Blind Faith Killed The Dog

With a heavy conscience, Mika fastened her seatbelt as she stepped into the car, sitting directly next to the woman she loathed. Charlotte rolled her window down just a crack, blowing her smoke away from Mika.
"So tell me, loser dog. How did you manage to convince Wang Xianshi to join the Bara-gumi? Do you even realize how long I've been trying to take that man under my wing?"

Mika stared out her own window, resting her chin in her palm as the driver pulled away from the Bara-gumi headquarters.
"Does it really matter? You should be thrilled, regardless. Here, I managed to do something you couldn't after twenty whole years."

"Just the kind of answer I expected from you, puppy. Your desire to kill me has corrupted your mind, making it impossible to hold a real conversation with you. Putting that aside, I applaud you. Wang Xianshi is an excellent fighter to have watching the Bara-gumi's back."
Charlotte offered Mika a cigarette, growing increasingly irritated by the constant noise of her bubblegum popping.
"If you're going to pick a habit, can't you at least choose a less annoying one? You're acting like a crude gyaru."

Mika didn't so much as reach for a cigarette, continuing to blow bubbles as she watched the city pass her by.
"I'm not self-destructive, like you. I'll stick to my bubblegum. And what the hell is a gyaru?"

"You really know nothing of the world, puppy. A gyaru is the type of teenage girl who wears those ugly fuzzy socks and shortens her school uniform to reveal her legs. They chew bubblegum and rebel against societal norms. I can't stand the way they speak, saying phrases such as 'for reals?' and 'I know, right?' It pisses me off."
Charlotte clicked her tongue, tapping her foot as she puffed frantically on her pipe.

Mika smirked, narrowing her eyes with mischief.
"Oh, yeah? Maybe I'll become a gyaru to spite you. For reals!"

Charlotte snickered, mimicking Mika's posture purely out of comfort, not in any way to connect with her on a deeper level.
"You're going to make me hate you even more."

Mika watched in silence as Charlotte pulled a small bottle of pills from her dress pocket, slipping two into her mouth and swallowing without water. More than likely the antidepressants she relied on to keep her sane.

Mika opened her mouth to speak, wondering why Charlotte acted the way she did. She wanted to know more about the woman she had sworn to kill, yet something in the back of her mind told her to keep quiet. Regardless, Mika decided to ask.
"Why do you get off on torturing people? You wouldn't be as hated if you just treated everyone with respect, like a normal human."
Immediately, Mika regretted her own words. She beat herself up silently for even bothering to ask.

To her surprise, Charlotte answered honestly.
"Because torture keeps my image tainted. I enjoy when people look at me as if I'm a villain. If there's one thing that keeps a yakuza running, it's a boss who is feared by all."

"What a load of bullshit..."
Mika whispered under her breath, relaxing further into her seat as they approached the coast of the Yuigahama Beach. She could see the large, white yacht where she would be staying in for the next three days, taunting her with a life of luxury that could only be found among the Japanese yakuza.

The two stepped out of the Bara-gumi's black Lexus, watching as various other yakuza bosses trailed up the steps of the yacht. Mika kept her head low, scanning the unfamiliar area with wide eyes.

Charlotte stepped onto the boat with the rhythmic clicking of her high heels. Mika followed closely behind, recognizing a familiar, dangerous face at the bar; Yamamoto Daisuke, leader of the Naraku-gumi. She had previously murdered four of his men for infiltrating the Bara-gumi's apartment, yet she didn't feel even a lick of sympathy upon seeing his burning eyes. The two held each other's gazes from afar, as if telling one another "Bring it on."

Charlotte noticed Mika's expression, gently leading her away from Daisuke with a hand on the small of her back.
"Don't start any trouble, puppy. You don't want to mess with that man, even after what he did."

Mika brushed Charlotte's hand off her back, remaining a few steps away.
"I'm cool... I'm not going to start anything."

"Smart dog. Now, go get yourself a drink. I'm sure they won't ask for identification to verify your age."
Charlotte stepped away from Mika's side to greet an unfamiliar face, leaving Mika to explore the massive yacht.

She walked up one of the many bars, taking a seat on the golden leather stool. Her gaze was met with confusion as the bartender mixed a drink with practiced perfection.
"Ain't you a bit young for a drink, little girl?"

"No alcohol, just some apple juice, please."
Mika adjusted her weight on the stool, feeling the cold leather against her bottom.

The bar erupted into chuckles of mockery.

"Did that girl just say apple juice?"

"Who invited their daughter? Someone bring this kid a glass of milk!"

"Is that a rose clip on her hair? Aw, does someone want to cosplay the Bara-gumi?"

Mika's face wore an unamused frown, hiding a creeping blush by resting her chin in her palms. The bartender let out a small chuckle, pouring Mika a glass of apple juice with an apple peel garnish on the rim.
"Don't take it too hard, kid. Apple juice is good for digestive health. Plus, plenty of vitamins."

"I'm not old enough to drink... and what's so fun about damaging your liver, anyway?!"
Mika guzzled the frigid, sweet juice down her throat.

"There ain't nothing good about alcohol. It's a terrible drug. If you can, avoid the habit altogether."
The bartender filled her glass once more, pouring some into a cup for himself. He clinked the rim of his glass against hers, winking at her with a kind smile.
"Look, I'll be your drinking buddy. No alcohol, just juice."

Mika's face shifted into a smile as she raised her glass to fulfill their toast.
"Cheers. Thank you."
They shared a moment of camaraderie amidst the tense atmosphere of the yacht.

The bartender let out a sigh, leaning against the bar as he washed a glass out of habit.
"What brings you to the party? You seriously someone's kid or somethin'?"

Mika shook her head, pointing to the rose clip in her hair. She couldn't believe what she was about to say, but it was the quickest way to avoid discussing her true intentions.
"I'm with the Bara-gumi. I'm Charlotte's personal... assassin."

The bartender nodded, continuing his habitual motions of wiping down the glass cups.
"I figured as much. Makes me sick thinkin' about the kind of stuff you've probably been through under her tutelage."

Mika stood from her seat, cutely clasping her hands behind her back.
"Thanks, but it's far worse than you could imagine. Thank you for the juice, but I best be on my way."

The man nodded, placing a hand on his hip as he watched the small girl disappear into the crowd.
"Be safe out there, little girl. Come back if you want another juice, on the house."