I was scrolling through Tumblr and I got intrigued by the Ryoba Aishi × Togo Atatsuma ship so I wrote this short story of Ryoba leaving her daughter in the hands of her trusted friend. Also Togo's older now and the pompadour trend died down so I gave him a hairstyle similar to his older brother's except he ties it up????
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The sun began its descent, casting long shadows that stretched across the tranquil suburban street. The car pulled to a halt, its engine rumbling like a dormant beast. The driver's door swung open, and a woman emerged with her 6 year old daughter. As they stepped onto the pavement, the atmosphere shifted like a gust of wind through a silent forest. Two men stood a few paces away, their presence casting an imposing aura. One, tall and broad-shouldered, radiated an intensity that could be felt even from a distance. The other, older and standing with an unwavering stance, emitted an air of sternness and discipline. The woman strode toward them, her strides purposeful, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the gravity of the scene.
"Hey, Atatsuma-kun," she greeted, her voice a burst of sunlight cutting through the shadows.
Togo turned, his countenance shifting for a fleeting moment into a fraction of a smile. The woman approached, her arms enveloping him in a hug that seemed almost contradictory to his intimidating presence. As they separated, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek, a brief touch that softened his hardened edges.
"I'm glad you're willing to look after Ayano until I come back," she said, her gratitude piercing through his tough exterior.
Togo grunted, his voice a rough timbre. "Yeah, yeah, now go get your shit together, Ryoba," he retorted, a hint of a smirk dancing on his lips. His gaze held hers, a blend of camaraderie and concern that spoke volumes.
Ryoba's laughter echoed, a melody of carefree notes. She turned to her daughter, her cheerfulness undiminished as she knelt before her. "Be a good girl for Togo-san and Runosuke-san, alright, Ayano?" she whispered, her voice a soothing breeze.
Ayano nodded, her face still devoid of expression, her eyes like distant stars. "Yes, Mother."
Ryoba stood, her smile a radiant beacon even as she turned away, her footsteps fading as she walked back to her car. The engine roared to life, a rumbling crescendo that reverberated through the air.
As the purring engine of Ryoba's car grew fainter, Ayano's gaze shifted from the receding vehicle to Togo, the imposing figure who stood beside her. With a child's innocence, she reached out, her small hand extending in a tentative gesture. Her fingers trembled slightly, like delicate petals swaying in the breeze, as she aimed to grasp Togo's hand.
Togo's eyes flickered downward, catching the sight of Ayano's outstretched hand. His expression tightened imperceptibly, his internal struggle hidden behind the mask of his stern demeanor. He shifted his weight, a fleeting moment of uncertainty flashing across his features.
In a swift movement, Togo withdrew his hand, his sudden retreat as if recoiling from an open flame. He glanced away, the tension in his shoulders betraying a depth of emotion he was hesitant to acknowledge. His gaze locked onto the ground, avoiding Ayano's hopeful eyes.
Undeterred, Ayano's fingers, initially reaching for his hand, found purchase on the fabric of Togo's jeans. She clung to the material with a quiet determination, her touch light but persistent. Her gaze remained fixed on her mother's fading car, a mix of longing and acceptance shimmering within her emotionless eyes.
Togo's breath caught in his throat as he felt the soft, insistent grip on his pants. He stole a furtive glance at Ayano, her small form an embodiment of vulnerability and trust. The conflicting emotions within him waged an internal battle, torn between his instinctual self-preservation and a burgeoning connection he was struggling to resist.
As Ryoba's car dwindled into a distant speck, Togo's resolve wavered. He let out a heavy sigh, his guarded facade momentarily crumbling. With a measured hesitation, he lowered himself to one knee, bringing himself to Ayano's eye level. His hand, still uncertain, hovered in the air for a heartbeat before finally settling atop Ayano's fingers that clung to his pants. His touch was gentle, almost tentative, a gesture that spoke of a rare vulnerability. A fleeting moment of connection passed between them, the unspoken understanding that their paths had converged, if only for this moment. Ayano's gaze flickered from her mother's retreating car to Togo's face, and for the first time, a glimmer of curiosity and something resembling warmth danced within her eyes. Togo's internal struggle raged on as he allowed Ayano's delicate grip on his pants to remain. Her presence, innocent and vulnerable, tugged at something deep within him, a thread of connection he had been trying to suppress. He cast a sidelong glance at her, his expression conflicted, a battle between his protective instincts and his fear of attachment. Just as a fragile understanding seemed to settle between them, Togo's older brother, Runosuke, emerged from the shadows. His stern countenance, as unyielding as ever, cut through the moment of vulnerability. He approached Togo with brisk strides, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the scene.
"Togo," Runosuke's voice was as sharp and uncompromising as his gaze, "We need to leave. Now."
Togo's jaw tightened, caught between his concern for Ayano's emotional state and his understanding of the urgency in his brother's words. He met Runosuke's gaze for a moment, an unspoken communication passing between them. With a reluctant nod, Togo kneeled before Ayano, his rough hand resting gently on her shoulder.
"Ayano," his voice was surprisingly soft, a rare warmth softening its edges, "I'm going to pick you up, okay?"
Ayano's gaze met his, her emotionless eyes holding his for a moment, as if searching for something she couldn't quite comprehend. Slowly, she nodded, her grip on the fabric of Togo's jeans loosening as she stood still.
Togo's arm slipped beneath her knees and he carefully scooped her up, her slight form light in his strong arms. He rose to his feet, cradling her securely, her head resting against his shoulder. She was an enigma, a fragile puzzle piece in his rough world, and yet his grasp on her felt strangely right.
Runosuke stood by the open door of the sleek black van, his eyes fixed on Togo and Ayano. The urgency in his gaze was palpable, a reminder of the danger that loomed if they lingered too long.
Togo carried Ayano towards the waiting vehicle, his steps purposeful and sure. As he neared the van, Runosuke stepped aside to allow them entry. Togo carefully settled Ayano into the backseat, his touch gentle, almost tender, despite his typically harsh exterior.
Inside the van, the air was tense, heavy with an unspoken understanding of the dangerous world that surrounded them. Runosuke occupied the front seat, beside his getaway driver. Their eyes focused on the road ahead, Runosuke's stern demeanor reflecting his role as the one in command. Beside him, the hum of the engine provided a steady backdrop to the weighty silence within the vehicle.
At the back of the van, Ayano sat on Togo's lap, her small form cocooned by his protective presence. Her emotionless eyes, like two bottomless pools, took in her surroundings with a detached curiosity. The faces of the criminals surrounding her carried the marks of their own experiences, etched into every scar and line.
As the van rumbled on, one of the occupants, a man with a rugged demeanor, couldn't resist his curiosity any longer. He turned his gaze towards Runosuke, his voice breaking the stifling silence. "Hey, boss," he began, his tone a mixture of intrigue and suspicion, "Who's the kid?"
Runosuke's gaze flickered towards the man for a brief moment before returning to the road. His expression remained impassive, a mask that revealed little of his thoughts. "She's under our care now," he replied curtly, his voice clipped and authoritative.
The man's brows furrowed, his gaze shifting to the other occupants of the van. Around him, nods of agreement and murmurs of concern rippled through the group. Their eyes held a mixture of skepticism and shared unease, the weight of their criminal lives clashing with the presence of an innocent child.
"Don't ya think it's a bad idea that she's surrounded by our kind?" one of the men ventured, his tone a mix of genuine concern and disapproval.
The sentiment found resonance among the others, their voices blending into a chorus of agreement as they voiced their shared reservations about Ayano's presence amidst their criminal lives.
Amidst the growing unease, Togo's voice cut through the conversation, his words a rare contribution to the discussion. "Her mother wouldn't be any better." His tone held a note of finality, a conviction that spoke of insights he had gleaned from Ryoba's actions and choices.
The van fell into a tense silence at Togo's words, the truth in them hanging heavy in the air. Ayano, nestled on Togo's lap, remained a silent observer, her emotionless eyes taking in the exchange. The truth was a double-edged sword—while it acknowledged the reality of their world, it also cast a harsh light on the limitations of their options. The van rumbled on, the tension within it palpable. The weight of their choices, their pasts, and the responsibilities they now bore mingled in the confined space, painting a picture of lives intricately interwoven. And amidst it all, Ayano sat, an enigmatic presence that had unknowingly become a mirror reflecting the shadows and struggles of the world around her.
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This story is a portion of a book I'm writing in Ao3. Chapter is not released yet, but the book is!
On another note here's the reference I used to draw the artwork! (The reference art is from Old Xian)
