Life in Borderland

The King of Spades

Ten Years Ago

"Nami! Namika, I know you're in there. Come on out!" The voice belonged to sixteen year old Daiki Kagami, a fresh member of the Yakuza and Namika Kagami's older brother by a year and a half. 

Daiki was banging on the front door of, fifteen year old, Namika's boyfriend's family home... just thankfully, neither of, seventeen year old, Suguru Niragi's parents were home. The couple were crouched down, out of sight of any windows, hoping that Namika's brother would just give up and go away. It had been six months since she had run away from home and had been living with the Niragi's and other than at school, she didn't see Daiki all that much, which made his presence here strange. Namika had also been careful; other than Suguru and his parents, no one else knew about their relationship. So Daiki searching for her here was very strange.

Looking at Suguru, Namika's eyes met with his dark gaze that was hidden behind his black set of glasses. His hair spilled messily over his forehead and despite the fear on his face, he held Namika closely. She loved him. For the first time in her life, Namika actually loved someone and was loved in return. She didn't care if Suguru was a nerd and she didn't care that everyone else bullied him. In her eyes, he was perfect and she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with him. Suguru had dreams of becoming a game developer and with his grades, he would most certainly be able to achieve it if he really set his mind to it.

"I'll go out and tell him you're not here." Suguru whispered to her, causing Namika to frown at him. "He's not going to leave otherwise."

"I don't want him hurting you." She replied, cupping his face as she spoke. Suguru placed both of his hands over hers and flashed her a smile.

"It's Daiki, not Hachi. I'll be okay." He said, a slight tremble to his voice.

Namika watched as Suguru moved to his feet and headed to the door while she stayed crouched down out of sight. She was close enough to hear everything that went on, but she could only see Suguru. As the door opened, Namika watched as Suguru swallowed nervously.

"Ahhh, Niragi. Finally, someone answered." Daiki was saying with an pleasant tone, "I'm here for my sister. Where is she?" The tone immediately changed to a serious one that she could see unnerved Suguru.

"She's not here." Suguru replied sheepishly.

"Oh really? That's so weird, Niragi." Daiki laughed. "Because, I've been told by pretty much everyone I hang out with, that Namika has been spotted walking into this very house with you everyday after school. Why would they lie to me?" Daiki's said, his tone still serious, borderline threatening.

"I-I don't know. I don't know where she is." Suguru said once more.

"We're really doing this? My little sister runs away from home six months ago and then I finally find her... with you... a senior no less... and you lie to me about it. This isn't a good look, man." Daiki wasn't messing around and as Suguru opened his mouth to speak, Namika watched as Daiki shoved him back against the wall and entered the home. Straight away, his eyes fell onto Namika who rose to her feet and ran to Suguru's side.

"Leave him alone!" Namika snapped at her brother who wore a grin.

"I guess the rumours about you two being an item are true as well." He mused before he grabbed Namika by the arm. "We need to have a little chat. I'm worried about you." His tone had changed from threatening to sincere in all of about three seconds. If it were anyone else who had said those words, she might have been scared. But, as bad as Daiki was, he had a soft spot for her.

"Okay, fine. You could have just called, you know." Namika snapped, glancing at Suguru one last time before she and Daiki moved out of the home and far enough away so that Suguru couldn't hear them.