I Became the Yakuza's Nanny (3)
I looked at the woman standing in front of me while putting an onigiri in my mouth to simply fill my stomach. She was a yakuza with white hair like a grandmother's but a large scar over one eye.
"I told you that you didn't have to come, Sihyun."
"Aren't I allowed to stay by your side if I'm protecting the young lady?"
"That job's been cut too. And didn't the boss call for a full assembly?"
In the end, I was fired from my role as the young lady's nanny. The timeline rewound a little, to right after my marriage promise with Detective Yui. It was when I returned home early that morning.
"Ha... Staying out overnight. Do you even know how long I waited for you last night?"
"Sorry. The blind date went better than I expected... You must be hungry, right? I'll make breakfast right away, just give me a minute."
"That's not the problem!!"
I jumped at the sudden roar. Had I done something wrong? Cold sweat ran down my back as I swallowed hard, staring into the furious young lady's eyes.
"Y-you stayed out because you were fooling around with some girl? Ha... You're worse than a rag, you know that?"
"I'm an adult, so I have rights—"
"Ha! That's... Argh, I don't know! It just pisses me off!!!"
Has puberty come back for another round?
I'd let my guard down thinking it was over, but I should've known better.
"What the hell is so noisy this early in the morning!!!"
-Bang! The team leader kicked the door so hard it nearly shattered as she stormed out. My spine went ice-cold, but the young lady—the one who'd been yelling—turned deathly pale, bowed her head, and started groveling.
No matter how tyrannical a girl in puberty could be, she was no match for a mother who ruled as a tyrant both outside and inside the house.
"What's going on? Oh, Sihyun's here."
"Yes, ma'am. I have something to discuss. Could we speak privately?"
"Hoho, of course that's possible. You know very well there's nothing scheduled this early. Come in, quickly."
"Thank you..."
I passed the young lady, who tilted her head in curiosity, and stepped into the team leader's room—a place I almost never entered. Hanging scrolls covered the walls alongside sharp, real blades. A tiger figurine of unknown origin seemed to glare at me.
"So what did you want to tell me?"
"Before I say anything, please allow me to apologize first."
-Thud! I dropped to both knees and slammed my forehead hard against the tatami mat.
"If I'd gone to provide support just a little faster, Senior might have—"
"Enough. If she was the kind of woman who would die without you, she was probably already doomed long before. Is there anything else?"
"This is the main point, but..."
After confessing to Detective Yui last night, I'd thought about it long and hard. It was a bit early, but I wanted to step away from the underworld. I'd joined the organization to repay a debt of gratitude. Now it was time to leave this place. For genuine love instead of obligation, and for the sake of my future.
Recently, yakuza-related laws had caused a surge in people leaving, but disappearing without a word meant ending up as a corpse was practically guaranteed. That's why I had to tell the team leader properly.
"After this war ends..."
"I understand."
"I haven't even finished talking yet?"
"Heh heh... You want to leave, don't you? I expected it to some degree, but I didn't think it would be this soon."
The team leader laughed heartily, as if she'd already known I would leave the organization, and gave her approval.
"Right... You have your own life to live. You've helped us so much, so it's time to let you go."
"Thank you."
"Shizuru will be heartbroken... That girl followed you so closely."
"Followed me closely... Haha, I suppose she did?"
Had she really followed me that well? The same girl who threw tantrums about washing underwear together... In truth, I no longer felt the nanny role was necessary. Graduation was right around the corner, and it was time for her to stand on her own two feet. Not long ago the team leader had boldly declared she would kick her out of the house the moment she became an adult.
"If she's speaking that obediently, then yes, she followed you well. Understood. I'll tell the rest of the crew, so don't worry and—"
-Creak. The sliding door opened by itself even though I hadn't touched it yet. A woman stood there with a deep frown and a face full of rage. With her short hair disheveled, she strode forward and grabbed me by the collar.
"Get out. Our house doesn't need a bat like you. Fuck off!"
"Shizuru!!! How dare you raise your voice like that!"
"Mom!"
Seeing her express such clear fury, I shot to my feet. This place was no longer somewhere I belonged. I didn't resent it—I was the one who said I was leaving. Her sense of betrayal was completely understandable.
"For nearly ten years... Thank you, Team Leader, for protecting me and taking me in."
Before closing the door behind the sliding screen, I turned my head. Looking at the young lady with her face bright red and breathing heavily, I gave her the same comfortable smile I always had.
"I'm not sure if it's appropriate to congratulate you in advance, but... Happy adulthood, young lady."
When I stepped outside, feeling the floorboards creak beneath my feet, winter had already arrived. The chilly air stabbed coldly at my sides, stirring up a vague sense of sadness.
"So this is the end... Maybe it's actually a blessing?"
Happy endings were almost nonexistent in the yakuza world. Most people died painfully, went to prison, or became fish food drifting in the sea. The fact that I could leave the organization safely like this was only possible because of all the hard work I'd put in until now. I'd devoted my entire body to repaying that debt of gratitude.
"Should I buy some of her favorite karaage on the way back?"
I already knew her tastes perfectly without having to ask. She preferred fried foods like karaage over anything eaten raw.
"Sihyun, get up. Word just came in that the mafia bitches are starting to appear."
"They're really making their move... Hoo, let me grab a few more rounds before we go."
I loaded bullets into the magazine while repeatedly checking the barrel to make sure nothing was jammed. It was incredibly nerve-wracking, and if I wanted to survive this place, I had to protect myself.
When I stepped out of the temporary tent, the clear sky looked perfect for handling firearms. Our destination was obviously an assault on the Chinatown where the enemy was holed up. The residents must have sensed something; they were either locking their doors or starting to flee.
"Here they come... Wow, what else would you expect from these cockroach-eating bastards? There are more of them than actual bugs."
"If we can't each take down ten, we're screwed, huh?"
"I'll handle twenty myself, so die with peace of mind."
It was terrifying. The sight of that enormous horde of mafia members I was facing for the first time came close to pure fear. They all wore the same green suits. Since they were short on proper weapons, many carried wooden planks, pipes, strange guns, and knuckle dusters.
At least we have more guns. Not many ability users on their side either.
In contrast, our yakuza faction had more ability users and superior weaponry. With a fighting chance ahead, I steeled my heart and maintained the standoff.
"You fucking bastards!!!"
Clang—! The ear-piercing sound of a metal pipe from the side made both groups start moving. With what felt like an earthquake, terrifying women surged forward.
"Kill them all—!!!"
-Bang! My first shot took out the leg of the bitch charging at the front, causing the people beside her to tumble as well. The war began as we swung guns and blades at the fallen mafia.
Whenever I glanced sideways, someone was already collapsing. The standout fighters were pinning down at least two opponents each, smashing their faces to pulp. The women with tattoos covering their backs were pushing forward with the advantage.
That was when a woman wearing a china dress appeared—one who would completely flip the tide of battle.
"Kyaaak...!"
"My eyes! She got me in the eyes!!!"
"What are you doing? Don't freeze up!"
I stepped forward, smacking the back of the head of a yakuza who was retreating in fear of the overwhelming power. As expected, the pink head I hadn't seen in a while was utterly repulsive.
"Gum sticker. It's been a while."
"Gum stick...er. I won't let you die easily."
With no bouncing chest to throw off her balance, her movements were so fast they were hard to track with the naked eye. I dodged the spit aimed at my legs once again and swung the gun muzzle around. The moment I confirmed her eyes locking onto the barrel, I swung my sword low.
-Tak!
"There's no way I'd get hit by a sword from some small-country origin, right?"
"You even ran a background check...!"
From her tone, I could tell she'd already finished investigating my past. This woman was too dangerous. For the sake of my future, I had to kill her right here and now.
Mind's Eye
The world slowed down as I analyzed each and every one of her attacks. I narrowly avoided the strike wrapped in a black wave-like energy and thrust forward. The starting point didn't matter. As long as I landed a solid hit, it would deal massive damage to her small frame.
-Whoosh!
Tak...
"Not bad. Entertain me a little more."
-Tak!!!!
A powerful blow to my wrist made me drop the gun from my left hand. Even with the slowed world, her speed was impossible to keep up with. I gathered even more strength. Slower. Even if it meant I couldn't use one eye, I had no choice but to use it.
-Clang.
Huh?
The gum sticker had definitely been right in front of me. The burning heat I felt on the back of my head made me turn—there stood a woman in a green suit.
These jjanggae bastards... Fighting dirty.
Even as I collapsed, I bared my teeth at the pink head looking down at me.