[ More than 24 hours later some blanks have filled back in. Mine hadn't been the one to drive them to Nishikiyama's place, he threw up at the restaurant– he forgot– then a second time at the apartment. No wonder, then, that he'd woken up with an ache. He'd worked a full day after.
Not coming in to the Nishikiyama Family office the same night ended up tactical as much as necessary. Mine takes his walk past cluttered workstations in the middle of the room. The place does much to look like a simple department. The lamborghini some of the men here saw their patriarch take off in is parked outside, again.
Nonetheless a reset; this is what Mine considers it as. Not all the way, only to where he remembers. Thinking back to their lunch, though, Mine remembers the want he'd carried into the night selfsame. Ultimately just going around and around, it's been like this since he woke up yesterday. His composure frays at the edges now—in reality something that can hardly be seen, his expression as strict as ever—but the suitcase shifts up some as he squeezes his grip around the handle. There'd just been the assembly to recognize what the Family has gained, but at the beginning of a new month, Mine brings in his investments without delay. It's a welcome excuse that he'll never admit to taking as such– he's here to see Nishikiyama. ]
[ As Mine enters the room, he finds Nishikiyama seated in his usual chair with another man, face recognizable but maybe not name, bent over another table. White cloth sprawled, a tanto in hand— he's hesitating to cut the joint of his own pinky. Nishikiyama's eyes move to the door when Mine enter; a brief flicker, like the embers of a fire, before they go back to the person in front of him. Yubitsume shouldn't take this long. If a yakuza is remorseful, he'll cut it without a struggle. ]
You can't do it?
[ Coldly. His voice is cruel and mocking. Sweat and tears drip from the subordinate trying, but he hoarsely chokes out that he can and will. That he's sorry. Nishikiyama doesn't believe him, though, and his interest in the display is dwindling with Mine now present. ]
I can make it easier for you.
[ It's a dark offer, but just as it's put out, the yakuza cranks his tanto down. Cartilage and sinew give beneath the blade, and there's a disturbing thunk on the table. Breath hissing. The man quickly bundles his dismembered finger, staunching the joint and bleeding with what's left. ]
[ He's let in without the attention he anticipates. Mine barely catches the glimpse Nishikiyama throws him. He stands just past the door and looks like he's in shock at the scene. He'd heard about all this, apart from the man to do it, babbling and crying, told dry as can be– it'd have been ludicrous of him to join the yakuza without knowing yubitsume was a consequence of fucking up.
Mine gathers that, rather than giving this man more stage time– he thinks he'd seen him at the dinner– that Nishikiyama would rather he see the end result. It happens just so, the patriarch's threat enough that he doesn't need to force the knife down himself but can observe from his chair. Mine watches the finger separate and the blood pool on the cutting board. Belatedly, he realizes that he didn't even flinch at the sound. Nishikiyama's command, on the other hand, has him put the suitcase down immediately. ]
Of course.
[ He finds Arase in the open office. Arase's rough with the man who'd committed the infraction; likely how Nishikiyama would've been if he'd stood out of his seat. Mine can only watch him be dragged out now, sweat and tears on the man's face, getting somewhat pale.
He himself takes a step aside, putting him closer to the low table that'd been used than the suitcase he'd brought with him. The door just slams shut. Patently Mine is looking at the bundle of cloth; it tugs on the frown that's already got permanence on his face. ]
[ There's a sigh from Nishikiyama when the underling is dragged out. A welcome silence follows. With the ugly bundle of cloth left behind on the table, Nishikiyama doesn't even look satisfied. Only annoyed. ]
Not worth keeping around.
[ This part is muttered about the finger. He'll ask Kanda to bury it because cremating is too much of a pain. ]
—Where were you yesterday?
[ Even alone with Mine, he doesn't seem very happy. Nishikiyama has been stuck with himself and a foggy recollection of the night spent together after the party. ]
[ Nishikiyama's remark seems to turn Mine away from looking, too. The annoyance, he thinks first, lies with the man that'd made the mess. His assumption changes when the question posed at him sounds the same. Mine's back straightens and he looks at his patriarch. ]
I'm sorry– [ For upsetting Nishikiyama, quite apparently. ]
I went to work and didn't realize it would bother you if I left.
[ Not the whole truth, here. His note meant mitigation and Mine knows that he could very well have found an excuse to come back yesterday. He didn't. The equivalence is that he tried to clear his head. He's anything but, but– standing in the office, Mine seems unreceptive. ]
[ He takes offense to the suggestion in a way that proves the opposite. From his chair, his mouth twists and he finds something else to look at. The phone on his desk, maybe; its blinking red light that indicaties ignored voice messages left behind. No, that annoys him too. Today's just annoying and he wants a reset on it. He doesn't know what he's done to deserve today.
Brown eyes peel back up to Mine with an accusatory flare, rolling once. ]
You knew better. You're not that stupid.
[ Mine was either upset or uncomfortable enough not to linger the morning after. What doesn't make sense is all the stuff that'd happened at lunch with them sober. What does he think went on between them following? While he can't say for certain himself, he trusts even his shitfaced self to have acted in earnest. He wouldn't have called Mine over if he hadn't wanted to do something. Nishikiyama clicks his tongue. He huffs, riling himself up— ]
—Just forget any of it happened. I'll do that too if you want.
[ That whole day, why not...! And before Mine can stop him, Nishikiyama nods his chin to the briefcase. ]
[ Getting that answer outright surprises him, Nishikiyama suggesting that he needn't have apologized even more. His tone is the opposite. Mine's eyes shift nowhere but to follow the other man's gaze—at the moment, the flashing red light has no significance. He finds Nishikiyama's glare back on himself shortly, and a comment that betrays would-be compliments with bitterness. Like a nerve impinging, initially Mine isn't sure why it happens but it's impossible to ignore. ]
Again, I'm sorry for—
[ He stands in the wrong place to repeat himself, he recognizes. The mark he'd found on his neck he's since covered with concealer. Mine hasn't noticed that it has begun to rub off onto the dark collar of his shirt now. Nishikiyama invited him over for a reason; now he's annoyed that Mine'd left. Meanwhile, Mine's the same, thinking he had every right to act on his confession hours earlier; no matter how drunk.
When Nishikiyama gives his displeasure more air, something disappears from his rigid expression. Mine can't speak up sooner than the patriarch lets him– ]
No, I don't want that. [ But he doesn't miss a beat, then, and protests.
He doesn't let himself be kicked out. Because, if Nishikiyama is this upset, Mine'll guess at what went down. He has second thoughts after all, replacing sternness with frustration. ]
[ Quiet. Nishikiyama watches Mine carefully after he rejects the idea like a bristled creature— wary and unsure of whether or not he should stay on the defense. His eyes read the tension in Mine's brow before his lips pull back and his voice gets softer. It's like he doesn't want anyone else to hear. ]
Don't do that, then.
[ What happened between them is left still vague. Nishikiyama doesn't provide answers, he only disarms himself before he can lash out at Mine any further. He swivels his chair from side to side, not wanting to look at Mine anymore while he collects his thoughts. As such, his gaze is off elsewhere. His body, though, still faces him. ]
[ Mine's left, first, to observe his own sudden burst. When Nishikiyama stays quiet, though, he forgets quickly. Before it can even irritate Mine, venom drains out of the silence– what happened? His mute question doesn't ask about only that night anymore.
He wants to, one more time, but saying sorry finally seems redundant. Mine seeks to match a softer tone in the absence of much else. He doesn't roam, looking at Nishikiyama where he sits. ]
I can't stop thinking about it– [ 'It' remains imprecise; 'it' is at least, still, Mine's confession in the day. ] Despite everything.
[ His gaze pins Nishikiyama, now also wanting an answer. ]
[ His volume is still low, but he's at the very least a bit more receptive to speaking. He looks at Mine more clearly now, wondering if he'll elaborate on the specifics. ]
[ Mine is unhappy that Nishikiyama's glance doesn't revive his memory either. Just briefly he turns his head to the side, like he’ll gather himself elsewhere. It moves the neckline of his shirt. Where it'd released before, some lines of his frown also return. ]
Not the party. After, you invited me to your place.
[ And judging by Nishikiyama’s reaction, isn’t that enough to imply more? ]
[ The mark on the other man's neck makes itself clear when he looks somewhere different. Nishikiyama observes it in that same moment. ]
That wasn't there at lunch.
[ Evidently, he'd been the one to leave it— most likely. That, or Mine had met with someone else yesterday when he'd been avoiding him. Despite Mine's bachelor status, Nishikiyama doubts this possibility. It doesn't feel correct. He can't even feel paranoid enough to suspect anything; a feat in itself. ]
Anyway, we puked at the restaurant. We went back to my place, and then you told me you wanted to have sex.
[ These parts he remembers at least. They stand out because they're stood out to his psyche for one reason or another. ]
I figured you were hung up on it if you left. Last I remember I was on top of you, and that there on your neck is probably my fault too. Tch, you really went to work all hungover and like nothing happened?
[ Mine turns his head in a way just sure of hiding it, too agitated to do anything but. Even if Nishikiyama considers someone else, just for a moment, this should be his answer– being stamped with a hickey is one of the few pillars that bridge Mine's gaps; Nishikiyama on top. Recollection makes Mine feel as though he flushes from that point on his throat up. Nothing shows on his face, however.
His fists clench at his sides as if it means he can keep the sound in the patriarch's office from squeezing through the gaps at the door. Saying something is different from letting his gaze become unremitting. ]
You didn't. [ Fuck him. Nothing for him to get hung up on, but Mine's curtness makes him sound upset even when he'd denied it. Nishikiyama's change lingers, confusingly. Mine relents further, doubting a habit of one-night stands. ]
[ He's quick to answer and on the defense again. The reply doesn't make sense considering his earlier reaction, the very one Mine himself had observed, but even now Nishikiyama is too difficult a person to expose any vulnerability. Besides, he doesn't need a reason to want to be with Mine. That's his logic. He's still his patriarch. ]
It was weird for you to go to work after all of that.
[ He doesn't want to draw attention to his own feelings regarding the morning after. He'll shine things on Mine again instead. ]
I thought maybe you bit off more than you could chew and were too polite to say you were upset. That's why I said we could forget it if you wanted.
[ It's an argument Mine could understand, at least, Nishikiyama simply wanting to make demands of him in a different role. On the other hand, it's impossible to deny that the night had gone beyond those same limits. He huffs, doing the opposite of what Nishikiyama had with it, fists open up. ]
If it's not for any reason–
[ Mine stops himself there, knowing the reactions don't add up. At the same time he feels demanding, like he did in the car, wanting Nishikiyama to want him. He wants the other to admit it, too, it's that simple. ]
I didn't have one for leaving, but it's not often someone notices these things.
[ In his head, Mine is repeating himself. He yields to keeping the light on him, though. Nishikiyama'd noticed; he's better than anyone else, Mine says. ]
[ Trying to draw a conclusion from it. If Mine doesn't have a real reason to leave and left Nishikiyama anyway, it'd only make sense to assume it a habit or preference. It felt more natural for him to leave than to stay. ]
That's fine, just say it.
[ Because he's tired of trying to understand. Unable to follow Mine's reasoning now and how close he had otherwise wanted to be two days ago, he simply gives up. ]
[ Nishikiyama doesn’t react the way Mine wants him to. His head feels hot, this time for real. He’s disturbed that this is how Nishikiyama sees him. Mine’s reason; there is one, he hadn’t said all that he does remember- A dull “not wanting to“ isn’t why, isn’t him. ]
You’re wrong.
[ His frown is strict again, facing Nishikiyama but not aimed at him. It’s composure Mine tries to keep, like his stance when he sways on whether to take another step forward. The same as asking him to forget all about the night, it’s bait and Mine‘s finally reeled in with it. ]
I wanted to be alone with you- [ He knows what he’d said, more honest, then, than drunk. ] But felt out of place when I woke up there.
[ It cast a shadow on what he’d hoped for. He doesn’t answer this- Mine’s visit is about the same thing. ]
[ Nishikiyama stands from his chair, closing what distance is there between them. He takes the briefcase while digesting Mine's explanation, expression no longer annoyed. ]
But not anymore?
[ The out of placeness. Had it been because of his apartment specifically? As he thumbs the handle of the briefcase and opens it to check the contents, he thinks, privately, that Mine is overthinking all of this. Not that he'll say it aloud. It'll only lead to them talking in more weird, drawn-out circles. ]
I don't see the difference between then and now, but I'll let you have it.
[ He just doesn't care. Why Mine felt uncomfortable, why Mine left. He's too tired to be upset about it anymore. For the same reason, he's not eager to make as much conversation as usual. He simply acknowledges his money and shuts the case again with a click. ]
[ Mine sees a change and Nishikiyama fill a gap between them that'd looked much larger. The proximity feels both comforting and daunting. There isn't enough relief from it to touch the corners of Mine's mouth, knowing he'd spoiled the invitation. He realizes that Nishikiyama doesn't confront him on calling him wrong, though. He'll continue– ]
No. I don't want to keep a distance between us.
[ But wary of overstepping Mine doesn't move physically. Asking to be alone without the privacy they'd had before; a notion the other man'd called fucked up and weird whenever Mine'd concealed it. The the case shutting sweeps at the bottom edge of his vision. He doesn't pay for conversation, but this is less than Mine thought he'd have. ]
How can I make amends?
[ If he restarts their conversation, if it were only Nishikiyama's authority as his patriarch harmed... Of course, now Mine's smart enough not to ask that he admits anything else.
[ At least Mine's sharp enough to realize their meeting now had flopped. Nishikiyama isn't sure what to say to it— taken off guard but also not hating that Mine has come to yield. Part of him feels guilty for his earlier reaction; humbled by the sincerity. It's not very different than the fights he used to have with Kiryu, where Kiryu would always try to be the bigger person between them and attempt to mend things first. As Mine tries figuring out how to make it up to him, Nishikiyama just stands still. Make amends. Should Mine even have to make amends? Nishikiyama is reminded that it's him who's talking to Mine now instead of the man who could've been out here instead while he served his own prison sentence. Someone who could've offered him a far less difficult time without stringing him along to deal with his baggage. ]
As the office door swings on its hinges, a peek of empty hallway remains exposed. Nishikiyama's face twists in an extremely irate way at the sudden volume change, but Kanda is quick to lower his bald head and take up a bowed posture that delays his patriarch's remaining scowl. He stands deliberately in front of Mine when he delivers the news— confident that his information is more important than whatever a yakuza junior might be saying. ]
Heard from the boys in the Shibata Family that there's something planned by the Clan about to happen in the coliseum. Two weeks from today. There's a lot of turf up in Shin-Okubo on the line as a prize, but they were gonna close the call for family fighters at HQ in a couple of hours. It's not official, and just some families like Arakawa's guys are fighting, but I got told we were supposed to get all this news from Kashiwagi. Didn't think you'd wanna miss out since you were saying you wanted to expand up in that area before the Jingweon eats it all up.
[ He squints at Mine when he straightens his stance, wondering why he's here at all. ]
[ Kazama's dog before anything else. It makes sense though, that their family would be cut out of participating. Kazama is threatened by Nishikiyama and wants to keep him from growing. They'd already come further than he'd ever expected. Of course he'd try keeping him out of Shin-Okubo. ]
How many fighters am I supposed to scrounge up by then? Three?
Yeah, it's three. Just saw Arase back there and he said he'd fight— Shindo's down to fight, I'll fight. You've got three of us ready to make you proud, so if it's all good on your end, we'll go out there and whoop some ass!
Fine. [ Nishikiyama doesn't resist Kanda's enthusiasm. His suggestion is quick and passionate, and the three offered up to participate will probably put up the toughest time in the ring anyway. ]
Mine, take me to Tojo Headquarters.
[ How to make amends. ]
Kanda, you take that finger in that cloth there and bury it in the woods. We're on our way out now.
[ Mine doesn't know that he's being compared to Kiryu, that Nishikiyama compares himself, or that it's his phone call that's supposed to be stuck in the answering machine. Ordinarily, a moment of silence won't faze him, not when things are in his favor. Nishikiyama's about to extend him some respite only when Kanda barges in. He takes a step back, which is necessary to keep Kanda out of his personal bubble when the man wedges himself between them. Tojo Family politics is something he pays attention to. Mine looks at the back of his bald head with a scowl, but departs from it at the moment Kanda turns to him. He doesn't have an answer to his unasked question.
Kazama is someone who doesn't hide his disdain from his gaze when he looks at Mine. A vivid sight at the assembly, whenever he stands next to Nishikiyama. Even ahead of his confession, Mine'd become bold enough to invite it; Kashiwagi is its extension.
Arase, Shindo and– for no apparent reason, Mine's surprised to hear Kanda suggest himself as third, not him. His eyes jump to Nishikiyama, who only accepts. His gaze dims when he bows his head. This is his chance, anyway—his atonement for something Nishikiyama was about to let go regardless. Mine's pleased. He doesn't get the shit-job of burying a finger. ]
Yes, boss.
[ Having had to readjust his seat, the thought he'd had, when walking from Nishikiyama's apartment to the parking lot about driving drunk the night before, was washed out. Mine feels more possessive about his car when he's sober, and doesn't mention it when they get in.
He stays careful with a conversation he didn't think he'd still be having, moments earlier. Not waiting long, though, even before getting on faster roads– ]
May I ask– [ Mine's eyes flicker to the passenger side. ] What is the coliseum? For Headquarters to be putting up a prize like that...
[ A place? Imagining an underground fighting arena is too strange, even with Kanda's loud enthusiasm. An event? Would any other yakuza just let the winner walk up on that turf– It's clear, though, Mine's more interested than nervous anymore. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 10:56 am (UTC)Not coming in to the Nishikiyama Family office the same night ended up tactical as much as necessary. Mine takes his walk past cluttered workstations in the middle of the room. The place does much to look like a simple department. The lamborghini some of the men here saw their patriarch take off in is parked outside, again.
Nonetheless a reset; this is what Mine considers it as. Not all the way, only to where he remembers. Thinking back to their lunch, though, Mine remembers the want he'd carried into the night selfsame. Ultimately just going around and around, it's been like this since he woke up yesterday. His composure frays at the edges now—in reality something that can hardly be seen, his expression as strict as ever—but the suitcase shifts up some as he squeezes his grip around the handle. There'd just been the assembly to recognize what the Family has gained, but at the beginning of a new month, Mine brings in his investments without delay. It's a welcome excuse that he'll never admit to taking as such– he's here to see Nishikiyama. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 11:25 am (UTC)You can't do it?
[ Coldly. His voice is cruel and mocking. Sweat and tears drip from the subordinate trying, but he hoarsely chokes out that he can and will. That he's sorry. Nishikiyama doesn't believe him, though, and his interest in the display is dwindling with Mine now present. ]
I can make it easier for you.
[ It's a dark offer, but just as it's put out, the yakuza cranks his tanto down. Cartilage and sinew give beneath the blade, and there's a disturbing thunk on the table. Breath hissing. The man quickly bundles his dismembered finger, staunching the joint and bleeding with what's left. ]
Mine, call Arase.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 12:39 pm (UTC)Mine gathers that, rather than giving this man more stage time– he thinks he'd seen him at the dinner– that Nishikiyama would rather he see the end result. It happens just so, the patriarch's threat enough that he doesn't need to force the knife down himself but can observe from his chair. Mine watches the finger separate and the blood pool on the cutting board. Belatedly, he realizes that he didn't even flinch at the sound. Nishikiyama's command, on the other hand, has him put the suitcase down immediately. ]
Of course.
[ He finds Arase in the open office. Arase's rough with the man who'd committed the infraction; likely how Nishikiyama would've been if he'd stood out of his seat. Mine can only watch him be dragged out now, sweat and tears on the man's face, getting somewhat pale.
He himself takes a step aside, putting him closer to the low table that'd been used than the suitcase he'd brought with him. The door just slams shut. Patently Mine is looking at the bundle of cloth; it tugs on the frown that's already got permanence on his face. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 01:35 pm (UTC)Not worth keeping around.
[ This part is muttered about the finger. He'll ask Kanda to bury it because cremating is too much of a pain. ]
—Where were you yesterday?
[ Even alone with Mine, he doesn't seem very happy. Nishikiyama has been stuck with himself and a foggy recollection of the night spent together after the party. ]
I didn't say you could go. Did you get upset?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 02:55 pm (UTC)I'm sorry– [ For upsetting Nishikiyama, quite apparently. ]
I went to work and didn't realize it would bother you if I left.
[ Not the whole truth, here. His note meant mitigation and Mine knows that he could very well have found an excuse to come back yesterday. He didn't. The equivalence is that he tried to clear his head. He's anything but, but– standing in the office, Mine seems unreceptive. ]
I wasn't upset.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 03:40 pm (UTC)[ He takes offense to the suggestion in a way that proves the opposite. From his chair, his mouth twists and he finds something else to look at. The phone on his desk, maybe; its blinking red light that indicaties ignored voice messages left behind. No, that annoys him too. Today's just annoying and he wants a reset on it. He doesn't know what he's done to deserve today.
Brown eyes peel back up to Mine with an accusatory flare, rolling once. ]
You knew better. You're not that stupid.
[ Mine was either upset or uncomfortable enough not to linger the morning after. What doesn't make sense is all the stuff that'd happened at lunch with them sober. What does he think went on between them following? While he can't say for certain himself, he trusts even his shitfaced self to have acted in earnest. He wouldn't have called Mine over if he hadn't wanted to do something. Nishikiyama clicks his tongue. He huffs, riling himself up— ]
—Just forget any of it happened. I'll do that too if you want.
[ That whole day, why not...! And before Mine can stop him, Nishikiyama nods his chin to the briefcase. ]
You can leave that here and go.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 10:39 pm (UTC)Again, I'm sorry for—
[ He stands in the wrong place to repeat himself, he recognizes. The mark he'd found on his neck he's since covered with concealer. Mine hasn't noticed that it has begun to rub off onto the dark collar of his shirt now. Nishikiyama invited him over for a reason; now he's annoyed that Mine'd left. Meanwhile, Mine's the same, thinking he had every right to act on his confession hours earlier; no matter how drunk.
When Nishikiyama gives his displeasure more air, something disappears from his rigid expression. Mine can't speak up sooner than the patriarch lets him– ]
No, I don't want that. [ But he doesn't miss a beat, then, and protests.
He doesn't let himself be kicked out. Because, if Nishikiyama is this upset, Mine'll guess at what went down. He has second thoughts after all, replacing sternness with frustration. ]
–I won't pretend nothing happened.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-22 01:01 pm (UTC)Don't do that, then.
[ What happened between them is left still vague. Nishikiyama doesn't provide answers, he only disarms himself before he can lash out at Mine any further. He swivels his chair from side to side, not wanting to look at Mine anymore while he collects his thoughts. As such, his gaze is off elsewhere. His body, though, still faces him. ]
...—
[ He waits for Mine to speak up first. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-22 04:36 pm (UTC)He wants to, one more time, but saying sorry finally seems redundant. Mine seeks to match a softer tone in the absence of much else. He doesn't roam, looking at Nishikiyama where he sits. ]
I can't stop thinking about it– [ 'It' remains imprecise; 'it' is at least, still, Mine's confession in the day. ] Despite everything.
[ His gaze pins Nishikiyama, now also wanting an answer. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-22 04:45 pm (UTC)[ His volume is still low, but he's at the very least a bit more receptive to speaking. He looks at Mine more clearly now, wondering if he'll elaborate on the specifics. ]
I hardly remember what happened after the party.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-22 05:15 pm (UTC)Not the party. After, you invited me to your place.
[ And judging by Nishikiyama’s reaction, isn’t that enough to imply more? ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-22 05:30 pm (UTC)That wasn't there at lunch.
[ Evidently, he'd been the one to leave it— most likely. That, or Mine had met with someone else yesterday when he'd been avoiding him. Despite Mine's bachelor status, Nishikiyama doubts this possibility. It doesn't feel correct. He can't even feel paranoid enough to suspect anything; a feat in itself. ]
Anyway, we puked at the restaurant. We went back to my place, and then you told me you wanted to have sex.
[ These parts he remembers at least. They stand out because they're stood out to his psyche for one reason or another. ]
I figured you were hung up on it if you left. Last I remember I was on top of you, and that there on your neck is probably my fault too. Tch, you really went to work all hungover and like nothing happened?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-22 10:35 pm (UTC)[ Mine turns his head in a way just sure of hiding it, too agitated to do anything but. Even if Nishikiyama considers someone else, just for a moment, this should be his answer– being stamped with a hickey is one of the few pillars that bridge Mine's gaps; Nishikiyama on top. Recollection makes Mine feel as though he flushes from that point on his throat up. Nothing shows on his face, however.
His fists clench at his sides as if it means he can keep the sound in the patriarch's office from squeezing through the gaps at the door. Saying something is different from letting his gaze become unremitting. ]
You didn't. [ Fuck him. Nothing for him to get hung up on, but Mine's curtness makes him sound upset even when he'd denied it. Nishikiyama's change lingers, confusingly. Mine relents further, doubting a habit of one-night stands. ]
Why did you want me to stay?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-23 12:42 pm (UTC)[ He's quick to answer and on the defense again. The reply doesn't make sense considering his earlier reaction, the very one Mine himself had observed, but even now Nishikiyama is too difficult a person to expose any vulnerability. Besides, he doesn't need a reason to want to be with Mine. That's his logic. He's still his patriarch. ]
It was weird for you to go to work after all of that.
[ He doesn't want to draw attention to his own feelings regarding the morning after. He'll shine things on Mine again instead. ]
I thought maybe you bit off more than you could chew and were too polite to say you were upset. That's why I said we could forget it if you wanted.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-23 03:35 pm (UTC)If it's not for any reason–
[ Mine stops himself there, knowing the reactions don't add up. At the same time he feels demanding, like he did in the car, wanting Nishikiyama to want him. He wants the other to admit it, too, it's that simple. ]
I didn't have one for leaving, but it's not often someone notices these things.
[ In his head, Mine is repeating himself. He yields to keeping the light on him, though. Nishikiyama'd noticed; he's better than anyone else, Mine says. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-23 03:47 pm (UTC)[ Trying to draw a conclusion from it. If Mine doesn't have a real reason to leave and left Nishikiyama anyway, it'd only make sense to assume it a habit or preference. It felt more natural for him to leave than to stay. ]
That's fine, just say it.
[ Because he's tired of trying to understand. Unable to follow Mine's reasoning now and how close he had otherwise wanted to be two days ago, he simply gives up. ]
What's this about now then?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-23 05:43 pm (UTC)You’re wrong.
[ His frown is strict again, facing Nishikiyama but not aimed at him. It’s composure Mine tries to keep, like his stance when he sways on whether to take another step forward. The same as asking him to forget all about the night, it’s bait and Mine‘s finally reeled in with it. ]
I wanted to be alone with you- [ He knows what he’d said, more honest, then, than drunk. ] But felt out of place when I woke up there.
[ It cast a shadow on what he’d hoped for. He doesn’t answer this- Mine’s visit is about the same thing. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-23 05:59 pm (UTC)But not anymore?
[ The out of placeness. Had it been because of his apartment specifically? As he thumbs the handle of the briefcase and opens it to check the contents, he thinks, privately, that Mine is overthinking all of this. Not that he'll say it aloud. It'll only lead to them talking in more weird, drawn-out circles. ]
I don't see the difference between then and now, but I'll let you have it.
[ He just doesn't care. Why Mine felt uncomfortable, why Mine left. He's too tired to be upset about it anymore. For the same reason, he's not eager to make as much conversation as usual. He simply acknowledges his money and shuts the case again with a click. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-23 09:19 pm (UTC)No. I don't want to keep a distance between us.
[ But wary of overstepping Mine doesn't move physically. Asking to be alone without the privacy they'd had before; a notion the other man'd called fucked up and weird whenever Mine'd concealed it. The the case shutting sweeps at the bottom edge of his vision. He doesn't pay for conversation, but this is less than Mine thought he'd have. ]
How can I make amends?
[ If he restarts their conversation, if it were only Nishikiyama's authority as his patriarch harmed... Of course, now Mine's smart enough not to ask that he admits anything else.
An amputated digit makes him think. ]
1/3
Date: 2024-01-24 11:01 am (UTC)You don't need—
2/3
Date: 2024-01-24 11:17 am (UTC)As the office door swings on its hinges, a peek of empty hallway remains exposed. Nishikiyama's face twists in an extremely irate way at the sudden volume change, but Kanda is quick to lower his bald head and take up a bowed posture that delays his patriarch's remaining scowl. He stands deliberately in front of Mine when he delivers the news— confident that his information is more important than whatever a yakuza junior might be saying. ]
Heard from the boys in the Shibata Family that there's something planned by the Clan about to happen in the coliseum. Two weeks from today. There's a lot of turf up in Shin-Okubo on the line as a prize, but they were gonna close the call for family fighters at HQ in a couple of hours. It's not official, and just some families like Arakawa's guys are fighting, but I got told we were supposed to get all this news from Kashiwagi. Didn't think you'd wanna miss out since you were saying you wanted to expand up in that area before the Jingweon eats it all up.
[ He squints at Mine when he straightens his stance, wondering why he's here at all. ]
3/5 lmfao sorry extended fanfiction version i guess
Date: 2024-01-24 11:26 am (UTC)[ Kazama's dog before anything else. It makes sense though, that their family would be cut out of participating. Kazama is threatened by Nishikiyama and wants to keep him from growing. They'd already come further than he'd ever expected. Of course he'd try keeping him out of Shin-Okubo. ]
How many fighters am I supposed to scrounge up by then? Three?
[ It's always three. ]
4/5
Date: 2024-01-24 11:29 am (UTC)[ Loud again, he responds. ]
5/5
Date: 2024-01-24 11:34 am (UTC)Mine, take me to Tojo Headquarters.
[ How to make amends. ]
Kanda, you take that finger in that cloth there and bury it in the woods. We're on our way out now.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-24 03:50 pm (UTC)Kazama is someone who doesn't hide his disdain from his gaze when he looks at Mine. A vivid sight at the assembly, whenever he stands next to Nishikiyama. Even ahead of his confession, Mine'd become bold enough to invite it; Kashiwagi is its extension.
Arase, Shindo and– for no apparent reason, Mine's surprised to hear Kanda suggest himself as third, not him. His eyes jump to Nishikiyama, who only accepts. His gaze dims when he bows his head. This is his chance, anyway—his atonement for something Nishikiyama was about to let go regardless. Mine's pleased. He doesn't get the shit-job of burying a finger. ]
Yes, boss.
[ Having had to readjust his seat, the thought he'd had, when walking from Nishikiyama's apartment to the parking lot about driving drunk the night before, was washed out. Mine feels more possessive about his car when he's sober, and doesn't mention it when they get in.
He stays careful with a conversation he didn't think he'd still be having, moments earlier. Not waiting long, though, even before getting on faster roads– ]
May I ask– [ Mine's eyes flicker to the passenger side. ] What is the coliseum? For Headquarters to be putting up a prize like that...
[ A place? Imagining an underground fighting arena is too strange, even with Kanda's loud enthusiasm. An event? Would any other yakuza just let the winner walk up on that turf– It's clear, though, Mine's more interested than nervous anymore. ]
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:1/2
From:2/2
From: