Lookism: What Am I Even Doing?

CHERRY (8)

CHERRY: THE LIFE OF A FIGHTER

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Argh! This is what I get for giving them the benefit of the doubt! I was trying to be the bigger person here! Maybe I really should've beaten them up! I screamed silently into my pillow. Were high schoolers always this frustrating?

I wish I could at least say that Yua was joking. To any sane adult it would sound like it. Except I've known that girl long enough to know she was 100% serious. But still, this was too much even for her. What good will it do to get involved with the Yakuza?

We were lucky enough as it is not to have any direct problems with them. During this time, the Yakuza was still laying low since the only recent departure of the US Military from Saitama. In neighboring cities like Kawaguchi, Koshigaya, and Soka, the Yakuza have become more rampant.

Here we've only heard small news. The biggest trouble was those high schoolers that got dropped off in front of the hospital. Yet that was still a bit away from Johnsontown. I'm not trying to bring those sorts of troubles into my life.

Hearing about the Yakuza in my previous life was already terrifying enough. There's a fine line between law and criminal activity. Yet, there are people who can cross those lines. People with money, people with power, and people that incite fear. The Yakuza had all those three. They made money off fear and used that money to give themselves power.

Police aim to avoid them rather than solving this underworld organization because of the repercussions it might cost. Not to mention...that gangs like this actually do benefit the economy. Like any job, they flood the market with money, no matter how it's obtained. Not that I'm with what they do.

Gun trade.

Extortion.

Turf wars.

Prostitution.

Sex-trafficking.

Want to know something funny though? Yakuza think themselves bigger than everyday criminals because they follow a strict code. A code of ethics that allowed them to do all these things. How ironic don't you think?

1. Treat those above you with respect.

2. Don't steal from commoners.

3. Don't get involved with family or partners of other members.

4. Never do drug work. (Though this a rule that some ignore)

5. Always act chivalrously.

Rules always have loopholes. And through the latter of power, the smaller groups are the ones who end up with the most freedom. Out on the street you have to watch out for the young ones who think of being a Yakuza as showmanship or sport rather than a lifestyle.

They treat other Yakuza with respect as well as their families. Yet when it comes to people like us, they always look down. Sure there have been moments in history where this criminal organization has helped the common people but let us not forget all the bad they've done.

Though I do suppose the world needs necessary evil. I once watched a documentary in my previous high school years. A lot of the information is a bit fuzzy now but the goal of the Yakuza was, in some way, to create a system to govern themselves. Some of these men are respectable enough but like I said, there are others who get drunk on the power of belonging to a big name.

If they don't steal from us then they steal from others with money. If they don't get involved with each other's loved ones, then they objectify women or degrade others they see as weak. They don't do drugs yet they smoke and drink. I've never seen a Yakuza up close to question their chivalry and I don't hope to.