Akatsuki-gumi
The funeral and the burial both only lasted for a short time. Sakura arranged everything and Klint, Sylvia and I only mourned during the entire ordeal. The spirits in the forest also made a small memorial for everyone which really touched our hearts.
The entire incident was concluded as gas explosion, just like what Sylvia said, but we know the truth. We chose to not press for it since the incident involved the supernatural in which the mundane society is not aware of. Sakura did promise she will help us avenge everyone and we can only put our faith on her.
"Pack up. We'll be heading to Kyoto tonight." Sakura announced in the middle of our lunch.
"""Kyoto?"""
"Say your goodbyes as well." she added. "You three will not be coming back here for a long time."
"What makes you think we're coming with you?" I cut her off. "What if we decide to stay here?"
She looked at me with an unimpressed expression.
"You can do that, but you'll never get your revenge."
I gasped at her words.
"You want to become strong so you can fight those monsters that killed your family right? To achieve that, you will need my help."
I couldn't help but pause and think about her words. She did make sense.
"And besides, it's not like you're not coming back here. Now go."
And that's how we ended up in the mountain, saying goodbye to all the spirit residents.
"We wish you safety and good luck." says the spirit of the oldest tree in the mountain. "May the divine spirits watch over you, and may you live a good life."
It's finally time to leave and I can't help but feel sorrowful. It has only been two years since I interacted with them and got close to them, but we have to leave so soon.
"April, will we be fine?" asks Klint as he hugged my arm.
This kid. Even though he's taller than me and looks older than me, he still considers me as an older brother figure.
"We will be. All three of us will be fine."
To be honest, I'm not even sure what the future entails, but for the sake of my goal, I will ensure that Klint and Sylvia will be fine. They're the only family I have left now. And even if we're not related by blood, I already treasure them as siblings.
The flight from the Philippines to Japan did not take that long, but it took me by surprise when I found out I have motion sickness.
Yeah, it wasn't a fun ride.
When we reached the airport on Kyoto, I was barely awake and I constantly felt like I'd hurl.
***
My head hurts but I try to open my eyes. I'm inside a car and I can see buildings as we pass by. Klint and Sylvia are both asleep, each on my side, obviously exhausted.
"You're awake. Why didn't you tell me you have motion sickness?" Sakura asks. She's on the passenger seat while we're on the backseat.
"I didn't even know."
I want to tell her it was my first time flying on a plane but that's probably going to be embarrassing so I should just shut up.
Even back when I was still living my life as April Nera. I couldn't handle transportation well aside from motorcycles and cars. Other than those two modes of transportation, I have a rocky relationship with vehicles. It didn't help that April Frost has never been on a plane or a boat before.
Well, that's one more thing both Aprils have in common I guess.
"Was that your first time riding a plane?"
Is she a mind reader? How did she know I'm thinking just that?!
Just stay silent April the inane questions will go away.
"Oh well. Suit yourself. Just be prepared for what's to come."
What's that supposed to mean?
"It means, just always be prepared."
I knew it! She's a mind reader isn't she?
"I'm not a mind reader."
Lies! Then how are you responding to me like this?
"Despite being already twenty, you're so easy to read just like a real kid. Your facial expression I mean."
Hey Slayer, activate <Appraisal> on her.
[Executing…]
Name: Sakura Tsuchimikado
Age: 25
Level: ???
Title: [Yakuza Princess] [Maiden of the Stars] [???] [???]
[Notification. Please increase <Appraisal> level to access more information.]
Ha? Seriously? The skill <Appraisal> is already at level four, yet I can't access some of her information? She's probably one heck of a powerful person. Those question marks are definitely suspicious. The title [Maiden of the Stars] sounds impressive too.
How did she even become my guardian?
Hmm…
Yakuza Princess? What's-
Wait, yakuza?!
***
""Welcome back home young mistress!""
I can't believe this. Men dressed in yukata are lined up from the gate to the entrance of the mansion. It reminds me of how the subordinates of the Nera Famiglia used to greet the main members of the family, only the one in front of me seems more eastern because of how they're dressed.
"I have returned. Have Plum Blossom Mansion prepare their rooms and cook some meal. I will bring these three there later."
I already suspected she's part of the yakuza because of her title, but she's seriously the young mistress of a yakuza group?
"Uhm… Sakura."
"Hmm?"
"What's the name of your yakuza group?"
"Oh? You can already tell we're a yakuza group?"
"It's… kind of obvious."
"Pfft."
Hey! You don't have to go laugh about it!
We reach a room…
"Sylvia, Klint, you can stay here for a moment." Sakura says and motions to the spacious room.
"But-"
"Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen. You are under the protection of the Tsuchimikado Clan so you will be treated like esteemed guests. Just relax. Someone will deliver some food for you."
"You're leaving us here?" I ask.
Well we're in a dangerous place. I don't think we'll ever be safe.
"You, April, are coming with me. We will be meeting my brother and father."
Shock is an understatement. Why the hell does she want me to meet them?
"Now come on."
Klint's hold in my got even tighter but I smile at him and pat his head. It wasn't easy, the kid's tall and my outstretched hand can only reach until his neck. Good thing he crouched so I can reach his head.
"You and Sylvia will be fine. Just don't cause some trouble, okay?"
"Okay."
"Sylvia, keep an eye on him."
"I will."
Sakura and I leave the room. I'm still a little worried about the two but there has to be a reason why Sakura wants me to meet her father and brother. I may be stuck as thirteen years old both physically and mentally, but I am smart enough to at least not lash out and throw a tantrum.
"Anything I should be reminded about while meeting your family?" I ask.
"Not really. Just try not to get yourself killed."
What's that supposed to mean? Is her father and brother the type of people who lunges at someone without thinking? Or are they the type to look down on people?
I hope it's neither. I may look like a kid but I can definitely fight and defend myself.
"This is my father, Minamoto Takashi, and the other one is my brother, Minamoto Ryuuji."
I see the two men who look a lot like each other. In fact, the two looks exactly the same! Which sounds a little creepy. It's hard to distinguish the two of them since they look to be the same age and bears the same features like the small almond shaped eyes, small face and fair skin. The two also have the same dark brown eyes and black hair.
It's hard to tell who is who. But when Sakura introduced themselves the one with the black haori seems to be her father while the one with blue haori is her brother.
Wait a minute…
Minamoto?
Isn't Sakura a Tsuchimikado?
"Minamoto?" I question to Sakura.
"Ah, I bear my mother's name since the Tsuchimikado Clan is a matriarchal clan. We also have a different line of work but the Minamoto Clan has always worked together with the Tsuchimikados so they're quite involved with the supernatural as well."
"I see."
"But my father is the child of a concubine. His brother, and the child of the legal wife of the former head of the Minamoto Clan, is the current head. Right now, he's a branch head and leads Akatsuki-gumi."
"And I guess Akatsuki-gumi is the yakuza clan you're involved with. No wonder you have the title of [Yakuza Princess]."
"Oh, you have an <Appraisal> skill I suppose?" questions Ryuuji who flashes a smile.
He knows of it?
"I have the same skill, but I can't seem to see your information."
What's he on about?