The Yakuza’s Mute Bride novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Chapter 62

(Go to Tadashi’s Point of View)**

The room was filled with laughter, warm voices, and the kind of joy I had never believed would exist in my world. My men celebrated loudly, Ai fussed over Naomi like a protective sister, and even Ota – who rarely showed more emotion than a raised eyebrow – looked suspiciously close to smiling.

But my gaze stayed on her… On Naomi.

Her smile was softer than moonlight. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Ai grabbed her hand for the hundredth time to admire the ring.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she held her phone, calling her university, trying to explain her situation with her gentle voice.

A voice she had once been ashamed of. A voice that I adored.

I watched her lips form each hesitant word, watched the way frustration flashed in her eyes when she struggled to say long sentences, watched how she relaxed again when the person on the other end reassured her.

She hung up, relief washing over her face. But of course… I had already called them.

Long before the attack.

Long before the proposal.

Long before she whispered ‘yes’ between my lips.

She would have the semester off. She would rest. She would heal.

Because everything I did now… Every decision I made… Every battle I prepared to fight.

It was for her.

While she stayed distracted by Ai’s endless affection, I motioned for Yukito and Ota to step closer. Their expressions sharpened instantly; they knew the shift from lover to clan leader when they saw it.

“I will return to Japan next week,” I said quietly, my voice steady. “I will finish everything”

Both men inhaled sharply. Their shock was expected. But the silence that followed was not.

Yukito folded his arms slowly, regarding me with a look that was half concern, half calculation. “Tadashi-sama. Naomi is not going with you?”

I shook my head once.

“She does not want to slow me down.”

Yukito’s shoulders loosened in visible relief. “Japan is dangerous for her right now,” he murmured. “With the elders restless… with Reiko involved it is not a place for someone recovering.”

“I know.” I exhaled through my nose, glancing once more toward Naomi.

She was laughing actually laughing as Ai showed her something on a tablet. Her shoulders relaxed, her eyes bright.

–

–

She deserved that peace. She deserved more peace than my world could ever offer.

12:54 Mon, Jan 12 TOG.

Chapter 62

I turned back to Yukito. “It places you on full duty again. Protecting her. Watching her. Keeping her safe.

His jaw tightened, but he nodded without hesitation. “I understand.”

“No,” I said, stepping closer, lowering my voice so only the two could hear. “You do not simply understand. You must swear

to me.”

Yukito met my gaze head-on.

“I will protect her with my life.”

“Not only with your life,” I continued quietly. “Protect her as if she were me. As if she held my blood, my breath, my name. If she suffers, I suffer. If she bleeds…” I paused, swallowing the surge of anger that rose at the memory of her lying unconscious. “…I bleed.”

Yukito bowed deeply, the kind of bow reserved not for a leader, but for a vow carved into one’s bones.

“She will not die. She will not be touched. I swear this to you, Tadashi-sama,”

I placed a hand on his shoulder and he rose.

Then Ota cleared his throat softly, drawing our attention.

“The ring,” he said, staring pointedly at the emerald now catching the light on Naomi’s hand. “You truly proposed to her.”

I nodded, ignoring the warmth that spread through my chest at the thought.

“I am going to marry her, Ota.”

His expression softened in something resembling respect something he rarely displayed openly. But then his eyes narrowed when I continued.

“All assets under my name – London properties, foreign accounts, extended shares from the Masayoshi estate – will be transferred to her.”

Both men froze.

Even Yukito spoke without thinking. “What?”

“Tadashi-sama…” Ota’s voice dropped. “That is-”

“I know what it is.”

It was unprecedented and dangerous. It was a declaration louder than any war cry.

But to me, it was simple.

“If something happens to me, she must not suffer. She must not return to the existence she once had. She must never live powerless again.”

My throat tightened.

“She deserves everything I have.”

Ota stared at me, almost dazed. “Masayoshi assets… under her name… The elders will-”

“I do not care what the elders will do,” I cut in sharply. “The clan can question my leadership. They can question my decisions. But they will not touch her. They will not control her. They will not dictate her life.”

12:54 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 62

Yukito let out a slow exhale, rubbing his forehead.

“This is more serious than I imagined,” he murmured. “You are not only planning for battle. You are preparing for the possibility…”

“Of my death,” I finished calmly.

Both stiffened violently.

I did not look at them. I could not.

My eyes drifted again toward Naomi, who was trying to open a jar of honey with Ai’s assistance. She laughed when she failed the first time, her voice strained but beautiful.

If I died, she would live with stability. With protection. With dignity.

She would live free.

I forced myself to face them again.

“Yukito,” I said softly, “if I do not return-”

He raised a hand abruptly, eyes blazing.

“You will return.”

It was not a reassurance. It was a command.

For the first time in days, I allowed myself a small smile.

“Then… the surgery.” I changed the subject before emotions tightened too deeply around us.

Ota immediately straightened. “Yes. I have collected all the documents you requested.” He handed the folder over with both hands. “This includes specialists in London, Kyoto, and Seoul. The top surgeons, estimated recovery times, risks, and expected outcomes.”

I opened the folder, scanning the details.

Everything had already been prepared. Every step, every option, every resource.

Before leaving her, I would ensure her future. Her voice. Her safety. Her life.

Every page I turned made my resolve harder.

If I needed to destroy the clan to protect her, I would.

If I needed to purge traitors, I would do it without hesitation.

If I needed to start a war, I would lead it myself.

Because for the first time in my life…

There was something – someone

—

worth living for. Worth fighting for. Worth dying for.

Naomi… My woman. My future wife. My heart’s quiet salvation.

And I would return to her.

No matter what waited for me in Japan.

12:54 Mon, Jan 12