The Yakuza's flower

Vacation?

Ume's POV

After that sweet day with Prince, we didn't see each other much for almost two weeks.

Hanayama got buried in work, and I got buried in work and my son. Life pulled us in different directions again, and even though I tried not to let it bother me, the space between us felt heavier than I wanted to admit.

I filled my days with noise and movement—wiping tables, serving coffee, smiling at regulars. Anything to keep my hands busy and my mind off the quiet.

When I wasn't at the café, I spent time with Kozue, helping her through her pregnancy. We'd go shopping together, pick out baby things she didn't need yet, and talk about cravings that made no sense. Sometimes she'd ask what it was like when Prince was a newborn, and I'd tell her about sleepless nights and little victories—his first smile, the way he'd curl his hand around my finger like it was the whole world.

I laughed a lot with her. But there were nights, after I put Prince down and the café lights went out, when I'd lie in bed and really miss hanayama being beside me. Sure we would call each other and have a quick chat but it wasn't enough.

One night, after closing up the café and going home early, I finally got Prince down to sleep. The house was quiet. Too quiet. I was halfway through cleaning up when a knock rattled against the door.

My stomach flipped. It was late. Too late for visitors.

I wiped my hands on a towel and went to check.

When I opened the door, the last thing I expected was to see Kozue—and Hanayama—standing there.

Kozue had that mischievous sparkle in her eyes, the one that usually meant trouble wrapped up as "good intentions." Hanayama stood just behind her, his massive frame taking up most of the doorway, hands buried in his pants pockets.

"Hey?" I blinked. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Well," Kozue started, brushing past me like she owned the place, "I'm here to babysit—and you're going on vacation."

I froze. "What?"

"You heard me." She dropped her bag onto the couch, already looking around. "You and Hanayama are going away for a few days. Don't worry, Prince is in good hands. I've got everything handled. Plus, I could use the practice." She said as she rubbed her little belly.

I turned toward Hanayama, wide-eyed. "You planned this?"

He gave a small grunt, not denying it. "...Yeah."

I blinked again. "And you didn't think to tell me?"

He shrugged, gaze steady. "You'd have said no."

He wasn't wrong—but still.

"I can't just leave, I have work—"

"Already cleared," Kozue cut in, waving a hand. "One of the girls from the café will cover you. Everything's taken care of."

I looked between the two of them, feeling cornered but also... oddly seen.

I took a deep breath and looked at hanayama
"Okay, fine. Where to? And what do I need to pack?"

"You'll see." He said to me as he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.

I let out a startled squeak, pounding lightly at his back. "Huh? Hanayama! What about my clothes!"

He didn't even flinch, carrying me like I weighed nothing at all. His stride was steady, unhurried, like he'd already decided I wasn't getting out of this.