Chapter Text

It was a simpler case this time, a collision between a truck with faulty breaks and the client's husband as he was making a turn into the neighbourhood at the right place but wrong time. The man comandeering the truck had met his end upon impact while the other had been clinging to the barest threads of life all the way to the nearest hospital, all bloodied, battered, and dying.

A lost cause, the doctors had said. They did all they could, after an hour of attempting to stabilise the man, but their efforts were in vain. Even the thought of requesting assistance from Recovery Girl was impossible, as the body is beyond the capability of enduring further trauma of forced recovery. Resigned, the best they could do for the victim and the distraught wife was the temporary extension of vitality via aid of another specialised doctor that was called in, to give the widow-to-be a window of time to be with her loved one's final moments.

But she refused to accept this fate.

She dug deep into her contacts, turning to questionable services not easily accessed by the public, and found Overhaul. His services weren't cheap, it will cost her her entire life savings and a mountain of debt, but so long as her beloved is alive and breathing, she is willing to sell her soul to the devil himself.

And so she did.

Papers were signed and she had bound herself to the contract. The 'operation', took no longer than a few minutes and her husband is no longer at death's door. And as outlined within the contract, Overhaul owns the right keep the barest of hints of any possible trace to himself, hence the body is only healed of the most life threatening of injuries while the rest of the damage will remain, allowing for a more natural healing process.

Something slightly more believable to the public eye.

She had no qualms about it. Her husband was back, what else should she be upset about? The world is still coloured and beautiful with him by her side, and that's all she cares about. She needn't be facing life on her own for at least another decade at least, with all the time she had bought back from death's greedy hands. And that alone is more than enough.

"Thank you!.. Thank you so much, sir.." Sobs filled the quiet sterile air, interlacing with the beeps of a heart monitor and the shuffles of Irinaka finishing up on the cleanup.

"We are in your debt, young man. Oh goodness, may the gods bless you.." An elderly woman choked, amidst heartfelt tears from the release of a phantom weight lifting off her shoulders. Of a plague of the heart recovering from its affliction.

Chisaki evened out his breathing and wiped a bead of sweat with a shoulder. "The payment will suffice." Chisaki said, tone firm towards the haggard old woman that sat beside the bedridden. He turned and headed for the bathroom door as Irinaka immediately worked on relaying the precise instructions of payment.

As if like clockwork, the door to the bathroom is immediately held open by Chrono, making way for Chisaki to step through. The tiles echoed with each step to the sink, soon followed by those of Chrono's once the door is shut behind them. Chisaki, with his gloved hand, pressed some hand wash into his naked palm before removing the remaining surgical glove with the tips of his thumb and pointer finger, disposing it into the small basket bin nearby.

The tap creaked open with a twist of Chrono's hand, water trinkling at the ready just as Chisaki reached his hands under the tap.

He looked into the mirror and let his gaze fall on his direct assistant as he rubbed the impurities out of his hands, bubbles forming and promptly washed away all together. Chisaki sighed.

"Speak. You know I can't read your mind."

For a while, the other man was silent. Cool eyes stared back through the veil that is the mask's lenses, making it a chore for Chisaki to analyse what the other man was thinking. Chisaki used an elbow and pressed for the handwash again, repeating the washing process.

Chrono turned his head to the door.

Irinaka and the old woman's words snuck through the gaps, conversation muffled but clear in itself on the direction of where it was headed. They are in luck as the client tonight is agreeable and docile. More than grateful, even. Were they not, a squabble would normally take place right this moment rather than the borderline amicable one at current time.

Some would try their hand at haggling the moment they have received their end of the service, as if the large sum of money they suddenly owe hit them in the face like a sobering slap.

This would of course complicate matters moreso than necessary, be it Irinaka blowing his fuse and making previously idle threats come true, or their clients calling the heroes on them. The usual.

"Just an amusing thought." Chrono spoke, paving an answer of his thoughts for Chisaki.

"Hm." Chisaki hummed. He lifted his hands from the sink and pulled some tissues to wipe, then discarding them into the bin. Chrono closes the tap. "Do elaborate. Few things amuse you, I find myself intrigued."

Chrono chuckled, and in all manners expected of the man in white, he cut straight to the point when asked to do so. "You've changed. To think that then and now could be so different puts a perspective on certain things."

"Time and a change of plans tend to do that to people." Chisaki said. "But regardless of what has changed, our goal now is to revitalise the yakuza the best we can, which I believe you've already known beforehand."

"Of course." And of course, they both knew it was more than that, but what could Chrono say without irking the man? Chisaki may be a different person now, but the temperament of man is rarely an aspect that can be changed, especially in only a few years.

To let the matter rest is the best choice. For now. "And my servitude to you will only end when death have claimed me."

Golden eyes lock their sights on his mask for a moment.

"Good to know." He said with a sort of finality and reached into his inner pocket to don his usual pair of gloves before turning to leave. A few quick strides, and the door is held open once more for his leader.

Chisaki and Chrono exits the bathroom to be greeted with the sight of Irinaka counting the deposit as the elderly woman brushes her fingers against her husband's hair, a shaky smile graced her features as her eyes seemingly lost in perhaps a distant memory, somewhere far away from the hospital room. Chrono watches Chisaki at the edge of his vision, bearing witness to Chisaki catching himself gazing at the scene with a twitch of his eyebrows and tearing his sights from it to look at the clock, only to return his sights on the elderlies seconds later.

Had they all been the same a few years ago, Chisaki would not be distracted by such display. His leader would only analyse their clients, dissecting weaknesses to be made into mental notes of what made them tick, and revisiting them at later points in time for a reassessment of strategy. Never was Overhaul the man before him, with critical eyes swimming with hints of introspection.

To think that such a small event could result in such significant change.

But perhaps he is incorrect to assume that the incident held little weight, as it was from his own frame of reference, therefore a biased account altogether.

Nevertheless, Chrono could be used to this. And Irinaka too, judging from the minute pause from his third recount of the cash.

"Yep. It's the right amount." The mimic spoke up, patting the money into orderliness and pocketing the stack into his tiny body.

He hopped off the plastic chair and walked to Chrono's side, where he took a moment to judge the distance before leaping onto his shoulder. Irinaka froze into stillness once Chrono's shoulders adjusted to the sudden weight of the mimic, and Irinaka finding a comfortable enough position to play pretend.

"I believe this concludes the end of our service." The leader said, tone clipped as he nodded. "We look forward to rest of the agreed payment in a few weeks time. Try not to miss any of them." He strolled towards the door with Chrono and Irinaka in tow. The door inched open and the nightlight from the hallways spilled through the cracks and softly illuminating Chisaki's figure.

"I know its just business." The elderly lady spoke, carrying a tired yet gentle voice.

Chisaki paused, turning his head just the slightest as a sign that he's willing to humour the woman, yet not far enough for her to take the hint to make it quick because idle chatter wasn't part of the agreement. "I also know that this might sound silly coming from a complete stranger.." She continued, almost trailing to a whisper.

"But I do sincerely hope you find what you're looking for. All of you. Someone, or even something that makes your world breathe in colour."

Aside from the sounds of the heart monitor, a short silence found its way into the room, only to be broken by Chisaki himself.

"We bid you a good night, missus. Farewell." Was all he said as he left, without so much as another glance back.

The three men made their way down several chilly hallways at a brisk pace set by Chisaki as the clock struck midnight. A few harried nurses were seen rushing past to their destination here and there, and there was an echo of someone wailing in a distant room. Before long, they find themselves walking through the expanse of the hospital carpark littered with a few dysfunctional overhead lights.

The car flickered to unlock its doors at the press of a button in Chrono's hands and said man grabbed the passenger door open for Chisaki to enter, only gently shutting it once the latter was inside and reaching for the seatbelt. Circling the front of the car, he got into the driver's side to start the engine, put on his safety belt and began driving out into the roads.

Streetlamps whizzed pass. There isn't much traffic to be expected at this hour, being the weekday and all.

Most people working a desk job opted to stay in the sanctity of their homes, either alone or with their close ones, while others have yet to finish whatever social celebrations there were to be had. Those with a working brain cell or two are wise enough not to linger in the streets alone. While it is true that crime rates are low with the districts are being patrolled by Heroes, there is no telling that they'll arrive in time before being unfortunate enough to be done in by an efficient criminal.

If there is a statistic for crime, there will still be crime no matter how 'safe' it gets even in times of peace.

Chisaki fished for the cellphone residing in the pocket of his dress pants and thumbed in the passcode, unlocking the screen to show a flustered Eri blocking her sight with the small of her arms. His eyes softened at the sight, before sighing once he spotted the few calls and several texts he missed earlier on. The messages open to reveal a bunch from Setsuno's number, but most of the content themselves were clearly from the snow-haired child.

'Chisaki, when will you be home?' (5.14pm)

'Katsukame and Rappa fought over dinner again. They're funny hehe.' (7.49pm)

'I got a little full so I shared my chicken wing with Tabe. He purred like a kitty cat!' (7.50pm)

'Sorry boss. Table broke. The new one will be shipped to the house in a few days. The two muscleheads will be paying for it from their own pockets. They'll be awaiting their due punishment upon your return if you so desire.' (7.53pm)

Chisaki exhaled the hot air from his chest at the message.

'Rappa broke a chair and screamed about waiting for another rematch with you. He'll be paying for the chair too.' (8.05pm)

'The replacements will arrive on the same day without fail. Ps. Tengai and Hojo assisted in shielding the other chairs from Rappa's grabby arms.' (8.05pm)

He closed his eyes for a few seconds and sighed, mouthing a silent curse at empty-headed musclemen. Though, for the sake of being updated on the rest of the goings on inside the house, he laid his eyes back on the screen.

'Chisaki, what is an owvahoe? Rappa said its you but Setsuno tells me he's got it wrong because of a corn cushion he got from Katsukame.' (8.07pm)

'Setsuno taught me how to spell concussion! I learned something new, Chisaki!' (8.08pm)

'Will you be back soon?' (9.03pm)

'I don't want gifts, I want you to be home. I miss you.' (9.05pm)

Gold eyes shine warmly at the words on the screen. For some reason, words of such simplictic nature from the girl were making something clench inside him more frequently.

'Setsuno and Hojo says I have to sleep now. I hope you'll be here to wake me up tomorrow.' (9.16pm)

'Night night, Chisaki. Be home safe with Chrono and Irinaka. Love you.' (9.17pm)

'Miss Bun Buns says she loves you too.' (9.17pm)

'She's sound asleep, boss. Safe travels.' (9.30pm)

He let his head lie on the headrest, resting his eyes as he ran through tomorrow's agenda. There was a meeting to attend to first thing at dawn with the household in regards to an amendment in certain operations and not to mention a conference call right after that with a few of their brokers.

Then beyond that was that bigmouthed newbie that nearly blew the cover of one of their last, more covert operations in Tokyo. Plans for reorganising and relocation for the site took the better half of the year. The Boss has had the greenhorn forcibly involved in all of the possible heavy lifting with the intention of making full use of the man before the inevitable judgement, and tomorrow evening just so happens to be that.

Chisaki opened his eyes, gravitating his sight to his reflection on the sun visor mirror.

Though knowing how much of a bleeding heart the Boss might often be, he might even settle with only the man's pinky toe. The guy should thank his lucky stars. While their funds have yet to run thin like the other gangs, another wrong move from any such fool would ultimately put an end the entire generation, so getting off with just that as penance is a miracle in itself.

Alas, only time would tell since he doesn't live in his Boss's head. Perhaps the decision might even surprise him. But now that his thoughts were on the topic of punishment.. The two lugheads better be prepared for what's in store for them for wasting his time.

Chisaki goes through the schedule once again.

A meeting, immediate conference call with the brokers, witness of penance, Katsukame and Rappa, an appointment with their regular.

Meeting, broker, penance, lugheads, client...

Eri would already be up sometime during the morning meeting. Meeting her right after it would be near impossible what with the brokers' time frame to make and complete each call. By then, it'll be hours too late for Eri to even be remotely happy to see him before the penance takes place. This leaves Chisaki very little wiggle room and thus, no choice but to wake Eri up earlier than usual, which means a 50/50 chance of a grumpy Eri. And a grumpy Eri meant an unpleasant time for both of them.

He sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose as he asked whatever greater forces above why and when did being a parent become harder than being a yakuza.

In the driver's seat, Chrono and Irinaka wore easy smiles beneath their mask upon stolen glances at their leader.

________

They arrive back in the house near two in the morning, the neighbourhood more of a ghost town in the than anything else. Upon verification, the gate opened courtesy of three guards and Katsukame stationed right behind them. Once parked, the guards opened the doors for them, bowing and greeting Chisaki, Chrono and Irinaka accordingly.

Only when the gates were closed proper by Katsukame did Irinaka hop off Chrono's shoulder, finally allowing the latter a moment of relief from the weight during the entirety of the ride. "Would you like to have a light meal before retiring to bed, sire?" The one with the baby moustache inquired, palms folded firmly in front of him.

"No need." Chisaki responded.

"Understood." The man nodded. "What about you, Chrono? Irinaka?"

"Not particularly peckish now, so no." Chrono shook his head.

Mimic yawned, taking his time to stretch his arms and back of his tiny form from where he stood, which Chrono isn't amused of in the slightest. "Nah, I'm more tired than hungry."

"Very well." He smiled and bowed courteously at them, the rest following suit, bar Katsukame. "Good night to you sire, sirs."

Chisaki strolled through the front door where one of the guards were standing with the door held ready, Chrono and Irinaka behind his steps. Before getting in though, he made sure to give Katsukame, whom was watching him, a displeased stare from the doorstep, causing the other man to tense up. From then on, the guards collectively left them alone, knowing better than to tail the Boss's son and his men into their other base just beneath their feet.

Other than the people on patrol duty, there were understandably few of the Shie Hassaikai that chose to be around and about at this hour. Those that were up were either ones that have returned from successful directives a while ago such as himself, or ones that were unable to find sleep.

Each and everyone of them dutifully greeted them with respectable bows as they passed the living space, looking a little more alert from their sudden presence.

At the last hallway before the hidden passage, Chisaki gave Irinaka a glance, to which the mimic was tempted to groan in response. "Yes, sir. On it."

"Much obliged. Sleep in tomorrow, Mimic. Your services will only needed in the evening." Chisaki said, then continued down the hallway. "Thank you, sir." Irinaka replied, heading off to the kitchen at the raise of Chisaki's hand. Irinaka sighed as the small pitter patter of his mimic feet carried him. He's freakin' tired but if Chisaki insists that he should make some damn tea for the gang, then the entire household better get their fucking tea.

Reaching the kitchen, he filled the electronic kettle and left it to boil as he dug into the lower cabinet for the bag of tea leaves. After the right amount was deposited into the tea infuser, he rinsed the teapot in hot water then reached for the kettle that reached a gentle boil.

Irinaka left the tea infuser to steep in the hot water within the teapot as he rinsed each of the teacups in the same manner. The tray is within visible presence this time, poking out of the upper drying cabinet, which is great because that means he ain't gonna bursting a vein trying to find the damned thing. He laid it accross the counter and arranged the teacups, letting his thoughts drift.

There's no mistaking it, Chisaki has changed. Or, to be more precise, in the process of one. Though big or small he couldn't tell. Not yet, at least.

Their leader was never one for wearing their emotions on their sleeves, but it was a no brainer that this development might be staying for good based on the recent ventures their leader had been set on. A legitimate interest in trades in stock markets, taking genuine responsibility as a second-in-command under the Boss without any vested interest in going against the old man's wishes, and a whole-ass new side project no less.

All these in a span of what, a year and a half? Who knew so much could change in such a short time, huh?

Mimic lifted the tea infuser, straining the water and reaching for a spare cup to leave it to hang onto. He poured the tea with practised movements, then set the teapot on the spatial side on the right.

Bon appe-tea, suckers.

...Goddamn it all, he hates being deprived of sleep.

________

"Nearly a whole day's rest? I'm envious, Chisaki." Chrono commented, moments after the sight of Mimic disappearing into the corner. He is well aware that other than himself, Irinaka has burned many midnight oils working on and looking into matters that could be an assistance to their leader's new project. Negotiations where Chisaki had been unable to be present for, had been handled by both Mimic and Chrono, with the mimic taking on the brunt of the paperwork on weeks on end.

Simply put, Irinaka more than deserves the rest.

"When will I get this treatment?" Chrono tapped the wooden panels and triggered the mechanism to open the path underground. He waited for Chisaki to pass before pulling a small lever behind them for the passage to close.

"If you're energetic enough to jest, then feel free to help him pass the tea around the base. I expect you to be at the ready before the household meeting." Chisaki retorted dryly.

"Another time, perhaps." Chrono twitched a smile under his mask. They walked through the passageways, making turns wherever necessary to make the journey shorter, muted echoes of their footsteps the only sound filling the comfortable silence that fell between them.

After a few more turns though, it seems apparent that the peace was only a momentary blessing because they were immediately met with telltale hissing of a squabble.

"Just because you couldn't drink earlier in front of Eri doesn't mean you should sneak out to buy a whole damn barrel of sake! How did you even find a place that's open in this hour anyway?!"

A pause.

"Wait nevermind, I don't want to know. Just stop drinking, you damn ruffian!"

"It's th' lasht onee, chill ooout man!"

"You said the same thing three minutes ago!"

"Mehh, don't shweat th' details-- Hey! Stop shwappin at me, ya almosht made me drop it!"

"That's the whole bloody point!"

"Drinking again, Sakaki?"

The two flinched, startled at Chisaki's voice, but Nemoto recovered fairly quickly, as expected of the proficient conman.

"Welcome back, sire! You as well, Chrono." Nemoto started. "Apologies for loitering so close to the resting quarters, but as you can see." The con artist turned to give a scathing glare at the drunken oaf behind his pointed mask. "This numbskull decided that planting himself here for some drink was somehow a good idea. I've been trying to get him to go back to his room, and it is with regret to say that its still a work in progress."

"Hm." Chisaki hummed neutrally, turning to look at Sakaki whom after little to no deliberation, snuck another large gulp of sake, dripping the liquor all over himself and the floor. Nemoto looks like he's shaking himself into an aneurysm.

"There. Lasht one, see?" He said, lifting his hands in surrender but forgetting about the bamboo ladle in his hands and sent it tumbling down onto the floor noisily. "Huh..." Nemoto muttered, staring at the item then shrugging. "Oops. Sorry."

Nemoto cradled the goggles of his mask with a palm, as of ashamed to be associated with the other man. "I'll make sure the mess is cleared before dawn." He said, resigned.

"You do that. Make sure that he keeps it down, Nemoto."

"Yes, sire. I hope you have a good night's sleep." The conman bowed respectfully.

"Both of you as well." Chisaki nodded, walking ahead with Chrono and leaving behind the pair.

Eventually, they arrive at the corner that lead to Chrono's quarters. The man turned around with a slight tilt of his head where Chisaki stopped. "See you later, Chisaki." He said, tone light yet firm with purpose as he turned in with a wave.

"Sure, can't wait." Chisaki quipped as he carried onwards, down the few more corridors where the door to his room was situated.

He keyed in the passcode on the door and entered slowly, mindful of keeping noise levels low. The dark slowly greeted him as the door quietly closed shut and locks itself behind him. It would have been completely dark had the nightlight that snuck out from one of the rooms weren't switched on. Chisaki took off his shoes by the entryway and steps further in.

The tiles were cold under his feet, and Chisaki had to resist shivering at the first few steps he made walking straight into his room to discard the mask by the bedside table and into the bathroom for a warm shower. He made sure to make shower as quick as he could manage without feeling overwhelmed about possible phantom grimes on his person before exiting the confines of steam, where he slipped into a nightrobe as well as a pair of slippers.

He continued to dry his hair with the towel for a while more then discarded it into the laundry basket.

A glance at the clock informed him that it was three twenty, roughly near the usual time he goes to bed on a busy day. Chisaki walked out of his bedroom and slowly peeled opened the door that was left ajar next to his.

There Eri was, sleeping soundly in soft bundled up blankets with her favourite plush in her arms. Chisaki finds himself wandering in and bending low to her bed. With the back of his fingers, he brushed away some of the stray strands of hair that covered her tiny face. That done, he rose and took a few personal moments to stare at the serene face.

"Goodnight, Eri." Chisaki murmured before walking out, leaving the door ajar.

Unbeknownst to Chisaki, Eri smiles faintly in her sleep, snuggling deeper into Miss Bun Buns.