Work Text:
His back is still bare.
Nishiki shouldn’t be surprised but Mine only joined just a year ago. He can see the bare skin of Mine’s back through his shirt, his canvas.
“Mine, you still haven’t gotten your ink?” Nishiki touches his back.
“I thought that I might need more time in the family first, Oyaji”.
“I’ll bring you to the tattooist who did mine then, Mine”
“I’d be honoured, Oyaji”
Mine joined young, at 21. He was recruited a month after Nishiki lost Yuko. She would have turned 21 too. He was too young to join but Nishiki refused to ask, Nishiki had his reasons too anyway.
Kanda briskly walked to Nishiki’s table during the recruiting ceremony to introduce Mine. Mine already had a permanent glare and he was probably born with those furrowed brows. He slicked his hair back, no strand in sight, he looked more like a desk boy. His eyes were sharp but carried a softness to them. Kanda boasted of Mine’s supposed future abilities in the family. Promising future accomplishments and profits. Nishiki only spared a glance at him.
As Kanda had boasted of his prized recruit, Mine proved to be a valuable asset to the Nishikiyama family. He was smart and efficient, better to have a smartass in the family than just grunts. He was a natural in the Yakuza business, proposing plans and deals that increased the family’s revenue tenfold. Mine climbed the ranks faster compared to other members in only half a year. Whispers of Mine’s achievements reached Nishiki, but Nishiki paid no mind.
Near the end of the year, Mine had the balls to request a personal meeting with the patriarch. He proposed a deal that he calculated to bring profits more than they ever had. Nishiki, at first, was wary of him. Not even a year in, why should he trust the brat? Mine never showed loyalty to the clan as the other men did. His commitment wouldn’t prove much. He worked his ass off to the top like a businessman threatened by a gun to his head. Mine didn’t look or act like Yakuza.
Despite that, Nishiki decided to place his trust in the young man. Threatening Mine if the plan fails but Mine only held his head high. “ I can assure you that it will work as planned, sir”
Mine continues to prove his worth to Nishiki with successful plans and strategies. He fulfilled every promise to his patriarch. By the next year, Nishiki calls Mine to his office to officially acknowledge him and take him under his wing. Mine never left Nishiki’s side after that. He was present in every meeting and negotiation.
“How many businesses have we acquired from that street?”
Mine had an aggressive approach to his business. Extorting and taking whatever he wanted by force. The Nishikiyama family’s reputation grew infamous.
“We successfully secured all of them, Sir” Mine proudly stated. Nishiki grinned, the family was steadily growing stronger with Mine’s sheer determination.“Exceeding monthly targets, as usual, good job Mine”
Mine had gotten his rival when he started accompanying Nishiki to Tojo HQ. Daigo Dojima, the son of the man he killed and changed his whole life. Daigo was also Kiryu’s favourite. Despite Daigo being a hot-headed, useless, spoiled brat, he was still in line to inherit Tojo once the time comes. He was another enemy on their shitlist. Nishiki encourages Mine’s poking at the Dojima boy, the angrier he gets, the more reckless he’ll be. Soon he’ll slip and be expelled from the clan.
Mine had started growing on Nishiki. Mine was subservient but was honest to his patriarch. Nishiki found it endearing that Mine had nothing to hide from him. Mine wasn’t afraid to interject in meetings to ensure that their negotiations go smoothly. He was also not afraid to point out flaws in Nishiki’s plans. Guiding him through alternatives and solutions. This trait of his wasn’t limited to work though.
The others were too scared to mention how Nishiki’s socks were of different shades. Mine was prepared with a pair of socks in his car.
“Why do you have a brand new sealed pair of socks ready in your car, Mine?” Even Nishiki knew that there was a limit to being prepared. Maybe underwear or a spare coat in the car was fine but brand new sealed socks?
“I also have a battery-powered hairdryer stored in the office for emergencies, oyaji.” Mine stated with that monotone voice of his. He was being serious. Or Nishiki just didn’t get his humour yet, but he laughed either way and accepts the offering.
Nishiki started bringing him to Serena too. Mine not being by his side made him feel incomplete like he had forgotten something important at home, but he doesn’t know what. The first time they entered Serena, Reina greeted Nishiki warmly and excitedly beckoned Mine to take a seat. “ Mine-kun Right? Nishikiyama-kun said so many things about you!” she says sweetly. Mine hesitated but Nishiki encouraged him to join him by his side like he’s done many times in their family meetings.
They fell into a steady routine. Mine accompanies Nishiki wherever he goes, they attend negotiations and meetings, Mine always standing close by Nishiki’s side, at the end of the day, they visit Serena together before parting ways. Their after-work drinks had extended to outings. Sometimes, Reina tags along as they shop in Le Marche and find the most sophisticated watch to fawn over.
“ Mine-kun, don’t you agree? The numbers on this watch look like it was written by preschoolers!” Reina points to the wristwatch Nishiki chose, giggling as he puts it on.
“You just don’t get it, Reina. It’s the latest trend!”
“Well, I can’t disagree with the oyaji’s questionable tastes, Reina-onee-sama.” Mine snickered.
“You can’t possibly walk around Kamurocho with that Nishiki-kun, I bet the Four Kings of wristwatches will challenge you!” Reina bursts into laughter and Mine follows suit.
Nishiki changed his mind about buying the watch, his previous one worked fine anyway.
Whenever they finished early, the two of them lounged around the city, sometimes finding themselves at the corners of Kamurocho. They visit the batting centre once and Nishiki learns that Mine had never tried baseball before. They spent hours watching the game at Serena together and Mine had shown off his extensive knowledge of the game. He had expected he had actually at least picked a ball up before. Nishiki spent the remaining evening teaching Mine the basics.
“The last time I went here was with Kiryu.” He had said, which prompted Mine to fully turn his attention to his oyaji. Nishiki only focused on the ball that was about to be thrown his way. “ I don’t remember the last time I had time to relax like this.”
Nishiki avoided talking about Kiryu, Mine probably noticed and understood it. The whole family had brought the discussion regarding Kiryu to a minimum. His name only comes up sometimes when they discuss the patriarch’s plans of being chairman.
“ Though I guess that makes sense, to get rich you gotta work, right Mine?” He says with a smirk and Mine replies with a soft chuckle. Nishiki swings his bat and hits the home run for the fourth time. Mine still had yet to even hit the ball. He steps aside to let Mine have his turn.
They already took off their coats so they could have more movement but Mine still swings like a toddler. Mine takes the stance that Nishiki had taught him and watches the pitcher, glaring daggers at the machine like he was trying to intimidate it. The machine throws the ball his way, he swings and misses again. Almost falling to the ground on the way. Nishiki laughed inwardly at his right-hand man. It's gonna take them a few more lessons.
“Oyaji” He lightly called. Nishiki only replies with a hum as he approaches Mine to fix his stance again. “To tell you the truth, the reason I joined was that I was saddled with debt.” Nishiki doesn't look at Mine. Nishiki hums another response.
“ You've asked me about it before,” Mine continues. “My father ran an orphanage”
“and you're in charge of gathering funds, Mine-kun?”
“I chose to pay off the debt he accumulated after running the orphanage, no one else wanted to” Mine replies, his voice monotone. “ He never told me about it, I've only learned about the debt after he died”
“I see,”. He doesn’t say anything for a beat, leaving space for Mine to add more. Nishiki adjusts Mine's leg to the correct position that allows him to stand firmer on the ground.
“How’s that going?” Nishiki finally asks, encouraging him to talk. Mine only looks to the ground.
“Better, your encouragement and guidance help me greatly, whether regarding personal or work matters Oyaji” Mine raises his head to smile at Nishiki, a fond look on his face.
As Mine swings his bat the fifth time, Nishiki notices his uninked back. Mine’s tattoo will stand proudly next to Nishiki’s marvellous Koi tattoo. What can be more powerful than symbolising his determination and strength of swimming upstream towards hurdles and challenges of life?
After Mine’s first few months of escort duty to Tojo HQ as Nishiki’s right-hand man (his debut as Shindo called it), Nishiki brought Mine to the tattoo parlour Nishiki got his tattoo years ago. Utabori greeted them and turned to scan Mine from head to toe. He asked him to remove his clothes to get a better look and Mine did so. Utabori observed Mine’s bare back, feeling the muscle and space along his spine. Finally, he suggested a Kirin for Mine’s back and Nishiki couldn’t be even more ecstatic. The design will be done in a month or so he stated.
A Kirin protects the Koi as it swims upstream the waterfall to its destiny. They were fated to conquer Tojo, It was truly Nishiki’s destiny. Mine couldn’t be even prouder. With this tattoo, he proved that he deserved-, no, belong next to his patriarch and he swore on his life that he would follow his patriarch to the ends of the earth.
With newfound determination, Nishiki sets his plans to become future chairman in motion. They worked twice as hard, their approach became increasingly aggressive to ensure that their revenue was the highest each month. If killing one man or two had no difference, then ten or twenty wouldn’t matter too. Mine’s future Kirin tattoo was their blessing of good fortune and a steady future. Nishiki took full advantage of their upcoming era of luck and wealth brought by their most prized member.
When Mine’s appointment for the outline of his tattoo arrived, Nishiki sat through his whole session. He watched as Utabori’s skilled old hands pierce Mine’s skin with his needle forming the image of a Kirin gracefully galloping upwards, mirroring Nishiki’s own Koi. Once he was done, Mine had to take a moment to flex his arms and legs, carefully avoiding too much movement. He turned his back to the mirror and looked over his shoulder to admire the full glory of it.
“When you’re healed up and ready for the next session, I’ll get mine retouched too.” Nishiki declared as he joined in admiring the outline of the Kirin. “That way, our tattoos can build a spiritual bond with one another,” Nishiki said earnestly.
Mine’s eyes almost sparkled. “Of course oyaji, I'm looking forward to that time”. Nishiki grabs Mine by the shoulder to escort him out of the parlour, only to be interrupted by Mine recoiling in pain. “Let’s get you a drink Mine-kun, you’ll need it”.
Mine’s next session never arrived.
Utabori constantly postponed it with the excuse that Mine was not ready. He insisted that his hands refused to move, not a single muscle cooperated to hold his needle and complete Mine’s tattoo. His Kirin was left uncoloured, delaying its significance to the Nishikiyama family. The months turned to years. Nishiki grew irritated.
Not only that but the Dojima brat had started to be more motivated to join Yayoi at HQ. Other patriarchs are still reluctant about Daigo’s abilities, but Daigo had the upper hand of being the heir of the most powerful family in the Tojo clan. Despite the efforts of the Nishikiyama family, Daigo would still be handed the Tojo clan’s captain seat. Daigo had started making a name for himself, showing leadership abilities and learning from his mother and Kazama. Even the Third Chairman started talking with the brat.
Even with Mine’s constant fights with Daigo to throw him off from involving himself with Tojo, Daigo had done the exact opposite. He became increasingly interested in joining the clan’s affairs. Patriarch Shimano indulged in the obvious family feud and Nishiki’s annoyance with Daigo’s growing popularity put Nishiki on edge.
Mine was distracted by Daigo too. He’d become less involved in negotiations, and his motivation and interest in their plan of taking control of Tojo dwindled.
“Is it true, Mine?”
Rumours of Mine and Daigo’s friendly encounters started to reach Nishiki. He felt betrayed. By his own right-hand man at that. Nishiki turns his back to Mine, refusing to look at him, to face the situation.
“Did you forget? That Kirin on your back, was it not to serve the family?” Nishiki reprimanded.
“He's a threat to our plans, Mine” He couldn’t bear to lose Mine. Mine had been by his side from the start. Mine was not just a loyal right-hand man. Mine had appeared when he lost Yuko, filling a part he’d lost. He’d shown him to trust again and helped him grow stronger. If he’d lost Mine too, what would he have?
The red Koi fish not only symbolizes power and determination, but it's also a strong connotation of love. And Nishiki loved Mine. Like he did for her. Mine might have not a single thing in common with her, but Nishiki couldn’t help seeing her in him. Be it the way he calls Nishiki his oyaji or the way he laughs softly at Nishiki’s witty remarks. They would have gotten along too. He couldn’t lose him like he lost Yuko.
To ensure that Mine stayed by his side, he must get rid of Daigo. Mine was an invaluable asset to the family.
“We need to dispose of him,” Nishiki orders. “We’ll hire assassins from Omi to get rid of him.”
“I’ll take care of it, Oyaji” Mine finally speaks and Nishiki trusts him to do as he was told.
Daigo’s arrest was discussed during a Tojo meeting. Daigo had gone and accepted a challenge from Goda Ryuji. He was caught, allegedly, armed with a gun. Tojo executives scoffed, expecting it to happen but the Third Chairman seemed sceptical of the ordeal. Yayoi was left alone to handle the remains of the Dojima family. Kiryu’s special ‘apprentice’ is out, all that’s left is Kazama and Shinji. Tojo’s parasites.
With 5 more years until Kiryu's release, Nishiki prepared himself for what was to come. Enough time for Mine to get his tattoo done. His dream will be realized soon. Mine continued to prove his loyalty by ensuring that whatever Nishiki wanted was realized. Once Kiryu is released, he’ll protect his patriarch with his life and Nishiki was certain of it.
Nishiki watches as the numbers on the elevator panel go up as he ascends the millennium tower. Nishiki spent 10 years waiting and preparing for this moment. Mine ensured that he reached his dreams by protecting and guiding him throughout the years, Nishiki wasn't going to waste it all. That’s why he insisted Mine not come with him. He didn't want Mine to see what kind of man he was before Mine. He didn't want to disappoint him. He promised Mine that when he returns, they’ll finally get their tattoos done. Mine’s Kirin finally completes as Nishiki turns into the leader the Kirin saw in him years ago.