[Vol. 2] Chapter 48: A Night Under the Moon
I took Shin's hand and stood up, then we left the room toward the indoor garden, leaving behind the noise of the celebration.
For a moment, the silence was pleasant.
…
Until I remembered I was now walking alone with my supposed future husband.
…
No.
I take that back.
The silence was awful.
Shin walked ahead of me, and I followed a few steps behind, neither of us saying anything.
The sound of our footsteps on the gravel was practically the only thing I could hear.
Clack.
Clack.
Clack.
…
Why isn't he saying anything?
Should I say something?
…
What are you even supposed to say in a situation like this?
As we walked, I caught a slight movement behind one of the trees. I stopped for a second and narrowed my eyes.
Through the dim light, I could make out a tall man in a dark suit with his hair pulled back, watching us intently.
That guy… he looks familiar.
Isn't he one of the men who came to Black Lotus with Hideki that other time?
What on earth is he doing?
I kept walking and soon noticed a couple more. Among them was Taro, watching us from a distance — all of them hidden at strategic points around the garden.
They're keeping an eye on us…
Seriously, someone should explain the concept of privacy to them.
I kept walking, dismissing any absurd idea that crossed my mind, and focused on admiring the scenery.
The indoor garden of the ryōtei was beautiful, even at night.
Small lanterns dimly lit the stone path, casting circles of light on the gravel.
The trees rose around the garden, their leaves swaying gently in the evening breeze.
To one side was a small pond.
Several koi carp swam peacefully beneath the surface.
The reflection of the moon trembled on the water each time one of them moved.
It was a beautiful scene.
Elegant.
Calm.
Even romantic.
…
Then I looked at Shin.
He was still walking in complete silence.
This is uncomfortable.
Why does it feel like I'm following an NPC?
We kept walking, the path winding around the pond until we reached a small wooden bridge.
It was an arched bridge, nothing too large, just enough to cross over a narrow section of the pond.
Shin started up it.
I followed.
And just as we reached the middle…
"I imagine you're quite uncomfortable."
I stopped.
"Huh?"
Shin stopped too.
He turned slowly toward me.
"Having someone else decide your future and forcing you into a marriage…"
His voice was calm.
He took a step to the side and rested a hand on the bridge railing.
"It can't be easy for a girl like you."
He paused briefly.
"A girl who has nothing to do with the yakuza."
…
My heart stopped.
…
What?
I felt my entire body tense.
"I…"
My voice came out barely above a whisper.
"You…"
I swallowed.
"How do you know that?"
I worked so hard and this guy just figured it out?!
…
Shin frowned slightly.
He seemed confused by my reaction.
"My father mentioned it a little while ago."
…
"Huh?"
Shin continued with complete naturalness.
"You were raised in a nightclub, weren't you?"
…
"They even forced you to become a stripper to protect you from the internal conflicts within the Inugane."
…
This is truly unbelievable.
I felt all the tension leave my body at once.
"A-ah…"
I smiled.
"Yes."
I nodded several times.
"That's right."
That ridiculous story saving my neck again.
I looked up at the sky.
In the end I'll have to admit Bibi knew what he was doing.
…
There are a lot of gullible people in the world.
Although…
The part about being forced to become a stripper is true.
…
In reality it's actually worse.
"…"
I shook my head slightly.
No.
I'm not going to think about that now.
Shin looked back at the pond.
"Getting dragged into all of this and being forced to marry after everything you've been through…"
His expression hardened slightly.
"It's simply unfair."
I stayed quiet.
For some reason, his words surprised me.
I looked at his hands — his fingers were slightly tense.
He seemed upset.
"Are you angry on my behalf?"
Shin took a moment to answer.
"No."
He looked at me.
"I just think it's unfortunate."
"…"
I blinked.
"But…"
I stepped a little closer.
"Aren't you in the same situation as me?"
Shin raised an eyebrow slightly.
I felt my cheeks starting to warm.
"I mean…"
I looked away for a second.
"We're engaged now."
Silence.
Shin leaned forward slightly and rested both arms on the bridge railing.
He looked at the pond.
"It's different."
"Different?"
"I'm the Onizuka heir."
His voice sounded completely certain.
"For me, this is normal."
He paused briefly.
"Whether I want it or not, I have to accept it if I want to become the next leader of the clan."
I studied his profile.
"But you…"
His eyes moved toward me.
"You gain nothing from this."
His expression became slightly bitter.
"And you certainly don't have a debt to your clan that you'd need to pay this way."
…
I really didn't see that coming…
I watched him for a few seconds without saying anything, then smiled slightly.
I wonder what you'd say if you knew I actually do owe them.
And in a very literal sense.
In cash.
…
A lot of cash.
I had to hold back a small laugh.
I moved closer to the railing and stood beside him. From there I could see the pond better. The koi swam slowly beneath the surface, and the moonlight reflected off the water.
It was strangely peaceful.
"It certainly has been difficult."
I rested my hands gently on the railing.
"A lot of things have happened to me."
I let out a small laugh.
"And I'm not exactly thrilled about the idea of marrying a stranger."
I looked at the pond.
"In fact, I almost had a heart attack when I found out."
Shin looked at me.
I smiled.
"But you know…"
I paused.
"Lately I…"
I took a deep breath and turned to look at him.
"I've stopped thinking of myself as an unlucky person."
Shin seemed surprised.
"Even in a situation like this?"
I held his gaze for a moment, then looked back at the pond.
A gentle breeze rustled the trees. I raised a hand to my hair and tucked behind my ear the strand the wind had lifted.
The koi continued swimming peacefully.
The reflection of the moon broke across the water.
"A lot of bad things have happened to me."
My voice came out calmer.
"But because of them…"
I smiled.
"Even more good things have happened."
I thought of the drama club. Even of Black Lotus.
Of all those people who had somehow ended up becoming part of my life.
People I never would have met if I hadn't gone through those hardships.
"Even in a situation like this… I have nothing to hold against fate."
…
For some reason, those words made me smile.
After all…
It gave me the chance to live again.
I lowered my gaze slightly.
Even if it was as a woman…
"Pfft…"
A small laugh escaped me.
I shook my head.
"Sorry, I think I started talking too much."
Shin didn't respond, so I looked up.
And I saw it.
Shin was looking at me, his eyes slightly wide.
…
He seemed…
Surprised.
His serious expression had completely disappeared.
…
I kept watching him.
What's wrong with him?
Shin didn't look away.
The moonlight partially lit his face, and the wind moved gently through his dark hair.
And for the third or fourth time that night, for a few seconds, neither of us said anything…
Later, Shin and I made our way back to the restaurant.
We didn't talk much on the way back — I wasn't sure what to say either.
Though after that conversation on the bridge, I was finally able to relax.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
The night hadn't been as terrible as I'd expected.
Shortly after, we were all outside the ryōtei. It was time to say goodbye.
The bodyguards from both families moved around the vehicles following their protocols.
I looked toward the center of the scene. Ryuji and Hideki were chatting calmly, as if nothing at all had happened.
"It's been a good night."
"I agree."
"We should meet up for drinks again sometime."
"Absolutely!"
Both of them seemed completely normal.
They didn't even look like they'd been drinking for hours.
…
Then I glanced to one side.
Matsuda was practically leaning on Takamura.
Takamura, for his part, seemed to be making a superhuman effort just to stay upright.
"Hold on, Takamura-san…"
Matsuda patted him on the back.
"We made it."
Takamura slowly lifted his head.
"Yeah…"
"It's over."
"Yeah…"
The two of them looked like veterans returning from a war.
…
I watched them for a few seconds.
How did they end up like that?
I looked at Ryuji.
Then at Hideki.
Then back at Matsuda and Takamura.
And since when are they such good friends?
Weren't our families enemies until recently?
Well.
I suppose a few bottles of sake can resolve decades of rivalry.
Maybe that was the real secret to world peace.
"Ryuji."
Hideki extended a hand and Ryuji shook it.
"Next time we'll drink even more."
"I love the sound of that!"
Both of them laughed again.
I gave a small bow.
"Thank you very much for everything."
Sayuri immediately came over.
"Aika-chan!"
"Yes?"
Before I could react —
A hug.
"I'm going to miss you!"
"Huh?"
Sayuri pressed me firmly against her.
"You can come live with me whenever you want."
"Huh?"
"I promise you won't need for anything."
"S-Sayuri-san…"
"You can call me Mom if you want!" she said with a smile, still holding on tight.
…
What?
"…"
I looked at her.
Then at the bottle of sake one of the servants was carrying.
Then back at her.
Did the alcohol affect her a little?
…
Or was this just her normal personality?
I wasn't sure.
Although… now that I thought about it, she reminded me a little of Reiko.
But with Melissa's maternal energy.
It's like if Reiko and Melissa had a daughter
…
with a bit of Yuuna's intimidating aura?
The mental image amused me, and I couldn't help smiling. In the end I thanked her and said my goodbyes to Sayuri too.
The car doors closed, the engines started up, and one by one the vehicles left the restaurant.
A good while later, I was back at Black Lotus, taking off the kimono in the dressing room.
After carefully removing all the layers, I was finally able to change.
I'll admit it looks good on me, but I still prefer normal clothes.
…
I looked around.
I hadn't seen Bibi when I arrived — he was probably busy with something.
I also hadn't seen Reiko and Melissa. They weren't around, so they'd probably already left.
Honestly…
I was too tired to find out. I just wanted to go home. So I gathered my things, made sure I hadn't forgotten anything, and left the club.
Outside, Taro was waiting by a car.
"Aika."
"Taro-san?"
"I'll take you home."
I blinked.
"Huh?"
He paused before responding.
"The boss asked me to."
"Ah…"
I nodded.
"Thank you."
I got in, Taro closed the door and walked around to the driver's seat.
A little while later, we set off.
I leaned back against the headrest, Tokyo's lights sliding slowly past my eyes.
Shops.
People.
Traffic lights.
Lit-up buildings.
Everything seemed calm.
My mind inevitably drifted back to the evening.
Hideki.
Sayuri.
Bibi's absurd story.
Matsuda and Takamura completely drunk.
And…
Shin.
I thought about the scene on the bridge.
The moon.
The pond.
His expression when he heard me talk about my life.
A small smile appeared on my lips.
In the end…
It wasn't so bad.
Though I should definitely rub it in Bibi's face that I came back alive.
I smiled.
Maybe I should even tell him his story worked.
…
Though he'd probably become insufferable about it.
The car kept moving until I finally recognized the area.
We were close.
"Taro."
"Yes?"
"Could you drop me off here?"
I pointed toward the window.
"Here?"
"Yes."
There was a convenience store a block away.
"I want to pick up something to eat."
Taro looked at the place.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
I smiled.
"I'll grab something quick and then head home."
Taro hesitated for a few seconds and finally nodded.
"Alright."
The car stopped.
"Thanks for bringing me."
"Don't mention it."
I opened the door.
"Goodbye. Good night."
I closed the door.
The car pulled away and I watched it for a moment, then went into the convenience store.
I didn't take long.
I was a little hungry, so I picked up something light to eat that night. I also grabbed a few things for breakfast. Nothing special, just simple food.
I paid.
Put everything in a couple of bags.
And walked out.
"Brrr…"
The cold hit me immediately.
I hugged myself a little.
The street was much quieter at that hour, and there was quite a bit of fog. The streetlights looked slightly blurred through it.
I quickened my pace.
I just wanted to get home.
After a night like this… a bed was all I needed.
I finally reached the entrance of my building.
"Finally…"
I stopped in front of the door.
I was exhausted.
I tried to search my bag for my keys without putting down the shopping bags, but one slipped from my hand.
"Nooo!"
The bag hit the ground.
I spun around and crouched down immediately.
"I hope nothing spilled…"
I looked inside.
The food was still in place.
"Good."
I let out a sigh of relief. Then I stayed still.
I lifted my head and for some reason found myself looking beyond. The buildings looked like distant shadows. All the fog made everything look a little blurry.
And then I saw it.
A silhouette.
It was quite far away, completely still near a lamppost.
…
I blinked.
Is that a person?
I couldn't make it out clearly — the fog was too thick.
But…
It seemed to be looking in my direction.
I watched it for a few seconds.
…
Maybe they were just waiting for someone. Or maybe it wasn't even a person.
It could be anything.
A shadow.
A post.
An illusion caused by the fog.
"…"
I shook my head slightly.
I'm tired. I'm probably imagining things.
I turned back, picked up the bags again, and started searching for my keys.
"Where are they…?"
I checked one pocket.
Nothing.
The other.
Nothing.
My bag.
Nothing.
"Come on…"
I searched again.
"Where the hell did I put them?"
The bags were heavy.
My arms were starting to ache.
"Ah…"
I finally found the keychain.
"There they are!"
I walked up to the entry panel and took out the electronic key.
I brought it toward the reader.
…
For some reason…
Before opening it, I felt the urge to look back toward the street.
I turned my head.
And…
"…"
My blood ran cold.
The silhouette was running.
Directly toward me.
"What…?!"
I had no time to think.
The figure was advancing rapidly through the fog.
Closer and closer.
Clearer and clearer.
"AAAAAHH!!!"
I opened the door as fast as I could.
Ran inside.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
I didn't look back.
I just ran.
My footsteps echoed inside the building.
My heart slammed against my chest.
"Oh my God!"
I kept going.
I didn't know if the person had come in behind me, didn't know if they were following me, didn't know absolutely anything.
I just wanted to get away.
I finally reached a spot where I could see back outside.
I stopped.
I was breathing hard.
I slowly turned my head.
…
The silhouette was there.
Standing still.
On the other side of the door.
Quietly.
Watching me.
…
I couldn't make out their face — the fog covered them almost completely.
A chill ran down my spine.
I couldn't move.
It was the first time I'd felt this scared since becoming Aika.
The silhouette stayed motionless.
The fog began to thicken, and little by little… their figure started to disappear.
…
I swallowed.
"…"
I didn't wait any longer. I turned and ran to my apartment.
Opened the door.
Went inside.
Closed it.
Locked it.
And leaned back against it.
"Haa…"
My breathing was ragged.
My legs stopped holding me and I slowly slid down to the floor.
I hugged my knees.
My heart was still racing.
Calm down.
Calm down, Aika.
It's over.
I breathed deeply.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
I'm inside my home.
The door is locked.
I'm safe.
…
At least…
That's what I wanted to believe.