"Yes, our Ryuju Group has always been a righteous, justice-loving organization! When it comes to evil—we're always ready to act!"
On the phone screen, a man from the Ryuju Group—either a leader or a second-in-command—was eloquently speaking in an interview.
Takashi watched the video with a strange expression.
It was definitely weird to hear a yakuza group loudly proclaiming their war on evil.
But now he finally understood why Momo thanked him earlier.
By joining him in that fight today, the Ryuju Group had essentially gained a PR victory and semi-rehabilitation.
The era of blood and violence was long gone.
Yes, they were still yakuza—but with Japan's government intensifying its crackdown on gangs and strictly limiting their operations, black organizations faced mounting pressure.
Yakuza groups were already being swept into history's trash bin.
To survive, most began the process of "going legit"—cooperating with the government and trying to build a friendly public image.
Washed-up yakuza no longer relied on violence to survive, but used legal businesses to rake in profits.
They infiltrated Japan's political and business sectors, laundering money and moving assets overseas.
The Ryuju Group was also looking to transform, but due to Momo's father offending the Police Commissioner, their "cleansing" process had been extremely difficult.
Today, they had finally broken through a wall.
Although it was just a small breakthrough, for the Ryuzu Group, it was still a major step forward.
"The Ryuzu Group has already spread the word on the streets—anyone who dares disrespect Takashi is disrespecting the entire Ryuzu Group."
By the bedside, Ogitsu Yoshiko sat on a chair, peeling an apple with a paring knife in smooth circles.
"So the 'debut' you mentioned… turns out it was a yakuza debut?" she teased.
Takashi curled his lips in response.
On the surface, having the Ryuzu Group backing him seemed like a win—it made many things more convenient.
But once you got labeled as part of the yakuza, cleaning up your image became a lifelong struggle.
He had zero interest in becoming a gangster.
"What's the public opinion of me right now?"
Ogitsu Yoshiko handed him the peeled apple. "Mixed," she said.
"Some people think what you did was right, that the only way to deal with scumbags like that is with tough measures."
"But others think you went too far—especially slapping and kicking a kid. A lot of people think you have violent tendencies and are calling for the government to ban you."
Takashi bit into the apple with a loud crunch, leaving a bite mark sharp enough to be a logo. His gaze was full of disdain.
People never know pain until the knife falls on them.
Ban him?
What do they think this is, some authoritarian state? The government here doesn't hold all the cards, and he's not some small fry that can be banned at will.
"Do you think I was wrong?" he asked.
Ogitsu Yoshiko smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. "Nice work!"
"Knew you were my type," Takashi returned the thumbs-up.
Any ordinary manager would've scolded him to death by now.
Good thing his manager wasn't ordinary.
The relationship between a celebrity and their manager is symbiotic. A good manager is really important.
Otherwise, you end up like Tyson—cheated out of your money—or worse, like Bao Qiang—cheated out of your money and your wife.
"What happened to the Goya Takeshi family?"
There were reports about him all over the internet, but hardly any legal updates about Goya Takeshi.
"The father tried hiring a lawyer," Ogitsu Yoshiko explained, "but thanks to Ryuzu Group's threats, no one dared take the case. He's not getting out."
The Ryuzu Group needed this incident to polish their image—they weren't going to let him say a word in public.
Even if he did get released, they'd just make him disappear.
No matter how the Ryuzu Group claimed to be different from other gangs, in the end, they were still a criminal organization.
Japan's government and judicial system, pressured by public opinion and the Five Houses, weren't going to stick their necks out for a piece of human garbage.
"As for the kid—he's a minor, so he'll probably get sent to a child welfare institution. But with what he's done, his good days are over." Ogitsu Yoshiko gave a cold smirk.
Orphanages weren't as warm and friendly as the newspapers made them seem.
It was common for older kids to bully younger ones. When he got there, he'd get a taste of his own medicine.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how he reacts once the bullying starts," Takashi said, stroking his chin, eyes gleaming like a scholar about to publish a research paper.
"There's too much controversy right now. Just lie low in the hospital for a while. It'll help you avoid interviews too," Ogitsu Yoshiko stood up, getting ready to leave.
Takashi could rest, but she still had work to do.
"Oh right, this came from the court."
Before leaving, she suddenly remembered something and pulled a fine notice from her bag, slapping it onto Takashi's chest.
Takashi winced when he saw the amount.
It wasn't that big—his private stash could easily cover it.
Still, asking him to pay up was like cutting off a chunk of flesh.
"Don't worry. I already paid it for you."
"Ogitsu-neesan… are you a goddess?"
Takashi looked up at the plain-looking woman before him as if she were a deity, his eyes full of worship.
But the next second—
"It'll be deducted from your paycheck."
"You slave driver!"
"Get ready. I'm going to squeeze every yen out of you."
"Even though you're nice, and I felt a little touched when you paid for me… I'm a sucker for looks, and I can't ignore that. So I'm sorry."
Takashi protectively covered his hospital gown collar, looking wary.
Ogitsu Yoshiko went silent.
Not because she was rejected, but because she couldn't accept being called ugly.
She knew she wasn't especially good-looking—but that's one of those things a woman can say about herself, but a man never should.
"I've decided. This summer vacation, you're not getting a single second to flirt with girls. I'm filling your schedule to the brim."
"Nooo! Nee-san, kind and lovely nee-san, please don't!"
No matter how much Takashi howled or twisted around on the hospital bed, Ogitsu Yoshiko walked out without a flicker of sympathy.
___
20 Advanced Chapters available on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!
Don't forget to leave a review too~
Check out the other translations too
___