Whatever quiet pleasure Takayuki might have gotten at the sight of his guestâs little joy is dashed almost instantly at the name TITAN.
Though Takayukiâs not as intensely involved with the yakuza as he was in the past, not since heâd passed the bar, his loved ones remain in the Matsugane Family. He still comes by here and there to spend time with the boss, as well as what little friends heâs made there.
He isnât unfamiliar with TITANÂ at all. The Matsugane Family might not be involved with them, but other branch families of the Tojo Clan arenât quite so discerning in choosing their allies, and in Kamurocho word travels fast.
ââŠI hear theyâve started buying properties in Tokyo.â Takayuki finishes the last of his food, then sets his bowl down with the chopsticks resting neatly atop the edge. âAnd not without backing of a dangerous sort.â
Straightening, he leans back with his brows furrowed slightly in thought. âWhy?â
Heâs been kind but in the back of her head, she prepares for that to change.  Her father has few friends and theyâre like-minded, bad people, who laugh at tears and donât blink at death.  Sheâs married but she has never stopped being Gaea Lysimachia because Titan conducts his business but his arrogance and pride demands his name be on as many things as possible.  She hopes that kindness doesnât go away, simply because of who her father is.
        â My name is Gaea, â she says, clasping her hands so tightly in her lap she feels her knuckles pop.  â And Titan, heâs my father.  I came here to look into the purchases heâs been making . . .  As well as to put a stop to them and him altogether. â
Itâs the first time sheâs spoken it out loud.  Her husband wouldnât hear of it, would no doubt going running to her father.  The cops in New York either have too much to lose or are in his pocket.  But Japan seems to be one of the places where his control and influence is only building, the weakest thread.  One that might make it that much easier to unravel everything.
