Are You The One Jo Togame?

Chapter 24 - The Past (Part 15) The Fall Out

Growing up, Togame and I shared a bond that transcended the typical cousin relationship. Despite being first cousins, our connection was more akin to that of brothers. I looked out for him and treated him with the same care and affection one would extend to a younger sibling. Togame was always larger than life in every sense—physically imposing and mature beyond his years. Even though there was a ten-year age gap between us, his demeanor and wisdom made it easy to forget he was so much younger. He carried himself with a confidence and gravitas that belied his age, often making him seem like a peer instead of a younger cousin.
Our family had high hopes for Togame. He was the shining star among us, admired and beloved by everyone. His presence brought a unique energy that made him stand out, a fact that wasn't lost on anyone. As the years went by, our partnership only grew stronger. Togame and I were an unbeatable duo. I made a promise to him that one day, when he was old enough, we would take over the family business together. It was a dream I held dear, envisioning a future where we would lead with the same camaraderie and success that defined our early years together. But life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges. The year 2020 brought a seismic shift in our lives. At just seventeen, Togame made a decision that stunned me to my core—he joined the Shishitoren gang. The news was a shock, not just because of the suddenness but also because it seemed so contrary to everything we had planned. At that time, I was twenty-seven, freshly graduated and ready to step into the family business alongside my father. My life was just beginning to take shape, and I had envisioned Togame being a central part of that journey. I advised him against this drastic move, urging him to reconsider. The path he was choosing seemed fraught with danger and uncertainty, far removed from the future we had envisioned. But Togame was resolute. His newfound association with the Shishitoren gang was more than just a passing phase; it was a commitment he was ready to see through. He began to act out, driven by a sense of independence and a desire to forge his own path. No amount of reasoning or pleading could sway him from his course. As he delved deeper into the world of the Shishitoren gang, I watched with a heavy heart. The gang was gaining recognition and popularity, and Togame was becoming a notable figure within it. The very essence of who he was seemed to shift as he embraced this new identity. It was as if the boy I once knew was slipping away, replaced by someone whose values and ambitions were increasingly alien to me.Our once inseparable bond began to fracture under the weight of this new reality. The future we had dreamed of, the shared aspirations and plans, were now overshadowed by the choices Togame had made. It was a painful realization, one that left me grappling with the loss of the close relationship we had once enjoyed. I could only hope that, in time, Togame would come to see the consequences of his decisions and perhaps find his way back to the path we had envisioned together.

The situation with Togame had taken a dark and dangerous turn, but nothing could have prepared me for the horrific events that followed. The strain of his involvement with the Shishitoren gang had escalated beyond mere family disagreements; it now threatened the very fabric of our lives. 

It all began when I received an urgent call from my father's secretary. Panic surged through me as I listened to the frantic voice on the other end. My father had been attacked on his way home from work. The words were barely out of my mouth before I was rushing to the scene, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and dread. When I arrived, the sight was nothing short of a nightmare. My father lay on the cold pavement, surrounded by a pool of his own blood. The once strong and imposing figure of my father was now reduced to a broken and battered form. The sight of him in such a vulnerable state was a visceral shock that I struggled to process. If I hadn't arrived when I did, I knew with chilling certainty that I could have lost him forever. My mind raced as I frantically checked his condition, trying to stem the flow of blood and keep him conscious until help arrived. But amid the chaos, I could barely think beyond the immediate urgency of the situation. The focus quickly shifted to Togame. My rage boiled over as I confronted him, demanding answers. Togame's response was cold and detached. He explained, almost with a sense of twisted justification, that he had orchestrated the attack because he wanted to free me from what he perceived as my family's abusive treatment. His words were laced with a misguided sense of righteousness, a warped belief that he was somehow rescuing me from a life he felt was unworthy. Enraged and desperate for clarity, I confronted him, asking over and over why he believed he had the right to make such a decision for me. His answers were always the same—he claimed to be acting out of concern for my well-being, that his actions were meant to liberate me from the emotional and psychological torment he believed I was suffering. In the heat of the confrontation, our argument escalated into a physical fight. The fury and betrayal I felt were matched by Togame's sheer strength and aggression. Despite my best efforts, I was no match for him. He overpowered me with brutal force, leaving me bruised and battered on the ground. The physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional agony of seeing my cousin, who was once like a brother to me, become my tormentor. As I lay there, struggling to catch my breath, Togame's words echoed in my mind. He claimed he did it all for me, but the betrayal felt too deep to reconcile. In his distorted view of saving me, he had crossed a line that was unforgivable. His actions had shattered not just our bond but also the very foundation of trust and family that we once shared.