Johnny went in first, vaulting over the fence like it was nothing. Guess the parkour skills weren't just for show.
Tetsu turned to me and held out a small communication chip.
"Put it in your ear."
I did.
"Good. We're all on the same channel now. Johnny and Cobra are already connected. Keep your ears open and your mouth shut unless you've got something worth saying."
I nodded.
"Got it."
Cobra let out a low chuckle.
"Listen to that, bro. Kid sounds like he's reporting for duty."
Tetsu shrugged.
"Well, Takumi's been through enough shit to know how to adapt. Let him learn the ropes."
Takumi.
He called me Takumi.
Not kid, not Forsaken.
Just... Takumi.
…Damn. Didn't know the old man had that in him.
Then we heard the sound of fists connecting with flesh. Someone was getting a little too enthusiastic.
"Alright. Path's clear."
Johnny's voice came through the headset.
He's taken down the security by himself. Guess that was one less thing to worry about.
Tetsu patted my shoulder.
"You know what you've gotta do."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. And you're just gonna stand around back here?"
"Well, somebody's gotta make sure you idiots have a ride home."
"Fair."
Tetsu smirked. He handed me the bag, then jerked his chin towards the house.
"Go on. And don't get greedy. We're here to collect, not redecorate the place."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Good luck, kid."
Cobra was already climbing the fence by the time Tetsu finished speaking. I followed after him.
Getting over wasn't much of a challenge. One quick move, and I was on the other side.
And, yeah, this guy's garden was a fucking display.
A fountain sat in the middle of a whole field of roses. And somewhere away in the far corner was a swimming pool.
A fucking swimming pool.
Meanwhile, some people were out here struggling to afford rent and groceries.
I know their struggle.
I spent months working behind a bar just to keep my music career alive. Every bit of money I made had somewhere to go. Rent, food, equipment, studio time, designer clothes, video shoots.
There was always something else to pay for.
Even now, with my music finally bringing in money, I still couldn't look at something like this without remembering what it was like to struggle for every fucking yen. The tiny studio. The nights of instant ramen and convenience-store onigiri.
The way buying a single pair of decent sneakers meant something else had to wait.
But sure, let's pretend the system's working just fine while politicians live like this. I mean, this guy had a fountain. A full garden of roses. A swimming pool sitting empty under the night sky like it was nothing.
While people in the same city were choosing between paying rent and eating properly. While kids like me had to crawl through yakuza bars just to fund a dream that might never pay off.
…Honestly, fuck them.
Cobra's voice came through the earpiece, low and steady.
"Security room's on the first floor, east side. I'm heading in."
A few seconds of silence. Then the soft click of a door.
"Cameras are down. Motion sensors too. You've got a clean window. Don't waste it."
I adjusted the bag on my shoulder and moved.
The house felt wrong the moment I stepped inside — lavish, yeah, but it felt soulless.
Hardwood floors that didn't creak.
Art on the walls that probably cost more than most people made in a year.
I started with the obvious places.
A locked display cabinet in the living room held several pieces of high-end jewelry — thick gold chains, a Cartier watch, a diamond-studded brooch that looked like it's never been worn.
I forced the glass carefully and swept them into the bag.
In the study I found a small wall safe that Cobra already flagged. Inside: a stack of gold coins, a few bars, and a thick envelope of cash. All of it went in.
Upstairs, the master bedroom had a low shelf of hanging scrolls and a couple of framed paintings — traditional ink work and one Western-style piece that even I could tell was expensive.
I took the smaller, higher-value ones. We're here to collect, not redecorate.
Every item I touched felt like proof of the gap I've been staring at my whole life. And for the first time, I wasn't just looking at it.
I was taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
And for now, the poor was me.
Charity could wait.
If I ever felt like helping, maybe.
No one helped me when it actually mattered.
Cobra's voice cut through the earpiece, interrupting my thoughts.
"We're done. Move. Now."
I shoved the last of the gold coins into the bag and sealed it.
"What happened?"
"One of the guards woke up," Cobra said. "He got a call out before Johnny could shut him down again. Police are already rolling."
Johnny's voice came in right after.
"Two units confirmed. They're coming in quiet. Front's not safe anymore."
I headed for the stairs.
Cobra was already at the side exit, holding the door open, eyes scanning the dark garden.
"Bag's secure. Don't stop for anything."
I slipped past him into the cold air. The fountain and the rose beds looked different now — less like a flex, more like a place we needed to leave behind fast.
We moved low along the hedge line toward the back fence.
Headlights swept across the street beyond the property.
No sirens yet.
Just engines and the first bounce of flashlight beams over the wall.
Johnny muttered, "They're here."
Cobra was already over the fence.
I followed, bag heavy against my side, and dropped into the narrow service road on the other side.
The van was exactly where Tetsu said it would be — engine running, side door open.
We ran.
Behind us, the first sharp voices carried over the wall.
"Police! Stay where you are!"
Too late.
We were already moving.
Cobra and Johnny pulled ahead easily. The bag was dragging me down with every step.
I was already falling behind, and the footsteps behind us were getting closer.
"Kid!" Cobra shouted over his shoulder. "Don't fall behind!"
"I can't with this thing!" I yelled back. "Go! I'll drop it and catch up!"
Johnny glanced back, eyes wide.
"You're crazy."
"There's no other way."
I kept running.
The van came into view at the end of the service road, side door already open, engine growling.
Cobra reached it first and spun around, stretching out his hand.
I threw him the bag.
He caught it cleanly.
That half-second cost me.
A hand clamped hard onto my jacket and yanked me backward.
Cobra's voice cut through the earpiece, sharp with disbelief.
"They got the kid—"
I planted my foot, dropped my weight, and twisted with everything I had. The grip broke. The cop hit the ground behind me with a heavy grunt.
Cobra again, louder this time:
"Wait—he broke free!"
Tetsu's voice came in immediately, calm but firm.
"We're waiting. Quick, bro."
"I'm trying," I muttered, already running again.
More of them were already closing in, flashlight beams cutting across the road.
The van was right there.
I lunged. My foot caught the edge of the floor. I started to fall back—
Johnny's hand locked around my arm and hauled me inside hard.
The doors slammed shut.
Tetsu hit the gas.
"That was close, bro," he said. "One more second and you'd be in cuffs."
Johnny glanced back at me, still catching his breath.
"You're aware we were this close to leaving you behind, right?"
Of course they were.
Weak links always get cut.
Cobra laughed, louder than the rest.
"Give the kid some credit. Ain't bad for a first mission. I saw him break that cop's grip clean. Left the guy on the ground."
Tetsu exhaled through his nose.
"Told you he could adapt. Just didn't expect the almost-getting-arrested part."
He glanced at me in the rearview, a small grin showing.
"Still a long way from the kid I saved from Yabai and his gang. Should've seen it — lil bro threw the first shot, caught him right in the jaw. Then the rest of them jumped him."
I stared at the back of his head.
"Hold up. You saw that?"
I saw him rolling his eyes through the mirror.
"Yeah, duh. I only stepped in when it looked like those idiots were about to kick your ass. Wanted to see what you'd do."
I blinked.
Johnny snorted.
"So you just watched him get beaten up?"
"Yeah, and you would've done what? Saved him?" Tetsu shot back. "Shut up, Johnny."
Cobra burst out laughing.
"Damn, Tetsu. Leave the man alone."
"Fuck both of you," Johnny muttered.
Tetsu chuckled.
"Anyway, Yabai had his beef with you, you went looking for trouble, and didn't run when it found you. Stupid? Absolutely. But at least you had some balls."
"Gee, thanks."
"Don't mention it, kid."
I almost cringed at the memory.
One year ago, every time I was walking through Matsumoto, some random gang would approach me looking for a fight.
Now I was sitting in a van with three yakuza after breaking into a politician's house and nearly getting arrested.
Yeah.
And it all began with that fucker.
"So, how'd you enjoy your first real job?" Tetsu asked through the mirror"
"Five stars. Would recommend."
Johnny laughed.
"You nearly got dragged away by the cops!"
"Didn't happen, though."
"Because I had to drag your ass into the van."
"Details."
Tetsu shook his head.
"Goddamn. You're gonna give me a headache."
"You hired me."
He just sighed and muttered something under his breath.
The rest of the ride to the bar passed in much the same way, with Johnny insisting he was the only competent person in the van and everyone else disagreeing.
By the time we arrived, the adrenaline wore off, leaving my legs sore and the night's close call sinking in.
Tetsu parked behind the bar.
We got out, heading straight for the back door. The familiar smell of alcohol and cigarettes filled my nose as I stepped in.
After the night we had, Konohana almost felt like home.
Almost.
The bar was quieter than usual when we walked in. The Manager stood behind the counter, a glass of whiskey in hand.
"Welcome back. I heard the operation was a success. Good work."
"See? Told you we'd get it done," Cobra said proudly.
The Manager gave him a look.
"Although Johnny's recklessness gave the police enough time to respond. Had Takumi been arrested, things would've become considerably more complicated."
"Ayo, we still have a record," I pointed out. "And we got the money. Sounds like a stalemate to me."
Tetsu burst out laughing. Cobra followed, and even Johnny cracked a grin.
The Manager sighed.
"I'm surrounded by idiots."
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Chief. It's me. Regarding the incident at Councilor Kuroda's residence, the man had an outstanding debt to us. I have the sealed contract here as proof."
He listened for a moment, then continued.
"I'm asking you to have the file removed. There's no need for this to go any further."
Another pause.
"Excellent. I appreciate your cooperation."
He ended the call and slipped his phone away.
"Now, go clean yourselves up. You've earned your rest."
Yeah.
Honestly, after today, that was a good idea.
Then, the sound of a notification.
I pulled out my phone.
Revolut.
You received ¥400.000.
Mission accomplished.