CHAPTER 2
1784 Words
(When Ayasaki Family Talks)
PANTING, KAIREN LEANED against the back of a cargo shipping container. They were at the port that night with some men of the family he belonged to.
He looked at the other side of the container, but only bullets met him. Luckily, he was able to hide right before he was hit.
"Kuso! [s**t!]" he cussed using his father's language which is a pure Japanese.
He had just returned to the Philippines, from Japan, but his father immediately sent him to handle a transaction. In fact, the plane had just landed. From the airport, he drove right over there.
The transaction did not turn out well. They planned to escape with the boxes containing rare and high caliber guns without even giving full payment. To do that, people surrounded them and planned an ambush. Moreover, their boss did not show up either. They had no choice but to use the guns they would have sold.
He tried to go the other way, but another man fired at his hiding place. When the shots abated, he quickly moved to a neighboring container that was wider to hide. He repeatedly pointed the M9 Pistol at the opponents as he ran. Luckily, he moved safely.
He felt a presence from above the container. He looked up at the lowered crane and saw a man that suddenly jumped towards him.
His movements were good and fast. He dodged and aimed the gun, but it turned out to be empty.
Kuso! [s**t!] he cussed again in mind.
He lowered his hand and tightened his grip on the gun when he saw the man's weapon. He tried so hard to control the tremble he's starting to feel. It is a shiny and long katana.
The man does not look like Japanese but he is an expert in using the katana. He is now out of bullets. He had no choice but to avert the man's attack.
He uses the hard handle of the gun to strike the opponent's head. He hit him hard and made a deep bleeding cut on his head. A small amount of blood splashed on his hand, making him to freeze for a moment. His breathing started to feel heavy.
"Kai!"
He turned to the man who called him. He threw a gun in his direction as the guy fired the Avtomat Kalashnikova - 47 towards the opponents. The gun safely landed on his hand. He immediately pointed it at the man's forehead and pulled the trigger.
Soon, the gunfire stopped as well. There are also some vehicles that have arrived where they are. These are the back-ups that Jinro, the guy who helped him earlier, called.
"Thanks. You're right on time," he said to Jinro, who was holding an AK.
His hand felt cold as he wiped the part that was covered in blood. He made sure that there was not even a drop left.
He looked at the man who was now lying on his back. He frowned when he saw that he had a tattoo on his chest. He can only see half of it because it is covered by his clothes. It was a snake and its eyes are looking so devilishly.
"Ikou [Let's go]. We're late for the dinner," Jinro reminded.
He looked at him. Jinro is his buddy. They grew up together but he had only been with him for a long time in Japan. He has long hair that is always top knotted neatly. His body is quite heavily built and obviously takes an everyday workout. His back is full of tattoos up to the side of the waist. Even though they are hidden under the clothes, some still try to peek at the side of the neck where the collars of his shirt can no longer cover.
Jinro is the one who drove the car they used upon arriving the country. Their suitcases were in the backseat.
He was quietly sitting on the passenger's seat while looking through the window.
The night is still young. The night life of the city of San Tiago, the place where he was born and lived for seventeen years, is just starting.
Now, he's back after six years. In fact, six years is a short time for a massive city transformation. It developed too fast. It is still not that pretty when he left.
The place is so beautiful. It is very modern too. The world is already dark but the surroundings are still bright because almost every corner has streetlights. The light coming from the towering buildings also contributed to the bright roads.
Various businesses have also boomed, and that is the main livelihood of the people here, from small businesses from the streets and world class ones. In fact, one of the branches of the largest mall in Asia was also built here.
San Tiago is no longer just a province but also one of the largest cities in the Philippines.
It may seems prosperous and peaceful, but the neighboring cities and towns do not know its secret. Behind the flourishing city is the violent world beneath. And he was one of the persons living in that so called world of the underground.
"We're here," Jinro said when the car stopped at a villa.
The house has four floors. The color is classic but it is full of expensive lightings. The design is modern but the styles of windows and sliding doors are unique. A few family members were still outside, in the garden where grass was evenly cut. The house is surrounded by trees making it breezy even in summer.
Some helpers took their belongings.
As they were walking into the house, they were met by Higure-san, the wakagashira [second in command] of the family. This is his father's right hand.
Higure is the man's family name. He looks presentable though he always wears traditional Japanese clothes. He always wears black gloves as if it doesn't want to touch any dust.
"Oto-sama [father]," Jinro greeted the old man and bowed.
Higure-san just looked at his son before facing him.
"Welcome home, young master," he greeted in a tone and tongue that seemed to still speak in Japanese language. "Your dad and mom are waiting." His head bent slightly.
He also bowed before going to the dining table with Jinro. There they saw his mother standing next to his father, who was seating on a dining chair.
Her mother, Angela, wore a knee-length black dress. Just like her name, her face has this angelic feature. The design of her dress is simple but her brilliant jewelry looks so extravagant. Diamonds are attached to its rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Even the stones placed in her hairpin were pricey gems.
His father Ayato Ayasaki was also wearing a black suit. He looks like he's going to a party. He had a red folded handkerchief in the pocket on the front of the coat. He's not wearing a tie and got a few unbuttoned buttons, showing the parts of his body tattoos.
Jinro bowed and so did he. "Oyabun [boss]," they greeted his father.
"The transaction this night did not--"
"Let's not talk about that right now. I know you already know what you're going to do," his father interrupted whatever he was going to say.
Compared to wakagashira [second in command], the boss is better in English language and can even speak Filipino fluently.
"Hai [yes]," he replied.
His mother came near and hugged him. "Welcome home, my dear."
His dad was an intimidating man. He was a powerful businessman that doesn't let anyone gets his way. His biological father is the head of Ayasaki-gumi, the only yakuza family migrated in the Philippines. His father married a pure Filipina. That was his mother with a soft voice. Their characteristics were different. He wonders how the two fell for each other.
They sat down and began to eat.
"Let's talk about your marriage," said the father.
He looked up from the plate. He looked around to find who it is referring to.
"I'm talking about your marriage, Kairen," the father spoke again.
His forehead frowned at what he just heard.
Is this true? He seemed deaf.
"Marriage? Did I hear it right?" he asked in disbelief.
"No one's raising their voice on the dining table," his father reminded, in a calm voice but contrary to what he did.
He almost jumped from his seat. His father just bury the bread knife on the table. One of their maids immediately delivered a new knife.
Because of his several years of staying abroad, he seems to have forgotten the rules in their house, the laws of his father.
"I think we need another dining table," said the mother and looked at what her husband had done on the table. "Why can't we have a peaceful dinner?" she asked in a melodious voice.
"Yeah. Why can't we? I just got home from the Japan. But we're talking about marriage right away? And worse, you've already made an agreement without me even knowing."
"The Imperial was a powerful mafia here. We need to extend our power. We're not in Japan. We need an ally here. So we thought of marrying you to the heiress," the mother explained.
"But ..."
He knew that was the tradition. His father will decide and choose the family that will marry his child or any member of their family.
All of them who live in the villa are part of the Ayasaki Family. They were not all blood related. Others have even forgotten and left the real family to become yakuza.
His father is the Oyabun [boss], who serves as the father of all, and they are all his children, called Kobun. Even though some are older than his father, they would be still considered his son, as long as the rank is lower. They all work for the boss. Some even would die for the boss. It's a father-son yakuza thing.
"Why me? I mean, we're all part of the family here. I'm not the only single here. Why not Jinro?" he was referring to his buddy sitting beside him. "You don't even know that every day, there's an angry woman looking for him."
"What?!" Jinro exclaimed. "Dude, I'm still living the best of my life."
"The Imperial Family doesn't give their trust just to anyone. So, in order to gain it, I will offer a marriage with my own child, my own blood." His father took a sip from the wine glass and touched the table napkin to his mouth before speaking again.
"Marry her. If you want the throne," the father uttered. "My throne."
- Writer
