Yakuza | DISCONTINUED | 2023 VERSION AVAILABLE NOW

Akira: I'm Really Trying

It was difficult to put Illumi Zoldyck under one category, that much was easy to tell. He was detached and professional; the perfect epitome of an assassin. Over the course of the exam, it made sense to me why we were chosen to be each other's company; my parents were comparing me to him, wishing I would be reminded of how things are supposed to work and how I'm supposed to act. That attempt came close to succession, too, the more I think about the conversation I wish I could forget.

"Oh, so that means you're acting like this because you were told to?"

"Yes."

At the same time, I'm happy I was conscious enough to understand. So what if my powers aren't as potent to him as they are to Hisoka? He's an assassin. So what if his Nen stayed with him as he held me? There must be something off about him, me, or the circumstance we were in. Now it's behind me, and I was gradually embracing what my parents were obviously trying to force me to.

I have my similarities with him, but at the same time, I also have similarities with Killua. A sweet, young boy who didn't deserve being shoved back into a robotic state by the likes of his abusive older brother. I dismissed how often I noticed him watching Killua through the phases, and only during the final one did the revelation dawn on us. And the way he preyed on the boy...

It was worth the slap.

The sharp sound echoes through the room as everything grew still. At the back of my mind, I debated if I could win a fight against Illumi, and if it bore any semblance to my own familial battles.

"So close." I snarled, my quickened heartbeat ringing at the back of my ears as my eyes abandon their chocolate color, adopting a vibrant crimson hue the longer I looked at Illumi's impassive face, "Everyone was supposed to go home satisfied. Then you decided to be a tyrant."

"Akira—"

"What do you know about being a good Hunter?" I questioned, "Everyone here can already see you can't represent it. The boy just wanted to breathe, Illumi. You're dragging him down because you don't want him to improve if that means you can't control him anymore. Killua wanted out from the lifestyle his family is forcing him to, even before meeting them." I pointed at the boy's friends, and now that I think about it, the people who became my acquaintances as well, "What gives you the right to play judge, jury, and executioner?"

"Must I explain? I don't need to earn any rights; he's my brother." He monotously replied, further increasing the tremors I felt in my hands and the warmth at the ends of my hair.

"What is he first to you? A brother or a successor?"

When he didn't answer, I walked away, focusing instead on suppressing the Nen that was forcing its way onto the surface, "Lay a finger on Gon, Kurapika, or Leorio, and I will kill you, Illumi."

A brief pause filled the room, "This proves that you're weak, Akira Yakuza." I heard him say, but my steps didn't falter. Years prior, I would've hesitated and given him the battle he was calling for... peculiar, how much a loss can affect one's future.

I heard an airy sigh then, urging me to create distance from the source of the sound out of reflex. Netero-san was sitting on a pillar, calm as he always seems to me, and he voiced, "An apprentice near a temple will recite the scriptures untaught."

I allowed myself a small smile, "An imperative factor of life, as it seems. Especially to a family of assassins."

The old man jumped down, and we took a seat by the fountain, "Tell me, Yakuza-san—"

"Akira will suffice."

He nods, "Very well. Akira, why did you do what you did?"

I paused, carefully choosing my words in a way that wouldn't affect me as much, "There's no reason to control another person's actions for the sake of a group of individuals who doesn't even value that person. Killua is young, yet to know about Nen, and Illumi used that without consideration. I understand the differences between an assassin family and a regular one, but what I can't comprehend is how they interacted... they were like strangers."

"Is it different with your own siblings?" He asked, and for a brief moment, I hesitated.

"To a point."

Netero-san was silent for a moment, but I was unsure if it meant a good thing or not. After a while, he stood, "Well, you know what they say. Ten men, ten colors." Then he gave me a black folder, "Congratulations, Akira Yakuza-san. You are now a Hunter."

Befuddled as I was of where he hid that, I took the folder and opened it. Inside is a file and a license. I looked back up to thank the old man, but he had already made his way back inside.

"Arigato, Netero-san..." I mutter.

~

With no other business to accomplish, I return home. Hisoka went to wait for Gon, Killua's friend, in the Heavens Arena. I got tempted to join in, just to test my parents' limits, but on the other hand I don't. Such is life.

"How was the exam?"

"Barely worth my time and effort." I reply, annoyed that the bland tone in my voice reminded me so much of him. I kept walking past her, not bothering to hide my eagerness to return to my room.

Amira wasn't finished drilling, being unable to manage to hide the teasing edge to her tone either, "How was Illumi?"

I stopped walking, giving her a disbelieved look, "I'm not answering that question."

"That good, huh?" She laughed, and I shake my head. If it wasn't mother that was forcing men on me, it was my sister. To think I actually hoped to have her on my side again was wishful thinking.

"Wait, Akira." She stopped her jokes, matching my pace, "Sorry. I just thought, since I know him—"

Wrong lead, "I don't understand who's crazier between you two, nee-sama. You, for befriending an abusive, egotistical asshole or him for manipulating his own brother when he knows damn well Killua doesn't know how to use Nen."

At that, she grew still as I proceeded to my father's study. I opened the door, seeing him facing me when I came in, "Welcome back."

First praise.

"Thank you." I close the door behind me, allowing darkness to once again fill the room. Dim candlelight on either side of dad barely helped me see his face, and a small part of me became grateful.

"How was the exam?" First question.

I produced my license from my pocket and showed it to him.

"Congratulations. And Illumi?" Second praise. Second question.

"He's as professional as you say. I've gained insight on what I lost over the course of the exam. Your judgment was correct in putting us together." I say, masking the insincerity behind my words with the same dead tone Illumi uses.

Dad hummed in agreement, nodding, "I'm glad to hear that. Very well, you can go." 

I respectfully nod, making my way out and quietly closing the door behind me. I didn't allow myself the luxury to relax until I got a reasonable distance away, and then I let out a deep breath. 

All of a sudden, something seemed out of place. My steps resumed in a wary motion as I reach the hallway to my bedroom. That something was an aura, as I later realized. I turned, concealing my Nen to an inconspicuous point when I faced my door. 

Someone was inside. 

I fought a large part of me that wanted to kick the door down, and instead turned the knob to open it. Light flooded in, enabling me to see an incredibly large pair of legs dangling from my bed. The covers itself had sunk because of the inhumanly large... man on it. He was leaning back, a smug smile on his wide face as his eyes shamelessly rake over me. 

"Hello." I impassively greet, pleased to have mastered the art of the heartless.

"Akira Yakuza, I take it?" he asked, using a low tone he probably thinks is attractive. It made my skin crawl even more.

I lock the door behind me, happy to have such a silent knob, "You got me. You know me, but I don't know you."

"Julian. Your future husband."

~

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