Nifumi brushed the dust off his jacket as he stepped inside, still smelling faintly of smoke and iron from the docks. Ken shot up from the sofa the moment their eyes met.
"Itsuki said it's safe here," Ken snapped, fists clenched. "Then what the fuck was that outside?"
Nifumi blinked at him, then let out a low chuckle. "Obviously it's safe here. Did you two get hurt?" He spread his arms, grin widening. "No? Then it's safe."
He stretched his neck, yawning like nothing had happened. "Anyway, I'm heading to the hospital. Lock the doors, and don't" he pointed a finger at Ken "fucking go into my room."
Without waiting for a reply, he strolled toward the washroom. The sound of running water filled the short silence as he washed the blood and dust off his face. Then he grabbed his phone, dialing fast.
"Yo, My lovely bastards," he said, voice sharp now. "I need a car at my place in ten minutes. Hurry the fuck up."
He hung up and turned back toward the living room, his grin returning like nothing happened.
"Aya-chan," he said, voice suddenly sweet, "mind making some coffee for this good uncle of yours?"
Ken glared. "She's not your fucking maid. Do it yourself."
Aya stood up quietly, placing a hand on her brother's arm. "It's alright, Ken. He is not a bad guy."
Nifumi's grin softened just a little. "Aww, what a cute girl. I definitely like you, Aya-chan. If you ever need anything just ask me, okay?"
Aya smiled faintly and walked to the kitchen. The moment she was gone, Nifumi dropped on the couch.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The knocking wouldn't stop.
Nifumi leaned back on the couch, legs crossed, eyes on the ceiling. Ken, sitting opposite him, glared toward the door.
"You gonna get that?" Ken muttered.
Nifumi didn't move. "Nah. You're closer."
Ken scowled. "I'm not your damn butler."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The knocking grew louder, sharper this time, echoing through the hallway. Both of them sat there, staring each other down like it was a contest of patience.
Finally, Ken threw his hands up. "God damn it!" He stomped toward the door, shouting, "Can't you wait, Asshole? Stop knocking every fucking second!"
He yanked it open and froze.
A gun barrel was staring him right in the face. Two men stood on the porch in black suits, eyes cold and empty. One of them shouted, "Why the fuck are you in the president's house, loser?"
Ken's eyes widened. "Nifumi, you piece of shit!" he shouted, heart racing.
From the couch, Nifumi's laugh echoed lazily through the house. "Hey, idiots," he called out. "If he's inside my house, obviously he's a guest. Put your damn guns down."
The men stiffened immediately. "President, we thought—"
"—you guys think too much," Nifumi cut in, waving his hand. "Now hand over the car keys to him," he nodded toward Ken, "and get the fuck out of here."
The two men exchanged nervous glances, then lowered their guns. One of them stepped forward, bowing slightly before Ken and handing him the keys.
Apologies, sir.
Ken just stood there, dumbfounded, as they bowed again and backed away toward their car.
Nifumi burst out laughing "Hahahahahaha! They scared you to death, didn't they?" he roared from the couch, holding his stomach.
Ken's face turned red with anger. "You think this is funny?" he yelled, his fist slamming into the wall hard enough to make a dent. He glared at Nifumi one last time before storming out the door.
Moments later, Aya walked out of the kitchen holding a steaming mug. "Coffee's ready," she said softly.
Nifumi leaned back, grinning, and took the cup from her. He took a sip and froze for a moment, eyes widening. "Ohhh damn… what a good coffee. Thank you, Aya-chan," he said with exaggerated admiration.
Aya smiled shyly. "You're welcome."
Finishing the last sip, Nifumi placed the cup on the table and stretched. "Shall we go to the hospital together?"
Aya blinked. "Is it fine?"
Nifumi chuckled, waving his hand. "Obviously it's fine. What could possibly go wrong? Let's go."
They stepped outside. The car was already rumbling, and Ken sat in the driver's seat, one arm resting on the window frame. He rolled the window down, looking irritated.
"I'll drive," he said sharply. "Don't fucking say anything."
Nifumi raised his hands dramatically, smirking. "Ooh, scary. The brat thinks he's grown up."
He slid into the front passenger seat, Aya quietly taking the back. As Ken pulled out of the driveway, Nifumi teased, "You don't even have a driving license, do you? You're just a kid behind a wheel! Hahahahaha!"
Ken gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath, "Keep talking, old man… I'll drive us into a wall."
Nifumi leaned back with a grin, lighting a cigarette. "Now that would make the trip interesting."
Aya sighed softly from the backseat. "You two are impossible…"
The car rumbled through the city's streets, wipers dragging a slow rhythm against the windshield. Ken's hands were tight on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed ahead. Nifumi sat in the passenger seat, leaning back, arms crossed, eyes flicking toward the window as the silence stretched too long.
Finally, he broke it.
"We're going to the hospital," he said, voice low but steady. "To see Miyu-chan."
Aya, sitting in the back, looked up from her phone, confused. "Who's that?" she asked, her tone soft but wary. Ken glanced at Nifumi through the rearview mirror, the same question in his eyes.
Nifumi exhaled and explained short, quiet, and without sparing the edge in his tone. When he finished, the air in the car felt heavier, like the temperature had dropped ten degrees.
Aya's eyes shimmered with disbelief. "That's… that's so cruel," she whispered, almost to herself.
Ken's grip on the steering wheel tightened until the leather creaked. His voice came out rough. "Let's find that fucker who did it," he said. "Skin him alive."
Nifumi turned his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Heyy—don't say scary stuff around your sister." He tilted his head back against the seat, eyes narrowing on the passing lights. "And I'm already on it."
No one spoke after that. The engine filled the silence, and the city blurred past.
Hospital
Nifumi walked in with Aya and Ken, scanning the hallway lazily until his eyes landed on Hayato.
"Yo, brother," Nifumi called out, waving one hand casually. "Everything's fine?"
Hayato turned, his expression heavy and cold. "Nothing is fine," he said flatly. "Miyu's parents tried to kill their own daughter. They said they couldn't bear to see her like that that it was mercy."
Nifumi's grin vanished. "What… the fuck?" He tilted his head, face twisting with disgust. "What kind of sick fucks are they?"
Hayato exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Fortunately, Miri got there in time and stopped them."
"Did you inform the police yet or do you want me to handle it?" Nifumi asked, his voice quieter this time.
Hayato shook his head. "No. I'll take Miyu out of this hospital. She'll stay with us. I already bought the machines, everything she needs. She'll be under personal medical care 24/7."
Nifumi looks at Ken and Aya, and says "You two, go to room number 204. Itsuki's there."
Aya nods softly and pulls Ken along, though he keeps glancing back, hesitant to leave. When they finally disappear down the hallway, Nifumi turns back to Hayato, crossing his arms.
"So," he says, half-grinning, "you're bringing her into my house too?"
Hayato shakes his head. "No. I'm moving to that house."
Nifumi blinks, the grin fading. "Seriously? You can just buy a new fucking house, Hayato. You don't have to traumatize yourself by living there again."
Hayato's tone is quiet but steady. "It's alright. I can't keep running away, can I?"
For a moment, Nifumi says nothing. Then he sighs, stepping closer and placing a hand on Hayato's shoulder. His voice softens. "I miss Hinata too, you know."
Hayato looks down, his jaw tightening slightly. "The house is ready. We just have to move in with Miyu. And do me a favor can you bring the stuff from my old house?"
Nifumi immediately shakes his head. "Nah, I'm not going there at all. I'll ask my boys to do it. I don't wanna live through those bad memories again."
"I've got something to discuss with you," Nifumi says, his tone turning serious again. "But… let's just take care of this first."