The Yakuza's flower

The beautiful gift

Kizaki's POV

Lately, I had been seeing Hanayama and Ume together a lot.

I wasn't saying it was wrong—it was just different.

Hanayama wasn't the type to keep a woman around. And yet, Ume had become a constant presence.

It wasn't just that she was here—it was how she was here.

When she was around, the entire estate felt different. The men were more talkative, the housekeepers had an unusual lightness to them, and even I felt a shift in the air. It was like she brought something into the house that none of us realized we had been missing.

But when she wasn't here?

Things returned to their usual state. Serious. Quiet. Cold.

I wouldn't go as far as saying the place felt lonely, but... it was noticeable.

And now, as I sat on my futon, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, my phone buzzed with an early-morning call.

Akio.

That wasn't good.

I answered immediately. "What's going on?"

"The godfather wants Hanayama at the estate today. The other family heads will be there too. It's urgent."

That definitely wasn't good.

They usually didn't call like this unless something serious was happening.

I got up, got dressed, and since Ume wasn't here this morning, I went straight into Hanayama's room.

He was still in bed, lying on his side, exhaling slow, steady breaths.

"Hanayama."

He didn't move.

I sighed and nudged his shoulder. "Godfather has called for you to meet him. Today."

He grunted and rolled onto his back, reaching for his glasses.

"Not going," he muttered. "It's probably a boring meeting."

I crossed my arms. "No. I think it's important."

He sighed heavily, rubbing his face. "Fine."

⸻

At  Godfather's Residence
I stood behind Hanayama, my usual post. Not that he needed anyone watching his back.

The family heads sat in a semi-circle around a polished wooden table. The air was thick with cigar smoke and the weight of unspoken words.

They had demanded this meeting.

And, honestly, Hanayama wouldn't have come if Ume hadn't told him she was busy today.

If she had been free, he probably would have brushed this off entirely.

The conversation was mostly about business. Territory disputes. Expansion.

But then, a topic came up that made my stomach twist.

Rumors.

One of the men leaned forward, his fingers laced together. "Kaoru, we've been hearing talk about you being seen with a woman."

I could see Hanayama's fingers flex slightly at the comment.

His grandfather took a slow drag from his cigar, watching carefully but not stepping in.

The man continued, "People are saying you're spending a lot of time with her. Every day, almost. That's... unusual for you."

A couple of the other men chuckled knowingly, but the atmosphere wasn't entirely playful.