Luckily his siblings didn't hate me despite Rikiya bad mouthing me while I was in the room with them. Sassa seemed to get attached while the other two were friendly and smiled when they saw me. Anzai was quiet most of the time but they seemed to feel alright with him as well.

I was playing with them on my day off while Rikiya made dinner. I could tell he was annoyed at how often I came over.

"You're not getting any dinner," he said from the kitchen. "You don't live here."

"I understand!" I replied. I beamed at Sassa as I threw her in the air. She giggled uncontrollably. Anzai had an appointment and couldn't come with me but I usually entertained the kids by myself.

Rinji scooted closer to me as I knelt on the floor. "This is my favorite car..." He held up a toy car limousine.

"A limousine?! Did you know I have a friend who owns one of those?"

He brightened. "Really?"

"Yeah! I rode in it once. I'm sure one day we can ask him to let you ride in it as well."

"I want to ride in it."

"Dinner's ready," Rikiya called. The kids scattered to the kitchen.

After watching them eat, I figured it was time for me to go. Rikiya walked me out like he was impatient for me to leave, which he probably was. As he made sure I called a cab, we saw someone approaching. Not just someone, a man, with two other men with him. Rikiya froze at their approach.

"Good evening, Rikiya Kanagaki," the man smiled.

"...what are you doing here?" Rikiya clenched his fists.

"I was just a bit curious. You've been consistently paying us back and not asking for anymore money. I was wondering what was up so I had someone keep an eye on you. I've seen that you've found other people to mooch off of. I'm a bit disappointed that you've decided to take your business elsewhere. Haven't we been working together for years now?"

These men... They had to be...loan sharks... Why were they tailing Rikiya and showing up at his house? Couldn't the police get involved because of this behavior?

Rikiya stepped in front of me. "They're not like you. They're just helping out."

"Really? They're willingly giving you money without asking to be paid back? I guess they aren't like us. But that's no way to run a business."

"I'll ask you again, why are you even here?"

"I just wanted to make sure we didn't have any competition. I see that we don't. Please keep paying and remember the rate will rise next month. Goodbye then." He met my eyes, staring at me for longer than I was comfortable. "See you later." The men walked away.

I shivered. "That's...the danger?"

"Why do you say it like that? But sure, yeah, that's the danger."

"I don't like him..."

"Obviously. He and all his men are creeps. Go home already. I need to get back to my siblings."

My cab was pulling up right on time. I waved goodbye as I sat down inside. Rikiya didn't return the wave and just went back into his house.

I was terrified when the loan sharks showed up at my bar after hours. It was just me and Anzai cleaning up. I froze as they threw the door open before we had time to lock it yet.

"We meet again," he grinned at me.

"...we're closed," I said.

"The door didn't seem to be locked though? Do you have time for a chat?"

Even if it wasn't, you barged in like you'd break it if it was... "Why are you here...?"

"I'll explain all that in our chat. Let me introduce myself first, my name is Togai. You must be Narihira, and that must be Anzai next to you. Could I perhaps have a private chat with you, Narihira?"

The way he grinned at me made me shiver again. I had a really bad feeling in my gut. When Anzai stepped between us, I felt better.

"I'm afraid that's not possible. Just say what you want to say here," he said.

"Hm... I guess part of it pertains to both of you. Very well, I'll speak. Could we first sit down? Those sofas look quite comfortable."

"Just talk," Anzai's voice lowered menacingly. His fists were clenched at his sides.

"And I shall. Right after I try out your comfortable looking sofas. Let's go in the back, the one behind the curtain looks most comfortable."

He stepped through my bar with half of his men following. He brought far more than last time with Rikiya. Of course I told Anzai what had happened and he caught on to who this man might be. We both felt threatened by their rough entrance inside, he realized these men weren't just regular strangers.

I held onto Anzai's arm, looking at him for what we should do. He patted my hand to reassure me everything would be alright. We followed Togai and left the men by the door behind.

Togai sat while the rest of us stood. He pushed on the cushions, looking quite satisfied. "As I thought, very comfortable. Where did you get these from?"

"You came here to talk, so talk," Anzai insisted again.

"Fine, fine. I have just one thing I want to say to both of you. Stop helping Rikiya Kanagaki."

I jerked in response to his words. "You can't tell us to do that."

"But I can. Rikiya has been our best customer all these years and we don't want to lose him. With all your help, I'm afraid we will. I'll give you anything you want to stop helping him. Money? A vacation? Some other material possession? I'll do my best to get it. But I will not compromise on letting Rikiya go."

"What happens if we refuse and keep helping him?" Anzai asked.

"Well... Let's just say I have connections to take care of you. I'm sure you've heard of the yakuza. I know there was a clan in this area that mysteriously disbanded. Of course there are still a few stragglers about, but the leader is definitely gone. Makes me wonder what happened. But I can assure you that the yakuza I am connected with are far more formidable than those small fries. One man won't be able to take care of them all by himself this time," he looked directly at Anzai.

How come he knew so much? Did he research us or something? I felt scared... I felt even more scared than before when those yakuza tried to mess with my bar... Were his words true? What would happen to us if we kept getting involved? What would happen to Rikiya...?

"This is going too far," Anzai said. "The police will take care of you."

"Really? Don't you know the yakuza have the police in their pocket? No one can defy power and money. So now name your price for leaving Rikiya alone."

"We...We can't leave him alone! He's our friend!" I said. "I swear, if you hurt one hair on his head!"

"What do you think you can do, princess? Although, maybe if we can speak in private, I'll give you another alternative."

Another alternative? What did that mean? Before I could ask, a commotion began across the bar. The men Togai had left were smashing every bottle and glass they could find. They were destroying my bar with everything they had. The blood drained from my body. My bar... My precious bar... Anzai quickly left my side to try and save it while I was left frozen. Not the bar counter... Not the stools... Not the machines... Not the sofas... Why was everything I'd built over the years falling apart before my eyes?

To make matters worse, I realized I was alone with Togai. He was grinning at me again, causing a shiver to go down my spine. His men drew the curtain and grabbed my arms.

(CW: Non-consensual actions, violence, vomiting. Viewer discretion is advised.) 

"Now for you, princess," he began while I was filled with fear, "I could compromise with you. You see, I fell in love the moment I saw you. At first I did think you were a woman, but soon figured out that wasn't the case. I thought, there's a man that's this beautiful? I wonder how he tastes. Will you be better than Rikiya?"

I could only hear crashing and Anzai doing his best to save my bar following his words. The sound almost sounded like it was coming directly from my head though. This man... Togai... He was pure evil. What did he do to Rikiya?!

"So, will you do me a favor in return to save Rikiya?" He asked.

I tried to get out of the grip his men had on me but it was utterly useless. I shook my head. "No! I don't want to! Let me go!"

"Ah ah ah, cover his mouth. We can't have your friend ruining the fun before we've even begun."

His men put a hand over my mouth and I realized this was a setup. He wanted me from the beginning. He was only distracting Anzai so he could have me. I'm so scared. I don't want this to be happening. Please, why is this happening...

"Princess, all I ask is that you serve me. I won't touch Rikiya again just like you wanted. He'll still have to pay off his debt, but I'll cut him some slack. I found you, the most perfect man I've ever seen. I don't need anyone else from now on. Won't you do this for the friend you care about so much?"

Do it...for Rikiya? Would they really leave him alone? But how long would I have to 'serve' him? I'm scared... I don't want to do it... But Rikiya probably felt the same, right...?

His men pushed me forward and kicked the back of my legs to make me fall. I was on my knees in front of him. I looked up, frightened and practically hyperventilating behind the hand still over my mouth. Togai grinned wider.

"I know you care for your friend deeply," he continued. "So I won't wait for an answer. Please serve me with all your heart." He unzipped his pants and I turned my head away.

His men pulled my head back, gripping me by the hair.

"Don't use your teeth now... If you do, we'll have to get rougher with you. I'd rather not harm your beautiful face and body, alright?"

I tried to pull out of my restraints again but the men didn't budge. As soon as the hand was gone from my mouth, something else replaced it, still preventing me from screaming. Tears began to flow from my eyes.

"Don't cry, princess. Serve me well and I'll do the same for you. A man like you deserves to be cherished..."

I was forced to serve him. The men held my arms and hair so tightly there was nothing else I could do. I sobbed and mentally checked out. I had to get away from the situation even if I couldn't physically.

I imagined I was on a beautiful island with crisp clear oceans, tall palm trees, and sun gently warming my skin. I've always wanted to go on a trip somewhere like that. When Atsutane talked about his trips, especially to beaches like that, I felt so jealous. He said we could all go together some day. Too bad I was too busy with my bar to entertain the idea. Now I wish I had gone... Maybe I could have opened a bar there and never had to meet this despicable man...

When he had finished, the commotion that had been going on was oddly silent now. We all realized something was wrong. Did something happen to Anzai?! I was able to scoot away since the men were distracted.

The curtain was thrown aside and Anzai stood there, blood on his hands. Our eyes met, me probably looking like a mess with my hair crumpled and tears running down my face. I felt so small sitting on the floor with a bitter taste in my mouth. I thought I saw something snap behind Anzai's eyes before he started attacking Togai and his men.

I couldn't focus on the fight very well. I felt sick to my stomach and my vision was blurry. I felt like I might pass out. I crawled a short distance away into a corner. That's where I threw up. I threw up everything in my mouth and stomach. The bitter taste was still there. I wanted it to get out. I needed to get it out. I stuck my fingers back in my throat to throw up once more.