Dirty, Dirty Liars [Mature]

[29] 二十九

Life became oddly calm after the party in Yokohama. The oyabun left the following morning to resume his "business" outside of Tokyo.

The freedom Ryuzo had when his father was gone brought him back into himself. He still traveled all over their territory, the same as before, but began bringing me when he could. Hotels in various places, some day trips to nearby cities. Brooding but calm, he was back to who he was before everything went down, before he was in constant fear for my life. Except for one thing.

He wouldn't say it, but I knew. The deal he made with his father was going to keep him in the Yakuza. He had us where he wanted. Ryuzo would accept his place in the lineage as long as I was safe. But I wouldn't accept that.

Having a deeper insight into what Ryuzo did for the Yakuza and why changed my view of him and strengthened our relationship. Love aside, our desire to have a normal life bonded us, free of the drugs, the murder, and the constant worry. I wanted him to be free of it, and he wanted to save me from it. Our goals were the same. We were a team, true partners, something neither of us had before. The feeling was incomparable.

I stayed clear of the business side of what he did, focusing only on proving my trustworthiness and reestablishing myself at work. Every day that passed, I felt confident that I got away with it. No one mentioned missing inventory, no random drug testing, no change in Ori's demeanor. A victimless crime.

After our weekly overlapping shift, we went to Kat's favorite ramen place, sitting at the bar in the packed and noisy restaurant, me sandwiched between Ayumi and Ori. I basked in the delicious saltiness of the broth, forgetting I was in public and needing to keep up a conversation.

Ayumi looked at me like I was a poodle forced to do tricks on the sidewalk. "You seem better. Is everything better?" she asked me in a whisper.

"It is," I said, and believed.

"Did you do the favor?"

"Yes."

She nodded. "So will you leave?"

I blinked. ". . . I'm not sure."

"You should leave as soon as it is safe. Do not let them make you believe you are safe."

Kat pulled her attention away. I stared at my noodles, trying to remember why I was eating them. My phone pinged with a message from Ryuzo. A selfie of him holding up Susu, his face buried in her fluffy mane. Her big green eyes didn't have a single thought behind them. This was his way of saying he was back home.

"Is that him?" Ori asked. I jumped, finding him peeking over my shoulder.

My instinct was to lie, but the only visible part of Ryuzo's face was his cheek and a closed eye. I exhaled with relief. "Yes."

"He is real," he joked. "Kat, look!"

She leaned in to see, Ori gesturing for me to show her. I hesitated for a moment, but did it.

Ryuzo was my secret, my most prized possession. I was protective of him and his privacy, much like I was with my own. Regardless of what Ayumi suggested, I wasn't leaving until I could leave with him. There was no other option in my mind.

She snapped her fingers in cheers. "Yes! He's real and serving puss."

I took my phone back, sending him a text while digging for the last of my noodles.

I can't wait to see both of you tonight

The conversation continued without me. While shamelessly drinking my broth, my phone vibrated on the table. Ryuzo calling.