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The club Yayoi enters on this particular night is unremarkable in its glittering veneer covering a solid foundation of seediness. She’s well practiced in navigating businesses that thrive in the shadows from her time as the force behind the once preeminent Dojima Family. Her traditional kimono draws even more stares here than in the wider world, surrounded by men in designer pre-ripped jeans and women in so little it can hardly be called clothing. Yayoi is well aware of how these crowds operate; they will gawk at her attire for a moment before their eyes drift to the katana at her hip. Then they’ll return to their drinks, suddenly too worried about who she might be to risk catching her attention. She walks with her normal confident gait as she looks for her target.
The man she’s looking for isn’t hard to spot. He’s the only one sitting alone tonight, still wearing that puffy white jacket he seems to be fond of despite the heat brought on by alcohol and the bodies of dozens crammed into this space.
“Oi. I’m out of liquor.” His bark carries so clearly, even in this crowded room. Well, of course it does to her. She approaches him as a very nervous waiter deposits a new bottle before leaving as quickly as possible.
“Daigo.”
He slowly floats his head up in the way that drunk men do, lip curling into a slight snarl. His eyes narrow and he says more than asks, “Why did you come here?”
What a ridiculous question. Like any parent could leave their child to such an existence. Yayoi had tried to give Daigo space since he left prison, but all he’s doing now is stubbornly hurting himself. It’s well past time for him to return to his senses. “Everything is over. How long do you plan on living like this?”
Daigo’s only response is to look away from her and into the distance, so she continues, “Kiryu didn’t kill… him. You already know that. And besides, Kiryu’s left the Tojo Clan.” He doesn’t react, so she makes it as clear as possible for his drunken mind to grasp. “You have no reason to be here drinking.” Surely he understands that what he’s doing isn’t helping anyone. All Daigo needs to do is get up and get back to his life.
Daigo grinds his teeth, but makes no move to talk. It doesn’t matter; Yayoi is familiar with this ‘silent treatment’ and is happy to wait until he finally acknowledges her. She knows her son- he’s stubborn, but lacks the fortitude to dig his heels in for long. He’ll light up with some biting comment or fury directed at Yayoi and once that’s out of his system, he’ll sulk his way back home with her.
He finally responds with a subdued, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His jaw clenches further, like it’s a struggle to keep his voice level as he enunciates the words, “Please. go. home.”
Braced for a firestorm and getting a resigned sigh instead, Yayoi lurches, off balance. “What did you say?”
“Whatever I’m doing has nothing to do with you.”
“Nothing to do with me? It’s natural for parents to worry about their son.”
Daigo scoffs at that. He pours himself a glass and lifts it to his lips as he says with a petty edge, “It hasn’t been parents for a while now, has it?” Daigo chugs the rest of his drink and pushes off the booth, walking somewhat unsteadily away from his mother without looking back. The force of his words knocks the wind out of Yayoi for a moment before she can collect herself and exit back into the cooler night air.
Yayoi can’t stop replaying her conversation with Daigo as she walks through the neon-lit streets of Kamurocho to take a car back home. He must know he’s being childish and shortsighted. If he would just stop dousing himself in alcohol at all hours and put his energy to better use, Daigo could be so much more. It’s well past time for him to stop his aimless rebellion and get back to taking responsibility for himself and the clan they’ve all devoted their lives to.
Still, something about his reaction felt… wrong. They’d done this dance for years. Daigo pouts and resists, Yayoi pushes, Daigo blows up, Yayoi waits, Daigo sulks but goes along. Tonight, he missed the familiar steps, simply standing in deafening silence. Like the essence of the son she watched grow up was just gone, leaving nothing but a cold space behind. And Yayoi doesn’t know what to do with that.
Left at a rare loss for an effective way forward, she instinctively returns to the basics. To survive at the highest levels of the yakuza requires a frank appraisal of strengths and weaknesses, lest you leave yourself exposed. Yayoi is analytical and brilliant, driven and exacting. She can build allies of all kinds, identify problematic ‘creative bookkeeping’ at a glance, and keep even the most raucous men in line. But, her cold, hard demeanor means she’s incapable of providing the simple, interpersonal comforts those closest to her need. Yayoi has long since accepted that the people she loves will simply find their comfort elsewhere.
What choice did Yayoi have but to leave Daigo’s care to others? She was so young, only 19 when her son was born. Even with a baby at home, Yayoi didn’t develop the warm, nurturing qualities others reassured her would suddenly appear. Instead, her talents were better used to build the power of the man she married. There was so much more for the Dojima Family to achieve than the third-tier position they occupied at the time. She had the mind and temperament to bring her family to the height of the Tojo Clan, not nurture a young boy.
Of course, the time Yayoi and her husband put into the clan meant that Daigo was often alone growing up. Never truly alone- he was always with the family’s domestic staff or the newer members of the Dojima Family. It would be dangerous to leave a patriarch’s son vulnerable. But lately, Yayoi has felt a gnawing dread at the back of her mind that maybe that wasn’t enough for Daigo. Maybe always having others around was little comfort to a child stuck with a cold, calculating woman and hot-headed, driven man as parents.
The whispered truth that breaks her heart is that Kiryu was probably the closest thing to a parent young Daigo had. Before things fell apart, Kiryu always had such potential. He was powerful, incredibly so, but he was more than that. Principled and loyal, a shining beacon always drawing the people of this city like moths to a flame.
And he adored Daigo. Always looked out for him. Not just because it was expected of Kiryu, but because he wanted to. Yayoi’s son always seemed happier, better behaved, more himself when he was with Kiryu. Somehow the legendary dragon has a warmer, gentler touch than Daigo’s mother could ever manage. None of her professional failures have been as bitter as realizing that something she can’t identify is dangerously close to drowning her son completely, and the skills she spent her life honing are useless to reach him.
Yayoi is brought back to the world around her when she hears the familiar sound of a groan of pain. She quickly identifies the source of the sound as the severe, muscular form of Kashiwagi leaned against a building, clutching at a growing red stain on his grey suit sleeve.
“Stay right there! I’ll bandage that and get you to a hospital.” She rushes to his side, feeling an odd sort of relief to have such an immediately, solvable problem in front of her.
Kashiwagi, practical as always, waves her away. “No, I’m fine. I’m sorry, Nee-san. I was ambushed by a killer from the Omi Alliance.”
That makes Yayoi freeze. The conflict with the Omi is over, as far as she is aware. Chairman Terada is even a former member of the Omi Alliance. Why would they attack now? Maybe a rogue faction? “What do you mean?”
Kashiwagi pauses and grits his teeth. He lowers his eyes as he admits, “The Fifth Chairman was shot today by someone from the Omi Alliance. He was immediately transported to the hospital but… he died.”
So this is a coordinated attack against prominent members of the Tojo Clan. But why now? Yayoi clearly paused to think for too long, because Kashiwagi continues, “I was looking for you. I… have something to discuss with you.” The sheepish tone in his voice is not one she’s used to hearing from the stoic, steady family man.
Before Yayoi can ask further, she hears shouting in a distinctly Kansai accent. And it’s not the one accented voice she would be somewhat happy to hear at this moment. “Kashiwagi, is this the man who hurt you?” She stands fully and adopts a protective stance, placing herself deliberately between Kashiwagi and the three approaching men.
“Yeah, they caught me off guard.” Kashiwagi sounds, rightfully, embarrassed.
The men have no element of surprise this time and Yayoi is in no mood to entertain their bravado tonight. “Come on then. And don’t complain if you die.”
Predictably, the three men continue to advance. Two of them have knives, clearly not expecting this to be a sword fight. The apparent leader rushes in to get his tiny blade in range of Yayoi, seemingly forgetting that katanas are sharp down to the hilt. She allows him to nearly close the distance before drawing her blade out of its sheath and across the man’s chest. It won’t be enough to kill him, but it proves to be enough of a distraction to knock the man to his knees. The other two are no more of a challenge, soon sporting matching blood stains and panicked looks. As they scramble over each other to get out of range, Kashiwagi sighs and directs Yayoi toward the relative safety of a nearby bar.
When they enter, the familiar bartender takes one look at them before bowing and excusing himself. With a clear problem begging for cold analysis in front of her, Yayoi takes a calm breath and asks, “So, Kashiwagi, what did you want to tell me?”
“I’ll be direct. I would like to ask Daigo to be the Fifth Acting Chairman.”
For the second time tonight, Yayoi stumbles over her own expectations and is forced to pause. Kashiwagi has never been one to tell jokes. And he certainly wouldn’t start with this. But this can’t be a sincere suggestion. “After what happened between Daigo and the Omi?” Not only does Daigo have a very public and personal grudge against the Omi chairman’s son, Yayoi can’t even persuade him to stay sober for a night. How could he possibly lead the clan in his state?
Kashiwagi sighs and averts his eyes before continuing, “I’m well aware that they’re the ones who got Daigo arrested 5 years ago. But the Fifth Chairman was killed. I, the Junior Head, was just attacked. Being the face of the family right now is like stepping in front of a firing squad.”
“And knowing that, you want to put Daigo up next.” The affection she has for Kashiwagi drains as Yayoi feels the familiar sensation of her heart hardening, steeling her to do whatever needs to be done to protect her family. She will not risk her child for anyone and Kashiwagi has greatly miscalculated if he thinks she will even consider it.
Kashiwagi meets her eyes again, his ever-present fatigue magnified by what have no doubt been sleepless nights trying to stop what’s left of the clan from running through his fingers like sand. His voice is urgent as he makes his case. “The Tojo Clan is a mess and the Omi will not wait for us to rebuild. We need a suitable leader to unite us now. I’m ashamed to say that I know it can’t be me. But Daigo is someone people can rely on. He can pull the Tojo Clan together. So, I wanted to talk to you about it first. Please…” He swallows and his voice hushes, “please understand.”
Yayoi is very familiar with putting the needs of the clan before the people she loves most. Of course, Kashiwagi would never suggest a plan that put Daigo in danger if he had any other option. He’s always had a sort of brotherly affection for Daigo. There were certainly long years when Kashiwagi knew more about a young Daigo’s schoolyard squabbles and favorite treats than his parents did.
Kashiwagi’s face is grave as he waits for her reply. He must know that if Yayoi refuses, this plan has no chance of success. She can’t watch the clan she’s devoted her life to bleed out before her eyes. And she is too cold to kindle whatever flame has been extinguished in Daigo’s chest. But what can she do?
At last, Yayoi identifies a way forward. “I understand. In that case, I have a suggestion. Will you listen?”
“A suggestion?”
It seems Daigo was Kashiwagi’s only idea for the next Acting Chairman. That’s because Kashiwagi is the perfect second-in-command. Loyal, stoic, intelligent. “I want to take on the position of Acting Chairman.”
“Nee-san?!” And not particularly creative. Kashiwagi startles like the idea never crossed his mind, because of course it hadn’t. The men of the Tojo Clan have long since learned to treat Yayoi with a potent mixture of fear and respect, but no amount of conviction, blood spilt, or ink woven into her skin will erase her gender. This will be unprecedented.
But necessary. So Yayoi fixes him with a practiced cold stare and challenges, “Do I lack the power?”
Kashiwagi looks to the side and genuinely pauses to think (that has always made him a favorite of hers) before answering, “No. The success of the Dojima Family was only possible because of your support. Everyone knows that. You have a lot of trust from those at the bottom and the perfect qualities to lead.” He halts and meets her eyes again before gingerly talking around the elephant in the room. “I have no complaints. But… is that okay?”
“Like Daigo, I have the qualities to hold up the family. But that child… needs time to recover. And it’s the role of parents to help their children.” Yayoi considers stopping there. But Kashiwagi will listen and she needs to tell someone the truth before it swallows her. “But I can’t help him. So I want to offer up my life for sacrifice to give him more time. That is what I can do.”
“Nee-san…” Kashiwagi looks like he’s about to reassure Yayoi that her death won’t be added to the growing list before remembering she has no interest in empty promises. She knows as well as anyone how suddenly death can come for those in the yakuza.
With their business here concluded, Yayoi stands and leads them back to where she last saw Daigo. He’s made it clear he has no intention of listening to his mother, but that doesn’t excuse Yayoi from her obligation to deliver this news herself.
Yayoi is both relieved and disappointed to see Daigo still at the same club, though he looks less lucid than before. He’s shouting at a waiter who is desperately trying and failing to cut him off.
When Daigo sees his mother and Kashiwagi approach, he recoils in drunken slow motion. His voice is badly slurred as he asks, “Why’s Kashiwagi-san here?”
Yayoi answers plainly, “Daigo, there’s something we want to tell you.”
Daigo’s response is to pout and say, “I don’t wanna talk to you.”
Kashiwagi, always the supportive one, is quick to scold, “Daigo, watch your tongue.”
“Shuddup. I don’t wanna get involved with anything anymore.” The genuine resignation in Daigo’s voice finally snaps something in Yayoi and she can’t help but try one last desperate ploy. Despite Daigo’s constant slight sway, Yayoi easily lands a solid slap to his face.
Kashiwagi visibly startles next to her as she preempts him, “You don’t need to get involved, Kashiwagi.” Yayoi next turns to the very nervous club manager who has appeared nearby, presumably praying that he won’t have to intervene. “Club Manager, I’m sorry, but I’m going to cause a scene.”
Finally, she narrows her eyes at Daigo while placing her hand meaningfully on the hilt of her blade. “Daigo, stand up. I am not saying this as a parent. I’m just angry with the idiot who does nothing but drink.”
Daigo looks too bewildered to be truly angry, “What’d you call me?!”
“Come on, let’s go!” Yayoi hopes the shock of the fight will be enough to spark some kind of reaction from Daigo. After a moment, he staggers uncertainly to his feet and reluctantly puts his fists up. Daigo is far too slow to block the hilt of her sword as she thrusts it out of its sheath and into his stomach. When he takes too long to gather himself, one firm shove to the chest throws Daigo back into the booth where he started. He makes no move to get back up, to fight for himself. Instead, Daigo slumps down even further, folding his arms protectively over his chest and pointedly looking away from Yayoi.
“You fool. You’re so drunk you can’t even walk properly.” She hears how angry she sounds, but can’t will herself to reveal her devastation at his current state. Since he was a baby, Daigo has always been so passionate and determined. Relentless, running full speed at any obstacle in front of him. Curious too, leaving paths of destruction in their home’s otherwise perfectly manicured garden. To see the man in front of her so empty, so thoroughly extinguished makes Yayoi wonder if all the sacrifices she made for the clan were worth it.
All she can do now is try to buy Daigo the time he needs. Yayoi carefully maneuvers a chair from its previous safe distance to sit and put herself back at her son’s eye level. Her voice is as gentle as she can make it. It’s the same voice she used to tell a young Daigo his parents were too busy to spend time with him, before Daigo stopped asking. “Daigo, Terada is dead. He was killed by men from the Omi Alliance. There could be war.”
Daigo’s frown deepens and he slurs, “So what. You tellin’ me go back?”
“I’ve decided to become Acting Chairman. I came here to tell you that.”
Daigo’s eyes go wide and he swings around to look at her, overshooting in his inebriated state before meeting her eyes. “You’re seriously-?”
“Yes. I’ll be taking over Terada’s position starting today. I will organize the Tojo Clan.” Like it’s simple, straight-forward.
“What are you thinking?! You’re out of your mind!” Daigo shouts, throwing his body forward to confront his mother. And Yayoi is relieved. For that moment, the empty shell that looks like her son shows a flicker of the person she knows him to be. And she may have missed more of her son’s life than she can every repay, but Yayoi detects the tremble in Daigo’s voice beneath the bravado. Maybe she has earned some of his love after all.
“Of course I’m aware of the danger. But I have no choice. So-”
“You-” Daigo stops and pulls his arms back in, closing himself off again before continuing, “I’m wondering what you can even do for the clan.”
The familiar jab kindles Yayoi’s hope that she’s finally found her way. “Daigo, I’ve been preparing for this since I became his wife.” When Daigo’s only response is to curl up further, she concludes, “I just came by to tell you.” With that, Yayoi rises gracefully to her feet and signals for Kashiwagi to follow her back onto the cold streets.
They walk in silence for a few minutes before Kashiwagi asks, “Is it okay, Nee-san? Not telling Daigo the whole truth?”
“It’s fine.” Better that he’s left with the simplest version of events. Daigo doesn’t need to be burdened with the guilt of her death.
They’re almost back to the family office before Kashiwagi shakes his head and says fondly, “Not very tactful people, you and Daigo.”
That shakes a chuckle out of Yayoi. “My husband was the same way.” After a moment, she gentle pushes those thoughts away to focus on the massive undertaking in front of her. With whatever time Yayoi has left, she will do what she does best- navigate a path to greatness. “Now, let’s get to business. The head family is massive, isn’t it? I’ll need to start figuring out new policies soon. I’m counting on you, Kashiwagi.”
Kashiwagi stops to dramatically bow. “Yes, your humble servant Kashiwagi will do his best to protect you,” a rare upturned quirk of his lips pushes at his most prominent scar as he continues, “Fifth Acting Chairman.”