Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER ONE - A Misunderstanding

"Uh...Papa...is this absolutely necessary..?" I sweatdropped as I motioned to the fleet of henchmensurrounding our table. Every single guest and staff member was eyeing us in sheer terror, and I was beginning to feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Just ignore them...Tell me, how is college?" My uncle rested his cushioned chin in his palm as he sloshed his wine around in the glass. "I trust they're treating you well?"

"They kind of don't have a choice when you've offered so much money to every member of the board..." I snorted, folding my arms across the top of the table. "...but it's alright, I suppose. I chose some art course and psychology..." I hadn't wanted to do the latter, but I didn't have much choice. The art world was cruel, and I couldn't count on it to make bank. Not that I needed it.

"Ah, you've always had your nose stuck in that sketch pad of yours...It's a pity, you could have been so useful to the syndicate." He sighed almost sadly. "My boys keep asking over you. I find it rather amusing, really." Every time I met with my uncle, he would bring up the syndicate. I knew he wanted me to be a part of his work, but I wasn't willing to get too close. He was family, and that meant I was born dangling off the deep end, but I had managed to keep a firm grip on the edge. Of course, he would try to tempt me by paying for my education, which had resulted in me graduating early and being welcomed into a renound collage. It was rough, but I guess I could only thank him for it.

The main issue was that whenever I visited his mansion, I had to stay guarded. If I were to wander into a room and witness something, that would be the end of it. I wouldn't be able to escape his world anymore. I knew he didn't do anything too bad, but there was still always a risk to being associated with him.

"I know, Papa...but I'm happy as I am. We actually have an art display night coming up next week...I was hoping that perhaps you'd like to come see it..?" It was wishful thinking, of course. He'd never come to any event I had invited him to, only ever sending one of his men in his place. He scratched his chin and gave me one of his lazy smiles.

"I shall fix up my schedule so I can attend. Can't miss my little Pup's big debut..." His words made me shudder. They were painfully familiar, but I pushed the feeling to the back of my mind as I stood up.

"Thank you so much! I can't wait! I'm really sorry, but I actually have to head back to the campus now to finish off a few of my works...I'll try to stop by your place later in the week, I promise!" I shuffled over to his side of the table, having to squeeze my way past his brutes, and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. He responded with his usual, hearty chuckle, and then suggested I allow one of his men to escourt me, but of course I declined. I didn't want people to fear me, not more than they already did.

Outside of the resteraunt, I pulled my phone out of my bag to check for any missed messages. I always had it silent when I met with my uncle, just to be on the safe side. Naturally, I wasn't watching where I was going, and quickly ended up bumping shoulders with someone.

"Oh, I'm really so-" When I looked up, I had to muffle a surprised squeak as I locke eyes' or rather, lenses, with a rowdy looking man. He sported some strange, fluffy mohawk, dyed a vibrant shade of purple, and he smiled at me apologetically.

"My bad! Wasn't paying much attention, ma'am! Later!" With that short apology, he jetted off, and I was left gawking after his unusual appearance.

He seems...interesting...

Shrugging it off, I continued on until I reached my campus, and steadily made my way to the art department. Nobody was there, it being late on the weekend, but I was thankful. Nobody giving me strange looks or whispering about whether or not I'd kill them in their sleep if they surpassed my grades. It wasn't easy being a blood relative of a mafia big shot, but I had quickly grown used to the negative attention. It wasn't as awful as people thought. My uncle wasn't that bad. Sure, he was often mixed up in some risky business, but he was a kind man. I settled in to work on my charcoal sketch, when suddenly a loud, obnoxious cough sounded from the doorway behind me.