Day & Night

Working on Courage

Warnings: Mention of Sex Trafficking, Threats of Rape, and Death Threats

Kyojuro's POV

I woke up from some actual good sleep but reaching out my arms feeling an empty bed brought some conflicting feelings. So, shaking it off, I got ready for my own day, not before sending her a text.

Me: Good Morning sweetheart, I hope you slept well. Have a good day, beautiful.

Walking into the dining room, I kissed my mother's cheek and patted my brother's head, taking my seat next to my father.

"Good work yesterday, son. It was like you never left," father said, flipping through the paper as the house staff brought me coffee and breakfast.

"Thank you, father," I said, taking a bite.

"How's Tsukie dear?" My mother asked, and a small smile itched at the corner of my lips.

"She's well, mother. Which reminds me, father, can I put some time in my schedule to take her to her rehab appointments?" I asked, and a smile crossed his lips proudly.

"Of course, son," he said, going back to his paper.

"Brother, would you mind if I accompanied you on a few of her appointments," Senjuro asked, and I couldn't help but smile softly at his requests.

"Of course, Senjuro, she would love to see you again. If I'm not careful, she's going to leave me for you," I teased him as a blush grew on his face.

"She's like a sister to me brother, do be crude," my young brother said, sticking his tongue out, causing all of us to laugh.

The rest of the family breakfast was pleasant with conversation and some much-needed quality time. That was until my assistant rushed in, bowed in respect to us, and bounced to my side. I narrowed my eyes at her and sighed.

"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Rengoku, but there's an issue," she said, stuttering from fear, and I could tell my father leaned forward, wanting to listen in. "Um, Takahashi is doing it again."

Clenching my hand into a fist, I looked over at my father, who nodded. We got up and made our way out. My father went over to our mother, giving her a tender kiss, "I'm sorry, my love, but we must be off." I watched their interaction in envy, wanting that, and all I could picture was Tsukie and me. Shaking my head, I gave my brother one last pat on the head, smiling at him.

My father and I left down the hall, as my scowl grew across my face again.

"What should we do, son?" My father asked, looking over at me.

"This is the third time he's gone back to sex trafficking, and I've about had it. He's already lost all the fingers on his left hand and the pinky from his right. So this has to be it, father. He's going to drag our name through the mud more than he already has," I said, remembering the two times I personally cut his fingers off for this.

"Let us go together and give him the special Rengoku send-off," he said smiling.

I didn't want to do this again today, but if one thing was to set me off, it was the disrespect towards females, and so help him if children there are I would treat him like I did the demons I face. Entering into father's Rolls Royce, we headed to the shop where Takahashi owned. Father got out first with me trailing behind. Entering the restaurant, we smiled as if nothing was going on.

"Ah, if it isn't the Rengoku's, what do I owe this pleasure," Takahashi said with open arms and a toothy grin. His tattoos poked out from his dress shirt.

"You know us, just making our rounds and checking in on everyone," My father said, the charm coming out of him.

"How sweet of you, you definitely live up to your reputation," he said as one of the guards came to whisper in my ear.