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The air in the upscale restaurant at the very top of the Millenium Tower reeks with the scent of wealth and power. Daigo Dojima sits at the table, his gaze flickering between his guest, Patriarch Hiroshi Kubo and his entourage, and his silent companion, Goro Majima. This is far from a casual dinner; the deal Daigo is about to bring to the table could reshape the Tojo Clan's fortunes by allowing them to smuggle in contraband through the port of Nagoya, currently under the control of the Kubo family, a Tojo Clan affiliate. Daigo knows that a lot hangs on their negotiations that evening; if he cannot get Kubo’s agreement on a preliminary deal then their plans won’t have a chance to take off.
Majima, who usually overflows with charisma, remains oddly subdued, his eyes fixed on his untouched A5 wagyu steak . Daigo frowns inwardly, noting his lieutenant advisor’s uncharacteristic behaviour. They can't afford any missteps tonight, as Majima is well aware. What is stranger still, is that Majima and Kubo, who so far have limited their interactions to the minimum, once flew the same colours, having both served under Futoshi Shimano. The death of the Shimano patriarch led to Kubo's departure and the rise of his own faction. Daigo decides to tread carefully as he addresses the elephant in the room.
"Our world is a small one, Kubo-san," Daigo muses, eyeing Majima discreetly. "I hear you and Majima-san were once under the same banner."
Kubo's lips curl into a thin smile. "Ah, yes, feels like a lifetime ago. Majima-san had quite the reputation back then."
Majima's grip on his chopsticks tightens imperceptibly, but he remains silent. Daigo senses the underlying tension but he decides to probe further.
"Did you two ever cross paths?" he asks.
Kubo's gaze sharpens as he looks directly at Majima. "I’d say we got to know each other pretty well over a period of time, didn’t we, Majima-san?"
There's something in Kubo's tone that doesn't sit quite right with Daigo. It's a subtle shift but not entirely imperceptible.Years of having to watch his back against his closest allies have at least served to hone Daigo’s skills.
Before Daigo can delve deeper, Majima abruptly stands, his chair scraping against the floor. "Excuse me," he says curtly, "I need to use the bathroom."
Daigo watches him go, his mind racing with questions. Left alone with Kubo and his men, he attempts to engage his company in small talk, but he can't shake the nagging feeling that something is amiss.
He keeps an eye on the time: ten, fifteen minutes pass and Majima has still not returned. With a polite excuse, Daigo signals to the waiter and inquires about their selection of daiginjo sake. It's a subtle ruse to buy himself a moment alone. As the waiter leads him through the restaurant to present their collection, Daigo parts ways with him and heads towards the restroom instead.
He finds Majima leaning against the sink rinsing his mouth with water, his complexion even paler than usual, beads of sweat dotting his forehead. Calling out to him, he approaches the Mad Dog carefully.
"What's the matter, Majima?" Daigo asks, “You've been gone a while.”
Majima straightens up, attempting to muster a nonchalant demeanour despite the obvious discomfort written on his face. "Sorry about that, boss. Must've been something I ate. Ain't sitting too well."
It's a poor excuse for a lie. Daigo studies his lieutenant for a moment, knowing him well enough to discern when something is amiss.
"You sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, just need a breather, that's all” Majima replies with a sigh. “Mind if I bow out for the rest of the night?"
Daigo's brows furrow slightly at the unusual request, but he nods nonetheless. "It won't be an issue. I’ll take it from here”.
Majima is not one to shirk away from duty; he'd sit on that chair with a gaping wound if he had to, bleeding over the fancy decorative tiles on the floor. If he is asking for a raincheck like that, he must have a pretty good reason.
As Majima moves to leave, Daigo places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Hope you feel better soon, Majima-san." The strained smile Majima offers in return doesn't quite reach his eyes.
Returning to the table, Daigo presents an expensive bottle of sake with a practised smile, offering a vague explanation for Majima's sudden departure. Something urgent came up, he says, and he leaves the rest up to the imagination of his guests. The conversation resumes, the sake flows and his guests don't seem to take offence at the sudden departure of his officer.
—
The morning sun filters through the blinds, casting long shadows across Daigo's room, the events of the previous night still lingering in his thoughts as he lies on his bed, trying to summon the willpower to get up and face whatever challenges the day has in store for him. On an impulse, he reaches an arm out and picks up his phone from the nightstand to dial Majima's number. Each ring feels louder and louder until a voice finally crackles through the receiver.
“Majima”. Relieved to hear the other man’s voice again, Daigo forsakes the honorific. “Are you feeling any better?"
There's a brief pause before Majima's response comes, somewhat distant. "Yeah, Daigo-chan, I'm alright now. Thanks for asking. How'd the rest of the dinner go?"
"It went well. I've secured a verbal agreement with Kubo for the Nagoya deal." Daigo reassures him.
"That's my boy”, Majima says fondly, his words of praise tugging at Daigo’s heartstrings. “Knew you could handle it. What's next then?"
"I plan to meet with Kubo again next Tuesday to discuss the specifics," Daigo explains, "I am gonna need you there with me."
Silence hangs in the air for a moment before Majima voices his agreement. "Of course, boss. I’ll be there with ya", he promises.
Daigo ends the call, but he still can’t shake this feeling of unease that has been eating at him ever since the dinner with Kubo. The next person he calls is Nishida, Majima’s right hand man. If anyone can help him put his worries to rest, and carry on with his duties, it’s Nishida. The man's voice comes through the speaker tinged with trepidation as he extends his greetings to his superior.
“I need to see you in my office, Nishida-san. Let’s say in a couple of hours- do you think you can make it?” Daigo makes his request.
“In your-? Yes, I-of course sir, I’ll be there!!” Nishida nervously fumbles over his words.
When Majima's man enters Daigo’s office later in the day, his discomfort is palpable, his demeanour tense as he stands before the Chairman's desk. Daigo wastes no time beating around the bush.
"Nishida-san, I need to know if Majima is facing any trouble these days" he asks.
Nishida hesitates, choosing his words carefully, "I'm not aware of any issues, Chairman. Forgive me if I am being forward, but wouldn't it be better to ask the patriarch directly?"
"This is a delicate matter, Nishida-san", Daigo offers a reassuring smile, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Rest assured that the Majima family is not under any scrutiny."
With a nod, Nishida seems to relax somewhat, though a flicker of unease remains in his eyes.
"Are you familiar with Hiroshi Kubo?" Daigo presses on, watching for any hint of recognition in Nishida's reaction.
Sure enough, a fleeting shadow passes over the man’s features before he quickly composes himself. "I've heard the name, Chairman. Why do you ask?"
"Is there any bad blood between Kubo and Majima?"
Nishida's response is cautious. "Sixth Chairman, I wouldn’t dream of lying to you but... answering that question might get me killed."
"Your duty is to me first, Nishida-san.", Daigo reminds the Majima family man, “As I am sure you are well aware”
Nishida takes a deep breath as he nervously fumbles with the gold chain around his neck. "Have you heard about what Majima was up to back in '85, Chairman?"
Daigo recalls the stories he used to hear whispered around the Tojo clan's offices; Shimano’s golden boy sentenced to a fate worse than death; a year in the Hole, a place that could put the deepest pits of hell to shame."He was punished for insubordination," he states, grimly.
Nishida nods, his expression solemn. "Kubo was there too”, he reveals, “but not as a prisoner. He was one of the Shimano family men dissing out the punishment; he had a reputation for being extremely cruel”
Daigo's stomach churns at the revelation. "Kubo.. tortured Majima-san?"
“I can’t even bear to look at the guy”, Nishida says, his fists clenching on his lap, “Knowing what he put the boss through…You know, he does a good job hiding the scars most of the time, but.. I know him. I know the Shimano family. I can imagine the hell he went through”
Silence descends upon the room, along with a suffocating stillness. Daigo's mind grapples with the newfound knowledge, struggling to form coherent thoughts. He thanks Nishida and promptly dismisses him. He stands up from his seat and opens the window, letting the cool air of the day in. He lights up a cigarette and takes puff after puff; it’s a familiar, comforting gesture.
His thoughts swirl as he contemplates the significance of his deal with Kubo.The Tojo Clan's financial stability hangs in the balance, and Daigo knows he can't let his men down. But Majima is his man, and his responsibility also. He can't shake the guilt that gnaws at him for subjecting Majima to a dinner with his torturer. As the Chairman of the Tojo Clan, he should have been aware of the history between his lieutenant advisor and the Patriarch of the Kubo Family. Once again he has been weighed and measured, and found wanting.
Majima, with his bravado and carefree attitude, masks his pain behind a facade of bulletproof confidence. But Daigo has known him long enough, and by now he can peer through it. He knows that beneath his grin lies a vulnerability that he works hard to conceal.There was a time when he was so broken, Daigo realises, that he had to collect his pieces and put them in order; he fashioned his creation a stronger man, one who bowed to no master, wild and impulsive; Untouchable. Kubo’s mere presence alone was enough to crack Majima’s walls. Anger reverberates through Daigo’s body, coursing through his veins and calling for blood- an eye for an eye. He breathes slowly in and out and steadies himself. His position does not allow for impulsive actions; each decision he makes impacts thousands of lives.
Daigo doesn't get much sleep that night. When he does, his dreams draw from the tales of horror he heard whispered in the corridors of the Tojo HQ as a child; he sees a man with long black hair and a gaping hole where his left eye used to be. His torso, all skin and bones, is littered with burn marks. There are words carved on his back although in the dream he can't decipher their meaning-for that he is grateful. His fingers are red on the tips and bent in unnatural angles. The man looks like he may be crying but the noise that escapes his throat is a terrible, thunderous rumble; the sound of the earth splitting apart.
Morning brings little relief as Daigo awakens, still haunted by the remnants of his nightmares. Determination sets in as he pushes aside his fear and contacts Kubo to arrange a meeting, just the two of them. If he is to secure the future of the Tojo Clan, he cannot do it while ignoring the shadows of its past.
—
The air in the audience room feels thick with tension as Kubo steps in, his annoyance barely concealed beneath a veneer of politeness. Daigo, seated at the head of the hall, invites Kubo to take a seat, a gesture that barely masks his own unease.
"Thank you for coming, Kubo-san," Daigo begins. "I appreciate you making the trip from Nagoya to meet with me and discuss a joint venture. However, I regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, I must retract my offer."
Kubo's face instantly falls. "This is unacceptable!," he snaps, rising from his seat to loom over Daigo. "This flippant attitude will sink the Tojo before you know it. What the hell kind of circumstance can justify you backing out of a deal we haven’t even signed on?."
Daigo meets Kubo's gaze evenly. "I cannot divulge the details, Kubo-san. It is not something I can discuss with you."
A flicker of realisation crosses Kubo's face. "This is about Majima, isn't it?" he accuses, his tone venomous. "No wonder he fucked off halfway through our dinner."
Daigo's jaw tightens, but he remains silent.
"What the fuck did that lunatic tell you, huh?" Kubo’s tirade continues. “Does he think I wronged him somehow? I was following our Patriarch’s orders. He knows that just as well as anyone else. If he cannot reconcile with the fact, then he is not fit to be a Yakuza."
Daigo's restraint wavers. "Watch your words, Kubo-san. Majima is a high-ranking officer in the Tojo clan."
Kubo scoffs. "Perhaps you should choose your officers more wisely," he retorts. "The guy has always had a few screws loose.I went soft on him, you know," he adds, a manic glint in his eye. "Other men sent to the Hole weren't so lucky. They got the saw as a welcome gift and came out in bin bags. But Majima... he was a cute little thing. I couldn’t bring myself to mess up his pretty face too bad."
The insinuation hits Daigo like a sucker punch, his temper flaring. "Enough," he growls, rising to his feet to meet Kubo eye to eye.
“Besides, he was always Shimano’s favourite pet. A promising soldier? Nah, the old man just couldn’t get enough-”
Daigo's fist meets Kubo's face with a resounding crack; the force of the blow sends him flying backwards, landing with his back against the nearest wall. Daigo is upon him in an instant, his hand wrapping around Kubo's neck with a vice-like grip. The urge to end it all right then and there, to return in kind everything Kubo did to Majima, pulses through Daigo's veins. He can hear the choking sounds, the desperate whimpers, and for a moment, he's tempted to give in. Somehow, he manages to pull himself back from the brink. He releases the patriarch, who crumples to the ground, coughing and sputtering.
Kubo tries to beg for his life, but Daigo's voice cuts through the air like a knife. "I will not kill you," he states firmly. "Our agreement is void from this moment on. Leave Tokyo and return to your territory. The Kubo clan remains an ally of the Tojo, but if I ever see your face again, I will pluck out both of your eyes."
With that final threat hanging in the air, Daigo turns on his heel and strides out of the room, leaving Kubo to pick himself up from the floor.
—
The intercom buzzes, piercing through the quiet of Daigo's house. He's not expecting to see Majima on the screen, pacing outside like a caged animal. He has traded his black business suit for his trademark snakeskin jacket that leaves his chest and abdomen exposed to the elements and has Daigo constantly wondering how on earth the man never seems to catch a cold. Majima doesn't bother with pleasantries. As soon as Daigo opens the door, he cuts straight to the chase.
"Why the hell did you sink the port deal?" he demands.
"I decided Kubo is not someone I am willing to do business with," Daigo replies, keeping his reply brief.
Majima's eyes narrow. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days; his exhaustion evident in the dark circles under his eyes and the stubble on his cheeks.
"Wrong answer," he retorts, his voice sharp with frustration. "Why did you really withdraw the deal? Was it on my account?"
“Have you come all the way to my house to challenge my decision?” Daigo deflects.
“Daigo!” Majima yells out his name, like he is trying to get through to someone out of reach. “Was it because of me?”
“Why didn't you tell me about your history with Kubo?" Daigo counters, "don't you think I ought to have known about it before entering negotiations with the man?"
Majima's shoulders tremble with fury. "My past is none of your damn business," he snaps back. "You had no right to make that decision alone. Kubo was just doing his job back in the Hole. I don't hold any grudges against him, and my personal issues shouldn't affect the clan as a whole!"
“Somehow I knew that’s what you’d say” Daigo confesses with a sigh.
"If you knew, then you should have seen the deal through!" Majima's voice echoes through the room, laced with desperation. It is the first time Daigo has seen him so agitated over something. He knows he should tread carefully, but he cannot deny his man an honest answer.
"Respectfully, Majima-san, I couldn't continue negotiations with Kubo in good conscience," he states firmly. "I have a responsibility to the clan, but I won't betray the man who has stood by my side all these years. As your Chairman and as your friend, I am not letting you down again"
The Mad Dog lashes out with a punch aimed squarely at Daigo's face. But just as the blow is about to land, it halts, a mere breath away from Daigo's nose. Daigo doesn't flinch,not even attempting to block the attack.
Instead, he gently cups Majima's hand, lowering it with a steady gaze. "You have every right to be angry with me," he admits quietly. "But I hope you can understand my perspective and find it in your heart to forgive me"
Majima's anger deflates, replaced by a weary acceptance. He shoots Daigo an exasperated look, but Daigo doesn’t miss the softness in his gaze. "Look at you acting all bold and righteous. You really are a fool sometimes," he mutters. “Sometimes... you remind me of that other fool who fashions himself your mentor”
Daigo smiles, knowing full well who Majima refers to. "I'll take that as a compliment."
In a moment of rare vulnerability, Majima reaches out and ruffles Daigo's hair affectionately.
"I ain’t thanking you for acting like an idiot," he says gruffly.
Daigo's heart swells with warmth at the gesture. Too flustered to react, he only watches Majima leave the room with a nonchalant wave and a simple "see you back at headquarters”
Daigo doesn't fully know the extent of the consequences his decision will bring but despite that, his heart feels lighter than before. For Majima's sake, he will face anything that comes his way.