Coroyakuza

Thirty Four|| Into the Light

"No-no, no, no, no!"

Every gangster in Inkopolis crowded around Prince, who was on his knees at the edge of the deck. Emperor was next to him, his knees weak as he looked down into the water. Marina watched from a short distance, holding a weeping 8, trying to keep herself from doing the same. The atmosphere was tense, rivals were everywhere. Yet despite that, they all stood in silence.

Suddenly a path was made, and a small golden inkling ran through it. Her eyes held a deep sorrow, and the same shine as Pearl's. Emperor turned and saw his mother, scurrying over to her sons. Tears immediately began to stream down her face when she reached the edge. She slowly knelt next to Prince. "Pearl... My shining daughter, she really is gone," Mrs. Houzuki's proper facade was quickly diminished by a sob. Marina frowned and concluded it was the most heartbreaking noise she had ever heard. Prince held his sobbing mother with glassy eyes while Emperor frantically tried to hide the tears streaming down his face.

He seemed startled when a hand was placed on his shoulder. "It's okay to cry," Gloves whispered. Emperor turned to him. He tried to keep a poker face but Gloves could see the sorrow and anger in his sharp eyes. The green inkling pulled the taller boy into a hug, and that was when the king began to cry. "I'm so sorry, Emp," Gloves muttered, stroking his tentacles. A quiet sob left Emperor's mouth as he clung on to his boyfriend tightly, soon forgetting the crowd.

Marina gently let go of 8 and hesitantly walked towards Pearl's mother taking a seat next to her. She anxiously handed her a neatly folded piece of paper. "This is Pearl's will. I think she'd want you to read it after the funeral," she began, letting a stray tear roll down her cheek. "Are you my daughter's lawyer?" Mrs. Houzuki asked. Prince looked at Marina and bit on his lip. "I'm, er, I'm Marina, Pearl's... g-girlfriend," she stared at the ground, too scared to meet the woman's gaze. A few nearby inklings began to whisper and stare, Marina tried her best to ignore them. "O-Oh." Mrs. Houzuki shakily grabbed the will. "The funeral will be as soon as possible," Emperor announced. "A-Are you sure that's necessary?" Prince asked, rising unsteadily, wincing at the pain in his side. Emperor nodded. "Of course it's necessary." Mrs. Houzuki nodded in agreement.

"How soon?" Marina asked. "Tonight," Emperor stated. "Isn't that a little too soon?" Prince muttered quietly. Emperor stared at Prince like the younger boy had just slapped him. "Are you kidding? Pearl is dead, Prince. I'm already refraining myself from making it right now," he said. N-Pacer stepped forward. "Emperor, calm down. Don't be so harsh on him. He lost the same person that you lost," she said, looking at him with mournful eyes. "Don't talk to me like you care. You didn't even like Pearl," he said venomously. "I looked up to Pearl, Emp. I saw her as my own sister—" Emperor scoffed. "Well, she wasn't your sister." Prince scowled. "Stop it, Emp."

"Tonight is fine," Mrs. Houzuki decided. "And every gangster in Inkopolis will attend, in honor of our Oyabun," Emperor announced. All the gang members there nodded respectively.

•

This funeral might have been the biggest funeral Inkopolis has ever seen. Although it was a sad event, Marina couldn't help but notice how beautiful everything was set up. Skipper Pavilion was already a beautiful place itself, but it was dark and string lights were hung neatly along the walls. Adorning the floor were lanterns, ready to be lit and put into the water. Right where Marina had found Pearl's phone, an alter was made. Pearl's smiling picture (which Marina gave Mrs. Houzuki) was framed and placed in the middle of uncountable candles and flowers. A few feet away stood a grand piano, and how it got there was a mystery but Marina couldn't help but notice that engraved on the side was her last name. The Houzuki's were all standing in front of the alter, all of which were crying but still somewhat keeping their composure. Mrs. Houzuki leaned against Emperor, a few tears falling onto his tuxedo. He didn't seem to mind.