THE GANG LEADER'S DAUGHTER

Standing in front of two intimidating men, little Tsubasa felt scared. "Are you really sure she's my biological daughter?" the man sitting with his back to them asked coldly. "Yes, boss. Riko already conducted an investigation," the other man replied. The four-year-old girl bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her tears. "I see..." The man turned around, walked to his swivel chair, and sat down. "Tell me everything about her." He lit a cigarette. "Her name is Tsubasa, but her last name is unknown in the official records. She was born at Akita Hospital and was found on a cliff in Yamaguchi Prefecture. When she was two years old, she was transferred to an orphanage in Mie Prefecture. Last December, a shooting took place near the orphanage, and all the children were relocated to different orphanages across Japan. She was transferred to one in Saitama Prefecture. Her mother is unknown, and there is no information or trace of her. Arnold found the girl wandering the streets after she ran away from the orphanage. The only item she had with her was a necklace with an Ao badge. According to the caretakers, it was the only thing found with her. Riko found that suspicious and conducted a DNA test on all members of Ao—his men had to kidnap them to do it. And as it turns out, this girl is your daughter." The man exhaled deeply, relieved to have finished his report. The boss put out his cigarette in the ashtray and stared at Tsubasa. Tsubasa had long eyelashes, blue eyes, and black hair. Her eyes were slightly damp, making her look even more delicate. She was thin, covered in dirt, and appeared completely harmless. "Mmm... Take her to a room on the fifth floor so she can rest," the man ordered. "Understood, boss," Souh said, taking Tsubasa’s hand. "Let's go, Tsubasa-chan," he said gently. "En," the girl replied softly, following Souh. After settling Tsubasa in, Souh headed to the living room. "Oh? He's back," Kyo remarked upon seeing him. "Hey, Souh! What did the boss say?" Riko asked. "The girl is on the fifth floor. She's probably resting," Souh answered. "I see..." Riko muttered, sinking into the couch. "You," Souh pointed at a nearby maid. "H-Hai!" she stammered, visibly nervous. "Prepare some food and take it to the room next to mine on the fifth floor." "As you wish!" The maid scurried away. The men continued discussing business for the rest of the day. The next morning, Tsubasa woke up to find a trembling woman standing in front of her. "Hello," Tsubasa greeted timidly. "H-Hello...! Y-Young M-Miss...!" the woman stuttered. "What's your name?" Tsubasa asked curiously. "I-It's S-Sai, M-Miss...!" she answered nervously. "Why are you stuttering?" Tsubasa tilted her head in confusion. "I-I-I... I am so s-s-sorry...!" Sai nearly shouted in panic. Tsubasa gave her a small smile and crawled out from under the blanket. "My name is Tsubasa! You can call me Tsubasa-chan!" she said cheerfully. "H-Hai... T-Tsubasa-chan..." Sai managed to say. "Yay!!!" Tsubasa clapped her hands, thrilled to have made a new friend. She climbed out of bed and took Sai’s hand. "Sai-san, you need to stop stuttering… There was a scary man where I was earlier… And… even though I'm scared of him, I’ll protect you from him! You're my friend, after all!" Tsubasa declared with determination. She was convinced that Sai was frightened because of the same scary man—her biological father. "I—Thank you...?" Sai said, taken aback by the child's sincerity. Her fear of upsetting the boss's daughter faded away. Instead, she found herself charmed by the adorable little girl in front of her—shy, timid, but incredibly friendly. "Mmm!" Tsubasa hummed, nodding cutely. In reality, she was looking for allies in the crisis she was facing. And by crisis, she meant her terrifying father. "Tsubasa-chan, here’s the food that Souh-sama sent for you," Sai said, forgetting her nervousness. Tsubasa’s eyes lit up as she spotted the meal, an imaginary shower of flowers blooming around her. "I can eat all of this?" she asked excitedly. "Hai!" Sai replied with a smile. "Yay!!! Thank you, Sai!!!" Tsubasa cheered, immediately digging in. Sai watched her fondly, a warm smile on her lips. 'What a sweet little girl... I just hope the mistress won't hurt her.'