My Yakuza Boyfriend's

Chapter 26 - Shirakawa - go

Finally we arrived at Shirakawa Village, on the border between Gifu and Toyama Prefectures, after traveling for more than 2 hours. That's right Nana-chan said. It's cold in here. Despite the smell of sweat, I was lucky to wear my uniform blazer. But I'm happy because the atmosphere is quiet. Most of this area is covered in forest. Mount Ryohaku stands majestically on the West side, while Mount Ningyo inhabits the North. Nana-chan said, In ancient times, Shirakawa Village was an isolated area because of its location surrounded by mountains and difficult to reach. In winter, the access road to this area is covered with snow with a thickness of up to 5 meters.

Now, access to the road here becomes easier with the construction of toll roads. Between the mountains, the Sho River flows towards the North of the city of Nanto, Toyama Prefecture. It was around the river that the settlement spread because the land was flat.

I was surprised by the sight I saw. There are no cherry blossoms, but the gleaming golden leaves of the tree can replace the beauty of this village in the turn of autumn to winter.

A suspension bridge over the Sho River gives us access to a village containing traditional Japanese Gassho-zukuri houses with 3 to 4 levels and a 60-degree roof slope. Rows of traditional houses that stand side by side with rice fields. In winter, the area experiences heavy snowfall. The roof of the house was deliberately made facing East and West. This is so that the snow that accumulates immediately melts in the sun.

Nana-chan got off the bus we were riding from Gifu Station after taking another train from Nagoya for about 20 minutes. Kei and I followed him to a 4-story mansion with the name of Irie. Apparently Nana-chan used her house to open a room rental business. "The beginning of the year is always a lot of visitors who stay here," he said while taking off his shoes. The grandmother placed her shoes next to a pair of straw shoes used for walking on snow.

The floors and ceilings of Nana-chan's house are made of wood. There is a traditional combustion furnace that makes the ceiling of the house become jet black. The wide sliding doors separate several rooms that have no seats at all. Medium-sized windows facing North and South for the house to get the best ventilation.

"Please sit down," Nana-chan invited us to sit in the living room that only contained a coffee table and some ornamental plants in the corner. Then, he moved to the back of the house that I thought was the kitchen.

Me and Kei took their respective places around the coffee table.

"What do you think?" ask Kei.

Nana-chan's house is very comfortable. I can't say no at home. "Are you really planning on coming here?" my reply.

Kei shakes. "I don't really have a purpose" he laughed.

I grunt. "Then, what if it turns out that Nana-chan was actually paid by Hanazawa-gumi? We could die at the first destination immediately" I protested.

"You think this is an adventure?" Since I didn't answer, Kei asked again, "How about we pretend to be an eloping couple like Nana-chan wants?" Kei looks very excited.

"That's what you've done!" my spray. "Why are you making up stories?"

"Slow down your voice Tomomi-chan!" whispered Kei, making me keep my mouth shut. "I did it so Nana-chan would accept us. You don't want to stay in an ugly hotel that only has a bed that dominates the room like yesterday, right? You're good at sleeping in bed, while I have to sleep in that hard chair. My neck is still tight until now. And if you don't want to stay here, you can go somewhere else. I stay here," Kei said arrogantly.

I have loved this village since we first arrived. It's very difficult to choose between staying here or leaving. If I choose to go, where will I go? For the young villagers who have only ever explored Hokkaido and Tokyo, I don't know what's going on anywhere else. And if I have to go, I think I need at least a friend. Basically, I'm a coward.

"How's Ayase Tomomi?" ledek Kei's. I don't like it when he calls me with my family name. "What's your decision?"

I looked down while pouting. "I want to be here" I said slowly. Well, besides, I feel bad for Kei who still wants to accompany me. He could have left me like Tora and Misaki did. The Tonomura family has achieved its goal and dumped me like a worthless piece of trash. Maybe Tora lied about her father and mother being separated. It's possible that Tora ran away from home with Misaki. Maybe Misaki is pretending to be crazy. Maybe Doctor Minami is also paid to lie. If this is the case, I don't trust anyone.

I thought it was Tora who easily believed in others, but it turned out that I was the one who was easily lied to.

Kei's index touch on my cheek melted my shoulder. He smiled as I looked at him. "Listen to me, Tomomi-chan. We have nothing now, except a few pieces of money in my wallet and maybe in your wallet too. But I think we can survive if we work around here" he said.

"Do you want to be a host here?" many wonder.

"No!" Kei showed his fangs. "I can farm."

"You? Farmed up? I can't believe it" I almost laughed out loud. Dandy men like Kei are unlikely to do menial jobs like farming, sailing, gardening, and so on. I'm sure he'll be caught in just 1 day.

However, the reality is the opposite. Kei is working hard on the estate of Nana-chan's family beside the house. They grow strawberries. Sometimes, Kei steals some fruit to give it to me. It tastes different from strawberries in general. This one is sweeter and the size of the fruit is larger. I think Nana-chan knew Kei liked to steal the fruit, but he let it go.

I myself became a souvenir shopkeeper in a house that was only 100 meters away from Nana-chan's house. My boss is a father and his daughter who is 10 years older than me. The mother had long since died of illness. They sell postcards and a variety of unique jewelry. I bought 2 bracelets. One I'll give Kei in return for strawberries.

When we were not working, we took a walk down the Sho River and talked about a lot of things. I just found out Kei can play the harmonica. He even carried it everywhere in his pants pocket. I who do not really understand this music was fascinated by the tone created by the wind instrument until I unconsciously noticed the movement of Kei's lips moving on the side of the harmonica.

"You want to kiss me?" asked Kei straight after he finished blowing.

"Eh?" My cheeks warmed up for a moment. I purposely turned my head in the other direction so as not to stare at the super handsome man's face.

Kei laughed so hard. "You're funny" he said, patting me on the shoulder. "How long have we been here?"

"Two weeks" I replied. "You want to move?"

"Hmmm... It looks safe here. We are surrounded by mountains. The snow here is very thick. I don't think Kumicho's gonna find us here."

Thank goodness Kei had no thoughts of leaving here because I was at home. Maybe I'm really a mountain person, so the cold climate is perfect for me.

Suddenly, a cold wind hit our bodies. Kei sneezed, while I got goosebumps. "Cold," Kei said as he rubbed his own arm. "You still want to go for a walk? It's gonna rain soon."

"You go home first. I'll catch up."

Kei's right. The sky is very dark now. I don't know when it will rain, but I still walk down the Sho River giving life to the people of Shirakawa Village. I wonder where this river is headed. The water must be cold. If I fall, I won't survive because I can't swim.

I turned my eyes to the left. The foot of Mount Ryohaku is filled with evergreen trees. I approached one of them. Instantly, my nose caught the fragrance of the spruce hanging from the tree. I picked the fruit and put it in my pants pocket. My finger touched the bracelet I hadn't given Kei.

Now I'm undoing my intention to give it. Will Kei be happy? Or does he think I have a specific purpose?

I put up my own bracelet. I tried to hook the edges. "It's so hard" I murmured. I spent two minutes with the bracelet. Finally, I gave up and put it back in my pocket.

My body staggered as something pulled me from behind. My mouth was smothered by the hand of someone I thought was a man because of the large size of his hand. His arms hugged my waist very strongly. I tried to fight, but he was stronger. I was looking for her foot to step on, but she seemed to know what I was going to do. I follow his stomach, I claw his thighs. But that man did not let me go. It even pulled my body back.

Where will he keep pulling me?

I can't see his face. I can't scream. After all, there was no one passing under this suspension bridge. They won't see me because the sky is getting darker. If this man is a member of Hanazawa-gumi, then my life will be drifting in less than 5 minutes.

"Shut up, Tomomi!" the man's orders.

I know that voice very well. His tone, his weight, his accent. It was the voice that always lingered in my ears, which I thought I could hear no more. Instantly, I weakened. My tears fell. Although the grip loosened, I did not fight anymore.

The man no longer smothered my mouth, but surrounded my shoulders with his arms. He also put his chin on my shoulder. "Can I be like this for a minute?" ask her slowly with a trembling voice. His chest shook on my back.

"What's wrong with you, Tora-san?" Shame to admit that I still care about him. I still love him even after everything he's done to me. And I don't think that feeling will ever go away. I intended to turn around, but Tora rejected me by not changing our position.

"I don't want you to see me now. But I miss you."

In my heart, I wondered if this was some kind of trick to let me off guard, and then he would hurt me again, or if he really missed me. I really can't guess his mind. However, hearing the shakes of his voice, feeling the shakes of his chest and his speeding heartbeat, it seemed like he was suffering.

Why is Tora alone? Where are Misaki and Makoto? Why aren't the three of them together? How did he know I was here? Why didn't he openly meet me and Kei?

"It's very sad, yes" said Tora lirih.

I raised my hand to grab her wet cheek. Kuraba, her whole face. I put my hand on her arm and patted her to make her calmer. I don't know why she was crying, but I wanted to make her comfortable, wanted her to know that I was always there for her.

Tora sighed and let go of her embrace.

I turned. The darkness of the evergreen forest made my view blurry, but I could see Tora was falling. And as he took a step forward towards the slight glare of the lights, I was aghast as his clothes were torn here and there and his body was covered in wounds. His gaze peeked through the tears of his clothes. His nose was bleeding, as was the corner of his lips. Jaws and temples are scuffed. His long pants were dirty, filled with dry soil and sand.

"I'm sorry for meeting you in this state" said Tora slowly. Knowing I would not comment, he continued. "Miss... Misaki already.." he lowered his head, then straightened his head again. "Misaki's dead."

My entire memory of Misaki instantly appeared. The beginning of our meeting, the turn of the year, my visits to the hospital, until his reunion with Tora. I swallowed my own saliva. Waita minute! Should I trust Tora? What if this is a lie?

"How did it go?" manyu alert.

"I went to the hospital to see Misaki. But once I came, he was already lifeless. His mouth is full of foam. I suspect he's poisoned or poisoned."

My heart is beating hard. "Who would do that?"

Tora shrugged her shoulders.

I swear on the person who poisoned Misaki. If I find him, I will beat him with all my strength. Misaki is unlikely to die alone if food poisoning because all patients consume the same food. So, there must be someone who killed him. How did the perpetrator feel about poisoning Misaki? "Could it be someone from Hanazawa-gumi?"

"Makoto guessed it that way. No one else wants my death but Kumicho."

"But this is Misaki! Misaki is just a plain girl. How hard he is," my face hardened. "Then, why are you lying by saying Misaki is fine at Makoto-neesan's house?"

"I don't know how to. L'm... I beat up Doctor Minami like crazy. Then Makoto came. She was as surprised as you when she saw Misaki's body. He suggested that we go far away from Tokyo without taking you because it would be dangerous."

"You reneged on your own promise, Tora-san," I almost cried again as I remembered Tora's scolding.

"I knew. I'm sorry. I thought you'd be safer with her, but I was wrong."

"You mean?"

"Kei's been planning to kill you, Tomomi."

"Eh?" I don't trust him. I don't believe it at all. I don't want to believe. There's no way Kei wants to kill me. Kei protected me from Goro who was clearly ready to stab me, also taking me to escape to this beautiful village. She was the one who, with her kindness, let me cry as much and as hard as I could when Tora left. Where's the killer giving strawberries to his potential victims? "You lied!" myrag.

"This time I swear, Tomomi. I'm not lying" Tora took a step closer to me, making me retreat. "Makoto deliberately asked some of his friends to follow you. They saw Kei call someone many times and they were sure he called Kumicho."

"Then, where is Makoto-neesan now?" my challenge.

"We got separated after a fight with Kumicho's men."

That's why Tora's body was covered in wounds. He's been fighting. How long has the blood on his nose dried up? Why didn't he clean it? Did people not notice the tattoo peeking out from under her clothes?

"I'll catch you here soon. I want to take you away from Kei. Come with me, Tomomi," Tora grabbed my hand.

I brushed it off and put both my hands in my pants pocket so Tora couldn't touch it anymore.

"I know I've hurt you, but I beg you to believe me this time," Tora said as she pulled my wrist, thus making the contents of my pants pocket go all out. The two bracelets I bought fell to the ground. Tora. "This from him?" tanyakanya.

"No. I'll give it to you" I replied honestly.

Tora's face turned serious. "Do you like him?"

I just shut up. If I say 'yes', it will hurt Tora. However, if I answer 'no', Tora will persuade me to continue to leave Kei. I like Kei, but this feeling floats because I still love Tora so much. And I hate that I love him even though he has disappointed me and hurt me.

"I assume you like Kei, but he's not who you think he is, Tomomi."

"Now you're pinning it in front of me? He's your friend, Tora-san."

"I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"You are my nightmare! A dream that always haunts me and I'd love to forget!" I pointed at Tora. "I hate you, Tora-san," my voice weakened. My eyes are hot, my breathing is hard. I said so, but the truth is I can't hate him. I love her too much. My throat hurts from holding back the crying. "I didn't... I don't trust you anymore..."

Tora still insisted on convincing me. "Kei knows I met Misaki and she complained to Kumicho. Then, Kumicho gave him a special task to eliminate us both."

"Oh yeah? Then, why didn't Kei-san just kill me when you weren't home?" my challenge.

"Because the police would easily find out who did it if it was done in my house."

"Why hasn't he killed me in our 2 weeks here? He could've hurt me under this bridge."

"Killing you would be a waste to him if I were still wandering around. Now, as long as he doesn't know I'm here, will you come with me?"

Mind fucked. Tora's words made sense, but I didn't catch Kei's evil aura. She's been nice to me. I'm comfortable with him. Kei is like family. "I don't know," I said. "I don't trust any of you. I'd better go alone." My quick footsteps led me back to the front of Nana-chan's house even though I knew Tora was following me.

Nana-chan's house looks crowded from the outside. There may be tourists coming to rent a room. I looked back. There is no Tora. He definitely did not dare to enter because there was Kei inside. Slowly, I walked towards the entrance. The light from inside dazzled my gaze, but I could still clearly see Nana-chan who was sitting on the floor, surrounded by some large, fierce-looking men. They are compact wearing a typical black suit...

"Yakuza," my voice spontaneously came out of my mouth.

Someone smothered me from behind so I wouldn't scream. For a moment, I wished it was Tora, but it turned out to be Kei. He led me into the hunter's lair. There was something in his hand that stuck in my mouth. And my consciousness dwindled, diminished, diminished, until finally it all darkened.

**🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

connect to chapter 27!

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