Early Morning
Jin’s Room
Sumi opens her eyes and sees Jin sleeping beside her, their faces so close but barely touching. His sleeping face is nothing like the vicious man she knows him as;… he’s a devil trapped in an angel’s body. “The devil that saved me…” she thought.
She gently caresses his face with the tips of her fingers. He has a bruise where his lips meet. “It must have been from the fight,” she thought.
She begins to examine him further and notices how badly injured he is. His left arm and rib area are bandaged. The damage is definitely worse than the fight should have left him. Softly, she touches the bandages, trying to recall what happened the night before. “He hit him once… Takizawa-san only hit him once,” she remembers.
She touches his face once more, tracing his jaw line with the back of her fingers, following it to his lips like they have some magnetic force pulling everything to them. She slowly leans forward to kiss him.
“You’re awake,” Kazuya interrupts her train of thought. He and Yamapi have been sitting on the couch just a few feet away.
Sumi quickly moves away from Jin. “How… how long… have you been there?” she asks startled; hoping that he didn’t see anything.
“Long enough to know how long you’ve been staring at Jin,” he teases. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell him you tried to take advantage of him in his sleep. It’s only gonna make his head bigger,” he adds jokingly.
“Me? Take advantage of him?!?!” she burst out in most defensive manner.
“Gome…, I was just kidding,” Kazuya replies realizing how cruel the joke must be for Sumi.
“Never mind that,” she says collecting her composure after catching another glimpse of Jin. “What happened?” she asks confused.
“Don’t you remember? Jin saved you from Takizawa-san,” Kazuya explain.
“I remember that much, but how did this happen? How did he get so badly injured? He was only hit once. Where did these bruises come from?” Sumi asks with a tone so troubled that even she can’t believe how concerned she sounds.
Kazuya looks at Yamapi as if asking for permission. After Yamapi gives him a nod, “Let’s go outside,” he says.
Sumi slowly gets out of bed and follows Kazuya and Yamapi out of Jin’s room to the hallway. She closes the door behind her and looks at them anxiously waiting for answers.
Kazuya begins to talk; “Well…” he’s cut off by a loud crash.
Sumi looks around searching for the source of the sound. A maid has dropped a few of the luggage she was hauling. The house is being cleared out. “Suitcases? What’s going on?” she asks even more confused than ever. “Why is everything being packed?”
“Oh, not everything,” Kazuya replies automatically. “Just the important things that Jin wants to bring,” he adds.
“Bring where?” Sumi asks again. “Please tell me what’s going on, Kazuya-kun,” she pleads.
Yamapi looks at Kazuya; then, sighs hinting his disapproval. But he knows it wouldn’t stop Kazuya from telling Sumi what she wants to know.
“Kumicho made Jin the shiteigashira (2nd lieutenant), and he wants us to move to the new office…” Kazuya answers.
“Wait a minute,” Sumi interrupts. “Kumicho? Shiteigashira? What are you guys, members of a yakuza?” she asks hoping that it’s just a joke.
“Yeah,” Yamapi replies with his usual flat tone. “And Jin, that idiot, picked a fight with our wakagashira (1st lieutenant) to save you. Those injuries that you’re so curious about are just a light punishment for what he did,” he adds calmly as if it was normal.
“Light?!” Sumi exclaims. “You call that light? He looks like he just got out of a car accident,” she adds.
“He could have been killed for interfering with Takizawa-san,” Yamapi replies.
“Killed…” she repeats with her eyes widened in shock. “…for me…” she adds under her breath.
“Eh?!” Kazuya grins as he looks at her. “Are you worried about Jin?” he teases.
“Of course not!”Sumi denies defensively. She quickly returns to Jin’s room before she blushes in front of them.
Sumi walks towards the bed and sits next to Jin. He’s still sleeping. Luckily, her loud outburst didn’t wake him up. He begins to make slight movements. An uneasy expression is on his face as if he’s having a nightmare. She unconsciously reaches for his hand, and he accepts it.
“What am I doing?” she thought. “You’re my enemy; so, why do I feel sympathy for you?” she asks herself.
Outside the Room
Kazuya looks at Yamapi smiling, but Yamapi won’t return his smile. “You’re getting to close. We’re here to look after her. That’s it; we’re not here to be her friends,” he says reminding Kazuya.
Kazuya’s smile fades. “I know. Demo…”
“Okay. Let me ask you one thing and answer me honestly. Are you falling for her?” Yamapi asks with eyes full of suspicion.
Kazuya turns his head with anger on his face. “I have to go get all the files ready.” He leaves without answering the question.
Yamapi left alone peaks through the door and sees Sumi next to Jin. “Is she really worth risking your life for? I just hope that you’re not gambling everything for revenge.”
Someone taps his shoulder, “Is the scene worth seeing?”
Yamapi turns around and sees the kumicho, “Ohayou gozaimasu, kumicho,” he says in the most polite manner as he bows.
“Ohayou,” the old man replies. “Is he awake yet?” he asks with the utmost concern.
Yamapi shakes his head, “No.”
The old man curiously peaks inside and smiles. “Well, it looks like he’s well taken care of, isn’t he?” he jokes.
“Hai…” Yamapi replies although it’s obvious that he thinks otherwise.
“I’ve haven’t seen that boy so concerned about anyone since his brother’s death,” the old man pauses with a smile. “Maybe because he’s never let anyone too close other than you and Kazuya. But just because it has been just the three of you since the beginning doesn’t mean it will remain that way. Keep your friendship strong, but don’t shut out those who care for you,” he adds as he walks away.
“Hai, kumicho,” Yamapi replies bowing.
The old man stops walking. He turns his head to the side and says, “And one more thing; it’s not too late to continue what you left behind. Don’t wait until she’s completely out of your life. It’s been years since the incident. Isn’t it time you forgive yourself?”
Yamapi remains silent.
That Afternoon
Takaki Mansion
Yuya arrives. “Make me a cup of coffee,” he tells the maid while he heads for the stairs.
“Yu-kun, is that you?” he hears his mom calling out, but he doesn’t answer.
“Yuya!” Akira yells. “Your mother is talking to you,” he says grabbing Yuya’s arm. His voice is still echoing throughout the house.
His mother embraces him and says, “I’ve been so worried about you. Why didn’t you come home last night? The school called saying that you’ve been skipping class. Where have you been going?” her voice trembles as she cries.
“Why don’t you ask your husband? He knows exactly where I’ve been going,” he replies rudely. He frees himself from both his parents and continues walking up the stairs. “Just bring the coffee to my room,” he yells.
“Yuya get back here!” Akira raises his voice.
His mom embraces his dad as she weeps. “That’s enough, Akira” she whispers. “Don’t blame him... We’re the ones at fault.”
Akira embraces his wife and whispers, “Gome, Akiko… Gome.”
(Akiko is Yuya’s mom.)
Meanwhile
Yuya’s Room
Yabu and Inoo took over the search so Yuya can take a rest, but the constant worry is keeping him awake. He could pass out from exhaustion, but he can’t even close his eyes. He picks up a picture of him and Sumi and sits himself by the window with his head against the wall.
Yellow, red and orange...the leave are changing colors. “It was around this time, wasn’t it?” he thought. He can’t believe it’s been 12 years since then…
Flashback: 12 years ago
Shibuya Imperial High School
A little girl is sitting at the garden crying. Her face is buried in her palms letting only soft sobs to escape.
A young boy approaches her with a flower in his hand. He taps her shoulder and offers her the flower with a kind smile.
The girl looks up and says, “To-kun? Is that you?” She stands up and takes the flowers from the boy while rubbing her swollen eyes. “They were bullying me again,” she says sobbing.
“Don’t cry anymore. I’m here. I’ll protect you no matter what,” the boy replies as he embraces her.
“Don’t ever leave me again, To-kun,” the girl says clinging onto the boy.
“Hai,” he replies with a smile.
“Promise?”
“Promise!” he replies “I will never leave your side…”
Without knowing who To-kun was, the little boy vowed to be the little girl’s protector. Of course, he knew there’s a chance that one day the real To-kun will come back to take his rightful place, but until then, he will be the one to defend her smile because his desire to take care of her is much stronger than his fear of losing her. He only hopes that one day she will no longer call him To-kun, and instead, call him by his real name…
“Yuya-kun!”
End of Flashback
“Yuya-kun!” he hears a voice calling his name. “Yuya-kun, wake up!” it’s getting louder. Yuya opens his eyes and sees Inoo with a worried look on his face.
“What happened?” he asks. His head is pounding as if it’s about to explode.
“I came to check on you and found you on the floor,” Inoo explains.
Yuya remembers collapsing a few minutes before Inoo showed up.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
Yuya replies with a soft laughter. “Do I look okay?” He closes his eyes tightly to keep the tears from coming out.
“Don’t worry, Yuya. We’ll find her…” Inoo promises as he helps Yuya off the floor.
That Night
Akanishi Mansion
Jin’s Room
Jin finally wakes up. He sees Sumi sitting beside him. She’s still holding his hand even well after she fell asleep. He gently sweeps her hair from her face. The bead necklace catches his attention, and he reaches for it.
Yamapi slips into the room without Jin noticing. As he watches the scene…
Flashback:
“I’ll come back for you,” says a voice as he places the bead necklace into a pair of small hands.
Kazuya walks in interrupting the flashback. He’s carrying a tray of food. “You’re awake.”
“Shhh…” Jin replies to keep the two from waking Sumi. He tries to get up to carry Sumi and lay her on the bed, but he’s still too weak.
“Don’t move so much. The doctor said you’ll be sore for a couple of days,” Kazuya whispers as he carries Sumi for Jin. “Jealous?” he teases giving Jin a wink.
Jin doesn’t reply.
“Don’t be… She hasn’t left your side all day,” he adds softly with a tone that almost hints of jealousy.
“Did you come here just to say that?” Jin responds coldly as if he really meant to say, “Get out.”
“I brought food,” he replies while helping Jin get up.
Jin turns his attention to Hatsumi and says, “Did she eat yet?”
Before Kazuya could answer, Yamapi finally speaks up, “Jin, we have a problem.”
Late in the Afternoon
Takaki Mansion
“Sensei, is he going to be okay?” Akiko asks the doctor.
“He’ll be fine. He just needs more sleep. Just make sure he rests for tonight and tomorrow,” the doctor replies.
“Arigatou, sensei.”
Suddenly, they hear a car driving away. Akiko rushes into Yuya’s room. The curtains are blowing wildly with the wind; the windows wide open, and Yuya is nowhere to be found.
“Akira!” she screams.
He runs to Yuya’s room and finds his wife in tears of panic.
“He’s gone,” she says collapsing into his arms.
Later
Akanishi Mansion
“How the hell did he get in here?” Jin asks furiously as he storms out of the room.
“We’re still checking the cameras,” Yapami replies. Akanishi mansion’s security is tighter than the prime minister’s home. No one gets in without a formal invitation or a high enough position in the yakuza. “He must have had help.”
“Takizawa-san…” Kazuya whispers out loud.
“Give me a gun,” Jin says in a commanding tone.
“Jin, you’re in no condition to fight anyone,” Yamapi’s obviously concerned.
“Jin, Tomo’s right. Go leave with him. I’ll take care of Sumi,” Kazuya adds.
“No. I’m not going anywhere. Just get my gun,” Jin replies calmly. “Keep looking for him. I’ll stay with her,” he adds.
“Here,” Kazuya hands him a gun with great force making Jin’s face wrinkle in pain. Kazuya walks away with a smirk enjoying his mini victory.
Later
Jin’s Room
Sumi wakes up in the dark surprised to find herself laying in bed alone. She sits up looking for Jin with her eyes, but he’s nowhere in sight.
A dark figure emerges from the shadows. “We meet again, my dear…”
