It was said that the Yamaguchi-gumi is the strongest and biggest yakuza clan there is. And in that big family of yakuza, there was a beautiful growing dragon. Cold and heartless. Fearless and strongest. And the youngest chosen one.
At ako yun.
I...
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Nasa tapat kami ng entrance ng grand hall ng hotel kung san kasalukuyang ginaganap ang gala ng isang kumpanya kung san major shareholder ang Yamaguchi-gumi.
Kanina pa ako pinagpapawisan ng malamig. Hindi dahil sa suot ko na low back gown. Kundi dahil sa kaba. Napansin yata ni Kai na hindi ako mapakali kaya bigla nyang hinawakan ang kamay ko. He leaned down and whispered something in my ear.
"I'm right here. " I think it was an assurance to make me feel secure and calm. Tila may kung anung lumambot sa puso ko sa simple gesture nyang yon.
Tumango ako ng sunod sunod saka huminga ng malalim. I can't show any weakness to anyone.
Tonight, I am Ryujin Yamaguchi, the daughter of Taiga Yamaguchi. And tonight, I am the Eight. Kailangan kong gampanan ng mabuti ang titulong yon.
Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko habang pilit iwinawaksi ang anu pa mang pag-aalinlangan, takot, at kaba na natitira pa sa dibdib ko.
When I opened my eyes, the door to the grand hall opened and at the back of my head, I can hear the MC mentioning me and Kai's name as well as the name of the Yamaguchi-gumi.
Everyone's clapping their hands as if they're genuinely welcoming us. Diretso ang tingin ko habang naglalakad papunta sa pinakaharapan.
Ilang sandali pa at nasa harapan na nila kami. And then Kai and I bowed to the audience. I feel so overwhelmed right now.
Maya maya pa'y may nag-abot sakin ng wireless mic, si Kai. Bahagya ko syang tinanguan saka ko kinuha yung mic sa kanya.
Pinaglakbay ko ang tingin ko sa kabuan ng lugar na yun. Everyone is waiting for me to talk. And even if all of them are wearing masks, I can still feel their expecting gazes. I can read everything that's going in their heads.
Tumikhim ako.
"Good evening......." I started. But before I go on, hindi ko namalayan ang sarili ko na lumingon saglit sa likuran ko kung san nanatiling nakatayo si Kai. Our eyes met and all of the nerves in my body relaxed. Huminga ako ng malalim at bumalik sa mga nasa harapan ko.
"I know that all of you were expecting for Mr. Yanagi's speech for tonight. But I hope that you give me a chance to introduce myself first and tell you how grateful I am to be here standing in front all of you right now. *bows* I am Ryujin Yamaguchi. A few years ago, I was the Chief Operation Officer of the Yamaguchi Financial Group. But apart from my former position in the group, I am also the daughter of a selfless and a very hardworking man... Mr. Taiga Yamaguchi." I stopped for awhile. Pilit kong nilunok ang bara sa lalamunan ko.
I tried to clear my throat and went on on my speech.
"And now I am grateful to meet such hardworking individuals tonight. You guys remind me of my father. And I hope you continue on giving your absolute best to support the Yamaguchi Group as a family. Tonight I want everyone to be a part of this important announcement....... I am officially taking over the Philippines branch with the guidance of Mr. Kai Yanagi who was your COO last year. Together, we will support more aspiring businessmans, striving hard to make their companies big. I am also planning on expanding our charity organization to cater more on education. The construction of an orphanage is already on going. And this the very reason that we are here gathered right now. Sana ay maraming magpaabot ng tulong para sa mga batang nangangailangan. Maraming salamat sa pagpunta ngayong gabi. Please enjoy the night. "
