무궁화

[mugunghwc]

  INDIE RP BLOG with JOON-GI HAN from the yakuza franchise & a collection of interconnected original characters, with a primary focus on a modern setting that adopts a more realistic approach to address various social issues. READ RULES BEFORE FOLLOWING.

NSFW ( 18+ )  | includes dark & mature themes that should be viewed under discretion.

heavily affiliated with @badheart​​​​

[crimestruck]

♡          — instead of satisfying the hostess , his answer only seemed to make her more curious. for a man who dedicated what seemed like all of his time to his duty , she wondered what was left outside of that to entertain him , especially when he seemed to take little enjoyment from their current setting. so she took the leap and asked , without any alternative motive , only genuine curiosity. “ what amuses someone like you , omori ryo ? ” she asks , resting her chin in her palm.

bomi had fallen into it too , this little bubble they had created , seemingly devoid of any outside interference despite the fact there was plenty of noise and fuss chattering in the background. she blinks at him calmy , a smile overturning her attempt to suppress it as he leaned in to ask her opinion. “ i think so too. ” she admits with a slow nod. “ but , on the other hand you could actually be easier to read than i think , since it’s possible i’ve been too busy making assumptions based on your position to see past them— i'm still trying to figure it out … ” words trailing off , as did her gaze toward the bar before amber hues flickered back to him with a small sparkle. “ it could be both. though i'm a big girl and i know when to accept defeat and that i might not ever know. ”

plush lips departed once more , as if she had something else to say before her focus was pulled by a girl at her side , calling for her attention and whispering in her ear. they didn't tend to interrupt unless something was wrong and that theory was only confirmed as bomi's expression soured. black brows knitting together as her lips fell into a disgruntled pout , turning . “ no— ” she states firmly to the nameless girl. “ i still have ten minutes and he sets a reservation only to get here earlier and earlier every time. he can wait until i'm done. ” looking back over her shoulder she spots a familiar man in the back , triggering an eye roll as she turned back to ryo. “ i’m sorry , this is so rude— ” a small apologetic bow given as she sighs. “ but i have to go soon … pick any girl you want and i’ll have her keep you company until you go. ”

[mugunghwc]

Such an inquiry shouldn’t have required much thought. It was no different from someone asking about your favourite movie or TV show—and yet, Ryo couldn’t come up with an answer for those either. It might have seemed as though he hadn’t heard her at first, but the furrow of his brows gave away the depth of thought he had fallen into. Troubled, to say the least.

A hum rose from the back of his throat before he parted his lips. “I like watching sumo,” he said at first—a flat, short answer. The kind that sparked more questions than it answered, painting a rather different image of him. Ryo continued, the ghost of a smile touching his features. “As well as a good kabuki performance.”

His interests leaned toward traditionalism—something he had picked up from being little more than a companion to the man he was supposed to call his father. His boss had only reinforced it later in his life.

Ryo leaned back, posture still straight, though no longer as rigid as before. “I’ve been told I’m an old man on the inside.” Particularly by his closest brother, who often teased him about it. Despite how different they were, they remained close. “Although… as you can see, I also indulge in what they like.”

His gaze briefly shifted toward the others—drinking, laughing. Even if he didn’t feel entirely at ease in these settings, there was a part of him that enjoyed seeing them relaxed. He was their protector too, after all. The one who kept a close eye on them and pulled the leash when necessary.

Whatever train of thought followed was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of another woman—one bearing what seemed to be bad news. His head tilted ever so slightly, watching the exchange with mild intrigue. Whatever it was, it must have been important to interrupt a moment like this. That kind of behavior was usually frowned upon; it was no good for business.

His gaze followed hers, looking past her shoulder in an attempt to catch sight of this mysterious customer—the one troubling her without even being present. His brows twitched at that, though not enough to fully knit together. His expression remained mostly neutral, just faintly curious about the context she had yet to reveal.

Ryo remained quiet for a moment, his index finger tapping lightly against the surface before he finally spoke.

“No.”

The firmness in his tone was meant to keep her in place, to stop her from drifting toward a man she clearly did not want to meet.

“He should respect your time—and the time of others,” Ryo added, glancing at his watch with a bored expression. There was no urgency in the gesture, as though he had all the time in the world to spend with her. “He can wait. If not, then he can complain to me.”

[jades-brain-dump]

[mugunghwc]

WATCHED: for sender to wake up and find receiver watching over them. Taokira

Tao had woken before the sun. He hadn't slept well the night prior, knowing there was an intruder in their home. Akira's step-daughter, Fang, had taken what was once his bed upstairs in the guest room. And while it was a relief to be able to share the same bed with him again, there also existed the sense of unease that came with the fear of being caught.

He felt as if he had to pretend all over again.

Years of early mornings and restless sleep had trained his body to surface long before the world bothered to move. Even back then, when his nights were wild and he surrounded himself with vices meant to conceal the pain hiding underneath—the pain of denying himself acceptance, of playing a role that even then failed to meet expectations. A fuck-up through and through, attempting to prove himself to an organization that treated him as if he were just another body, while secretly giving in to desire.

Tao knew there was no point in closing his eyes again.

The room was quiet, dim with the kind of grey light that slipped through the curtains before morning properly arrived. Tao shifted onto one elbow, letting his gaze wander idly across their surroundings.

Quiet. The kind that no longer brought comfort, but uneasiness. The kind that could be so easily disrupted by a command coming from upstairs, demanding his assistance despite her pride.

Even though Tao knew she was bound to the second floor without his help, he couldn’t wash away the uncertainty that came with having someone else in the house. The feeling came with the realization that, despite how brazen he appeared, there was still a part of him that felt as if he was doing something wrong by lusting after another man.

The subtle sound of Akira breathing was what brought his stare back to the man sleeping peacefully beside him. The light crescent between his eyebrows indicated that something was bothering him—be it the shift in weight as Tao turned, a shared frustration over the idea of having Fang over, or the memory of a man who seemed to hold such deep meaning to him, regardless of his denial, that he had even named his dog after him.

He hadn’t meant to watch him, not really. There simply wasn’t much else to look at.

Tao could have gotten up to distract himself with breakfast or by taking Han on a walk, but his thoughts bound him to the bed just as much as the restless beating of his heart. It had been a while since he had felt anxious, if ever. The feeling was so strange, yet oddly addicting. Like adrenaline coursing through his veins, indicating that he was truly living rather than hiding.

Akira’s breathing was slow and even—the kind of sleep that came with feeling safe in one's own home. Tao wanted to believe that this was partially because of him.

His fingers traced along a bruise he had left at the side of Akira's neck, reminiscent of a night of passion in which skin against skin echoed through the room and Tao had felt consumed by it. Even when he was on top, he often felt powerless when it came to the man lying beside him. The hold Akira had over him was something he wasn’t used to, but didn’t fight either.

His gaze then drifted toward his bare chest and abdomen, the rest hidden from view beneath the blanket.

It was when his eyes shifted back to his face that he realized Akira was awake and watching him in return—startling him for a moment that made him involuntarily withdraw his hand and flash an awkward smile.

“Hey…” he said, the twist of his lips giving away the embarrassment he felt in that moment, caught doing something so vulnerable. “It was about time you woke up, sleeping beauty.”

[mugunghwc]

BATHED: for receiver to bathe sender, meticulously and tenderly as if serving them. Jiang

The room had already filled with steam by the time Ji-eun carried her into the bathroom. The bathtub was filled with warm water, and the faint scent of soap lingered in the humid air—a stark contrast to the last time she had been there, when the metallic smell of blood had been impossible to ignore. The water wasn’t red this time, but a lilac color thanks to the bath ball he had carelessly tossed in without much knowledge of what it was even supposed to do.

He had insisted on it. Argued with her like a petulant child who refused to take no for an answer, if only because of the memories attached to this place. Even when her voice had risen, his own remained even but firm—refusing to accept a “no” for an answer.

“It will be like old times,” he had said, referring to the simpler days when he had merely been her servant—one who had crossed one too many lines.

Memories of that past had clung to him. The way he used to tease her by grabbing her legs and lifting them despite her protests. Or how she would turn her burning face away, pretending not to notice as he shaved her with the ease of someone performing the most natural task in the world.

Fang had been his doll once, and he refused to lose the kind of control he once had over her—carrying her as if she weighed nothing and undressing her as though her own arms didn’t work.

Tenderness didn’t come naturally to him. Even when he tried to carefully lower her into the water, she slipped slightly from his grasp and sank deeper than intended. Ji-eun simply let out a low “oops” before hooking his arms beneath her armpits and lifting her back up so she sat straighter.

Even in silence, her stare carried the weight of a threat. She was probably cursing him in her head and that was alright. Ji-eun was amused either way.

This was one of the few times he removed his gloves, letting the scarred skin of his palms breathe. A reminder of consequences ignited by her friend’s husband—yet not something he resented him, her, or even Han for. Punishment felt different when you had grown used to it.

He scooped up some water in his hands and held them over her head, splashing her with little warning and even less time to prepare. Maybe he wasn’t as smooth as his boss, nor did he know how to mimic the perfect boyfriend like her friend’s partner did. But Ji-eun’s devotion to her was undeniable.

And deep down, despite her protests, the complaining and the whining, he knew she liked him this way.

Imperfect and a little screwed up in the head.

[mugunghwc]

WATCH: for sender to watch receiver sleep. Jiro Rei

Some nights she would welcome him home with the warm kitchen light spilling into the entrance, casting long shadows along the floor while the scent of miso broth and steamed rice lingered gently in the air. The excited squeal of their daughter announcing his return long before he could even step inside. Other nights, exhaustion would claim her first. She would already be in bed, tucked beneath the blankets with Saya sleeping peacefully in her crib beside them.

Those were the nights Jiro returned to silence.

The careful click of the door opening and closing. The quiet sound of his steps moving through the apartment, the faint rustle of fabric as he loosened his tie while walking toward the kitchen, where leftovers always waited for him. Rei rarely slept deeply on those nights.

Not until she heard him. Not until she knew he had come home safely.

That was the quiet burden that came with being the wife of a yakuza.

She could feel his presence even without opening her eyes. It was grounding rather than intimidating—a reassurance more than the threat he was to the outside world. Rei could pick up on the way he lingered by the door, careful not to be too noisy, yet unable to resist greeting the animals as he made his way through their home.

As if this was the first moment in the day when his voice could sound so soft.

They were similar in that regard—both raised with expectations they no longer needed to uphold once they crossed the threshold of their home. A safe haven where he could shed the pressure of being the top dog, and where she could love this man freely despite his lack of afluent wealth or education.

She could pick up on the sound of his jacket being discarded. His shoes long abandoned by the entrance, his belt now being unbuckled. The subtle noise made her stir, turning onto her back as strands of long, dark hair sprawled across the pillow. Rei tried to open her eyes, but it took a few attempts for her vision to adjust before she finally found him sitting at the edge of the mattress, watching her sleep.

As if his duty to protect hadn’t ended simply because he had come home to her.

She imagined many would be intimidated by that image—those who only saw the violence his hands carried, or the sharpness of his features whenever he locked himself into that role. She even thought back to their second meeting; to the way he had broken in and waited on the couch simply for the chance to see her again.

Now, she sought that from him. For those watchful eyes to be set on her after he had briefly checked on Saya.

With a low hum, Rei smiled lazily through half-lidded eyes, her voice so soft only he could hear it from where he sat. “You’re home,” she said—an unnecessary announcement for him, but one that brought reassurance to her. A quiet statement of relief.

The hand that had been resting along her ribs lifted to curl around his loosened tie, tugging it once—then twice, a little more firmly, coaxing him closer into her warmth.

“Come to bed and take tomorrow off,” she murmured. Let her be the one to watch him sleep in the morning for once, after asking Ryo to cover for him. Call in sick.

[mugunghwc]

❝ don't let go of me. i think if you lost me i would die. ❞ Li spoke towards Shintaro, holding tightly onto him.

Shintaro had not expected her to hold onto him like that. Not because she had never done so before, but because this time it felt different. It was vulnerable, fragile—like a stray cat approaching a human not for food, but for security. It wasn’t survivalism, but something far more dangerous: attachment.

He could feel it creeping into his bones—the way she held onto him as if he were salvation. Just like all those who approached him in hopes that he might connect them to the otherworld. Some people treated shamans as guides, or as consolation in their bleak, hopeless lives. What had started as a ruse to make a quick buck had turned into something far more serious: He wanted to deliver truth through a lie.

His heart ached in ways he struggled to describe. Joy, fear, and the overwhelming sense of impending doom that came from hearing those words.

Because she meant it now, here in his bed post-coital. Because she might mean it too when she was sober.

But no matter how many times he claimed her, night after night, Shintaro couldn’t erase the ink embedded in her skin. A constant reminder that he wasn’t the only one who had roamed his hands along her waist and hips, pulling her body close. A quiet reinforcement of the idea that he wasn’t good enough—or perhaps never would be.

The way she clung to him brought back memories of the past—of when he had been too blind, too naively in love to see the signs of deception. When his smile had been brighter and the dark circles beneath his eyes had not yet settled so deeply into his face.

Back when death hadn’t lingered in his mind as a constant temptation, but merely a distant possibility tied to the nature of his work.

He knew better than to trust that she wouldn’t seek another man’s warmth when he wasn’t around.

And yet, that didn’t stop him from wanting desperately to believe it wouldn't be the case.

Shintaro tightened his arms around her, turning slightly so he could tuck her head beneath his chin, gently coaxing her toward sleep. Because at least like this, he could rest peacefully—knowing that someone loved her for more than just sex.

And he would rather die first than let her ever face the same dark thoughts that crept through his mind at night.

[mugunghwc]

❝ do not look away from me. i cannot bear it when i do not occupy your vision. ❞ Bora said towards Han.

The way she spoke to him nearly made him crumble, as if the weight of the world had suddenly become too much to bear. He felt it in the way the muscles of his shoulders tightened beneath her touch, even though that touch was meant to soothe rather than strain.

Han did not look away, even though he was tempted to.

Even though guilt begged him to.

Her words lingered between them, sounding more like a plea than a command. He could pick up on the desperation within them, even if her voice didn’t reflect it. Like someone begging to be held and never let go.

For a man who had abandoned himself to become a myth, he could lack conviction when it came to Bo-ra. There were times when a lightbulb in his head would flicker on and remind him: this was a woman who deserved far more than he was willing to give. A woman who had seen through the cracks in his mask and had not been frightened by what lay beneath.

A woman who loved him in a way that was almost terrifying.

While her stare remained locked on him, his eyes betrayed him. His gaze shifted—from her lips, to the hands holding his face, to the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed him in. Tell-tale signs of his uncertainty. He could feel the heat creeping from the nape of his neck to the tips of his ears, like a child caught in a lie despite not having spoken a word.

Han felt incredibly small beneath her stare. Whether it was the difference in their age or the undivided devotion she held for him, he couldn’t tell.

However, there was one thing he was certain of: this was the closest thing he had left to being himself. And by allowing her to see him like this, it spoke volumes—of the love and care he held for a woman who had once sought to use him, yet stayed in the end.

A part of him wished she hadn’t.

Because now he had to live with the knowledge that he would break her heart one way or another. And that vexed him enough to make it difficult to enjoy the present.

He had never thought sex could feel so intimate until a memory flashed across his mind—cruel and ill-timed. A three-syllable name threatened to slip from his lips, had it not been swallowed by his own restraint.

He could only stare at Bo-ra for so long before leaning forward and capturing her lips with his own. Despite the strength of his desire, he unconsciously did the one thing she had asked him not to do.

His eyes slid shut.

Because if he kept them open, he feared the truth would surface. A memory too real and too recent to ignore.

And he did not want to see whose lips he was truly kissing.

[badheart]

Fang cringed at the word boyfriend, and it became even more obvious now, that the other really kind of wanted her gone. And they did not even properly know each other yet and there was already this subtle hate. Or maybe she was overthinking it again.

"Why won't you catch up with your friends?" she retorted, not even bothering to hide her annoyance with him. Why was no one ever truly happy to see her, or at least less rude. Meeting her step father later sure brought an odd but welcomed contrast. At least he seemed happy to have her here unlike his weirdo bodyguard. It truly made zero sense that he would pick him after the debacle with Ji-eun.

Akira looked slightly shocked at Tao's audacity to comment on this matter. "That's not for you to decide," he warned, clearly displeased that Tao failed to give his role justice. He truly was young, but it was kind of forgiven for the other assets he brought, but he better not act this childish in the public.

Meanwhile Akira roughly told her what happened and Fang still seemed to struggle to believe it. Did Futaba know about it? Well, surely... she watched the news after all, but she was sure that she had wanted to vote for her dad once. And she was still crushing on Han. "Do you think, you'll get along again?" She dared to ask. Considering what happened all in the past, especially with Ji-eun, somehow... it seemed possible in her opinion, since these two really had gotten along a bit too well, even if she had seen them rarely together but he always seemed to have a better mood then. Which is no surprise, considering the few other close friends he had, if they could be considered as such. "I don't understand how you got this idea." Akira shook his head, but honestly, he kind of wished for this scenario. Why was she concerned about this anyway? She barely knew him. "Either way, tomorrow we'll have to check your place and manage some forms, or do you wanna keep that place?" Fang sure looked a bit shocked at the mention of her old apartment, she had kind of blocked its existence out and was not sure, what happened to it yet. It certainly was not tied to any good memories. "And with we, I mean you and Tao, I got a meeting, but maybe in the evening I find some time," he reassured her and before Fang could say anything else, Akira would find some peace in his home office, shutting the door and leaving Tao with the mess.

"Of course ..." she grumbled. She really should have lowered her expectations.

[mugunghwc]

Her snarky remark made him snort, mirroring the same childish tone he had slipped into moments earlier. The reaction alone was enough to make him check himself. Right. He was supposed to follow a certain protocol—meet the standard expected of someone working as Akira’s bodyguard.

“I talk to them on occasion,” Tao admitted. It was only half true. It had been a while since he’d last spoken to any of them, though he liked to think he hadn’t completely drifted away either. Every now and then he still reached out, a short call here and there. None of them knew about this new job, though.

Inside the home, the air shifted. His bravado came crumbling the moment Akira put him in his place. Tao straightened immediately, shoulders tightening as he lifted his chin and met the man’s stare with a flicker of shame. The apology he muttered came out so low it might as well have been meant for himself. Beneath it, though, something burned. Not because he’d been corrected—but because of who Akira had corrected him for. As if he needed any more reason to despise Han after the stunt he had pulled.

Both hands came to rest in front of him as he slipped into a more appropriate posture for a bodyguard. His gaze fixed straight ahead, aimed at nothing in particular while Akira recalled that night at the event. To his surprise—or maybe not, she sounded almost as delusionally hopeful as he did about fixing things with that man. Tao had to bite down on the inside of his cheek to keep the scoff from slipping out.

Despite the judgment in Akira’s voice, Tao could tell a part of him still wanted to believe Fang’s delusion.

He only really reacted once the conversation shifted to their schedule. A schedule Akira decided for him on the spot—pairing him up with his stepdaughter as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Tao simply nodded. A moment later, the man rose from his chair and turned on his heel, leaving the room heavy with the awkwardness of what had just been said.

The office door shut behind him.

Tao let out a long breath he had been holding, shoulders loosening slightly before he finally turned toward her.

“It’s important he maintains relevance, even after losing the election,” he said, almost as if he were trying to justify it. A small part of him even felt bad for her. The feeling wasn’t unfamiliar; his own relationship with his father had never been smooth either. These days the man barely even looked at him.

He cleared his throat and stepped closer again, trying to reset the tone—to make her feel less like a guest in what was supposed to be her home. “If there’s somewhere else you want to go tomorrow before that… let me know.”

[badheart]

"Huh why?!" She looked oddly surprised at his response. She might be, just a little, attracted to him. He was nice to look at, something she could not fully deny, but as most men, he was a dick. But surely there had been some kind of woman in his life. "Are you a virgin then?" she snorted a bit awkwardly. "That cannot be," she added before he could even reply to her first comment. Her arms were crossed above her chest. There was no way a guy like him, was not interested in love one tiny bit.

Fang fell quiet at his suggestion. She was still not sure, if she should dare anything or not. So much time had passed, and she had basically ghosted everyone, so she was not even sure, if anyone wanted to see her again. "I came for my dad," she reminded him, looking a bit confused now. She did not want to think about it, but she could not push the feeling away, that this new guy did not want her around. Which was odd, like he was supposed to just protect, stand around, why was he so against her being here? She could already feel her confidence slumping back down, or maybe she had to blame herself again, considering her prior questioning.

The fresh air was nice, the place really had not changed and still had that nice garden, even if not the biggest. She sighed, once fully seated again, getting slowly nervous now. Especially when reaching the door. Inside Akira would greet her, and even give her a rare hug. At the question of where she was supposed to sleep, he pointed upstairs, which only made her grimace, since it would mean relying on the help of others. Probably that Tao guy, seeing how he was allowed to go inside as well and not play guard in the sun. "The couch is fine for now, ... By the way, ... is it true, what he told about Han?" Akira squinted towards Tao, wondering how they ended up talking about that topic. "Yeah." He would simply comment, not out to offer too many details, since the loss still hurt. And to his surprise, she looked a bit upset too. Why in the world?

[mugunghwc]

Tao stared at her with a mix of incredulity and disbelief that she would even dare suggest such a thing. Did he look like a virgin? He scoffed at the thought. “You must be jokin’. Of course not.” She was being ridiculous.

Her response was far from satisfactory, especially since it seemed to imply he might have to deal with that Ji-eun guy again. The idea made him slightly nervous—not so much for himself, but for Akira. Who knew what that guy was capable of if he didn’t get what he wanted? Even worse was his association with Han.

“Really? Aren’t you interested in catchin’ up with friends? A boyfriend, perhaps?” Tao suggested almost absentmindedly while carrying her things inside. With some luck, she might reconsider and actually socialize instead of staying around them all day. He tried not to grimace at the thought. He didn’t even know how he was supposed to act around the two of them now, given his strange relationship with Akira.

“Think ’bout it,” was all he added before stepping inside, letting the situation unfold naturally.

Akira greeted her with a warmth that made Tao pause and stare. Even after losing, the man was made for the role of a politician—putting on his best performance as a caring father, holding her as if she were his own blood.

Tao’s gaze shifted briefly toward Han, the shibu, wondering if he was just as annoyed by the intrusion as he was. He nearly growled when she was assigned his room, which meant he’d definitely have to help her up and down the stairs all day. Great.

He was so caught up in his annoyance that the mention of Han nearly startled him, snapping Tao back to reality. His lips curled into a guilty smirk as he glanced at Akira. Where he had expected anger or resentment, the mood between them only seemed to sink further, which somehow irritated Tao even more.

“It’s better this way. That connection wouldn’t bring anything of value to your father,” he said, daring to speak on Akira’s behalf as he reinforced the idea that Han had no place in his life.

[badheart]

Fang could not help but grin at his irritated response. Truly, it only made her wonder more, if it had been true or not, that Han tried anything against her father. This supposed bodyguard sure was not the most professional one, which was really odd, considering even she was aware that her father had issues after the experience with Ji-eun. So now he picked someone this young? Maybe a nepo baby bodyguard or something.

"Oh, so how many girlfriends did you have?" She would ask right back, as if that statistic would prove his appeal somehow. Right now she was not seeing it, okay maybe a little, since she could imagine others having fun to tease him. And he was not bad looking now, but neither overly special. No freaky style or something, too dutiful.

Akira's place did not appear any different to her, though she had seen the place rarely, be it from the out- or inside.

"Ah..." She shrugged with her shoulders. "It wasn't bad where I was." If anything, it had been kind of healing, but being back in Japan, she was not too sure anymore. Maybe everything would come crashing down on her. She was kind of scared. And it was still odd that he had invited her to his home.

Akira heard the engine and made no effort to get up yet, he was already missing his freedom. Hopefully Tao would entertain her for just a bit longer.

[mugunghwc]

Her question made him pause for a moment. He hadn’t expected to be interrogated as a way to prove himself. Now it was starting to make sense why Akira had sent him off alone. Tao could already tell the girl wasn’t easy. A brat, perhaps.

He snorted, shaking his head at how ridiculous the situation was. “I’m not one to date. So that doesn’t prove anything,” he said, almost defensively—using it as an excuse to mask the truth about his sexuality. It made him wonder whether she suspected her father at all.

The car was parked along the side of the residence, the engine’s low hum announcing their arrival. Tao wasn’t quite ready to retake his role as bodyguard now that he and Akira had already crossed that line, and the more he thought about it, the more he dreaded her presence.

He glanced sideways at her, almost thoughtfully—not because of her response, but because he was already considering ways to reunite her with that freak so they could leave them alone. Losing the election had already been hard on the man. He didn’t want him dealing with abstinence on top of that. Again.

“Maybe you can take this opportunity to rekindle your relationships,” Tao suggested, hoping to encourage her to reach out to whoever she needed to, if it meant getting her off their back.

He removed his seatbelt before stepping out of the car and moving around to her side to help her. Tao opened the door and held it there for a moment, looking at her with a smile that feigned friendliness. “I doubt you wanna stay locked up with your dad.”

Hopefully he wasn’t wrong about that.

Tao then moved to the trunk, opening it to retrieve her luggage along with the wheelchair positioned beside the passenger's door. He stood there watching as she switched over, doubting she wanted that much help judging by the way she had acted back at the airport.

What a hassle, he thought.

[badheart]

"Huh?" That was unexpected, very so. Especially after hearing that. "Han did what?" Even for Fang it sounded ridiculous, despite barely knowing him, just like Futaba she carried the idea of him as a gentleman. Despite his background. Also it was her father, or rather Kamiya Akira, why would Han do something so stupid. None of this made any sense. "But they were so close..." she mumbled in disbelief and looked outside the car's window. "..." At least she was sure of it, after seeing him with her father in the hospital. A mere acquaintance would not do that. She looked rather upset now, still not fully believing Tao. She had liked the idea that Han was a tiny bit part of their family. It was kind of cool, even if she was still a little bit upset at him for that one time, no one would ever believe her.

That even her father doubted Tao's qualities made everything even odder. Why would he hire him then? "That sounds weird," she commented without a thought. Weirdly possessive. She stared at him, trying to study him but the situation was simply confusing.

Fang snorted. Sounded like, he was the one with the actual beef against koreans. As if the red light district was seriously overrun by koreans now, nullifying the existence of all the yakuza. He must be really salty about something. "Can't compete with their beauty standards, huh?" she teased him.

[mugunghwc]

He didn’t understand where her disbelief came from. Did she hold some kind of hope for that man, the way her father apparently did? Somehow the thought irritated him more than it should have. She was, in theory, no longer related to Akira. Yet even she seemed to entertain the possibility of that relationship—sharing the same kind of delusion as her stepfather. It made him grit his teeth behind closed lips.

“Yeah, well…” Tao began bitterly, holding back the venom that threatened to slip into his words. “He’s not someone who should be close to your father.” Regardless of what had actually happened. The details were still muddy to him, mostly because Akira refused to elaborate further. When it came to Han… he could be strangely secretive.

Tao shifted uncomfortably in his seat, shoulders tense as his hands tightened around the steering wheel. He wanted to scoff at her response, but instead settled for a short snort meant to conceal the irritation building in his chest.

“Please…” he muttered, briefly shooting her an indignant glance. “I have enough charm. I don’t need some exotic hair colour to get people staring.”

He turned the wheel, pulling into the street that led to Akira’s place. The fact that the man hadn’t moved after the attack only deepened Tao’s suspicions. It almost felt as if he didn’t want to let go of whatever he had shared with Han—like some part of him still hoped to return to it. Or that Han would.

The thought bothered Tao more than it should have, considering he was the one sharing Akira’s bed at night for a rough fuck.

He pulled over once they arrived, letting the engine idle as his gaze settled on the entrance of the residential building. So much for their privacy. Now it would be compromised because of… her.

After a moment, Tao turned his head, giving her another quick once-over before forcing a smirk. “Are you happy to be back?” he asked casually. “You probably missed your life here.”

[badheart]

She could not quite read him yet, but surely he did not want to be here either. It was just another task for him, possibly one he would have liked to avoid, though not sure what would be an enjoyable task for an assistant. Free day maybe. Actually she liked to believe that her father was a nice boss, as she had never witnessed him quite furious. Everything seemed always fine around him.

"Oh..." Not something she had expected, considering of the past events with Ji-eun, not something she had stomached so well either yet. It was one of those things that made her relationship with him rather difficult. She could never trust her own feelings either. "That's new," she admitted. When he told of that incident, she looked even more confused. No avid news reader and he had not alerted her about any troubles either. As if he would ever. "No, ... but I bet Han was involved, tho' I thought they are close." Like friends. Getting a bodyguard due to Han seemed odd.

Inside the car, she checked it thoroughly out but nothing offered anything interesting that told anything about this new bodyguard. She could not help but keep staring at him at times. Somehow he looked way too young and cute to be one. "Are you... really a bodyguard?" Or would this be kidnapping part two, but surely her dad would not allow that to happen again. "I bet you secretly work as a host."

[mugunghwc]

Her surprise caught him off guard. From what he had heard, she had always tried to earn her stepfather’s affection—had built much of herself around that pursuit. Tao had assumed that even from abroad, she would have kept tabs on him. Apparently, that hadn’t been the case.

“Oh.” He blinked at her, the confusion genuine before he straightened and looked away, jaw setting slightly.

What she said next shouldn’t have surprised him, but it did. Enough that the irritation surfaced before he could smooth it over. Even she had picked up on the strange dynamic between her father and Han. His brows furrowed without meaning to, a scoff slipping past his lips as he secured his seatbelt and started the engine.

“That relationship is done,” Tao said, shifting his gaze between the rearview and side mirrors. “He threatened your father’s life. So it’s better to keep your distance.”

The familiarity in which she spoke of that man didn’t go amiss either. Nor the fact that her almost-boyfriend—or whatever he had been, seemed connected to that man. Maybe that would be enough to deter her from going back.

...Which meant, he would still have to prepare for possible retaliation.

Her next question interrupted that train of thought. Not doubt over him being a bodyguard—but the alternative she seemed to imply. Tao glanced at her briefly before letting out a short snort, shaking his head as his attention returned to the road.

“Your father had his doubts too,” he said evenly. “But I’m the one keeping him safe.” It wasn’t pride in his voice. It was something firmer. More personal.

“The host business is mostly run by Koreans,” he added after a moment, barely hiding his disdain. “I’d rather stay out of that.”

[badheart]

He was about to answer but Tao's fingers going around his own got him slightly out of concept, staring at the gesture as if it was the most confusing thing in the world. "..." Not that it was bad though, no, he quite liked the contact. "Ah, ... to 95 percent, ... I just happen to be a bit too selfish now," he grinned and finally returned the pressure. Yeah, he hated the thought to let go of him, even if just one night. She was bound to that wheelchair, it will hopefully ease matters to them.

God, she hated the sight of other passengers being all happy meeting family or whatever. Something she wished for herself too, but she knew it was unlikely. Maybe she had gotten over her wish for his attention. It worked fine without him or anyone. But it was honestly a lie, some things were still difficult to manage alone. Not that anyone needed to know, she did not want their pity or the opposite of it. Either way, the world was full of assholes.

"Pa-" she stopped mid sentence, too distracted at the cheesy sign, before looking rather irritated at this chinese man. "..." She had landed in Japan, right? "Oh, ..." She had known it after all, but the disappointment was still there, that he had not come himself. This guy looked really young and even if he dressed formal, it somehow felt wrong. Since when does her dad have such an assistant, she had never seen him before. "Gao Fang," she confirmed at last, before pointing at her suitcase. "That's something you can take then." She would move herself, while still on the lookout before eventually eyeing Tao again. "What's your role?" Came her question, just when they arrived his car. Through the windows she could see no one either.

[mugunghwc]

Her disappointment didn’t go unnoticed. Tao saw it the moment her gaze skimmed past him, searching for someone else, and finding only him waiting instead.

It drew an awkward twist to his mouth, a polite smile that didn't quite miss his eyes. The wheelchair caught his attention first. Then her hair—cropped short with white streaks cutting through her bangs. Even her clothes were sharper than he’d expected. Still… thinking back on Ji-eun, it made sense. The same taste, sort of.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Tao lied gently, keeping his tone smooth.

It wasn’t personal. His irritation came from the idea of her presence in their home more than from her herself. It was why he did what he’d been told... out of courtesy.

He took her suitcase and carried it toward the exit, staying a leisured step behind. She didn’t look like she wanted help, so he didn’t offer it—only hovered close enough in case she faltered. At the car, he set the luggage carefully in the boot before moving around to her side.

“I’m his bodyguard,” Tao said first, glancing up to meet her eyes as he helped her into the seat. “You probably heard about that incident with the Koreans. That’s why I’m keeping an eye on him.”

His hands lingered just a moment longer than necessary—steady, before he stepped back, shutting the door with quiet restraint to hop onto the driver's seat.

[badheart]

"Well, ... after basically saving my ass, it's the least I can offer," Akira smirked, who was still relieved to have Ji-eun out of the house again but soon there will be a new visitor. Who will also cost plenty of his nerves, and Tao's probably first.

It would be a wonder if they magically got along, it truly needed someone insane like Ji-eun to tolerate her. Maybe he was not fully fair to Fang either, but her presence had been rarely welcoming to him. She was just more work on his plate of responsibilities. Even if quite empty right now.

Akira would smile at him, eyeing him for a moment. "You won't need the couch, even if she's here. I doubt she fixed her sleeping schedule."

. . . . . . Days would pass and her arrival would come. Akira would enjoy his last hours of peace, while Tao was already on the way to pick her up. Fang looked just a bit lost at the airport, her father had told her a meeting point, but she could not spot him anywhere. "..." Or maybe he was still in the car and one of his assistants would do the job. She really had not missed travelling, it was always a big hassle, especially doing it alone was rarely a good experience. Some souvenirs were in her suitcase, though she was unsure if she could or would share them in the end with a certain someone. It had been a while.

[mugunghwc]

“I did more than saving your ass,” Tao teased, nudging him with that familiar mischief he only showed when no one else was around. It had been difficult at first, but now he could say that Akira not only put up with his demeanour—he embraced it. Perhaps his loss wasn’t entirely a bad thing, if it allowed him to be this close.

“You’re not scared she’ll find out? Or get suspicious?” he asked at last, reaching for Akira’s fingers and threading them loosely with his own. The gesture was more casual than purposeful—an attempt to ease his mind.

To Tao, it was strange just how carefree he seemed about a daughter he supposedly didn’t care much about. He would have imagined Akira wanting her as far away as possible, especially now that there was nothing to gain from the media. Tao wasn’t as confident. He kept overthinking the upcoming interaction with a girl he barely knew.

It was odd… meeting the stepdaughter of the man you were secretly sleeping with.

Akira had given the order as soon as her plane was about to land. He’d sent her phone number to make things easier, though Tao had insisted on bringing a sign just in case.

He stood outside the gates, scanning for a glimpse of a wheelchair. His fingers curled around the edges of the sign, her name written neatly beneath a bold Welcome home. It was cheesy, yes—but if anyone recognised her, it would sell the idea that Akira still cared… even if he wasn’t there himself.

Tao shifted his weight from one foot to the other as passengers poured out. Couples reunited. Families embraced. Laughter filled the space in uneven bursts.

He remained still, overthinking. It didn’t take long before he spotted an airport staff member assisting someone in a wheelchair. Tao stepped forward, intercepting the interaction politely but firmly.

“Fang?” he asked. “I’m Zheng Tao. I’m here to pick you up—by your father’s order.”

[badheart]

"You really worry too much." After all he kind of knew, that he had not properly fulfilled his father role. Meaning, he had very little interest in Fang and would prefer for her to leave rather quickly. It will cost him a lot of energy too to meet her again. Luckily she could annoy Tao first.

Akira watched the scene from afar, personally he doubted that he could remain this cool around someone like Ji-eun, if he were in Tao's position. Someone who could actually put up a fight, but against this guy? He kind of doubted that, their level of experience must be quite apart for sure.

A loud sigh left him, the moment they were alone again. He would lean back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, while allowing his body to slowly rest again. He had been more tense than he had thought.

"You did... really well," he admitted once Tao returned, inviting him to sit beside him. "But I think, your bigger concern laid in not sharing a bed with me, when she's here," he teased.

[mugunghwc]

Tao didn’t take his eyes off Ji-eun until the man was out of sight. Even then, he lingered by the door a moment longer before stepping in and closing it with care, palm flat against the wood as if he expected it to rattle open again. He had stood his ground, but there had been something deeply unsettling about that man beyond his physique. It was the instability in his gaze.

It made Tao wonder just how much leverage Fang truly was to Akira. Enough to keep a man like that at bay?

He let out a sharp breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding, shoulders slumping as the tension slipped loose. Tao tipped his head back, staring at the ceiling for a second, until Akira’s voice called him back. He glanced over his shoulder, then turned fully, the corner of his mouth twitching upward despite everything.

A soft huff escaped him, half disbelief, half amusement.

“Didn’t think I’d hear a compliment from you,” Tao said, chuckling under his breath, still a little breathless from the adrenaline. “But I’ll take it.”

He crossed the room and sat beside him, posture still too straight to be comfortable. He couldn’t quite relax yet. Not after that. It was Akira’s teasing that made him pause, eyes narrowing with feigned indignation

“A bed is better than the couch, so…” he muttered, pretending indifference. He didn’t dare admit the truth—that it wasn’t the mattress he cared about.

[mugunghwc]

Bo-ra turned around to embrace Han from behind in bed. His back was like a wall. "Still awake?" She asked quietly, wondering if he could turn around.

He had struggled to sleep for the past few nights. Whether it was guilt, or the uncertainty that came with Akira’s loss, he couldn’t tell anymore. Even if that outcome had removed a weight from his shoulders, the new governor would still move to ensure that men like him didn’t prevail in this country—that was simply the nature of his party. Akira, at least, had been predictable. Someone he could reason with, if he pretended their last meeting hadn’t ended the way it had.

Now, there was no leverage to hold against the winning side. Not yet.

And still, Futaba surfaced in flashes—uninvited sporadically. That night. The moment he had given in, breaking a promise he had once sworn to himself with quiet certainty.

Bo-ra’s warmth closed around him the moment she shifted closer, like a cocoon pulling him back from those spiralling thoughts. He turned slowly beneath the covers, first glancing over his shoulder, then fully facing her. His hand settled against the curve of her stomach, fingers splayed as if anchoring himself there.

His eyes were half-lidded, heavy with exhaustion—the look of someone who had almost managed to sleep if only his mind had allowed him peace.

When his vision adjusted to the dark and her face came into focus, a lazy smile curved across his lips. She had become his anchor in a sea of uncertainty.

“Yeah… missed me already?” he murmured, playful in that practiced way that hid the turmoil lying underneath. His thumb brushed slowly along her side, back and forth, before drifting upward—over her arm, to the warm slope of her neck. He lingered there, fingertips light, almost absent-mindedly caressing her.

“Were you trying to take advantage of me?” Han teased softly, knowing that wasn’t where her thoughts were at all. But he wanted to pretend. Blinking slowly, and letting himself breath in her scent. Then, maybe the weight in his chest would stay quiet a little longer.