Your Protector

Chapter 9

After careful planning at Osoro's house, the three boys had staged a break-in inside the old, abandoned train station where the Yakuza would be holding Osoro's mother captive. Things weren't thought out thoroughly, but they had somewhat of an idea on how to get past the guards, and that was enough for Osoro.

In his mother's shining black car, Osoro, Taro, and Budo drove to the old train station. They found a secluded spot to park that was hidden in the shadows. From their car, they could see the entrance of the station, which was guarded by two burly-looking men with large rifles. Osoro grunted as he got his knife ready.

"So... what if your mother wasn't actually captured by the Yakuza or isn't here?" Budo inquired from the back seat.

"She has to be," Osoro muttered. "She's a pretty lady that has trained in the art of being a whore to many men; the perfect target for the Yakuza to make money off of."

"And if we get captured, we're all either gonna end up dead or trafficked as well," the martial artist stated plainly. Ever since they planned this in Osoro's house, he felt that this was all very impulsive and too reliant on good luck. However, he didn't choose to say anything because he didn't have any better alternatives to bring to the table. The police wouldn't take their claim seriously without proof, so it was up to them to save Osoro's mother. But now that they were here, he was seriously doubting Osoro's "plan".

"Look, I didn't want you guys to come in the first place! But you insisted on coming, so stop being a pussy about it–"

"OKAY!" Taro shouted, shutting them both up. "We're not making any progress sitting in the car arguing. Let's just get out, save your mother, and then we can argue about how risky of an idea this was!"

As Taro unbuckled his seatbelt, a terrifying thought came to Budo's head. He shuddered at the thought becoming a reality. "Um... Taro, no offense but... I think you should stay in the car," he said carefully.

"What?" Taro turned around to look at him. While it was dark as night, Budo could practically see the glare Taro was giving him. "We're all here to save his mother, and you want me to stay in the car like a sitting duck?"

"Where you'll be safe!" Budo defended passionately.

Taro lifted his eyes to the heavens. "I'm not staying in the car while you two risk your lives in there! Wasn't it made clear that we were all in this together?"

Osoro chewed on his lip. "Hate to say it... but I'm siding with Masuta on this," he muttered.

"Osoro!"

"Calm down, sweetheart, I just think it would be better if one of us stayed in the car, ready to make our getaway," the delinquent explained, ignoring Taro's look of betrayal.

Sweetheart? Budo narrowed his eyes at the delinquent, who he has still yet to figure out if he really is a rival for Taro's heart.

"But–" Taro attempted to argue, but Osoro cut him off with another counterargument.

"And if something happens to me and Masuta, at least one of us will still be available to call the police."

"I thought you said you didn't want the police involved," Taro commented, raising an eyebrow.

Osoro rolled his eyes. "Not if things get out of hand." He knew Taro could be stubborn, but not this stubborn. Did he want to face certain death? They were all here for his mother; he did not want to be held responsible if something happened to the only person who understood him and showed him real kindness. "If you start hearing multiple gun fires, call the police."

Taro was still glaring at him. He and Budo came out here with him to help save his mother. He did not want to stay in the car like a child they were babysitting.