Collision of Heaven and Hell ✅
"A sword will only be as strong as the sheath that will keep it from breaking when it is at rest."
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As the daughter of a yakuza shatei, Mai knew the stigma that would follow her. As such she worked hard to get a perfect score on Shirahime Girl's Academy entrance exams, and she excels in Nihon-buyō in following her dream to be a professional dancer. Though aware of her own position, Mai was happy with the life she had. She could compare it to being in Heaven. But unfortunately, it does not take long for her heavenly life to plunge into Hell with the sudden death of the beloved Oyabun...and the chaos that emerges with his successor. The only thing that seems to keep her from falling completely into the abyss is the presence of a handsome but quiet young man.
Chikafusa is feared by many. Not because of anything he personally did, but because his father served as a "cleaner" for the Awaosamu-gumi. Chikafusa himself wanted to keep a trouble free life and pursue his passion to becoming a veterinarian, but he is afraid of the reputation his family has, and because of the way others look at him. He is scared that he will inevitably follow in his father's footsteps. The only person who seems to see beyond his name is Mai, and her gentle nature and innocence constantly puts him at ease. It is because of her that Chikafusa believes that he can make his dream come true...even as the world they know plunges into chaos.
The living Heaven and the living Hell can be deceiving. One can achieve both through their own means or through the machinations of others. But the sword protects the sheath during battle, and the sheath protects the sword during peace. Neither can survive the collision of Heaven and Hell without the other.
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Word Count: 52,116
