chapter 17

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It was especially eerie out that day, October was swiftly approaching

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It was especially eerie out that day, October was swiftly approaching. And yet – even though it'd only been September, the fog that day was as dense as could be. He walked to the building that the yakuza typically operated at in the Kyoto area, barely making it to the door, quite disorienting to find his way through such a mist.

Hideto was there again, and he'd recognized that expression anywhere, the look of peril in his eyes. It was the same expression he'd held when Takamasa had first gone into a coma, in that moment, Yuta knew what the next words out of his mouth were gonna be. "Ishihara didn't make it." He'd expected those words and, even then, it still cut like a knife.

Takamasa was a good friend, a brother even. The yakuza was always more of a family to Yuta than his actual family, it was such a shame that he had to die so soon. If he'd been less disciplined, he would've cried.

So many memories flashed in his brain, of how him and Takamasa used to laugh. Late nights spent at his stuffy little strip club, the one that he was so proud of, and that Yuta found miserable half of the time. What he would've gave to get back to that club, if only to see his friend again.

They should've been making plans for his next night club, but instead, they were making funeral plans. It was such a shame, that things ended up this way. Now, any achievement he made would have the bitter aftertaste of knowing that a good friend won't be there to see it.

Hideto seemed far desensitized to this by now, he'd seen too many good men die early. This had happened time and time again, but not to anyone Yuta knew. He'd heard that before he joined, there was a big incident with someone who betrayed their trust.

The day was long once again, but this time it felt so much longer. The distressing nature of everything just had him wiped, he couldn't explain it but it was like something was just – off. It didn't matter how many places he had to go, the deals he had to make. God, it all blended.

By the time the day ended, it felt like he ran around for nothing. He was so relieved to sit down in his couch, and just relax for a moment. However, the thought wouldn't leave his mind, he had this strange feeling of... Emptiness.

He got a text from Sicheng, he'd given him his personal number by now. Just another testament to their growing closeness, he didn't give his phone number out easily.

Winko <3: how was your day?

Winko <3: ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

If only he knew how much this statement fueled his domestic fantasies, he could imagine Sicheng loosening his tie after a long day like this and massaging his shoulders. That would be so idyllic as of now.

yuta~: it wasn't great honestly

yuta~: my friend died today

yuta~: he was in a coma for months, but he didn't make it

Winko <3: oh my god, I'm so sorry...

yuta~: it's alright, it wasn't your fault

yuta~: he got into a motorcycle accident

Winko <3: that's terrible, I honestly can't even imagine. If there's anything I can do at all to help, let me know.

yuta~: I know I ask for a lot, but would you mind coming to the funeral?

yuta~: you don't have to

Winko <3: I don't mind at all, I can absolutely do that

yuta~: thank you, from the bottom of my heart

yuta~: it'd just be easier for me to have you beside me

Winko <3: it's no problem, I'm just glad I could be there for you

Winko <3: you mean a lot to me

The only time he'd smiled all day, that was really the power that the younger had over him. He truly was beginning to believe that Sicheng wasn't only interested in him for financial convenience, even as he worked towards his dream.

He looked at Yuta with all the love that he'd never had before, not even from the yakuza, not that type of love. That's why Yuta poured his trust into Sicheng, because he felt as if he'd never betray his trust, not til the day he dies.

A day that Yuta hoped he'd never live to see.

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