Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 108: Being Pushed in One Direction

The next day arrived, a slightly calmer Rou was relaxing in his room, thinking about what happened with Violet and the newfound sense of freedom he felt despite the fact he'll probably only be in the Renegard mansion for the next few days. His mind cleared, he thought about those in the Okumura syndicate, would they have arranged a rescue party for them? He was slightly conflicted considering the extent of his exit during the auction.

Before Rou could wallow in his self hatred, the door knocked and Violet went into the room. "Rou, I thought I'd find you here. There's something peculiar going on downstairs that I'd like you to check out.". Rou was initially confused, but quickly asked Violet to elaborate. "What sort of shenanigans would mean that I, a hostage would need to hear something?",  he questioned. Violet rushed him out of the room, "You'll see, it'll be obvious.", she replied, dragging him down the stairs.

Standing in the entrance were Eve and Peter, and another man with light blonde hair, purple eyes and tanned skin. Violet whispered to Rou, "That's Rene, the caporegime of combat. Listen to what everyone is saying.", she quietly relayed to Rou. Rou watched carefully, staying hidden, yet listening to what they were saying. The conversation immediately stood out as one that was intriguing.

"If you take a carriage, you would meet them by nightfall.", Eve informed Rene. "Got it!", replied the blonde. However, the young man also had questions, "Do I really have to use my ability in this one? It really gives a bad impression of me as a capo.", he lamented. Peter tapped his shoulder, "I'm afraid it's the ability you were born with, and it's the only one that can break Aster Orocha.", he reminded his subordinate. 

Rou was incredibly surprised to hear Aster's name in the conversation, maybe a rescue party was going to save him. "Aster? Seems something is going on outside…", he remarked. Violet looked on at the trio instead of Rou, "Not again Peter..", she mumbled to herself. Rou noticed this and tried to figure out what was wrong, "Violet, did Peter do anything to you.", he asked. She sighed, "Not really, it's just that ever since Rene got promoted as Ruby's replacement, Peter's been a little 'off'.", she responded to the blue haired man.

"What's it to you? You're kind and considerate and he's corrupt and sadistic.", enquired Rou. Violet looked at him with a conflicted face, aware of his biases, "Peter is my fiance, we've been together for 3 years, but recently it hasn't felt right when we've spent time with one another, as if he's hiding something.", she expressed. "I see.", replied Rou. "This is the Renegard syndicate, there's got to be information around here about him. Tomorrow, we will find it!", he enthused. 
"That's very kind of you.", responded Violet.

Little did Rou know at the time, but later that day, something would put a wedge in in any kind of friendship. Upon returning to his room, he was immediately dragged to the office. Eve was sat on her chair with a commanding demeanour, she had something she had to express to Rou, "We have plans for you, Rou Okumura.", she announced coldly. From behind, a servant appeared with shears. "W-what's going to happen to me?", yelped a fearful Rou. "You'll see…", replied Eve.

The servant began to wet the man's hair, causing the spikes within it to fall flat. Then, his locks were brushed to the right and the servant began shearing away at the lower layers of his hair. "What on Earth are you doing?", Rou questioned during the procedure. "Within my plans, your appearance just isn't going to cut it, we need you to look the part if you're ever going to be effective.", Eve declared. Rou was visibly cross, but upon the completion  of his haircut, he glanced at the nearest mirror.

"I-I don't know how to feel about this. Is it me? Is this what I've become?", he kept asking himself. "Those auction clothes aren't going to do either, there will be something to change into in your room.", informed Eve, emotionless to his reaction. Rou had many queries, "Why are you being so nice to me?", he questioned. Eve giggled, "Nice? Not at all! You'll never know my true intentions, and I'll keep it that way.

Rou walked out of the office and to his room, Eve was left to think things over. "This is the only thing I can do. The only thing that can truly fill this void in my heart. A void that I once filled with knowledge now needs something more, something vengeful.". As she paced the floor, she got her bearings on how to put her plan into action, involving her subordinates, involving Rou, and crushing the Okumura syndicate regardless of what any committee vault instructs.