Chapter 1
Yuki
Augusto Vitale; 32. Yuki Tanaka; 22.
My face is expressionless as I lie down on the medical table.
Just like always, the doctor and Masaki exchange words before he comes to stand beside me.
Masaki is in charge of me, making sure I don’t cause any trouble and do everything I’m told. In the beginning, when I used to put up a fight, he’d whip my back raw. Eventually, the punishments just weren’t worth it anymore, and now I do as I’m told.
Dr. Hagita has been on the Yakuza’s payroll since I can remember. He’s the one who’s made sure I’ve looked like a boy since the age of eleven. With dermal fillers and Botox, he contours my jawline, enhances my chin, and gives my cheeks, nose, and brows a more masculine definition.
I haven’t seen Ryo in eleven years. Growing up, I was very close to my older brother until Father forcefully separated us. While I fill Ryo’s shoes in the public eye, he’s stashed away somewhere, training to take over as theKumichoof the Yakuza so he can retire.
Retire, my butt.
Father is power-hungry and will never want to lose his seat at the head of the table. That’s why he’s going to place my brother in the seat of power, so Father can continue to rule by making Ryo do his bidding.
While Dr. Hagita starts with the injections, I close my eyes, my thoughts revolving around Ryo. I wonder if he’s doing well.Does he think of me? Father never answers my questions about him.
My heart clenches because even though so much time has passed, I miss my older brother. He was the only person who showed me any kind of love before he was ripped away from me.
(Eleven years ago…)
“Yuki! Over here.”
I carefully jump from one rock to the next as I cross the stream to get to where Ryo is crouching. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I bend down and peer into the puddle. Seeing the small fish, a smile stretches over my face.
Slowly, Ryo pokes his finger into the water, and it makes the fish scatter, looking for hiding places between the rocks.
I let out a chuckle, then getting up, I jump onto the grassy embankment. “Leave the fish, Ryo.”
He listens and follows me, and as we walk through the bamboo trees, we find sticks to use as swords and pretend we’re Samurai warriors.
“You’re too pretty to be a Samurai,” Ryo says as he jabs his stick at me.
The smile fades from my face as I stare at my favorite person in the whole world, and the next second, I burst out in tears.
Yesterday, Father told us Ryo is going away to train while I’ll stay behind.
Ryo quickly comes to hug me. “I don’t want to go away.”
Clinging to my brother, I sob my little heart out. “If you leave, I’ll be all alone.”
“Ryo! Yuki!” We hear Masaki call from the direction of the stream.
While I gasp, Ryo grabs my hand and starts to run through the trees.
“Ryo!” Masaki shouts. “We don’t have time for this.”
I glance over my shoulder and see Masaki giving a hand signal to the soldiers to go after us.
A shriek bursts over my lips, and my tears begin to fall again. “Ryo, they’re coming.”
He pulls harder at my hand, our palms sweaty. I almost stumble as I struggle to keep up with him. The next second, my other arm is grabbed, and I let out a terrified scream as my hand is easily pulled from Ryo’s.
Ryo spins around, and letting out a warrior's cry, he storms the soldier who’s yanking me backward. As I lose my balance and partially fall, the other soldiers grab hold of Ryo, and he drops his stick on the ground.
