Undisclosed Desires

55. Look What You Made Me Do

The question, "what do you want to be when you grow up." Such a strange question because who even knows the answer?

Well, a lot of people do, you suppose. You, however, aren't that lucky to find that "thing" that makes you feel like you belong like this is supposed to be your life. Maybe that's why you spent most of your years after high school traveling and getting into trouble. Never sticking to one place for too long kept the thoughts away.

Living with Suguru was the longest you've ever stayed still. It was an ordinary life, but secretly, it was the happiest you've ever been.

In another world, you'd stay there forever.

Working at DD's, living on top of the shabby apartment, was the second time you remained still for a prolonged period.

But like most things in your life, you don't often get to choose the happy ending.

Days turn to months, turn to an entire year. It took you a while to admit it, to come to terms with it, but this is your home now.

The "help" you hired was none other than the white-haired man who dropped you off at the estate all those months ago.

You never thought Aone would agree but asked anyway.

"He's a gardener?" Iizaki blurted out the first day of meeting him because Aone looks anything but a simple landscaper.

"Not exactly. Aone is going to help out around here, help you two, specifically."

Iizaki and Futamata are just kids in your eyes. Unfortunately, they chose this life of danger and might as well teach them how to properly survive it. Aone was a great mentor to them. His gentle nature showed them they didn't have to resort to violence every time.

"Where the fuck is Scorpion? I only deal with him."

"He's a little preoccupied." You told the owner of the local pawn shop, like with all things, you eventually took over "collection" days for Terushima.

"And am I supposed to take orders from a fuckin' bitch?"

Ah, the most popular word. This was not the first time dealing with one of Terushima's business partners. Each time they always loved using that word.

"Watch your fucking mouth."An iron wall surrounded you. You are not sure how it happened. All you knew was after Aone's arrival, more and more of his companions showed up at your doorstep. Until you had yourself your very own unbreakable force. Their presence always made the person disrespecting your attitude change. "bitch to yes ma'am."

You asked Kamasaki once why they decided to align their loyalty to you. The blonde man reminded you of Takinoue, blunt and roaring at times. He always is the one who shouts first at anyone who disrespects you. "Aone trusts you, so we do too." It was as simple as that.

"And you, Aone? Why do you trust me?"

Despite being one of the tallest, he was always quiet as a mouse, only speaking when it was obviously necessary. "Because you're not doing this for selfish power or greed." Simple as that.

No unnecessary violence. It was the first rule you stated to everyone in your small circle.

"You must not use your power to bully those weaker than you. You should use your strength to help bring people up, not bring them down. And if there are any objections to the rules, there's the door."

There were a few objections, men from the original Terushima that still lingered about, "who the hell but you in charge?" They grit their teeth.

The answer was easy.