Yakuza!!!

Chapter 26

In the pov of Rei

I could only watch under the bright hospital lights as Mei was taken to the OR, and I was taken to the VIP waiting area.

I was told the best doctor would operate on her, but it didn't calm me as Mei was the best in this hospital. 

I pushed my head into my hands and sighed.

Mei was trying to say something to me. She called me Rei. That was the first time she had ever done that or embraced me or smiled like that to me.

There was a quiet voice next to me as T sat down.

"The bodies have been disposed of, sir." I looked at him and nodded.

"Thank you, Tarou. How many of ours?" Tarou is T's real name. Only I know it.

He sighed.

"Twenty, sir. They were more skilled than we expected and there were more in numbers than we expected. Their bodies have been returned to their homes to their families. How is little Ojou?"

I shook my head.

"I don't know. She was taken to be operated on an hour ago, but there's nothing. The nurses assured me they would do everything to help her, but her chances are only so-so. Her lung was pierced, and it will be replaced with a new one. Luckily they develop spare organs in this hospital, and there was no need to ship a new one. So, Tarou, I don't know what I will do if she dies."

He looked at me worried, and I did probably look terrible.

"Don't worry, boss, she's a fighter. You saw her handling that guy. She won't die from something little like a stabbing." I nodded.

We were silent, but then T spoke.

"I know this is not the best moment, but Oyabun visited the manor. He was searching for you. We were forced to tell him what happened, but he seemed to already know about little Ojou's existence. He wished to meet her." 

I sighed.

"Did you tell father she was stabbed?" T nodded.

"And?" T shook his head.

"He was greatly disappointed in you for letting his possible daughter-in-law get into a situation like that. He wishes for you to marry her during the next year, or he will arrange a marriage for you." 

I bit my lip.

"Yeah, now wasn't a good time. Can you leave me alone for a while?" He nodded and left.

Two more excruciating hours went by until finally, an older doctor walked to me.

I stood up, and he smiled at me.

"The operation was successful, and she is stable. She is in her room, and you can go see her now." I nodded and walked past him to the room he pointed at.

I opened the door, and there she was, lying peacefully on the bed. I walked to the bed and sat next to it.

She seemed so peaceful and calm. I could feel pressure falling off my shoulders as I looked at her face.

"She will live." I broke out crying next to her as all the fears washed away with those three words from the doctor behind me.

In the pov of Mei

It was dark, but I could hear voices.

The voice of Rei talking to me quietly. He told a story of a foolish man who fell in love with an angel.

Angel who didn't want him, but as he was powerful and angel weak from an injury, he made the angel his captive.

Another voice I heard was Yui telling me how she was finally allowed to start physical therapy and how she needed me there.

My world was dark, and I couldn't quite grasp why I was here? I didn't quite get why I would want to leave this world of quiet and peaceful whispers.

Voices were coming and going. One voice, however, never left. 

Rei.

Oh yes, I wanted to go to him.

He is the reason why I didn't give up.

He is the reason why I want to leave this world of whispers.

But how? How will I? 

"Just open your eyes, Mei." I twitched.

Rei.

How will I open them? I don't remember how. I do want to.

But if I want to, why couldn't I?

I searched for the muscles on my face and, little by little, opened them, letting blinding light in.

I could see him.

He looked out the window, and I smiled, looking at his features.

I searched for my voice, and as I found it, I smiled some more.

"Rei." My voice was quiet but loud enough for him to turn and look at me, shocked and happy.

"Rei, I was supposed to tell you." He was about to shh me quiet, but I didn't. I need to get this out of my system.

"Rei, I love you." His face fell, and he started crying, pushing his head on my body. I raised my hand to run it through his hair. 

"I love you too, Mei. Thank you for coming back to me." He was sobbing as he talked, and I smiled as he embraced me.

"Rei? I was wondering. Is the offer you gave me that day still on? Can I still say yes?" He looked at me and nodded. His eyes were telling me he would want nothing more.

He stood up, cleared his voice, and kneeled.

"Will you, Ichinose Mei, spend the rest of your life with me and no one else? Will you love me in sickness and in health, in uphill and downhill? Will you marry me?" I smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I will."

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The story will continue in Yakuza!!! -his bride.