Chapter Text
It was late at night, the city was mostly dark, with a few exceptions, a light coming from a window here and there. Even the sky was dark, barely any stars in sight. That was expected for a city but it didn't make it any less depressing. Samatoki was smoking a cigarette, quietly, by himself. That silence got him thinking about life. Fuck, it was too late to be thinking about life. Thinking about it late at night is never a smart thing but Samatoki's mind started doing it by itself anyway, what a pain...
Ichiro... Maybe Samatoki could have done something. Or at least do more now! But every time he found a clue it was a dead end!! Pathetic... He was talking about overthrowing the government like it was nothing but now he can't even-
"Hey, Samatoki?"
"Agh! Don't sneak up on me like that, kid."
Samatoki threw his cigarette in the ashtray before taking out another one and lighting it up.
"Why are you even up at this hour? You have school tomorrow."
"I wanted to talk to you, alone."
Samatoki looked over at Jiro, surprised but intrigued. This kid never wanted to talk to him alone, if he had to say something he would just say it with everyone else present.
"Ok, spit it."
"Can I work for you?"
Samatoki was silent for a moment, trying to process the question Jiro just asked him. Was he asking-? No, that's crazy!
"Very fucking funny, kid. Go to bed."
"I'm serious." The look on Jiro's face said it all. Damn, Samatoki didn't even think he could look this serious.
"What's gotten into you?"
"I want to help around here. And save up so I can move out with Saburo eventually."
"If you're worried about me kicking you out, don't. Finish highschool then we'll talk. Maybe you can go to college."
"Have you seen my grades? I'm a fucking idiot, I'm not getting into college."
Samatoki couldn't argue with that. He wouldn't call Jiro an idiot necessarily, he just wasn't book smart. But unfortunately that was relevant for this conversation, not any of his other skills.
"You're at least finishing highschool, I'm not letting you drop out."
"Can I work part-time then?"
"Part-time yakuza? Are you even hearing yourself?" Samatoki sighed. "Why do you want to work so badly anyway? I told you before that we can pay the bills."
"You already helped us so much. I don't want to be a burden anymore..."
Honestly, Samatoki thought he wasn't doing enough. As long as Ichiro wasn't home with Jiro and Saburo nothing he did would be enough. But this damn kid wasn't letting this go... He needed a third cigarette. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the pack was empty already. Samatoki sighed.
"I'll think about it, but I'm not making any promises. You better be sure about this though, this isn't the type of job where you can quit and move on like nothing happened. Now go to bed already, you know you take forever to wake up."
"Thank you for thinking about it. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, kid."
All this made him remember the promise he made to Ichiro, almost two years ago...
It was a day like any other, when The Dirty Dawg was still around. Samatoki and Ichiro were hanging out like they usually did back then, eating some takeout, having a beer and a coke. But something was off about Ichiro...
"What's up with you? Something wrong?"
"Ah, no! I... Well, maybe. Just worried about something."
"What is it?"
"Uh... I know this is sudden and a lot to ask..."
"Just spit it out, it's fine."
"If something happens to me, can you take care of my brothers?"
Silence. Samatoki's eyes widened, he wasn't expecting Ichiro to ask for something like that. This got so dark and serious all of a sudden.
"I know it's a lot but I don't want them ending up in an orphanage again. I want them to be with someone I trust and I-"
"I wasn't going to say no. You just freaked me out, saying it out of nowhere like that. What's gotten into you?"
"I have a feeling something's gonna happen..."
"Nothing's gonna happen. You went through a lot so you're probably paranoid, I get it. But if it makes you feel better, I promise I'll take care of them."
"Thank you." There was a bittersweet smile on Ichiro's face, nothing like anything Samatoki has seen from him before. It sent a chill down his spine, but then they changed the subject and he forgot about it.
Samatoki thought nothing of that interaction after, it was just Ichiro having a weird day. But then just a few days later, he had to keep his promise. And now here he was, remembering this again. Every day since it happened Samatoki has thought about that day. He noticed something was off about Ichiro but didn't question him further. If he did just a little more maybe he could have prevented all of this, Jiro and Saburo would be with Ichiro right now, a happy family. Everyday he regretted it, not paying a little more attention to Ichiro that week, brushing off his concerns as paranoia... Samatoki failed Ichiro. And Jiro and Saburo... It was all his fault...
As he was thinking about all of that, Samatoki finished his cigarette. He should go to bed as well but now he had so much shit to think about. He didn't want Jiro to get into this yakuza shit, not just for Jiro's safety but also because Nemu would definitely be mad at both of them for it. But if Samatoki said no maybe Jiro will find something else behind his back, something way more dangerous... Maybe it was time to go to sleep already, too much thinking for one night.
Samatoki spent the next few days thinking about what Jiro asked him. There was so much to consider... This damn kid and his stupid request! Samatoki understood it to some extent, wanting to work hard so you can take care of your younger sibling... But joining this business at such an young age? Did Jiro have any idea what he was risking by considering such a thing? Well, just thinking about it won't get Samatoki any answers. And so, he decided to call Jiro over to his office. If he was serious about this he might as well get used to this place.
There was a knock on the door and then Jiro walked in.
"Samatoki, thank you for-"
"It's Samatoki-san when we're here. Make sure you remember that."
"Sorry, Samatoki-san."
"Come here."
Jiro nodded and walked up to the desk. He figured what Samatoki wanted to talk about but he didn't know how this conversation would go exactly, he was a little nervous.
"Listen up, kid. This business isn't like in the movies. Once you're in you can almost never get out, if you piss off the wrong people you or your loved ones can get hurt." Samatoki wasn't sugarcoating this, he had to be realistic when telling Jiro about this, it was a big decision after all.
"I know. I thought about it a lot before asking."
"Why this? Why not any other job?" Samatoki asked, he had to. Maybe there was a chance he could suggest something else that would work well for Jiro, something other than this crap.
"I'm not book smart so I can't get a degree or anything. And other jobs don't pay that well."
"You play the guitar, do something with that."
"That's not stable enough."
"Football."
"That's even worse. It'll take forever for me to become a pro or something. And what are the chances of that happening anyway?"
Samatoki sighed. Now he really was out of ideas. This fucking kid...
"Ok, fine. You're only going to be an errand boy, I don't want you too deep in this shit. And you better listen to me at all times, the first time you fuck up you're done with this line of work for good. Got that?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Don't get excited yet. You need to pass a test first." Samatoki said as he grabbed his mic. "I'll test your rap skills. If you're decent and you can handle one of my attacks you're hired."
Samatoki wished Jiro would fail. That way he'd have a good excuse to not hire him. But this kid was tougher than he seemed. Samatoki hit him hard but he handled it. Most people would have fell to their knees and begged for mercy but not Jiro, he was still standing. And his rap was pretty good too, it needed some practice but it was a decent start. Well, he couldn't refuse this kid now... Why did he have to be good?!
"Fine, you're hired. But Nemu and Saburo better not find out about this, got it?"
"They won't, I swear."
"Good. Now go home. You'll start after I get you a mic."
And that's how Jiro got involved with the yakuza. Well, he wasn't that deep in yet, he was pretty much an errand boy, a puppy running around doing the boring work no one wanted to do. He quit the football team at his school so he could focus on work. He didn't get a ton of work, being busy with school and all, but he was saving up some pretty decent money. He might be able to take care of Saburo by himself soon, in a year or two. He could even help him through college so he wouldn't have to worry about anything other than studying. Maybe one of the three brothers could turn out well, have a good job and a good life, maybe even a family, one that wasn't broken like theirs... He had to do this, give Saburo that chance at a good life. Just like Ichiro tried to do for them...
Months passed and it all seemed to go well. Maybe this was going to stay a secret between Samatoki and Jiro, Nemu and Saburo will never know. At least Samatoki hoped so, but he had a feeling this won't last forever.
As Samatoki was in his office, there was a knock on the door. Who dared bother Samatoki when it was so late and he was about to go home?
"Agh, come in."
The door opened and Jiro walked in. "Samatoki-san, it's getting late."
"Right. I was about to come get you so we could go." Samatoki sighed and got up from where he was sitting at his desk. "Wait, the hell happened to your face?" Jiro had a bruise on his face, it wasn't the worst looking thing but it was pretty noticable.
"Some idiot threw his mic at me as a last resort. It hurt more than his verses." Jiro chuckled.
"You serious?"
"Nah, just joking. Bastard punched me."
"Jeez, kid. Think of a good excuse on the way home, Nemu and Saburo will freak out if they find out."
"I got it, don't worry." Jiro smirked. "Let's go home, Saburo keeps spamming the group chat to ask when we'll be home."
The two went back home like any other day. The way back was mostly quiet, the two of them not having much to talk about. They spent so much time together so they ran out of things to discuss eventually. But neither of them minded that, some quiet time was nice sometimes. And when they got home things would get pretty loud anyway.
When they walked inside the apartment they were greeted by Nemu and Saburo at the door, big smiles on their faces.
"Happy birthday!"
"Huh? Oh, it was today. Thanks." Samatoki said.
"It's your birthday so we made steak! And cake, of course!" Nemu said. "Come on! Let's go eat before it gets cold!"
Samatoki was dragged to the dining table by the other three, all of them smiling and giggling as they did so. Seeing them like this made Samatoki smile too, it was these types of moments that made it all worth it. Taking care of Nemu and those Yamada kids as best as he could... He felt like he failed Jiro though, having him get involved with the yakuza... He should have tried harder to stop him or change his mind, but it was a little too late for that.
As they were enjoying their meal, Saburo noticed the bruise on Jiro's face. It looked like he got into a fight, he better have a good explanation for it.
"Jiro-nii, what's that bruise?"
"Oh, this?" Jiro asked and pointed at his cheek. "An accident from football practice, don't worry about it." Bullshit. Jiro quit the team but Saburo and Nemu didn't know that.
Dinner went on as normal. They finished their steak and then had some cake. They sang "Happy Birthday" for Samatoki, even though he was against it, it was a great time!
"Saburo, I'll help clean up so you can go get ready for bed."
"Thanks, Jiro-nii."
Usually Saburo was the one that helped with cleaning but today he helped with cooking instead of Jiro. It made sense for them to switch their chores around for the day.
Samatoki wanted to help too but Nemu insisted he shouldn't, he was the birthday boy after all. Samatoki tried to argue back but he lost in the end. So now it was only Jiro and Nemu doing the dishes.
"Hey, Jiro? I want to ask you something."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"You're lying about being on the football team, aren't you?"
Jiro's eyes widened. Where was this coming from? Did Nemu figure it out? But how? "What are you talking about? Of course I-"
"Stop lying. I haven't seen your team uniform in the laundry for months. I asked Saburo and he hasn't seen it either."
Fuck, Jiro didn't think of that. How did that slip his mind? It seemed so obvious now!
"I've been washing it myself, that's why."
"Show me how to use the washing machine then."
Now she got him. There was no way out of this. Oh god, he fucked this up. Was this the only thing Nemu figured out? Or did she figure out everything else too?
"Why did you quit? Be honest."
Be honest? Was this a trap or a genuine question? Jiro couldn't tell! And even if he could he couldn't think of a good lie right now!
"Didn't have time for it." That wasn't the whole story but at least he wasn't lying.
"And why is that?"
"I... uh... joined the yakuza..." He whispered.
"You what?!"
That reaction said it all. Nemu had no fucking idea! But it was too late now, Jiro confessed already so that was it. Now Saburo will definitely find out too! What a fucking mess!
"Why are you two so loud?" Samatoki asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Onii-chan! You being a yakuza is one thing but dragging Jiro into it?!"
"Shit, you figured it out... Don't tell Saburo."
"I'm not telling him just to not worry him, not because I'm covering for you two. Be careful so he doesn't find out, we shouldn't stress him out before his highschool entrance exams."
"Thank you, Nemu."
"I said I'm not covering for you."
"I know. Thank you for thinking of Saburo." Jiro said honestly.
"Jeez... Be careful, you two. Saburo is a smart kid and we all know it. Think of a good excuse for why you quit the team." Nemu said before walking to her room.
The dishes weren't done yet so Jiro went back to work, Samatoki joining him. They were both quiet, not knowing what to say. What was there to say anyway? They fucked up and they both knew it.
By the time they finished, Saburo walked out of the bathroom and went to the room he shared with Jiro. He didn't say anything and looked the same as usual so he probably didn't hear what happened, that's good.
"You go first, kid. I need a smoke."
"Ok, thanks."
Jiro went to the bathroom and Samatoki went onto the balcony to smoke. Of course this couldn't last long, they had to mess up somewhere on the way. And now Nemu knew... She was definitely mad at them, Samatoki knew that. He dissapointed her, he hated that. And now that Nemu knew about it Saburo might end up finding out by accident as well. What a fucking mess this was. Definitely not the best birthday, that's for sure.
Suddenly, someone joined him on the balcony, Jiro. He was wearing more comfortable clothes he usually wore at home so he must have been done with his shower. He walked up next to the ledge to stand next to Samatoki.
"Can I have one of those?"
"A cig? Fuck, no."
"Just need something to relax a little, that's all."
"Do that with something that won't give you lung cancer. Don't be a dumbass like me. And Ichiro will kill me when he wakes up if I get you addicted to this crap."
"If he wakes up..."
"Don't say that."
Once again there was silence between them. They did this a lot, didn't they? Just standing next to each other without saying a word.
Samatoki quickly finished his cigarette and threw it in the ashtray. Luckily for him that's all he needed for now. He should probably try to do something about this stupid addiction...
"Gonna go shower."
"Ok. I... Think I'll stay here a little longer. Get some fresh air."
"Alright, kid."
Samatoki left, leaving Jiro alone on the balcony. It was pretty cold but the cool air was nice. Jiro took a few big breaths before sighing as he looked up at the sky. Barely any stars, one or two here and there. And the city... He never thought he'd get used to Yokohama but he has. It didn't feel like home the way Ikebukuro did but at least it didn't feel as unfamiliar anymore. Looking out at the city like this was quite relaxing, actually. The view was pretty nice and it helped Jiro take his mind off of his problems, at least for a little while...