The Yakuza's flower

Hitting realization

Hanayama's POV

"There are new idiots trying to make a name for themselves on some of our territories! We need to take action before the power they think they have gets to their heads! I will declare war if I have to!"
The head of the Yajima group was yelling again.

I was in Another meeting...

It had been almost two weeks since I last saw Ume. We'd had a few phone calls, some texts here and there, but it wasn't the same as actually seeing her.
I barely wanted to be here, but my grandfather had sent for me.

He wanted to talk about expanding our territories and some other business matters. I'd told him before—there was no point in making a move unless he truly intended to start a territory war.

Not that I cared.

If it happened, it happened. The problem wasn't winning. The problem was all the extra work that came with it.

But the old man never listened. He thought he had all the wisdom in the world.

"Yajima, these idiots are nothing more than bugs that can be taken care of. The Fujiki and Hanayama clans will gladly handle it," my grandfather said.
I glared at him. Just like that, he was volunteering me again.

Then, the head of the Yamanoi clan spoke up.
"Speaking of issues, we need to consider the safety of women and children. We cannot allow greed to cloud our judgment. Just a few days ago, my granddaughter was out with friends when some men offered them drugs." His voice grew heavier.

"There have been sightings of a foreign group selling in our territories. Are any of you affiliated with them?"

His second-in-command passed around photos.
I took a glance.

I remembered Kizaki telling me a rumor about new strangers in town.

Now that I thought about it, I had seen some of these faces before—just passing by, blending in with the usual crowds.

Japan had become a tourist hotspot, but it was always hard to tell who was here for the right reasons... and who wasn't.

I looked over at Kizaki. He gave me a small nod.

These were the ones from the rumors.

The room filled with overlapping voices as the clan leaders debated.

I cracked my knuckles. The sound echoed in the room.

The noise stopped instantly.

"The Hanayama group will take care of our new foreign friends." I pulled out a cigar, lit it, and leaned back in my chair.

Let them keep talking. I'd already made up my mind.

—

The discussions dragged on for another hour before finally coming to an end.

"Gentlemen, I hope we all got what we needed to say done with. Let us try to keep the peace—for everyone's sake."My grandfather's voice carried a sense of finality.

One by one, the men dismissed themselves.

Once it was just the two of us, I stayed seated.
He turned to me. "I believe that went well, wouldn't you say?" He chuckled, clearly pleased.

I just shrugged. He wasn't done talking. I could tell.
"So, what else do I need to hear today before I leave?" I asked, exhaling a slow breath.

He folded his hands together. "The head of the Yamanoi clan, as you heard, has a beautiful granddaughter. I think you should meet her."

I blinked.

"I've been speaking with Yamanoi about merging families. It's time you consider marriage and leave whores for the stre—"

I cut him off before he could finish.

Damn old man.

"Mmh... Great conversation. I have to go." I stood up.

"Where are you going? I wasn't done speaking. Hanayama Kaoru! Sit down!"

I ignored him and left.
—
Once I was outside, I stepped into the waiting car.

"Kizaki, send Ume some flowers or something nice. Let her know I'll be busy tonight. I'm going to put an end to these rumors."

Kizaki glanced down at my phone and smirked. "Actually, Ume said she has plans tonight with Kozue. So, you two wouldn't be seeing each other anyway."

I glanced at him.

"She texted me that?"
"She texted you that." He tapped the screen.

My hands were too big for the phone so I always had kizaki send messages for me.

I exhaled sharply.

Kozue again...
Fine. If she was out with friends, I'd handle business without any distractions.

—

Late Night – 12:30 AM

The city was still alive with energy.

I walked through the streets, scanning the crowds, keeping an eye out for the men from the photos.

I wasn't in a hurry—I figured if I followed the right people, they'd lead me where I needed to go.
A few foreigners entered a club. I followed.

Didn't have to pay. I own the place.

At the entrance, I told the bouncers and staff to ignore me and let the night continue as usual.

The music was loud.
The place was packed.

I scanned the crowd, my gaze moving from one side of the room to the other.

Then—

Something caught my attention.
A corner of the club. A crowd gathering. People pushing forward, watching something.

A fight?

I moved closer, weaving through the bodies, trying to get a better look.
And then—

I saw her.

"Ume..." I muttered under my breath.

The noise of the club faded for a moment.
I felt my jaw clench.

What. The hell. Was she doing here?

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