Sequence of Upsets: A Heisei Kumi Fanfic (16/23)
Author: ryosukekoibito
Pairing: Keito/Shoon (Shoto?), with some side Ariyama and Chiitaro
Rating: R, for violence and dark themes
Warnings: Character Death
Genre: Slice of life/Angst
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Summary: Keito has been in the Heisei Kumi for nearly 2 years now. He has a wonderful boyfriend, and he's become a strong fighter and an important member of the Kumi. Life has been good, but life as a Yakuza can never stay peaceful for long. This is a direct sequel to my first Heisei Kumi fic My New Family. This fic may be confusing if you haven't read that one, which you can find here. This fic takes place 8ish months after My New Family ends, so...yeah. I hope you like it!
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
The night of their anniversary was the last time Shoon did anything in that room but sleep. In the next few days Keito quit all of his late night gigs, retiring his guitar to his closet. Taking care of Shoon was going to need his full attention in the time to come. The rest of the guys in the house were still oblivious to Shoon's condition; Yabu and Hikaru doing an amazing job at pretending nothing was wrong around their housemates. The most pressing thing, aside from Shoon's condition, was another big upcoming anniversary-the anniversary of Johnny Kitagawa's death. Johnny had been the Kitagawa group's leader up until his death two years previously, after which Keito's father Kenichi had taken over and had forced the Heisei Kumi to take Keito in. Over the next few days everyone was making sure their suits all still fit, getting their hair cut and preparing for the event. Even the underlings were preparing, and Keito realized that everyone would be there. This would be his first time going; he'd missed last year because he had been in a coma at the time, but this year he was healthy, and he was nervous. His father was certainly going to be there, and he had missed his dad, to be certain, but two years had passed since they had last spoken. He had changed a lot in those two years, and he was anxious about what his father would think. And, despite being the Kitagawa Group's leader's son, he didn't know many-if any-people outside of his Kumi. Heck, he didn't even know most of the underlings in their branch. It was going to be a lot of strangers.
Finally the big day rolled around, and they all dressed in their suits, everyone waiting in the living room, talking quietly and adjusting and readjusting their ties. Keito immediately found Yuto.
"I'm nervous." He announced, and Yuto smiled.
"Oh Keito, it'll be fine. It's more of a social event anyway." Yuto slung a lanky arm over Keito's shoulders. "You remember the funeral right? It's like that, just without the funeral part. Lots of other Kumis there, lots of people standing around, sharing stories and smoking. You don't have to talk if you don't want, and you can stick with me if that'd make you feel better." Keito took a deep breath, nodding. Yuto was right. "It's mostly Hikaru that's going to be under any pressure. Everyone's heard about the change in leadership around here, and that's not...normal. He's going to have to make a good impression with the other groups while we're there." Yuto shrugged. "Not that I'm worried about that-he'll be fantastic."
On cue Hikaru stepped out of his office, looking impeccable in his suit and tie, a pin of the Kitagawa clan's crest on his lapel-a sign of a Kumi-cho. He was the last to arrive, and he led them all through the abandoned buildings into their underling housing where what seemed to be hundreds of teenage boys were all waiting, dressed in suits and ties. The boys all bowed low as they approached, and Keito was taken aback. He was probably the lowest on the totem pole of authority at home. He hadn't been expecting any respect from these kids.
"Relax." Hikaru announced, and they all stood, Shintaro and a small group coming forward and shaking Hikaru's hand. Keito recognized the boys around Shintaro, they were the same ones that had helped out with the raid a few months ago. Seeing Shintaro struck a chord in him. It was amazing how much he looked like his older brother. Ryutaro was still missing, and everyone's hopes were beginning to grow dim about him returning. It was a strictly avoided topic at home, everyone very touchy about it. They all missed him dearly.
"What's going on?" Keito whispered, and Yuto leaned in, whispering back.
"Shin's kinda our top guy living here. He's made himself leader of our underlings so to speak, and the kids around him are his buddies. They keep the new kids in line and make sure everything's running smoothly since Kumi-cho and Yabu can't be around all the time." Keito nodded. He could see how that would be necessary looking around at the kids-he'd had no idea they had so many members.
The underlings all fell in behind them, close but not too close, keeping their distance. In the shuffle Keito heard them murmuring to each other, and curious he turned to see what the fuss was about. One of them was pointing at Daiki, and Daiki's nickname-The Dragon-fell from his lips. When they caught him looking over at them they all froze, blanching, and bowing quickly before looking away. Weird. Yuto giggled, clapping Keito on the back, and the huge conglomeration of people made its way through the streets to where a line of charter busses were waiting for them. Everyone loaded up, Hikaru and the other eight of them getting a bus to themselves, the underlings packing into others, and after a few minutes they were off. It was a temporary relief to be alone with only his housemates, and Keito let out a sigh. Today was going to be stressful.
When they arrived at the cemetery they saw lines of charter busses just like theirs up and down the streets and filling parking lots, and Keito felt his nerves heighten. There were going to be so many people. He sent Yuto a frantic glance, and Yuto smiled, fixing his hair.
"Keito, you're fine. It's fine. No one's even going to get in a fight, I promise." Keito nodded, and he watched out the window as a man with dyed brown hair in a suit-a Kumi-cho from another group, Keito realized, spotting the pin on his lapel-ushered their bus into a parking space. Hikaru stood, making his way to the front of the bus, and he got off, greeting the man with a hug. They talked enthusiastically for a moment before Hikaru signaled for everyone to follow, and they all stood, hopping off of the bus one by one. Keito watched as his housemates all bowed to the man as they greeted him, many of them shaking his hand and sharing a few words, smiles on their faces.
"That's Koyama-san. He's the Kumi-cho of the Sagamihara Kumi. He's really nice. He used to help Shoon out with us at these types of events when we were all still kids sometimes." Yuto informed him as they were getting out, and that was the only information Keito got before he found himself face to face with the man.
"It's an honor to meet you." Keito said, bowing low, his heart racing. Koyama however shook his head.
"No, it's an honor to finally meet you, Prince." Keito straightened up from his bow, and to his surprise the man bowed even deeper than Keito had, holding it for a moment before returning to his full stature. Keito stood there in disbelief for a moment before Daiki called from up ahead
"We're gonna leave you, Keito!" Startled, Keito nearly tripped over himself as he went to catch up with the group. Koyama had called him Prince. What was that all about? His mind flew back to his birthday, when the man his father had sent referred to him as Young Master. Was that title something they were doing because of his father? Was it a common thing? He fell into step with Yuto, trying to be as indistinguishable as possible, but after the obligatory grave visit the group dispersed, stopping and chatting politely with men from other Kumis, and he began to feel as if he had a target on his back. Every person, young or old, that saw him bowed respectfully, the ones that introduced themselves all calling him Prince or Young Master, no one actually engaging him in conversation, as if he was a spectacle, and the more it happened the more uncomfortable he got.
Yuto stayed by his side like he'd promised, and at first he seemed as bewildered by the treatment as Keito was, but after a while he seemed comfortable with it, a small indulgent smirk on his face. Eventually however, Keito did see someone he recognized-his dad. He felt a nervous energy zap through his body, but he couldn't help but smile, and he went to go greet him. Yuto however, froze. Keito turned back around, perplexed.
"Yuto? What's the matter?"
"Keito, are you fucking crazy?! I can't go up to the Oyabun! I'm not in any sort of position, or of any importance, I have no right to talk to him!" He now looked as uncomfortable as Keito had been feeling since they'd arrived. Keito was surprised. He hadn't thought about it like that. "I'll wait for you here, okay?" Yuto offered, and Keito patted him gratefully on the back.
"Thanks Yuto. I'll only be a minute." He said, returning to his original trajectory. His father must have seen his discussion with Yuto because when Keito turned back around he was waiting for him, a smile on his face.
"Keito!" His dad announced, and Keito felt himself smiling. Once they were close enough his dad pulled him in for a big hug, squeezing him tight. Keito felt a wave of happiness. He'd missed his dad a lot.
"Hi dad." He immediately realized he could have just made a big mistake. "Or...am I supposed to call you Oyabun? I'm sorry, sir." His father chuckled, shaking his head.
"I like being dad." He said, and Keito nodded, relieved. "So, how's my man doing? How's the Kumi been for you?" He asked, and Keito couldn't keep the grin off his face as he told his father about his companions. When he got to Yuto he gestured to where his friend was still standing a few yards off, waiting patiently, his hands in his pockets.
"That's Yuto. He's my roommate and my best friend. He's been really patient with me, and he's very kind. He's always there for me, making sure I'm happy and well, and he gives his best for the Kumi." His father listened intently, and after listening to Keito's description he pointed to Yuto.
"That tall one there, with the earring?" Keito nodded, and his father called out
"Yuto-kun!" Yuto looked over at them, startled. Keito giggled as his father waved Yuto over, his friend going pale, immediately bowing, extremely polite as he said
"Oyabun, it is an honor."
"Keito tells me you're quite something yourself, Yuto-kun. He speaks very highly of you." At his father’s words Yuto shot Keito a look of surprise.
"Keito's been just as good for me as I've been for him sir. He's helped me through my struggles even more than he knows." Yuto said, and Keito's dad laughed.
"It's good to know Keito's made himself good companions." Keito slung and arm across Yuto's shoulders, trying to be comforting, and Yuto blushed.
"Thank you sir." Yuto said, dipping his head a bit.
"So Keito, any love interests I should be aware of? Future in laws I need to meet?" Keito froze up. What was he to say? Yuto shot him a look. He realized that his father knew Shoon. He'd been the one to take Shoon into the clan in the first place. But explaining his relationship with Shoon was a long and complicated story, one he wasn't sure he wanted to get into. But he didn't want to lie.
"Yeah. I um...I have a boyfriend." His father smiled.
"Congratulations! How long have you been seeing him?"
"A year. We had our anniversary a little over a week ago." Keito said. His father nodded, and he was obviously going to ask more, when an older man approached, a cell phone in hand, and he gave Keito's dad a pointed look. His father nodded, saying
"I'm sorry, I have to go." He pulled Keito into another big hug. "It's amazing seeing you, son. We'll have to get together again soon." He turned to Yuto. "Thank you for taking care of Keito for me." Keito waved as his father walked off.
"Bye dad."
Once alone Yuto sighed, resting his head on Keito's shoulder.
"Fuck." Keito laughed.
"He's not scary, Yuto."
"He's fucking terrifying, Keito!" His friend objected. Keito shook his head.
"Let's go find the others." They wandered through the people, and slowly the group of them all reformed, and once Hikaru declared it time to go they all clambered back onto the charter bus, returning home. Everyone talked about who'd they'd spoken to, or what stories and gossip they'd heard from people from other branches of the clan. Keito listened enthusiastically to their tales, the story telling lasting all the way through dinner, after which he threw on some more casual clothes and went by Shoon's apartment, using the tales of the day as an excuse to go, anxious to see his boyfriend.
He'd wished Shoon could have come with them; the older man probably would have loved getting to see a bunch of familiar faces. He wished Ryutaro could have been there as well, Chinen could have used his support. Their smallest member had been very curt with anyone who had asked about Ryutaro's absence, or his self demotion. He was obviously upset and ashamed about the whole thing, and it had been uncomfortable to watch.
Keito thought about this as he made his way through the streets to Shoon's apartment, the sun nearly set, dusk beginning as he reached Shoon's door. He rapped on the door with his knuckles, waiting. Nothing. He knocked again. Shoon's door remained undisturbed. He frowned. That wasn't right.
"Shoon? It's me!" he yelled, hitting the door. "Is everything okay?" He felt panic rising in his chest, and he dug in his pockets for the extra key Shoon had given him months before, putting it in the lock and twisting, forcing the door open. "Shoon?" He slipped off his shoes haphazardly, bolting into the apartment. "Shoon?!" He turned the corner, into the kitchen; and he saw him. Shoon was on the floor, his whole body wracked with spasms, jerking harshly on the tile. It was terrible to watch, his movements unnatural looking, and Keito froze, his heart lodged in his throat. Next to him on the floor was a spilt instant dinner, the food still hot, steam rising from the rice and meat sprawled across the tile.
The seizure only lasted another thirty seconds before Shoon stilled, and Keito managed to get close, falling to his knees beside his boyfriend. He took a deep breath, trying not to sound as if he was panicking, and he waited until Shoon's big doe eyes cracked open, looking up at him in confusion.
"What's going on?" He asked. "Where are we?" He made to sit up, but he was shaking, a different kind of shake, the way a person does when they've been crying for hours. Keito put a hand on his shoulder, holding him down.
"Shoon, we're in your apartment, on the kitchen floor. It's-" He checked his watch. "-nearly eight o'clock in the evening. You just had a seizure." Shoon looked up at him, taking in the shock Keito knew he wasn't managing to hide, and he shut his eyes, one of his hands curling into a fist, which he slammed into the floor.
"Damn it!" He muttered.
"Should I call an ambulance? Call someone for help or something?" Anything. Shoon sighed.
"No. They can't do anything for me." He looked wearily up at Keito. "I just want to go to sleep." Keito nodded, helping Shoon to his feet, walking with him to his bed, making sure he was okay. He seemed fine now; tired but fine. Once Shoon was tucked away safely in bed Keito cleaned up the mess in the kitchen, trying to ignore the sharp images of Shoon's spastic body imprinted on the insides of his eyelids.
He didn't cry until he got into bed that night.
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