The Bad, The Bidder, and the Daughter (KBTBB)

Eisuke: Fifteen

EITO POV

Breakfast with the Oh family was an... interesting affair.

"Oh Eito, sweetie, are you enjoying the omelettes? I made them completely from scratch!" 

I adored Mrs. Oh (who continued to insist I call her Auntie) with every fiber of my being. She was what I imagined Mom to be like if she wasn't sick. She was so full of life and kind to everyone she encountered. Not what one would expect of a mobster's wife, but I had the sneaking suspicion she could kick ass if she ever so desired to do so.

I gave her a smile, one of the genuine ones I save for only special people, "Yes, thank you very much, Auntie. It's delicious."

She cooed over me as Isao gave a subtle nod of approval.

"So Eito," started Mr. Oh. Everyone's eyes turned to him. "Isao told me of your... interesting aspirations."

"Oh, Eito! Do you know what you're doing after high school? That's wonderful, although Eisuke is probably--"

"Yukiko," he interrupted, "the boys have been plotting."

Her delicate features twisted into one of confusion before realization set upon her, "...Can we please just let Isao be with Nana? By the love of any and all gods," she put her head between her hands, "this damn feud between you and Mamoru Kishi has gone on long enough. Stop letting it get in the way of our children's happiness. I refuse to have to banish my son only for him and Nana to off themselves the next day after a wedding in secret!"

Mr. Oh sipped on his coffee and ignored his wife, "I won't prohibit Eito from... testing the waters. As he is the son of Eisuke and Yui,  I will let him try a small mafia life..." the corners of his mouth twitched upwards in a smirk that could rival my own, "from the bottom, of course. I'm not going to just hand over the succession to just anyone-- especially someone who hasn't even shown if they can work for it or have what it takes. And, frankly, Eito, after that... chair incident, I severely doubt your capabilities to remain calm under any and all circumstances. I am the head of the Ice Dragons and I plan to stay that way till I am physically unable to. I will not have my organization fall to ruin."

I clenched my fist under the table and shared a quick look with Isao. Of course the chair incident would bite me in the ass.  "What must I do, Mr. Oh?"

"The Ichinomiya Group has been an invaluable ally of the Ice Dragons since before you were even a thought. For decades we've shared a mutually beneficial friendship. However, you seem to place little value of it."

I was not following, but Isao and Auntie seemed to be, as they looked at him with widened eyes.

"Do you want to lead the Ice Dragons?"

"Yes..." I said cautiously. I was not liking wherever it was he was headed.

"Get back into your father's good graces. Get him to name you the heir to the Ichinomiya Group. Convince not only him but everyone that you're his faithful son. I don't care if you loathe him the rest of your life--just do it silently. Preserve the partnership between the Ice Dragons and the Ichinomiyas."

"...And how will this help Isao?"

Auntie placed her left hand on Mr. Oh's shoulders, revealing a stunning sapphire ring, "Did you know that I am not Soryu's true wife?"

Isao choked on his eggs-- though not in shock of the revelation, more or less at the fact she was telling me. He gave his mother a look.

She smiled sweetly at him before turning to me, "His true wife is the daughter of Simon Lee-- the deceased former leader of the Bell Crickets. Her name is Mei-Ling Lee and she resides with her lover in Hong Kong. She visits us on birthdays and other holidays. Neither of them wanted to marry each other but they knew it would greatly benefit both sides. Soryu and I were already together during all this, so I encouraged him to go through with it. We are happy and still ever so in love to this day, but our greatest wish has always been for the ring on my hand to be more than symbolic. But we know that will never happen in this life."

Mr. Oh continued for her as her eyes were starting to water, "I don't want to keep my son separated from his love. But there are too many variables regarding how Eisuke's current heir might treat the partnership-- and that's true of anyone he names. He may end up having to make a match based on the politics of the underground. But if you take over as Eisuke's heir... If you succeed in that mission... I will pay for the wedding of Isao and Nanako myself."

I looked over at Isao and whatever was left of my heart just about shattered over the pleading in his eyes. "Please, Eito." They seemed to scream out to me.

I broke his gaze and stood up, walking over to Mr. Oh, "Do you give me your word?"

He had already stood up the moment I did. He nodded, "I swear on my honor."

I held his eyes and stretched out my hand, "There is nothing I wouldn't do for my family. Nana is my cousin and Isao is my brother in all but blood and papers. I will do as you ask."

He shook my hand, "Welcome to the family, Eito."