Chapter Text
If there’s one thing Kiryu left out about busting heads is to be directly confronting with stupid-ass power-hungry adults making stupid-ass decisions who happens to be in the same position as he is. Majima bet old guards like Kazama would shake his head in a disappointing manner and Shimano having an uproar at the embarrassing display.
Kanda was the worst offender. He kept throwing a tantrum at their decision to let the former Forth Chairman take over as temporary interim chairman and something, something about avenging the Nishikiyama Family which he clearly doesn’t give a shit about. Nishiki must be rolling in his grave right now and Majima tucked away a little reminder to properly apologize with a stiff drink to his grave next time.
Hamazaki was no different. Sure, he put on a cool front, but definitely a fucking schemer as he purposely stirred the tension and challenged Kashiwagi regarding the idea of welcoming Kiryu back into the fold. Which Majima confidently interpreted as a sign that he intended to gun for the chairman position with the Snake Flower Triad backing him which Majima is very much aware that they want Kiryu’s head.
Mine was by far the only new person with a degree of standards and perhaps honor. He was the first to agree with Kashiwagi’s sensible idea of solidifying the clan and keeping it afloat in order to uphold his oath to the now unconscious sixth chairman. The only time Majima felt concerned was his silent response to Hamazaki’s theory of Kiryu’s succession to be the seventh chairman (although Majima can safely bet that won’t be happening as the man did say he would rather run his orphanage). To which he thought “shit”, it was time to be wary of Mine (again).
All in all, the meeting is a mess that left Majima so internally baffled until Hamazaki called him out. Wondering out loud why the mutt has been silent throughout the disputes and Majima could only focus on that damn condescending smirk and the urge to pull out his tanto that he kept hidden inside his jacket. Said suit has been eating away at his neck even if Makoto cooed how handsome he looked in it.
Damn it, he needs a fucking smoke. Badly.
Time to play the wild card.
Kashiwagi called him up after he peaced out from the meeting.
“I would have liked it if another certain individual also backed up my proposal.” Kashiwagi’s disgruntled voice muffled in his ear.
Majima snorted, getting comfortable in his chair with his feet upright on his desk, “eh, sorry bout’ that. The shitshow was enough for me to contemplate suicide.”
“Majima.”
The one-eyed man let out an annoyed sound, “tch. Sorry, sorry! If I knew being a patriarch meant dealing with this bullshit I would have reconsidered my choice.”
“Still, you made a promise with Kiryu, didn’t you?” Kashiwagi’s voice grew sly.
Majima gritted his teeth, “s’ that all ya wanna call me up for?”
Kashiwagi’s tone shifted, “no. I simply have a request that I can only trust you with.”
Well, that didn’t sound good.
“Lay it on me.”
Kashiwagi took a deep breath, “please form an alliance with the Hatuko Clan.”
A pregnant pause. What the fuck.
“Run that by me again?”
Kashiwagi heaved a sigh. Saying to keep this damn ship from sinking, why not ally with the patriarch that will most likely comply?
“Also, Mine did confirm he wished to abide by his oath to Daigo.” The older man added.
Majima can’t deny that. He saw how close they appeared, given being around the same age and one of the few rare moments he saw Mine’s icy demeanor softened in Daigo’s very presence. And Mine was basically their biggest financial backbone as he contributed so much to the clan.
But. That meant he had to lower his guard after years of building up his reputation.
“That may be so. But I ain’t a fucking babysitter.” Majima grumbled.
“I know. But out of all people, I trust that you’re able to pull through with it.” Kashiwagi paused, “after all, you did agree to be our enforcer when you came back. Didn’t you also claim you decided to come back just so you can- and I quote, turn this piss-poor sight of a clan into its former glory?”
Fuck, he did said those exact words. It was easy to forget his soft-hearted senior to have an annoying side within him.
Kashiwagi didn’t stop there. “Ah yes, I already informed Mine regarding this proposal. He seemed interested.”
...Son of a bitch.
Majima ran a hand through his hair and released a tired sigh, “ugh, fine! Just- lemme think it over, okay?”
He heard a chuckle from the other side, relieved, perhaps. “Thank you, Majima.”
And then Kashiwagi got killed.
His office was a wreck. Photos depicted shattered glass, destroyed furniture and blood on the floor. Witnesses entailed a helicopter disappearing into the dark sky.
Shit. He’s the only guard left standing. Where the hell is Kiryu now?
“Goro?” A soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
The one-eyed man blinked, lifting his head to find his wife standing before him in the doorway with a concerned expression on her face. Fuck, how long had he been standing at the entrance for?
He promptly kicked off his shoes and made his way inside, loosening his tie. “I’m back. The kids in bed already?”
Makoto mutely nodded, following him into the dimly-lit living room. The TV was on, currently broadcasting the shooting over at Millenium Tower. He felt a hand tugging his sleeve and Makoto’s voice gripped with fear, “they...they showed the bloodstains. Is Kashiwagi-san…?”
Besides Kiryu and Daigo, Kashiwagi was her third Tojo member that she genuinely trusted. (The list originally included Nishikiyama, before shit went down. Sadly.)
Majima swallowed hard, finally looking down at her. “Yeah.”
“No…” Makoto’s voice wavered, devastated and Majima instinctively pulled her into his arms. He forced a grin, “heh, funny that. Tojo’s ole’ mad dog left standing to guard the fort, huh?”
The grip on his jacket tightened. “Don’t- don’t call yourself that.”
She never liked the title in the first place which flattered him.
“Sorry, darlin’”, he weakly offered, his emotions slowly running dry. The whole day has been one huge kick in the dick. Makoto gently led him to the sofa and helped sat him down. He rested his head on her shoulder, allowing her to stroke his hair.
“What are you going to do next?” She quietly asked after several moments of silence.
Majima remained silent at first, relishing in her warm touch.
“Kashiwagi-san gave me one last request.” He eventually answered. “Want me to play nice with the Hatuko Clan, especially Mine.”
She hummed, “isn’t he the only new patriarch that you declared that he’ll be the last person to be on the receiving end of your knife?”
He snickered at that, “heh, I really said that, didn’t I?”
“Ofcourse, you ranted my poor ear off.” She giggled at the memory. Kashiwagi was the exact opposite, giving him that scrutinizing glare and all.
Majima kissed her cheek, “sorry bout’ that.”
She smiled at the apology. However, her lips tugged into a frown again. “It’s something to do with the resort deal, isn’t it?”
“Bullseye. Didn’t help that Daigo declined it in the first place, it being on Kiryu’s land, where the orphanage is.”
She sighed, “I just hope Daigo-san wakes up soon.”
Despite her ties with his shitty father, Makoto grew fond of Daigo. Hell, no sooner after the sixth chairman read up past records and learned the identity of Majima’s wife, he requested- no, begged to see her in person to apologize with his head bowed in shame.
“Daigo’s a strong boy.” Majima reassured, maybe more to himself in desperate times like these.
She quietly nodded, and the both of them continued to sit in each other’s arms in a comforting silence. The news continued to drone on.
The funeral was a small, solemn affair.
Aside from the huge presence of the Kazama clan, only he and Mine attended on behalf. Yayoi-anesan was also there for a while before going back to watch over her son, his location remained a secrecy for security's sake. He promised to bring Makoto to Kashiwagi’s grave once things settled down, not wanting to risk her in the crossfire, not on his damn watch.
“Majima-san.” Mine pulled him to one side after the service, his face ever so stoic that it rivals Kiryu’s signature scowl. “There’s something I need to discuss with you, regarding Kashiwagi-san. I’m positive he had shared with you?”
Damn, he doesn’t waste any time.
Majima firmly nodded, “yeah. So, where ya wanna meet up?”
“Would my office suffice?” Mine curtly offered.
Well.
Majima inwardly took a deep breath. It was now or never. “...Sure.”
With that, they agreed on a time and Mine politely excused himself with a slight bow. Majima stared onto his retreating back before finally relaxing his posture. He pulled out a cigarette, lighting it up. He deeply inhaled into it and let out a trail of smoke. Fuck, he needed that.
His one eye then looked towards the cloudy sky and released a weary sigh, “Kashiwagi-san, you best hope this fucking works.”