The Yakuza’s Mute Bride novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The corridor leading to my classroom smelled faintly of rain and chalk dust. My footsteps echoed sodily against the linoleum, blending with the low murmur of students talking in neantry rooms. Outside, I caught a glimpse of Ars familiar figure waiting by the door calm, watchful as always. I lifted a hand slightly to let her know I’d seen her, then turned the handle and stepped inside.

The instant I crossed the threshold, something in me froze,

There was someone already there,

A woman tall, poised, elegant-standing, near the professor’s desk as though she belonged in this place. Her presence filled the room, commanding and wrong, at the same time.

Reiko Yamaguchi,

My stomach dropped.

The morning light slanted through the windows, catching the silver clasp in her hair, the glint of her jewelry, the edge of her smile that same calculated smile I had seen before. I felt a quiet alarm settle deep in my chest.

–

What was she doing here?

Why was she waiting for me?

Her gaze found mine almost instantly. A smile or what she intended as one-curled her lips. “You look surprised to see me again,” she said, voice soft but sharp, like velvet hiding a blade.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

Instead, I walked toward her slowly, every step deliberate, careful, as if I were approaching an unpredictable animal. My pulse beat hard against my throat, but I kept my face calm. I placed my bag on the nearest desk and sat down, keeping my eyes on her.

The silence between us was heavy. It wasn’t the ordinary quiet of a morning classroom – it felt aware, like the air itself was listening.

She tilted her head, studying me with faint amusement, as though my discomfort entertained her.

I reached into my bag, took out my notepad, and wrote in neat, careful letters:

What do you really want?

When I lifted it toward her, her eyes flicked across the words. Her smile deepened – crueler this time. “You really can’t talk?” she asked, almost laughing under her breath. “How inconvenient… or maybe convenient for someone like you.”

The sound of her voice made my skin prickle. I didn’t respond – only looked at her, unmoving, the way one might stare at fire, knowing it could burn if you got too close.

My silence seemed to unsettle her. The mocking tone wavered for a second before she gave a small, forced laugh and brushed invisible dust from her sleeve.

–

She took a few steps closer. The faint scent of her perfume – cold, expensive reached me. “Relax,” she said. “I’m not here to fight.”

I stayed still.

“Actually,” she continued, her voice turning silk-smooth again, “I wanted to show you something.”

Chapter 23

My eyebrows drew together. Show me something?

She noticed the question in my expression and gave a slow nod. “Yes, I think you’ll find it.. enlightening.”

Reiko slipped her phone from a designer bag and began scrolling, her manicured nails tapping rhythmically against the glass. Her movements were slow, deliberate – she wanted me to anticipate whatever came next.

The room felt smaller by the second.

Finally, she turned the screen toward me. “Here,” she said, almost softly.

I leaned forward- cautious, curious.

Then the breath caught in my throat.

“Tadashi…”

He was there, on the screen

—

– but not the Tadashi I knew.

The video was dark, grainy, but the violence in it was unmistakable. Tadashi stood surrounded by men, his shirt half torn, blood smeared across his face. His fists struck one man, then another, relentless, unyielding. There was shouting in Japanese, muffled groans

groans then another impact.

—

I felt my hands tremble. The image burned itself into my eyes.

He looked… feral. Not the quiet man I remembered standing beside Shun-sama. Not the one who had shown me unexpected kindness. This Tadashi was rage and grief made flesh.

What is this?

Tadashi… what happened to you?

I tore my gaze from the phone and looked at Reiko. My expression must have betrayed the questions I couldn’t ask aloud.

She sighed, long and theatrical, as if this conversation bored her. “Masayoshi Tadashi,” she said, “is punishing the people who killed his grandfather.”

The words hit me hard.

Shun-sama.

My chest tightened; it felt like something had struck straight through me. I remembered the old man’s gentle voice, his faint, patient smile. The thought of Tadashi losing him losing that suddenly made too much sense of the fury on the

screen.

–

Still, the image wouldn’t leave me. His eyes – empty, burning, lost.

—

Reiko spoke again, her tone quieter now, almost conspiratorial. “He’s been out of control since it happened. He hasn’t stopped. He won’t listen to anyone not even the elders.”

–

I swallowed hard. My thoughts were a storm.

When I didn’t respond, she moved closer. The click of her heels sounded too loud in the silent room. “That’s why I came to you,” she said. “Because you might be the only one he’ll listen to.”

I blinked. Me?

Reiko smiled faintly, tilting her head as if she could read my confusion. “You were close to his grandfather. That matters to him. Maybe you can remind him of something he’s forgotten. Pull him back before he destroys everything – including

10:42 Tue, Jan 6

Chapter 25

himself.”

I sat frozen for a moment, staring at her. The room felt suddenly colder.

Her words echoed inside me – pull him back… save him…

–

92

After everything Tadashi had done for me his protection, his silence, his strange kindness – how could I not at least try? If he was lost in grief, if I could help him even a little…

I nodded slowly.

Reiko’s lips curved in satisfaction. “Good girl,” she murmured.

She turned slightly, gesturing toward a door at the side of the room. “My car’s waiting. We can leave right away.”

I hesitated. Ai would be waiting outside the main entrance. She’d panic if I disappeared without warning.

Reiko’s expression softened just enough to seem patient. “Don’t worry. It won’t take long,” she said smoothly.

Students began arriving now, their chatter filling the hall. I could feel eyes glancing toward us – want to draw attention.

So I nodded again and followed her toward the side exit.

curiosity, whispers. I didn’t

The hallway beyond was dim, almost silent. The smell of wet pavement drifted in through the open door at the far end.

Then I saw the car.

Black, sleek, expensive – and horribly familiar.

My heart lurched.

That was the same car that had nearly hit me this morning.

A chill ran down my spine. I stopped, my fingers tightening on the strap of my bag.

Reiko turned toward me, still smiling. “Is something wrong?”

I opened my mouth – no sound came – and raised a hand, reaching for my notepad.

But I never got the chance.

Pain exploded at the back of my head. The world spun violently, light fracturing into streaks of white and gray. My knees buckled.

Somewhere, through the blur and ringing in my ears, I heard her voice- soft and smooth, close to my ear.

“Don’t worry, dear,” Reiko whispered. “You’ll see him soon enough.”

Then everything went dark.

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