The Yakuza’s Mute Bride novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Naomi’s body healed faster than her mind.

–

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The doctors said she was strong that her wounds were closing, that she’d survived something few could. But they didn’t see what Tadashi saw when the lights went out.

Every night, she trembled.

Sometimes she whimpered softly, other times she screamed – wordless cries that tore through the sterile quiet of her hospital room.

And every time, Tadashi was there. He would reach for her hand, whispering her name again and again until she woke, gasping for breath, sweat clinging to her skin.

“Naomi… it’s okay. You’re safe.” He try to sooth and calm her down.

Her eyes would dart around the room, wild with fear, until she saw him until she realized it wasn’t Reiko’s face hovering over her anymore.

Then she’d cry.

Not loud, but quiet, broken sobs that sank into his chest when he gathered her close.

But sleep never lasted long.

By the fifth night, the doctor sighed. “She’s not resting, Tadashi-san. Her heart rate spikes in her sleep, and her body’s fighting exhaustion. I’m prescribing her something mild to help her rest.”

Tadashi didn’t like the idea – he hated the thought of her depending on pills – but when he saw her lying there, dark circles under her eyes, lips pale, breathing shallow… he said nothing.

He signed the paper.

That night, for the first time, Naomi slept without screaming.

And Tadashi sat beside her bed, head bowed, watching her chest rise and fall like it might stop at any moment.

Outside her room, Ai stood with Yukito in the dim corridor, both too quiet for too long.

The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, the smell of disinfectant lingering like guilt.

“She’s sleeping,” Ai whispered finally, arms folded tightly over her chest, “The doctor said she needs rest.”

Yukito didn’t answer. His eyes lock onto the door where he knows Naomi stay and his hands were buried deep in his pockets, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the floor.

“She’s… alive,” Ai tried again, forcing her voice not to shake. “That’s what matters.”

Yukito’s shoulders stiffened. Is it? “She wouldn’t have been like this if we’d done our job.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

He shook his head. “Yes, it was.” His tone was low, dangerous in its restraint. “We were supposed to protect her. Both of us. And look what happened.”

Ai flinched, her gaze softening. “Naomi doesn’t blame you.. nor me.”

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Chapter 29

“I don’t care if she doesn’t.” He looked up then, eyes sharp and clouded with emotion. “I blame myself.”

Ai sighed. “We all failed her, Yukito.”

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He turned away, staring out the window. The city lights blurred against the glass, each one reflected like a wound.

“She never blames anyone,” he muttered. “That’s what makes it worse. she’s too amazing.”

And he was right.

When Naomi woke, she never asked questions. Never demanded to know how long she was gone or why they hadn’t found her sooner. She only thanked them for being there – fragile smiles, tired words that twisted like knives in their chests.

She forgave too easily.

And because of that, both Ai and Yukito found themselves loving her even more that came from watching someone shatter and still choose gentleness.

But Yukito’s heart was the most restless.

–

not out of pity, but reverence. The kind

He had always been the fiercest among them – sharp, loyal, quick to protect. But now that fire burned with something darker because of her.

He couldn’t look at Tadashi without feeling his blood boil.

He remembered Naomi before – before she disappeared. The way she’d smile when Tadashi’s name came up, how she’d wait near the window when the sun went down, hoping for him to come and pick her in London.

She’d loved him quietly, faithfully.

And Tadashi… hadn’t come. Not fast enough. Not soon enough.

Yukito had seen the photos from the scene video. The blood, the ropes, the dark room where they’d found her. He’d seen the

way

Tadashi’s hands trembled when he carried her out, but that didn’t make it better.

For days after, Yukito said nothing.

He just stay and watch in silent.

Until one night, when Tadashi left Naomi’s room and stepped into the corridor – pale, hollow-eyed from sleepless nights – Yukito confronted him.

“She trusted you.”

Tadashi stopped, weary eyes meeting his. “I know.”

“She waited for you.”

“I know.”

“Then why the hell didn’t you come sooner?!” Yukito’s voice broke, raw with anger. “Why did she have to suffer like that? You had leads, Tadashi! You had options! And you still let Reiko-san-”

“Enough!!!”

Tadashi’s voice was quiet, but cold

–

– like the moment before a storm.

Yukito stepped closer, fists clenched. “No, it’s not enough. She screamed for you, do you know that? She prayed you’d come. And you didn’t. You let Reiko take her, and you didn’t-”

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Chapter 29

92

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“I didn’t kill her?” Tadashi’s eyes snapped open, fury flashing beneath the exhaustion. “You think I don’t want to? You think I don’t wake up every night wishing I’d torn her apart with my bare hands? You think this is easy for me?”

Silence.

–

Both men stood there, breathing hard rage, grief, and guilt weaving thick between them.

Finally, Tadashi’s shoulders sank. “You’re right,” he said softly. “I was too slow.”

He looked away, toward Naomi’s room-where the faint beeping still echoed. “But she’s alive. And that’s all I have left to hold onto.”

Yukito’s throat tightened, his anger faltering.

Tadashi walked past him without another word, disappearing into the darkened hallway.

Yukito stood there, trembling, his fists unclenched.

He’d wanted to hate him- still did – but seeing the man’s brokenness made it harder.

Still, every time Naomi smiled at Tadashi, something twisted painfully in his chest.

Because deep down, Yukito knew that no matter what he felt, Naomi’s heart had always belonged to him.

–

And nothing not even pain, not even time – could change that.

Or can’t it?

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10:43 Tue, Jan 6