Yakuza | DISCONTINUED | 2023 VERSION AVAILABLE NOW

Akira: All my friends are children

Why, indeed?

Why do we live, just to die? Why is humanity an evidently flawed race, yet we can be categorized as 'perfect'? We are divided, between nationalities, Hunters, assassins, civilians, and yet we find our way back together as one unified force. I've always wondered how I became one of those middle ground individuals, compatible with numerous opposite lives. The books at the estate that tells me about my ancestors could only do so much; after all, they didn't completely document what they were like. What could they have done and refused to do to lead to today, to the way I am?

"What are you doing?"

Yet another beautiful question. Shame that I can't say the same about the enquirer.

"Having an existential crisis." I reply, voice muffled through the pillow on my face, "You?"

Illumi closed the door behind him, sending a fleeting glare towards the window where we were hearing the continued bustle and noise from the festival outside. I rented myself an apartment for the night, feeling the jaws of exhaustion sink into my muscles and overcome what perception I might've had in the past. The contract that I've signed with the bed had been easily broken off when my companion sat on one side, interrupting my lunge into the soft, feathery abyss.

"We're not supposed to be here, you know." he speaks, "Don't you think after the attack there'd be more of those men?"

"Then where are we supposed to be?" I wistfully respond, blinking, "Are each and every one of us assigned to a particular place in this small, cramped world? Afterwards, what happens? If we do find our place, do we just stay there...?"

He groans, rolling his eyes. A couple more and maybe he would see his brain--or rather, lack thereof. "Was your fruitshake spiked?"

Poor boy knows nothing of what can and cannot be spiked.

Nor of my tendency to act under the influence of a satisfied stomach.

"Were you dropped on your head? I'm assuming it's the only logical explanation to the ways in which you decide to spend your time around people, as well as the air you use to indulge in insincere interactions. At first, I thought it was your antisocial nature until I realize no one could rival me in such. There can only be one reigning redhead."

"Are you done?" he almost spat, barely keeping him and his hostile aura together. Unable to maintain my composure, I burst out in giggles, clutching my stomach as I fell back on the bed.

Probably realizing that more critique would serve as encouragement for me, he refrains from speaking. The space beside me dipped, and I opened an eye to see him lying down, left arm over his closed eyes in evident exhaustion of me. I chuckle proudly, eyeing him like he was a masterpiece I've brought to life before I realize what I was doing was probably creepy. The cheers from outside suddenly caught my attention so I jumped, certainly not making sure my whole face wasn't in his view.

Only then had I realized how tired I was. After a yawn that felt like what little left of my soul was leaving my body, I mess my already unkempt hair, watching how the ends fell back in place under my chest. My wandering eyes went about the nitty-gritty room until they landed on Illumi's form. How can someone imitate a mannequin so well?

"You don't mind, right?" I ask as I surrender myself to gravity and lie down over his outstretched arm. Illumi peeked at me, quickly masking the surprise in his face while trying to hide from me the flush that appeared on it. I was amused but also respectable of him at that moment, so I didn't push, instead imitating him by putting one arm over my eyes too. For the sake of it, I extend my left arm, letting my hand land over his torso, "Now we mirror each other."

I didn't hear a response from him immediately, and I momentarily worried if I've overstepped. Lifting my arm, a fleeting shiver shot through me when I saw how he was looking at me from the corner of his eyes. In a certain light, his eyes appear to have hints of deep blue, like the color the sea gets as it increases in depth... Central heterochromia. Wow.

"Still don't mind?" the corners of my lips curve in a teasing smirk. The now-flustered assassin looks away from me, but hasn't made a move to remove his arm underneath me. He just grunts, ruffling my hair to block my vision of him; I swat his hand away, risking a snuggle into his chest, "Relax, it's not like I'm going to tell anyone." We didn't see eye to eye, but I could practically smell the hesitation oozing off of him. "Really. Scout's honor."

"You are no scout nor honorable, Akira."

Somebody doesn't want to keep his privacy. "I am if I say so."

He scoffs, and I could feel him shake his head, "You are a peculiar woman."

"And you're the one having an existential crisis right now, I can tell."

A different kind of silence falls on the both of us. This was thicker and constricting, perhaps more so for him than it is for me. This is what happens when I get deprived of fruitshakes for forever.

"I-It's just... I'm n-not used to this..." he dropped his gaze, and I put my head on his chest again, "I won't tell that, either. That makes both of us, though I've been more exposed to the trusting issues than you. Just remember that I won't be able to help you if you don't help me."

The corners of Illumi's lips twitch up a bit as I offer a soft smile. He nods, not saying any more.

~

"Hey, Kira."

I hum in response, pocketing my hands in the pockets of my new brown leather jacket. Three days later and I still can't comprehend Illumi Zoldyck buying this for me. Naturally, I'd curse the cold weather to the moon and back... now I'm not completely sure.

"It's Chrollo." he turned his phone to show me, and I spare a glance while parting my hair down the middle.

After skipping past a bump on the road, I voice, "Ten Dons, huh? Are you going to accept?"

"It'd be foolish not to." He sternly replies, earning an eye roll from me.

"So what am I going to do? Stand watch outside?"

Illumi tilted his head to the side, "You can do that?"

My jaw fell, "I'll have you know-"

Nature and fate can be a true thorn at the side. In my case, it's a pain in my ass because the pit I fell into had pebbles in it. The surprise made it hurt a bit more, but I was more upset at the hints of amusement in this weirdo's face.

"Illumi, this is the part where you help me up like a gentleman." I snap.

Unfortunately, the butthead smirked and walked right past me, "You didn't fall like a lady, so..."

In the corner of my eye, I saw the ends of my hair rise and catch fire. Forcing myself back to my feet, I collect Ren in my left hand and aim for his butt.

By the time Illumi looked back to glare at me, I'd already went by him, "You're adorable, for an asshole."