A "Father" in an Unclean World

Chapter 7 - Chuuya

"Ah! Nakahara-san! Perfect timing!" Mori called out, rather pleased.

"Boss, I'll ask again. Who is that?" The ginger asked.

Mori turned his head to Atsushi, who stood there rather confused and on his best defense. The man grinned at the boy's response then looked back at Chuuya.

"That would be Atsushi-shōnen, Chuuya-san. He is a new recruit." Mori responded.

Mori turned his attention back to Atsushi. "No need to be so tense around this man, Atsushi-shōnen. This is Chuuya Nakahara, one of my executives." Mori told Atsushi. It was like some sort of aid in reassuring Atsushi that Chuuya would not do anything to him.

Atsushi understood, sure, but that didn't mean he wasn't still on his guard. However, he did calm down, if only a bit.

Mori turned his attention back to Chuuya, who did not seem surprised in the least. However, his facial expression was one of curiosity. A little less intense than Mori's face when he was curious, which often had a menacing undertone to it. Chuuya's curiosity seemed genuine, like he wanted to get to know and understand Atsushi better, and why he was recruited.

"Nakahara-san, I would like to request that you train young Atsushi-shōnen here. His ability is strong, but if he is to survive in this environment then he would need better control. I think you're the best candidate to help, no?" Mori suddenly requested, waiting for the ginger-head's response.

"Yes, boss." Chuuya said, making a slight bow out of courtesy.

Mori smiled pleasantly, happy with the man's response. He then clapped his hands together and said, "Perfect! I'll leave him in your care for now. I must tend to some... issues, then I shall return and see if there is any improvement."

Chuuya nodded, and Mori walked away. That left Atsushi with Chuuya, alone, now. Atsushi made a small gesture. A small wave of his hand. "Ah... hello Nakahara-san..." He said, slight nervousness in his tone.

Chuuya's attention snapped back to the skinny boy, and his pathetic posture.

"Hey... Well, come on. Let's see what you've got." Chuuya said. "I want to see what Mori-san is so interested in, so follow me now."

Atsushi nodded, following after the short man. He fiddled with his fingers and cuticles again, peeling slightly at them. It was like peeling a banana peel.

Chuuya was leading the way somewhere. Atsushi couldn't tell where, as he was not used to the large layout of the Port Mafia building. And to be quite frank, he had only been here a day at the least. The halls were not empty, but it felt deafeningly silent. Possibly because Chuuya did not speak to Atsushi.

"How long have you been here?" Chuuya asked out of the blue, breaking the silence.

"Well, umm... Just a day." Atsushi responded.

"A day, huh? Then how long have you known Mori-san?"

"Also a day..."

"A day and he's already interested..." Chuuya muttered. "What's your ability, Atsushi?"

"Mori called it Beast Beneath the Moonlight. I'm not so sure how it functions, but Mori-san showed me a video. I guess I can become a white tiger in the moonlight... I'm not so sure..."

"Odd... There must be more to your ability than that." Chuuya said, tilting his head slightly.

"Well, um... When I was a tiger, I was pretty strong... I don't really know, I didn't even know what an ability was until this morning." Atsushi looked down, feeling ashamed somehow.