Midnight Pretenders (BL)

Chapter 26

 Ito Yamazaki. In fact, the man himself is the root cause of all the intentions Kenji has decided for himself and for the future of his Yakuza family.

And despite the precautionary signs warning inside his head, he does not really hesitate to clash head-on with the enemy. The only thing that deeply worries him is Aoi Chiba. Dragging her into this whole drama might bring harm to her again like it did last time, but the thing is, Kenji Yanagi feels it would be more advantageous to keep her close than letting her dwindle by herself.

So far, having heard the whole truth from Sakamoto gives Kenji hopes that Aoi might have already changed sides. There is no guarantee yet but he is really opting that she would finally turn her hatred towards the real enemy. And regardless if she is going to do it apart from him, he does not really mind at all. What matters most is she must always stay by his side.

Like today.

If it had not been for the numerous advice he has been getting from other bosses who are willing to support him for running as a successor to the Oyabun, he would never really think of getting through all this. But he must.

Though personally, he is actually more emotionally thrilled by this whole idea. Marrying this woman does not really bother him. He actually likes it.

Yet the thing here is how Aoi Chiba would take this all for. She might really start getting suspicious. But it does not seem like she would disagree either way. Even more so, she will most likely go all the way. She has been more tamed and contained the past few days and the incident might have caused her to finally realize a lot of things.

And as it all boils down to that, Kenji recalls the information that had been shared by Sakamoto with him about the past of Aoi Chiba. Kenichi Horiuchi.

The reason why Aoi entered this world of syndicates. The man who had caused her to change everything in her life and become a woman that falls deeply into the trap of men like Yanagi.

It feels quite rather bitter to think that there had been someone else in her life prior to him. Though he does not want to admit it out loud, Kenji feels a bit envious. If Kenichi did not die and Kenji had not been really a Yakuza... would he even meet her like this?

She might never even really spare him any attention.

And it dawns over Kenji that this all just happened because of the circumstances. And now, if he really wants to keep it this way, he must fight for all the things he does not want to disappear.

And he does not want HER to disappear.

It had not been that too long ago, but he already realized this. It is no rocket science. And it is already obvious. The way he cares so much for her, the way he had been so anxious and deeply scared of losing her that time... It is all so apparent. It already shows even with just the way he looks at her. The way he longs for her touch and every time he hears her voice and sees her face. His heart... already says it out loud just by beating.

He is already in love with her.

So this does not need anymore denial. If this is what he wants, then he has to live with it. He has to accept this part of himself. And what he must do must stay firm and he has to fulfill it. He is the BOSS after all. He has a whole clan to save and he needs to be THE HERO even if it might all just be in vain.

If he has to fight with blood, then he will do it in a heartbeat. NO MATTER WHO IT IS, HE IS WILLING TO KILL NOW.

For his family.

For his sake.

For this woman.

He will fight until the last breath if it has to be that way.

He WILL NEVER LET ITO YAMAZAKI WIN THIS TIME AGAIN.

Because this time, it would be HIM who will remain standing. IT WILL BE HIM SMILING ON TOP.

As these thoughts run over his head, Kenji Yanagi slowly comes to his senses at the call of his assistant from the intercom. His assistant reminds him of the event this evening and also updates him that Aoi and Jin are already on their way to the venue. Kenji replies with just an abrupt affirmation and quickly sighs as he pulls on his tie to loosen it a bit.

The days are getting much busier now but it does not really faze him. This is all for a cause. And he just needs to stay stronger.

BECAUSE THE OPPONENT IS STILL LURKING. Nothing is really sure yet, this is just the first step.

The private room where the exclusive dinner event is being held has been set up in a very state-of-the-art fine dining establishment in Roppongi. Jin Sasai and Aoi Chiba both get out of the vehicle as it pulls up by the front driveway of the building. Aoi Chiba has still not been used with all of the niceties and kind of greetings people inside Kenji's circle are doing. But as she tries to blend herself into the surroundings, she quickly notices the few women who are also there along with other older Yakuza members who seem to be quite much more longer in the business than Kenji.

Is this what she thinks the women of the Yakuza? The women who have chosen to commit themselves to be wives of these men? Is this what it would all look like once she finally agrees to what Kenji is currently planning for the two of them soon?

Aoi's curiosity spikes her determined urge to observe the way Yakuza men and their wives interact with each other and as she watches discreetly along the sidelines, she immediately takes note of how composed and distant Yakuza couples are. They do not seem to be too touchy with each other and it looks more business-like the way they glance and speak to one another. The woman would not even say much of a word. She would just occasionally nods her head if she agrees or smile and bows her head when someone greets her.