The Yakuza's flower

Safe feeling

Ume POV

After watching Baki fight the guy that was going to hurt me and Kozue, I was having a hard time processing everything that had just happened. So, I just stood there in the safe area with my friend who was crying and holding on to her boyfriend for her dear life. I just kept looking down at my ankle and constantly remembering how easy it was for that guy to drag me down with almost no effort at all.

It started to give me small flashbacks of an event I never wanted to think about again.

Anyway, I went straight home after convincing Baki and Kozue that I was fine and not affected by the night events at all. I'm pretty sure they didn't believe me because they kept this worried like expression on their faces as I said goodbye and practically ran home after leaving the vending machine alley. While I was running home, I think my eyes started to water up because my vision was becoming blurry, and my chest started to feel heavy. I wondered if it was because my PTSD was probably kicking in and I was just refusing to acknowledge it.

Once I got home, I realized that my grandmother was probably already asleep when I saw that most of the house lights were off, except for the hallway light at the entrance. I just tried my best to quickly make my way upstairs to my room as quietly as possible. When I got to my room and closed the door, I leaned against it for a little bit before letting myself slide down to drop on the floor. I really needed a minute to calm myself down before getting ready for bed.

Sitting on the floor for a minute helped me collect my thoughts and I felt a bit more comfortable, so I got up and did my usual night routine. Once I was in bed, I looked at my ankle and saw a small hand print bruise begin to appeared. I guess I didn't realize I started crying for no reason when I felt tears run down my face. I hated to cry, I simply wiped my tears away and attended to my small bruise before going straight to sleep to forget about the day.

The next couple of days went by as usual but I hardly saw Hanayama anymore whenever I was on my way to the store or work. Until one night, I had a late shift at the hospital and was walking home alone in the dark. I was still a bit shaky about what had happened Saturday night with the weird man trying to abduct my best friend, so I constantly had my guard up. On my way home I saw Hanayama having a smoke while he sat comfortably on a public bench, he saw me, and I gave him a small smile and waved before I got closer to where he was. "Hey, lovely night huh?" I said to him trying to have a conversation. He nodded his head and went ahead to enjoy his smoke. I looked around and saw that the streets ahead of me were dark and very quiet, it would be best to get home soon. Just as I was about to walk away from him when he started to talk to me. "It's late, I don't think you should walk home alone. Not after what happened Saturday night." I looked at him surprised because I didn't know that he had heard about what happened. "Baki told you?" I asked him as I looked at him while he sat there and took a good few puffs of his cigarette before getting up from the bench. "He told me eventually, but I heard from other sources." He said to me as he finished smoking and threw the cigarette on the floor to put it out. He then walked up next to me and practically towered over me. It's funny because I didn't feel too nervous around him; I think it was because he had this type of nice vibe of safety and protection that would radiate off him.

But that was just my opinion.

"Oh, well I'm sure you shouldn't worry. Baki gave him a really good butt kicking. " I say to him trying to sound cheerful. We kind of stood in silence for a minute after I said that. "What are you doing out so late anyway?" I asked him to keep the conversation going. "Business stuff." He said to me.

"Oh okay, well I better get home my grandmother might worry-" I say to him before he cuts me off and says "I'll walk with you since we look like we are going in the same direction anyway." I couldn't believe that he was going to walk me home. "Oh okay." I said as I started walking in the direction of my house and Hanayama began to follow as he walked next to me. It's funny because I noticed he slowed down his walking pace when he saw me struggling to keep up with his giant steps.

The Entire walk was peaceful and nice actually We even talked a lot and got to know each other a little bit. By the time we walked into my neighborhood and stopped at the entrance, I thanked him for walking with me (even though he didn't have to.) We said our goodbye and parted ways. I honestly don't know what took over me because When I got Home, I completely forgot to greet my grandma, just ran into my room, and jumped on my bed to hug my pillow. My head kept replaying what we talked about, his appearance, his voice and such.

What the hell is happening to me?

Hanayama POV

On Saturday night when I ran into Baki and the ladies, I had just finished having another boring meeting with another yakuza family. talking about peaceful and meaningful treaties, I could really care less about.

I eventually ran into Baki and his ladies when I was out for a nice walk.

When I was talking to Baki that night, the women decided to leave to get drinks and we continued our normal conversation. "The friend?" I said to Baki a bit confused. He looked at me and scratched the back of his head. "Oh Ume, well Kozue wanted us to meet and be well acquainted. Since she is her best friend and all, but other than that we are just hanging out." He said to me with a small smirk on his face. "Why?" He asked me and I quickly shot him a serious glance, knowing something smart was about to escape his mouth. " No reason, just wonderi-" I say to him before he cuts me off "Oh is she your type? Imagine The big Hanayama with a curvy little woman like that. Haha oh man, you might as well kill her. But, hey listen I can talk to her if you want-" he said to me as he started to get too overconfident and  I  had to cut him off. "I can get laid any time I want Baki. I know many beautiful women, so she would be no different." I said to him as I looked around and saw the busy streets. "You do you man, but I'm just saying the right woman could work wonders.... Hmm how long has it been since they have left?" He says to me as he looks around. "Don't know but I'm going to go ahead and leave. Enjoy the little hangout." I say to him as I take out a cigarette and light it before we both walk our separate ways.

When we were walking away from each other I kept getting this weird feeling of wanting to turn around and follow him. But I ignored the feeling and continued on with my night.

Couple days went by, and I was really busy with clan stuff when I overheard a small group talking about Baki fighting the Russian man, who had once kidnapped his woman. This fight went down the same night we met. Damn it, I knew I should have followed him. Each story that I heard about that fight sounded the same but one. I heard a group of students talking about how Kozue's best friend kicked the hell out of the man, then tasered him. Funny, I really couldn't see it happen. Comparing their heights and strength, seemed too good to be true.

Days went by and there were times when I would see Kozue's friend. Sometimes she would smile at me and wave. At first, I didn't really do much but nod my head until eventually I gave in and would wave back... rarely.

One night I was just taking a walk around the city when I decided to take a break and sit on the public bench to have a smoke. It was a bit late, the city lights were on, and there weren't many people on the streets. I looked around enjoying the view until I saw a small figure walking towards my direction. I realize it was a woman As she came closer and I hear her say "Hey, lovely night huh?" It's Kozue's friend. I tried to ignore her but when she started to pass right by me, something made me speak up.

We had a small conversation for a while until I decided to walk with her to wherever she was going. During our little walk together, we talked a lot and got to know each other a bit.  

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