging anyone else into it is fair."
"...You're acting over-smart."
"Maybe. So what?"
She says nothing more, just hands an envelope to Takeshi.
He reads it, frowns, sighs. "Alright. We're leaving. See you around, Akeshi."
What was in that envelope?
"Take your time talking to him," Amanika's mother says before stepping out. "Oh, and my name is Amanika Rukia. Your life's going to change-but don't worry. You'll get to live like a normal high schooler."
She exits, door clicking shut behind her.
Amanika's hands start trembling violently.
"You okay?"
"I-I'm not shaking!"
"Sure you're not."
Eyes shut, expression tense, she yells:
"IT'S NOT LIKE I WAS SCARED OF THOSE GUYS OR ANYTHING! IT'S NOT LIKE I AGITATED THEM ON PURPOSE TO DISTRACT YOU! IT'S NOT LIKE THE FEAR KICKED IN NOW THAT WE'RE ALONE! MY LEGS AREN'T GIVING OUT! I'M TOTALLY FINE!!"
...Yeah. She was scared.
I gently place my hand on hers. "Let's not think about it. I'll make tea. Then we can talk, okay?"
She nods, but her legs still won't stop shaking.
A while later, in the living room, she takes a sip of tea and relaxes.
"Wow... this is actually really good."
"Thanks. I get that a lot."
She narrows her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"You know Okushaki Café?"
"...Yeah?"
"I'm a barista there."
Her eyes widen. "So how much do you make?"
"Not sure."
"Are you serious?"
"Very much."
"Well then," I sip my tea, "what did you come here to say? What's the price for your help?"