War

"I can't fulfill your request, son," said Mr. Kurokawa, after hearing my request to grant some protection to Misaki siblings. "We're already in a hard position in the war. The Yamakawa family is on the way, we need to hold on tight until they arrive."

I explained to him everything that had happened back in the depot. Some nearby Yakuza families were informed about the Tiger Clan as well. We were gaining more and more reinforcements to our side. Thankfully, our enemies made their move too fast. The peace environment created by Yamakawa Danno still exists today; that's why the Tiger Clan will eventually fail their attempts.

We would soon come to the last moments of the war. I was staying with Tatsumi, of course. I had a pistol on me, just in case. If anything went out of hand, I was the only person who could protect Tatsumi. I still hate guns, and it feels hard to carry one even in a situation like this. To be more specific, I was seeing my father's face. But I wasn't shaking anymore. I guess it was because of the new purpose I found for myself. My only hope was that I could find the courage to pull the trigger when the right time came.

Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. And then more gunshots immediately afterwards. I took a deep breath. I wasn't nervous, actually, but it made me focus easier.

Normally, all mafia leaders have more than one safe house, especially in war situations. Sending Tatsumi away was an option, of course. However, the territories of the two mafia families were very close to each other, so it wouldn't be as easy as it always was. The Miyazaki family would definitely follow her. But now, there were more people to protect her in the mansion.

Time was passing so slowly, and I could hear my heartbeat. The Yamakawa family was late. It had already been hours, and perhaps we were living our last moments at that moment. I don't know since when we were stuck in this mansion. The Tiger Clan showed his power, for sure. Even though they didn't have much influence in Japan, they were still effectively supporting the Miyazaki family. At the end of the second hour of the mansion attack, inevitably, our last line of defense had fallen...

They broke into the room where we were staying. I took a few of them down, but unfortunately, I couldn't avoid getting shot. It wasn't something serious, or maybe I just felt that way under the influence of adrenaline. We couldn't see Mr. Kurokawa around. He was probably still alive, but just for the moment. They tied our hands and took me and Tatsumi into the front garden. There we saw our leader in despair. Mr. Kurokawa was an old man; he shouldn't have been here. Yet he decided not to leave her daughter. He still had his responsibilities for the family, of course. Not only his real family but the organization too. His men died in order to protect him and the young lady, Kurokawa Tatsumi. After all of those sacrifices, however, it finally all came to an end. We have lost the war.

"You caused us yet another problem, kid."

What was his name again, was it Shinei? Ahh, I want to see him dead so bad.

"It's unfortunate for you. Lady Olya gave you a chance, yet you didn't take it. It'll cost your filthy life."

"And who is gonna take it? Are you playing tough with an army behind you?"

"That's what we call a war, kid."

Ahh, I hate that word. I still hate the guns. I still hate the mafia... Why did I accept their offer in the first place? Why did I join here? Was I trying to atone for the sins I committed that way? Was that all for my father? Or perhaps it was all for my family.

Yeah, that must be the answer. I was jealous of the peace that Japan had; I envied Yamakawa Danno, who brought the peace. The only thing that made me lose everything was the war, and moreover, the mafia.

"You'll be executed before the others," said Shinei. For the first time, I was seeing him acting like a normal person. He wasn't enjoying it, yet he had to do all those things.

"Just keep him out of this. He has no connection with our family lineage."

That was Tatsumi talking. She was a really brave girl. Although she knew that she might be dead within a minute, she seemed to be very calm.

"That's something I cannot do, our patriarch ordered his death."

"For what reason?"

"Even though he may not seem like he did much, he did us a lot of harm."

"Then just start with me," said Mr. Kurokawa. "Don't make me watch my own daughter's death."

"Well, if that's what you wish for."

He didn't waste any seconds. Kurokawa Shun, the chairman of the Kurokawa family, had now lost his life on his own property.

Tatsumi, however, was still somewhat fine. She was shaking, and I could see the tears in her eyes. Yet she didn't cry. Maybe she thought that crying would dishonor his father's death; I don't know. But I was sure now that she would have been a great leader. Maybe the Miyazaki family realised it earlier than me, and that was the reason for them targeting her. But our fate was decided, and I failed to change it once again.

It was my turn now. Shinei was standing right in front of me.

"Is there anything you want to say, kid?"

"Go to hell."

"Hmph, fair enough."

I was ready to accept my fate, honestly. But it was different for Tatsumi. She lunged forward and bit Shinei's hand. Even though Shinei was screaming in pain, he was still a strong person. He hit Tatsumi hard with the back of his hand. The other yakuzas in the garden didn't even move; they were sure nothing would go wrong. The thing is, Tatsumi wasn't moving anymore. She probably hit her head when she fell. I was sure that she was still alive, but her health condition was critical.

I was a little shocked by the moment. I didn't expect her to do something like this. She tried to protect me, even though she knew that it wouldn't change anything. Our fate was decided, and we were far too late to do something about it. Maybe she tried to repay me that way, since everything had started with me saving her. I was thankful to her, but now it was all over.

With all hope seemingly lost, a distant, frantic shout broke the tense silence. A Miyazaki lookout, eyes wide with terror, stumbled into the courtyard.

"The Yamakawas!" he cried out, his voice trembling with fear. "The Yamakawa clan is here!"

Panic spread like wildfire through the Miyazaki ranks. At that very moment, the ground trembled as the Yamakawa family stormed the mansion. Their overwhelming numbers and fierce resolve turned the tide in an instant, rushing to the aid of the Kurokawa family.

At that moment, there was one thing certain. As long as Tatsumi was alive, we would win the war. Shinei, however, was aware of it. As soon as he got over the shock, he pointed his gun at the girl. But this time, I was ready. I did the same thing that Tatsumi did and bit his hand that was holding the gun. I used all my strength and forced him to fall. There was already a massacre out there, so all I had to do was deal with Shinei. I grabbed him by the throat, and I had no intention of letting it go. He struggled to survive. I was still injured, and I could barely fight him back, but in the end, maybe with the luck beside me, he accidentally shot himself and gave his last breath.

We've won the war yet lost a lot of fellow members because of it. The last thing I saw before I passed out was Tatsumi's unconscious face.