IN THEIR STEAD (tok.rev. × m!reader)

22 - Tamarisk - 22

In the shady back alleys of Shibuya was a small flower shop. Unlike the bland grays of its surrounding buildings, the shop had a mild color palette endorsed in green plants. 

The walls had neatly trimmed vines crawling up in fashion, and a narrow garden in the back, filled with flowers. The whole aesthetic made the shop pop out of place, like a lily that bloomed on a dumpsite.

Sweep, sweep.

And there worked a man, who could only be described as the lily itself. Gentle, kind, and caring. But most of all, alluring. Currently sweeping the floor, you planned to water the garden next.

"Excuse me."

Just as you were putting away your beloved broom (yes, the same one you used to sweep Musashi shrine all those years back), a customer in a costly suit stepped in.

"Welcome. Could I help you?"

"Yes, you could," he said, taking off his hat to reveal his waxed hair. As his glasses gleamed from the light, he flashed you a smug smile, which you could only awkwardly return.

"I would like a bundle of tamarisks, wrapped in black."

You stopped putting away the broom and froze.

'Tamarisks. Wrapped in black.'

The gentle smile faded away from your face, like washable paint in water. Only rolling your eyeballs, you glanced at the suited man, grinning even wider than a second ago. 

"...And would you like a message card with that?" you asked, stepping over to your counter.

"Yes. With the phrase, 'For Lilia'."

As the last word dropped from the man's lips, you pointed a gun to his forehead in complete silence. Death radiated from your eyes. The lily was no longer here.

"Woah. Let's not get too aggressive here. We could become future business partners, after all. Lilia."

You stayed still, watching the man as he raised both hands in mocking surrender. He was still smiling, arrogant and calm. You could tell he wasn't scared of the gun inches from his face.

Sighing, you put your gun down and combed through your hair. Anyone could see that you were frustrated, but the man in front of you didn't seem to care. He simply put his hands down, tidying his suit in the process.

"Who sent you," you stated, shifting down to hide the gun under the desk. You always kept it there; it was necessary for your safety.

"No one 'sent me'," he smirked, leaning on the counter to look down at you. "I am the man himself." 

"Is that so," you said, taking the spray bottle beside you and spewing it in his face. He let out a weird 'ughuah!' before backing off, frantically wiping down his face. "And keep your distance. I don't want to smell the rotten eggs you had for breakfast."

You watched unamused as his face turned red. When he tried to approach you, you sprayed him a few more times. He huffed in defeat before standing a good distance away.

"Good boy," you sneered at the taller. You could see him flinch, but didn't give it too much attention, and turned your back to water the plants.

"I'm Kisaki Tetta," you heard him sigh. Yeah, you figured. Although you wiped your hands clean from that world, the news still flew into your ears. Kisaki Tetta. The true top of Tokyo Manji Gang. The King of the Underworld.

"I'm here to personally scout you, f/n l/n."

You stayed silent in your squatted position, not giving a hair about the fact that he knew your real name. As Kisaki grew impatient, his left eye twitched visibly.

"You were quite the notion, y/n! Everyone knew who 'Lilia' was. The hunter. Killer. Assassin! Give him enough money, and he'll give you a sure kill. The perfect weapon, Lilia."

'I should've killed whoever spread those rumors before going clean,' you inwardly groaned, standing up to water the other plants.

Regardless of your movement, Kisaki continued rambling with elaborate gestures, as if giving a presentation.

"Everyone questioned their ears when they heard you disappeared. What could've happened to you? Were you caught and killed? Or did you finally join an organization?"

He suddenly dropped his hands to his sides before continuing with a mocking scoff.

"Who would've guessed you retired to open a flower shop."

You stood up and turned to face Kisaki, surprising him with a pleasant smile on your face. It was the same expression you gave him when you treated him as a customer - the one that resembled a lily.

Slowly walking towards him, you innocently reached for his right hand and cupped it with yours. Looking up at him with clear eyes, you instantly snapped his hand back, earning a satisfying crunch.

"Aghh!!" he cried, stumbling back with his floppy hand. You broke his wrist real good, just as you intended. When he looked up at you in fury and tears, you shined him a smile, this time full of malevolence.

"Come back when you know how truly appreciate flowers," you said, leaning back on your counter. "Now shoo. You reek of blood."

"...Fuck!" Kisaki yelled through his teeth before exiting your shop, dialing a number with his fine hand. You scoffed in deride.

The storm that just passed reminded you of the previous years. How long had it been since you'd withdrawn from the underworld? You quit at 27 and was now about 30, so three or four years. Before that, life was much worse than the peace you had now.

'Lilia.'

The name you'd been assigned by your dad. The name you threw away when you killed your dad. The name you hoped to never use again.

But now, you just might have to - Tokyo Manji Gang was on your heels.

Swiping all the way down to the bottom of your contacts, you called the number you hadn't touched in years.

"Four," you said, taking off your apron.

"Come pick me up."

Please
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Merry Christmas!

A/N:

I wrote this just now, fresh out of the oven. I really wanted to give you guys a Christmas present, but I might be late :')

I intend this chapter to be a part one of two fillers, just to give you an idea of the current "Future Y/N". Of course, it may change in other timelines, as Takemichy continues to leap and change the future.

Thank you for your flower shop idea, ThatOT7Trash !
I initially thought of making y/n own a small cafe, but changed my mind after reading your comment. Flower shop was perfect!

If anyone else has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I found this very motivating to write. It doesn't have to be about Future Y/N. It could be about whatever that hasn't happened yet! Although I can't promise it'll be 100% written.

Merry Christmas!
Author

FYI:
The flower "tamarisk" means "crime".
Y/n's regulars from his "previous occupation" asked him for [tamarisks wrapped in black] as a secret code to signify [I have a job for you.]