Heroine

Tokyo after dark. What is normally an untreaded landscape for a sheltered girl like me was second nature for creatures like Saito Setagaya. The swagger in his step and the way he held Sora close to his hip as we approached the red-light district, Kabukicho, over thirty minutes away from our school by train, was an absurd sight for me.

My stomach churned with anxiety I had never felt before, following closely behind the couple with my head down. Within seconds of entering the famous neon red archway, three loud voices boomed from our left,

"Saito-kun! Boss wants to see you when you're free!"

"Drop it, Nobuyuki! Can't you see he's with a girl?!"

"Yo, Saito! Ignore these bums! Go have some fun!"

Saito, to my surprise, interacted with the three men clad in expensive suits and designer shirts, half unbuttoned to reveal enormous tattoos on their chests.

"Tell boss I'll give him a ring! You seen Ninagawa-chan around today?"

"Charlotte? She's at the parlor again. She was asking about you."

One of the men grinned, lifting the cigarette between his fingers toward the nearest pachinko parlor just left of our standpoint.

"Sai-kun, you're involved with the Yakuza?! That's, like, seriously cool!"

Sora chimed in loudly, unfortunately forcing the patrons passing through to hasten their steps to avoid that forbidden word, 'Yakuza.'

Saito smiled, shrugging his shoulders and guiding both Sora and I toward the pachinko parlor.

"Something like that. Does that worry you?"

"Not at all!"

Sora shook her head, tilting her gaze back at me for confirmation.

"Isn't that cool, Enki-chan?! A real life Yakuza!"

"Oh! Yes! That's very cool!"

I forced a smile, internally screaming at myself not to take another step into this dark and unforgiving world looming ahead. There was nothing cool about Saito's criminal ties whatsoever, and each piece of this suspicious puzzle was starting to connect in my mind.

Saito's rumors about expulsion for assault, and the medical emergency that followed. Sora's intrigue in his mysterious persona, now being fueled by her pure fascination and love for the ideal 'bad boy' image. The intimidation and heavy usage of profanity during the mistake I made at the makeup store, followed by his interest in Ukiyo-e art that typically covers the bodies of Yakuza related individuals. The casual interactions with the criminals at the Kabukicho entrance and now his blatant admission to being involved in an unnamed organization.

Saito Setagaya was not at all the person I imagined him to be, and for some terrifying reason, Sora-chan was acting like this was normal. Just who exactly is this Ninagawa-chan that he wants to introduce me to? For the sake of my own sanity, I should turn around and run away as fast as I can... But that would be foolish. There's absolutely no chance in hell I would leave Sora-chan with such a monster!

"Ninagawa-chan, is that fresh blood coating the heels of your boots again?"

Saito let out a hearty chuckle, gazing ahead at a tall girl perched on a stool. My gaze followed shortly after.

Her hair was a deeper shade of black than the shadows being cast across her blood-red eyes. The long gakuran coat embroidered with red rose flowers displayed the words, 'Bara-gumi' written on her back, and in her waistband rested a wooden bokken sword. She was a tall, beautiful woman, her face even resembling famous pop-star, Utada Hikaru. Smoke curled around the corners of her feline-shaped lips, masking her eyes that had only just left the display of her pachinko machine.

She smirked at Saito, emptying the remaining pachinko balls in her machine with a single twist of the knob.

"Saito-kun. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today? Last I checked, you were still single, so do enlighten me on who that little puppy clinging to your side is."

Did she just call Sora a puppy?!

"Did you just call me a puppy?!"

Sora exclaimed with comedic timing to my own thoughts.

"Sai-kun is my boyfriend! Who are you, some kind of jealous ex?!"

There she goes again, making enemies with yet another girl visibly stronger than herself.

Amidst the bright lights of the pachinko machines and the deafening clatter of the metal balls dropping, Ninagawa stood out like a sore thumb. A pitch-black monster with an even darker aura than Saito's. She stood up, completely towering over both Sora and I at almost six feet tall, hand resting on her sword hilt, her voice graceful yet pronounced; loud and authoritative.

"I see. This puppy likes to bark back too. You certainly have a type, Saito-kun."

"Sai-kun, who does this wench think she is?! Tell her I'm not a puppy!"

Sora flared her nostrils angrily, crossing both of her arms while maintaining eye contact with Ninagawa.

Abruptly, with no feasible chance to retaliate, Ninagawa laid both hands on Sora's shoulders, pushing her back into the wall, trapping her there with brute force. Sora's eyes grew wide, and the air in her lungs dissipated from the strength of her attack.

"Sora-chan!"

I screamed, leaping forward with no plan of action other than to defend her.

Saito's masculine arms wrapped around my waist, tugging me back quickly and efficiently. The glint in his eye silently suggested that I not take even a single step closer if I valued my own life. Wisely, I took the hint and immediately shut my mouth.

"You called me a wench just now, didn't you?! You're a bold little gyaru!"

Ninagawa spat venomously, pinning Sora's wrists above her head effortlessly.

"That's enough, Ninagawa-chan. Don't bruise my girlfriend's skin."

Saito pronounced, already resting his hand on Ninagawa's shoulder. His grip left visible indentations on her long gakuran coat.

"I've been very patient with your little flings, Saito-kun. There's only so much backtalk I can handle before I snap. This world is survival of the fittest, and if you think playing hero and protecting your little puppy makes you some hot boyfriend, then I'll have no reason to continue business with such an egotistical, selfish-"

Ninagawa was cut off.

"Point taken. Don't say something you'll regret."

Saito dug his nails deeper into her shoulder, ultimately forcing her to release Sora's wrists.

I quickly caught hold of her arm before she slid down to the floor, helping her stand back up while I inspected her delicate skin for any signs of bruising. It pained me greatly to see my beloved friend's supple flesh tainted with such an evil girl's grip. Pain may have been too underwhelming a word. I was livid.

"Sora-chan, are you okay? What were you thinking?!"

"I'm fine, Enki-chan... more importantly, what's her deal?!"

Sora scoffed, maintaining her tough facade despite the trembling in her knees as she hid behind me.

"You've got some nerve, Saito-kun,"

Ninagawa huffed.

"Bringing me these pathetic little puppies on my birthday. I'm willing to bet you even forgot your own promise."

"I didn't forget... in fact, I have an even better proposal than my initial one. This girl here,"

Saito pointed to me.

"Her name is Akitomo Enki. She's an Ukiyo-e prodigy with some serious skill. Not to mention, my girlfriend's best friend."

"Prodigy? I'll believe that when I see it. What's this nonsense about best friends? Do you think childish titles like that mean anything to me? Especially after your puppy's outburst earlier."

Ninagawa's gaze flickered to mine, her eyes moving up and down my pathetically small frame.

I wasn't sure where Saito-kun was going with this conversation. From what I gathered, Ninagawa must have been interested in something regarding Ukiyo-e, and Saito was about to pawn off my services to this girl for her birthday. Whatever it was that he had brewing, the feeling of misery churning deep in my core was reaching an all-time high.

"I already have the ink and needles. Enki can perform the irezumi back at Kawaguchi's. If you want, we could even do this right now. All you have to do is apologize to Sora"

Saito smirked, gesturing toward Sora and me.

"You don't say... and this would be completely free? Tell me you won't charge me a penny, and I'll make amends."

Ninagawa's own lips curled upward.

She looked like a demon

"I promise I won't charge you a penny. You can even look at Enki-chan's drawings before we get started if you don't trust me."

"Fine."

Ninagawa turned to face us, slowly extending her large hand outward to meet mine.

"I'm Ninagawa Charlotte. I look forward to your services, Akitomo Enki."

What service is she even referring to? What did Saito-kun just sign me up for? My father will be calling me soon if I don't return home within the hour. This look in her eye suggests my churning anxiety may have been for a reason after all. One thing is for certain. I'll make this wicked girl apologize to Sora before I agree to anything.

I reluctantly took her hand, squeezing it softly before something in my mind snapped. An unfamiliar confidence surged through each and every nerve ending in my body; my soul burned bright with an intense anger I had never felt before. I directed my gaze upward to meet hers, feeling my eyelids narrow with unfiltered rage. Piecing together what Saito and her were discussing, I was crucial to their plan, and I would stop at nothing to humiliate Ninagawa Charlotte in front of the entire pachinko parlor for hurting my friend.

"Ninagawa Charlotte. Perform a dogeza while you apologize to Sora, and I just might agree to perform my services."

The silence was deafening, and the expression that both Ninagawa and Saito wore implied everything I needed to know. Saito's mouth hung slightly open, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. Ninagawa's smirk froze stiff, her lower eyelid twitching rapidly. I had just defied the devil herself.

"Dogeza? You want me to perform a dogeza?"

Her lips slowly descended to seriousness.

"I don't believe I stuttered, Ninagawa Charlotte. My dear friend's wrists are bruised. Apologize like a stray dog that just bit the hand of its feeder. No, maybe dog isn't the right word. Puppy seems better suited."

I doubled down, harder than before. I wasn't sure how much longer I could maintain this stoic stiffness, but remembering my father's stern face helped me maintain an heir of authority. Each and every hair on my body stood on end, my skin pimpling with visible goosebumps. Either I had just ended my own life, or I took control of it. Whether Ninagawa bent over and apologized or not would soon determine my fate.

"Akitomo... I remember where I've heard that name from before now."

Ninagawa's voice dropped an octave lower, her grip on my hand tightening so hard that I could feel my bones shifting. My precious drawing hand was about to be destroyed, yet I was about to give it all up for the sake of Sora.

"Your father is that car guy, isn't he? The one who's always on the news talking about his stupid little machines. I see where you get this boldness from, rich girl."

"Keep my father out of this, puppy! Drop to your knees and beg for Sora's forgiveness!"

I shouted, gripping back with all the strength I could muster.

"Puppy?! How would Akitomo-san feel if he found out his daughter's best friend was dating the next head of the Kawaguchi Clan? How would he feel if he knew his daughter was about to tattoo the back of a criminal such as myself? To hell with with your dogeza request, you fucking oligarch spawn! I will end your entire legacy!"

Ninagawa Charlotte adjusted her grip, releasing my hand and dragging me closer by my forearm. My face was inches away from hers, and I could smell the rotten tobacco wafting from her plump lips.

What is she saying?! Kawaguchi Clan?! Tattoo?! What did Saito-kun just involve us in?!

My eyes grew wide; my false exterior was cracking to reveal the scared little girl beneath. I hadn't meant to let this slip though so soon, but Ninagawa was genuinely frightening. This girl was wicked down to her core, and there was nothing left that I could do to save myself. She knew who my father was, which meant she understood his legacy. She was cooking up a perfect blackmail recipe with each passing second. If information regarding my involvement in either the red-light district or the Yakuza was ever made public, my father wouldn't just lose his entire career, but he would undoubtedly make my life a living hell until his dying day.

Somebody, anybody, please help me!

"Enki-chan isn't an oligarch spawn! What's your problem?! Let her go and I'll forget about my bruises!"

I turned to face the source of the outburst. It was Sora, already reaching out to stop Ninagawa from harming me. This beautiful girl, after having just been scared senseless, was already retaliating again to save me. This cycle of trust was amazingly intimate, and I felt pure unbridled gratitude to have somebody like her in my life. My beautiful savior, my shining star, my reason for getting into this mess in the first place. Careless beyond measure, yet as loyal as a servant to her master.

Saito, once again, stepped in to de-escalate.

"Nobody will be ending any legacies, nor will there be dogeza. I dare either of you to move a single muscle."

Complete silence. Saito's influence was enough to keep Ninagawa still as she released my arm. Stumbling back, I landed against Sora, waiting for instruction.

"It's as Ninagawa-chan says. Enki's father shall never hear of what we're about to do. Equally, Enki will perform her services with my protection and discretion. Sora-chan's wrists will heal. If anyone has something to say, I suggest saving it for after the ritual."

Both Sora and I looked up at Saito, confusion written on our every pore. Sora spoke first,

"What ritual, Sai-kun?"

"Ninagawa Charlotte's irezumi ritual. The beginning of her story starts today on her sixteenth birthday. Enki will be responsible for tattooing Ukiyo-e onto her back tonight, solidifying Ninagawa-chan's rise to power, and the birth of her own clan: The Bara-gumi."

The Bara-gumi. The beautiful embroidery on Ninagawa's back. Saito-kun, whom I just discovered to be involved with the Kabukicho's notorious Kawaguchi Clan, is requesting - no, demanding that I give a sixteen year old delinquent a permanent traditional tattoo. Ninagawa's goal to form her own gang, being performed in complete secrecy at such a young age between an unlikely group of teenagers. What I am about to do is beyond sinful; beyond morally incorrect. Our frontal lobes haven't even fully developed, yet here we are breaking not only a law of our country, but a law between yakuza factions. Saito-kun is personally helping Ninagawa form her own rival gang that could one day cause trouble for his own clan. Betrayal is an understatement. If we get caught tonight, all four of us may lose our lives.

I turned my head toward my only saving grace amid this immense confusion. Sora stood there, giving me a pleading look. Her eyes told a brief story.

'I love Saito, but I love you more. Please don't fight back, Enki-chan.'

I could do nothing but gulp down the words I had desperately wanted to scream, opting for the sentence that would ultimately seal our fate as criminals. Disobey and suffer the consequences. I had no other choice.

"When do we start?"