The Yakuza's flower

The picked flower

Kozue's POV

Today

Ume and I were grocery shopping for my mom

Hanging out as usual and having a random conversation.

"So does your grandma know about him yet or? " i asked her as we walked by food stands eyeing the produce they were selling.

"No, I dont think I'm gonna tell her any time soon. She's already worried about the things she's sees on the news." She tells me

As we walked through the market, I noticed how people glanced at us—at her. Some just looked for a second too long before turning away. Others whispered behind their hands.

It wasn't everyone, but enough to make my stomach twist.

I thought I was just imagining things, but then an old couple at a vegetable stand froze when Ume came up. She had accidentally knocked a couple vegetables from their stand.

"So sorry about that. How much did you say for the tomatoes?" she asked politely.

The old woman's face paled.

"Umm... they're free, just take the ones you like and please leave us," she said quickly, her voice almost trembling.

Ume and I exchanged confused looks.

"No, no, please let me pay," Ume insisted, reaching for her wallet.

The woman's husband stepped forward slightly, shaking his head. "Please, miss. We're not looking for trouble."

Trouble?

I turned to look at ume and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Why were they scared of her?

Just then my eyes flickered down to Ume's necklace.

She wasn't wearing it before—not openly, anyway. I hadn't even noticed it earlier. But now, hanging just over the neckline of her shirt, it was unmistakable. The small golden charm caught the sunlight, the symbol on it clear for anyone who knew to recognize it.

That symbol....

I opened my mouth to say something, but the tension was thick, and I didn't want to make things worse.

"How about I pay for them, and we'll be on our way?" I said, handing over the money and quickly grabbing the tomatoes before Ume could argue.

The couple looked relieved as we left.

I didn't say anything at first, but the more we walked, the more I kept glancing at the necklace. Finally, I pointed at it.

"That's a cute necklace."

Ume smiled, touching the charm lightly. "Thanks. Hanayama gave it to me. He said it's supposed to represent us both."

I felt a lump form in my throat.

"Cute," I said slowly, forcing a smile. "But it seems like it might be representing him more than you."

She looked at me, confused.

I wanted to tell her what I suspected—that the necklace wasn't just a gift. That it wasn't just a charm.

But she was so happy.

I didn't want to ruin that for her.

Instead, I forced a teasing grin. "I think you should tuck the necklace into your shirt—so it's safe."

She giggled, playfully rolling her eyes, but did as I suggested.

I just hoped, prayed, that necklace didn't mean what I thought it did.