22:HNH Associates [II] / Introduction of Masters [II]
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Miguel stood still. No movement. Not even a twitch.
James smiled faintly, like nothing had happened.
"Please… relax."
He straightened his coat.
"Since I'm entering politics, I've stopped fighting for trivial reasons."
The others at the table—Hideyoki, Yamamoto, even Aera—glared at Miguel like he'd just spat in their drinks.
Then a voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Why the hell am I here?"
Everyone's heads turned. James tilted his towards the man who had spoken.
Yuujin Jin.
His tone wasn't aggressive—it was flat, impatient, and heavy enough to clear the air that even James Lee's presence had made dense.
James smirked and stepped towards him.
"Ohh… apologies, Mr. Yuujin. I didn't plan to keep you waiting."
He moved to stand beside Yuujin, facing the table like a stage performer about to introduce the headliner. Hands up, voice calm but cutting through the air.
"As everyone now knows… this is Mr. Yuujin Jin. The man who defeated the son of Gapryong Kim—Kitae Kim."
The air grew colder. You could feel the collective shift in the room.
James's smile sharpened.
"He is the third Black Tag."
Every pair of eyes widened—except Yuujin's. Even Crexa's calm broke for a second, his jaw tightening. Nobure flinched.
Yuujin turned his head slightly, looking at James with a confused stare.
"What's that?"
James's smirk stayed.
"You'll know. But first—let me introduce everyone."
He stepped forward a little, pointing his finger at the Japanese-speaking man with a lopsided grin.
"He is Kurosawa 'Viper' Hideyoki. Ex-Yakuza Enforcer."
Hideyoki smiled at Yuujin, tilting his head so his hair dropped over one eye.
James's finger moved to the man beside Hideyoki, the one half-buried under a fur coat.
"And he is Yamamoto Himazaki. Ex-Kyokushin Karate pro player… and leader of the 'All Japan Drug Exporters'—AJDE."
Yamamoto blinked slowly, half his face still hidden under the coat's collar.
Then James pointed at Miguel, who hadn't moved since earlier, his mind clearly somewhere far darker.
"As you already know his name… but let me say it. Miguel 'Coyote' Herrera. Former leader of one of Mexico's most infamous Mafia groups… The Gulf."
Miguel didn't even flinch. He just sat there, lost in his own head.
James moved on without missing a beat.
"And last, but not least—Aera Kwon. One of the candidates for an… 'Apostle.'"
Aera squinted at the mention of her name, her long silky brunette hair falling past her shoulders. A mole rested just under her lips. Her frame was lean, her figure sharp enough to draw stares. She wore a baggy black half-T, white mini-shorts, and long white socks with red sandals.
Yuujin stared at her for a moment—long enough that it wasn't subtle. He swallowed once.
James's voice broke his focus.
"So, what do you think?"
Yuujin dragged his eyes off Aera, regaining his composure.
"But… why the hell am I here?"
James's tone turned vicious.
"Not you… but everyone here is going to earn money..."
He lowered his eyes.
"...for me."
Hideyoki frowned faintly. Yamamoto's expression didn't shift.
Aera… wasn't even listening infact she was staring straight at Yuujin.
And Yuujin was staring straight back.
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Author Note:'Rushed'