Chapter Text
Kiryu was twenty-seven years old and currently placed in a better position he has been hoping for. Regardless of the brutal hell that was the empty lot, Dojima eventually made him his only lieutenant advisor along the way in spite of everything, including animosity and fights with other underlings who previously wanted his head.
Of-course, Kiryu endured it all. His stubborn tenacity became well-known, being called a tough son of a bitch and well, insanely strong that you’d be crazy enough to dare take him on (unless you’re Majima who’s more than happy to get a kick out of it). It wasn’t long before he earned their respect and the title of ‘The Dragon of Dojima’. Not that he cared about the latter. Then again, Shibusawa would be seething with envy and Kiryu briefly wondered how the bastard was coping in jail.
Nonetheless, to change the system, he needed to rise to the top and he’s just one step closer. As Nishiki, his oath brother and best friend offered him a drink regarding the news of him becoming a patriarch himself. Shinji was the most enthusiastic, his dream of being in Kiryu’s family coming to fruition. The older man found it endearing how the former punk matured over the years (atleast, when he’s not shamelessly sharing his perverted nights at soaplands).
Majima actually congratulated him like a normal human being. Well, as close as he can be after promptly punishing his henchman for failing to recognize the Dragon of Dojima and giving said dragon a word of advice about running a family. Oda winced at the damage while Tachibana watched in awe at his brother-in-law’s strength.
As for his ghostly companions, Tachibana openly praised him for coming this far, resembling a proud parent as evident by the beaming pride in his expression (it’s almost embarrassing, really). While Oda, despite many teasing and sarcastic remarks regarding Kiryu’s goals and his goody-two shoes heart, who still called him ‘junior’ or ‘kiddo’ to this day even when they physically appear to be the same age, gave him a genuine grin and said, “good job, junior.”
Unfortunately, the heartfelt moment was ruined when Tachibana delicately raised an eyebrow, “oh? So only now you grew a heart?”
Cue in minor bickering and Kiryu just let it be, already accustomed to it for the past seven years.
His promotion aside, it was Yumi’s birthday and Kiryu was at a loss as he walked about, window shopping.
“You’re really hopeless,” Oda sighed to himself, he grew tired after spending the past years chastising Kiryu when it came to gifts.
Tachibana who found the sight endearing, chuckled and said, “last year was a watch, correct? Why not jewelry this time?”
So, Kiryu decided to buy a ring, a nice one and not as gaudy as the other selections were. He ignored Oda’s teasing about a marriage proposal while he paid. But then the moment he walked out of Le Marche, it got stolen, which led to beating a couple of punks, which then directed him to a pawn shop where it was being sold to and he had to borrow some money from Shinji.
“Your luck is really something”, Oda muttered, his disbelief wore off (or so he hoped) after witnessing many times Kiryu got roped into odd shenanigans with weirdos or trouble on the streets. Tachibana equally so, as he simply heaved a sigh.
Thankfully, Yumi loved the gift. That itself was worth it.
But then the next rainy night, Kiryu found her whimpering near the walls of Dojima’s office after an alerted call from Shinji. Dojima was lying dead in his pool of blood and before him was a trembling Nishiki with a gun in his hand, his voice gripped with rage as he confessed that their now dead patriarch tried to force himself on Yumi.
A whirlwind of emotion gripped Kiryu’s lungs. A million thoughts are running through his head but his eyes focus on his brother’s fearful state, only now realizing the burden of his deed and the barely conscious Yumi in his arms.
“Nishiki. Take Yumi and get out.”
Three pairs of eyes widened at the order.
“O-oi, Kiryu! Are you nuts!” Oda turned to him.
“Kiryu, what are you saying…?” Nishiki numbly responded as the gun slipped from his hand.
Kiryu gritted his teeth, reminding him of Yuko, currently in her last operation, who’s been fighting for a long time and definitely needs her brother by her side. Nishiki began to tear up, just as the sounds of sirens grew closer. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Kiryu demanded him to leave with Yumi, pushing her in his brother’s arms. Nishiki begrudgingly obeyed and fled the room with Yumi in tow.
Oda looked close to tearing his hair out, “oh for fuck’s sake-” He abruptly faced Tachibana and barked, “oi, say something!”
Tachibana, painfully familiar with Kiryu’s undying loyalty and immense kindness (too kind for a yakuza frankly speaking), just quietly said, “is this wise, Kiryu-kun? I’m aware the consequences of a kinslayer will be severely handled.”
Kiryu’s eyes trailed towards the corpse of his patriarch. Silently relieved that Dojima’s ghost didn’t emerge. If he did, Kiryu can certainly imagine the man calling him a goddamn fool.
“Yes.” Was his final answer.
Tachibana weakly smiled, “very well.”
Date wasn’t having it in the confession room. Then again, perhaps having a police officer as a close friend does that. Oda was sulking in the corner with crossed arms, frustrated at the sudden turn of events, while Tachibana continued to observe in complete silence. It didn’t help when a superior ordered his friend to quickly close the case as an internal yakuza dispute (much to no one’s surprise).
Kiryu simply asked him for a favour. To find a ring amongst his possessions and pass it to Kazama alongside an apology.
The detective sighed in frustration, “fine, but no promises.”
“Well, ain’t this cozy.” Oda drawled at the cell that Kiru was directed to.
It was then Kiryu just remembered the old fortune teller’s words, about his imprisonment for shouldering one’s burden. He’d been given a new name, ‘Inmate 1240’ and sentenced fifteen years behind bars, the exact number she shared and Kiryu found himself uneasy if the rest of her fortunes will turn out true. (He could have sworn she mentioned him taking a taxi driver job?)
Idle thoughts aside, Shinji was the first to visit. He appeared disheartened as a whole, quietly breaking the news that Kiyru was simply expelled from the Tojo Clan, on the third chairman’s order which quickly raised suspicions as Tachibana wondered out-loud what Sera's end goal was. Shinji was as uncertain, passing along a formal notification of his expulsion. As for the Dojima family, Kazama will take them in.
“Definitely not a recipe for disaster.” Oda muttered while Tachibana frowned at the implications. Kiryu agreed, it was no secret that both families are at odds- even if its not as venomous as is Shimano towards Kazama but the tension was still there. Speaking of the Dojima family, he can already predict a sea of vengeance-filled men eager for his head.
Fifteen years, huh? He was also told of the possibility that his sentence can be reduced to ten years if they approved his parole to which Oda guaranteed it shouldn’t be an issue then.
No matter, Kiryu was determined to pull through. For his and Nishiki’s sake.