Payback (Hiatus)

Chapter 25 (EDITED)

Edited: 27 October 2023

In the cozy living room of their quaint family home, Izuku and his close-knit group were engrossed in a captivating movie, their attention captured by the unfolding drama on the screen. Akihito remained engrossed in the daily news within the pages of a newspaper, his eyes scanning the pages for the latest news and stories of interest.

Inko indulged in the delightful crunch of popcorn, creating a symphony of snacking sounds. Amidst the comfort of the room, Kai and Izuku found solace in each other's arms, cuddling affectionately on the plush couch.

The three young children, overflowing with youthful energy, sat cross-legged on the soft carpet, their wide eyes fixed on the thrilling movie unfolding before them. In this unique family dynamic, it seemed as if Yurei and Gou had also become, in some sense, children of Izuku. 

They shared a remarkable closeness with Eri, often acting as her protectors and companion. Wherever Eri went, they could at all times be found by her side. Gou, the responsible and caring figure among the three, diligently sought to prevent any potential trouble and watched over Eri with unwavering devotion. Yurei, on the other hand, was always ready to embrace Eri's every whim, following her lead with enthusiasm and an infectious spirit that brought joy and excitement to their adventures together.

As they were engrossed in the action movie, filled with intense Yakuza scenes, Eri's keen eye caught onto a peculiar detail: the multitude of tattoos adorning the gang members. Curiosity piqued, she reached for her phone, skillfully navigating her way through search results to find answers to her newfound inquiry.

Eri's fingers danced across the screen as she typed, 'Why do Yakuza have tattoos?'

Her search yielded a fascinating revelation: in Japan, tattoos were deeply entrenched in a cultural landscape where they were primarily associated with the likes of the Yakuza and other underworld criminals. The inked designs acted as a visual marker, allowing normal citizens to discern if an individual was involved in criminal activities.

However, it wasn't merely about signalling criminal affiliations. The Yakuza, it seemed, adopted a complex blend of samurai-like rituals and expressed admiration for their bravery and Robin Hood-like objectives. They took cues from the samurai, despite historical enmity between the two groups, to symbolize the significance of adhering to a code of honour. In this way, the Yakuza would often ink their bodies with samurai tattoos, emphasizing their commitment to principles that ran parallel to their criminal endeavours, casting a deeper, multifaceted light on the Yakuza's culture and identity.

Eri's gaze shifted toward her father, and her inquisitive eyes caught the attention of Kai, who couldn't help but notice her contemplative expression.

"What is it?" Kai inquired, his curiosity piqued by Eri's gaze.

Eri, her young mind bursting with questions, couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you have a tattoo like they do?" Her question echoed through the room, catching Akihito's attention as well. 

He chimed in, intrigued, "Yes, really, Kai, why haven't you gotten a tattoo?"

Kai contemplated for a moment before he responded, "I've just never been particularly fond of the idea, I suppose."

Izuku, ever supportive, chimed in, "You know, Kai, you'd look pretty cool with a tattoo."

Kai appeared thoughtful, letting the notion sink in, and then, with a twinkle in his eye, he proposed, "Really? Well, how about we get tattoos together, Izuku?"

Izuku, his face lighting up with enthusiasm, readily agreed, "Sure, that sounds like a great idea!"

Inko, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "But let's not go overboard with the tattoos, especially considering you're still students."