Echoes of Yohan
Echoes of Yohan
Bruno hit Aaron’s shoulder lightly with a weak smirk. "You aren't responsible for anything that happened in the past, or anything happening now. So don't blame yourself. And besides... I'm not some weak person who accepts injustice and sits around waiting for help. I will take back my rights and my revenge, even if it costs me my life."
Aaron smiled, his expression shifting into something remarkably resolute. "You will achieve it, Uncle. I'll make sure of that. It's true I only recently joined the gang, and I don't really know how things are run around here, but let me act as a spy for you. I’m heading back to the mansion tonight... If you're against it, please tell me."
"Not at all," Bruno replied cleanly. "It'll be much safer for you... and far more useful for me."
"That's exactly what I thought," Aaron said. "Everyone in this building knows who I am anyway. It's better to head straight to the mansion... like striking the enemy right in their own lair."
Bruno grinned, pointing at the faint mark left by the wound Aaron had inflicted on him earlier. "Just like you usually do."
Aaron muttered in annoyance, "Please don't remind me of that."
"Never mind," Bruno chuckled. "And stop calling us a 'gang.' I never once said we were a gang, despite that being the common label thrown at us."
"I heard you say it once."
"Must have been a mishearing on your part."
"For heaven's sake, Uncle...!"
Aaron ended his words with a faint laugh, pulling his face mask back up the moment Jake approached.
Jake noticed the movement and raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "I already know who you are, so there's really no point in wearing that."
Aaron stepped closer to Jake, his eyes glinting with dry humor. "I told you I wouldn't show you my face again. I'm just fulfilling your request... Captain."
Jake groaned, thoroughly irritated. "Please, just stop with that!"
Bruno watched their back-and-forth—which was surprisingly lighthearted—with a quiet smile. "Don't pick on Jake," he instructed Aaron.
"Do you cherish him more than me now?" Aaron teased.
Jake frowned, suspicion flooding his eyes. "And why on earth would the Boss cherish you?"
Bruno joined in with a sarcastic tone, deliberately poking at Aaron, "Of course, Aaron. Who said I cherish you? The wound still hurts to this day. I might forgive you once the pain fades."
Even though those words were meant to be mildly annoying, they stirred an old memory in Aaron's heart. He remembered his uncle years ago, always favoring Yohan and standing by his side whenever they squabbled. Aaron realized then that Jake was truly someone important to Bruno—a loyal right-hand man who had stood by him for years.
Aaron smiled softly under his mask. "I'll be taking my leave now... Boss."
Jake caught Aaron’s arm, stopping him in his tracks. "Wait... aren't you walking with me?"
"Since you hate looking at me so much," Aaron replied smoothly, "I asked the Boss to change my assignment. Rest assured, you won't have to see my face again."
Aaron turned and walked away, leaving Jake staring after him. Jake muttered under his breath, "He really knows how to get under my skin..."
Meanwhile, at the Eve Institution building.
Clarity stumbled back a few steps, his eyes wide with utter shock at what Elavin had just told him. "Repeat what you just said, Vin...!"
Elavin smiled warmly. "Your mother wants to see you. She asked me for this favor in my capacity as Cypher."
Clarity dropped the files he was holding. He sprinted down the endless corridors and rushed down the staircase, ignoring the dull aches surging through his body until he reached his mother's room.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
His mother was awake. Her face looked clear, peaceful, and noticeably better compared to the past few days.
The nurse, seeing Clarity’s bright and hopeful expression, smiled gently. "Your mother woke up early today. She requested to wear new clothes and asked me to do her hair up a bit. I did my best."
Clarity stared at his mother, who returned his look with a soft, affectionate smile. He turned to the nurse, thanking her repeatedly with genuine warmth.
He walked over to the bed, sitting closely beside his mother. "What's with all this beauty today?"
Lydia, Clarity's mother, blushed faintly. "I did it for you. When I looked at the calendar last night, I noticed it was February fifteenth... which means today is the sixteenth. It's your birthday!"
This story originates from NovelPhoenix. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Clarity's eyes widened. His heart thudded against his chest—that sudden, overwhelming rush of excitement that hits when hearing something deeply joyful, something long-awaited.
He took his mother's hands tightly into his own, his voice trembling with eager happiness. "You remembered, Mom...!"
"How could I ever forget?"
Lydia reached out, running her fingers gently through Clarity’s hair. Her voice sounded soft and comforting—like a gentle lullaby from heaven. "You are Clarity. You are clarity, purity, and the most beautiful gift this life has ever given me."
Tears spilled down Clarity’s cheeks, but this time, they were tears of pure joy.
A gentle touch from my mother's hand... and warm words from her soothing voice... were enough to bring my dead soul back to life.
Clarity wiped his tears hastily. "You're going to get better, Mom. We're going to celebrate my birthday together every single year."
"I will fight this illness, Clarity, so don't worry," she whispered. "In return, take care of yourself and bring joy to your heart. Buy a small cake, invite Jake to celebrate with you, and blow out the candles very slowly. Tell God all your honest wishes."
"I will, Mom."
"And... you might not remember this very well, but I used to visit your grandmother almost every month."
"My grandmother?" Clarity asked, bewildered. "I don't know anything about her..."
"We used to visit her together with your father," Lydia explained softly. "After he passed away, I continued to visit her every now and then. I want you to go see her and check on her... if you don't mind."
"Of course not," Clarity reassured her. "I'll definitely visit her."
"You'll find her detailed address in... well... I think I forgot. Maybe you'll find it in my room."
"Don't strain yourself, Mom. I'll find it and visit her."
"Also, take care of the house while I'm away."
Clarity nodded, though a sharp pang of pain shot through his heart at her words. The last time he had seen his home, it was in absolute ruins. Yet, he had locked the front door and never returned to check on it.
He tightened his fists firmly. "I will."
As evening fell, Clarity entered the gang's main building, looking to meet the Boss. The place was unusually quiet; normally it was loud and chaotic, acting as a makeshift living quarters for dozens of young men.
He reached Bruno’s office, knocked gently, and entered after receiving permission.
Bruno and Jake were both inside. Bruno was sitting on the sofa while Jake stood beside him. Positioned right across from them was a man whose face was completely disfigured by scars and deep bruises.
The man was sobbing, pleading desperately, "Forgive me, Boss! I had no choice...!"
Clarity leaned toward Jake, whispering softly, "Who is this guy?"
"He betrayed the Boss and worked for Conar," Jake whispered back coldly. "So he's being punished with expulsion. He's being kicked out of the organization."
"Just that?" Clarity raised both eyebrows in disbelief.
Bruno, noticing Clarity’s surprised reaction, looked up with an intrigued expression. "Look who's talking... A guy who decided to abandon the group without even knowing what happens to those who leave."
Jake nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he was completely ignorant about the fate of those who walk away from us."
"And what is their fate?" Clarity asked.
Jake glanced down at the kneeling man. "He will have to repay every single debt to the Boss—everything provided to him: money, shelter, food, and drink... And if he fails, he’ll be punished in a different way... a way he wouldn't even dare to imagine."
The young man trembled violently upon hearing Jake’s words, screaming in a panicked, shaky voice, "I will repay the debt, I swear! I will work for you, Boss! Just please... don't let President Conar find out! He'll kill me without a second thought!"
Bruno’s lips twisted into a dark, cynical smirk. He stood up from the couch, stepped over to the man, and stomped his foot down heavily onto his outstretched hand, crushing it beneath his boot amidst the man's agonizing screams.
"You still fear Conar more than you fear me...!" Bruno growled, pressing harder.
Bruno finally pulled his foot back, attempting to contain his rising fury, before ordering Jake, "Drag him down to the internal cells."
Jake dragged the screaming man out of the room and closed the door firmly behind them.
Bruno sat back down on the sofa, letting out several heavy, irritated sighs. He looked up at Clarity. "What brings you here?"
Clarity stepped closer to Bruno. "A couple of things. First... if you'll allow me... I'd like to return to the house you gave me."
"Go ahead. It's your house," Bruno replied casually. "The keys are in the drawer over there by the window. What's the second thing?"
"Won't you... allow me to return to the gang?"
"No," Bruno answered flatly. "It's not because I hate you or anything like that. The thing is... you won't be of any use to me."
"I was good at making smoke bombs."
"We have plenty of bombs and plenty of people who make them. Being near Eve will be far more useful for you."
"But I want to stay beside Jake," Clarity pressed. "Please think about it... I understand what you mean when you say I won't be useful. You're referring to the illness I have."
"Glad you understood," Bruno said coldly. "There won't be any further explanation."
Clarity stood his ground, his eyes fixed on Bruno. "Mr. Bruno, you won't regret accepting my request. You will be proud of me... I am not a weak person."
"You will be proud of me... I am not weak, Father."
Those exact words echoed violently in Bruno’s mind. He had heard them before—words spoken by his young son, Yohan, a long time ago.
"Damn it...!" Bruno snapped.
He stood up abruptly, stepping close until he was standing right in front of Clarity. Bruno was visibly taller, his towering, imposing frame and sharp, furious glare looming over Clarity. Yet Clarity remained composed despite the clear tension.
Bruno gritted his teeth, leaning in. "Who is your father, kid?! Why on earth do you look so much like Yohan?!"
Clarity’s eyes widened in sheer astonishment. Isn't this completely out of nowhere?
Clarity pointed a finger at his own face, baffled. "Do I... look like your son Yohan?"
Bruno took a deep, steadying breath, running a hand over his face before sinking back onto the sofa. "Just leave, Clarity," he said, his tone thoroughly drained and irritated. "Your request is rejected... unconditionally. And I won't ask you to repay any debts or anything. So just leave."
Clarity glared at him, whispering bitterly under his breath, "What is his problem...!"
He turned and walked out, slamming the door shut behind him.
Only a few quiet minutes passed before the door was thrown open again with force. It was Clarity. He spoke in a sharp, uncompromising tone: "I'm taking my house key and leaving."
He marched in, snatched the key, and left. It was a completely brazen display of defiance. Yet Bruno didn't show any visible reaction.
Bruno muttered softly to himself, "I must be... losing my mind."
A sharp knock sounded at the door again. Bruno shouted in annoyance, "Stop knocking on this damn door...!"
Jake’s voice came urgently from the other side. "It's emergency, Boss...!"
Jake threw the door open, hurrying inside with visible panic. "Something completely unexpected happened, Boss... Specialized Capital Guard units have been formed under the name 'Anti-Gang Task Force.' They're wearing different uniforms, hunting down our men, and they've already captured several of our guys!"