Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
“Yet you kept sneaking out?”
“What’s the point of living if you're stuck in a room all alone? He really lost it when I got kicked out for sneaking over to the boys’ university.” Kazuo’s fingers flex on my hips. I can sense his anger simmering under the surface even as he keeps his expression neutral. “He thinks I’m a whore.” I shrug. “I’m lonely. Do you know what it’s like to be surrounded by so many people and feel alone? Not just alone but invisible. No one sees me.”
“I promise you, Mei, you are not invisible.”
“Does it make me a whore to want to be touched? Loved?” I ask.
“Mei–”
“Sir,” Toru calls from the doorway. “Hideo Nakamura is calling in now to speak to you.”
Toru has the best timing. I’m not sure I’m ready to hear Kazuo’s answer.
7
Kazuo
I give Mei one more look before joining Toru in the hall. “No one is allowed in her room except for me. Understand?” I jog down the stairs with Toru at my heels.
“Sure. Why? Was Daisuke being a problem?”
“No. I just don’t want any other men in her room. That’s all.”
“You do realize Daisuke is gay, right?” Toru follows me into the office.
“He is?” I sit at my desk.
“Yeah, he’s been married for about–I don’t know–ten years or something I think?” Toru smirks. “But he’s not allowed in Mei’s room?”
I shrug. “All right, maybe him. But only him. And not too frequently.”
I can tell Toru wants to burst with laughter, but he manages to keep a straight face. “Got it, boss.”
“Don’t be a dick,” I gripe.
“I’m just doing what you tell me. That’s all.” He closes my office door.
I don’t have time for his games. Not when my mentor wants to speak with me. Turning to the phone, I hit the button to put Hideo on speaker.
“Good evening,” he greets me, his tone sober as always. “I take it my daughter has arrived unharmed.”
“Yes. She’s settling in.” I pause, despite wanting to fire off several questions. Hideo isn’t a man who talks much. He’ll say what he needs to say, but I have to be patient.
Toru looks at me questioningly as the silence becomes longer. I just shake my head at him. I suppose he’ll have to learn patience, too. He didn’t study under a Yakuza kingpin the way I did. Even though he isn’t a Japanese mafia prince, which some people say I am, he’s still the greatest weapon in my arsenal. Loyalty is in his bones, his blood. I trust him with my life. All that said, he can also be a real pain in my ass. Like right now when he’s rolling his eyes and silently cursing at the phone.
Hideo clears his throat.
Toru sinks onto the couch across from my desk and stares at the phone.
Hideo clears his throat again.
Toru throws up his hands.
I tamp down laughter. This is how Hideo works. I remember plenty of times when he was trying to teach me something. Waiting for him to speak took longer than the actual knowledge he imparted. He always told me that thinking before speaking is the mark of a strong leader.
“Mei is …” he begins. “She is not what I expected in a daughter.”
My office door opens a sliver, and I get a glimpse of Mei’s dark hair. I should shoo her away, but I don’t. This concerns her. It’s only fair she knows what her father has to say about it.
“Mei has always been a sweet girl, of course. A lot like her mother with her mischief. But now that she’s older, I don’t know the best way to keep her in line.” He sighs. “She’s not like you, Kazuo. Nothing at all like you. You, I knew how to train. Her …”
His silence draws out again, and Toru leans his head back on the sofa, feigning sleep.
“You sent her to me for a reason. What can I do for you, Hideo?” I don’t want to push too hard, but I have to admit I’m deeply curious about his plan.
“She needs … She needs more discipline than I can give.” For the first time since I’ve known him, he sounds tired. “I’ve tried every way I can think of to get through to her, but I can’t do more. I won’t.”
I’m having a hard time believing what I’m hearing. Hideo had absolutely no problems disciplining me when he was training me up. Then again–I glance at the door–Mei is different. She’s not someone you can force into a box or a role. I, on the other hand, enjoy my role, and I’m grateful to Hideo for everything he’s done for me.
“Mei is special. But she’s special in a way I don’t understand. So I’ve sent her to you. You always followed the right path, Kazuo. You have discipline and strength. I want you to use those on Mei and impress upon her how important it is for her to be a proper daughter to me.” He clears his throat, then adds quickly, “But don’t hurt her.”