Love can't be avoided. Whether it slams into you like a speeding truck or creeps in so slowly you don't even notice, it finds a way. You can run, you can fight it, but in the end… love always wins. And for me? It started when I was forced to date a mafia's daughter.
In my world, people fall into two distinct categories: normal and special. Among The special ones? They're the Mafias. Organized gangs wielding power, money, and influence that corrupt everything they touch. They don't just commit crimes—they rule the shadows. And above them all, there's one name whispered like a ghost story, a chilling legend: Kuro-Kyoufu (Black Scare).
They don't steal, rob, or cause trouble—until you cross them. Then they kill without a blink. Even the police don't dare interfere. Their leader? Kuroda Ryū, the man they call the Evil Mafia. A legend. A nightmare.
And then… there's me. Tanaka Sato. Perfectly, utterly normal.
Tanaka Sato's head rested against his locker, his thoughts drifting far from the teacher's monotonous droning. The shrill, triumphant shriek of the school bell tore through the classroom, and a wave of Friday excitement erupted as students surged for the door. In minutes, the room was empty, the sudden silence a welcome balm Sato relished. He leaned back in his chair, scrolling through his phone, enjoying the quiet.
A grim news update flashed across his screen: "Five Men Burnt Alive for Beefing with Mafia Gang."
Damn, Sato thought, a chill running down his spine. And this is a minor gang. Talk less of major ones like the top two: Kuro-Kyoufu and Kuro Ryū-kai.
"I refuse to be involved in such violence," Sato muttered to himself, a shiver tracing his spine. "They'd chop my head off immediately." He swiped away the grim report, clicking a link to a new game advertisement, a smile finally spreading across his face as he watched the vibrant trailer.
"Boooo!"
Sato startled, almost dropping his phone, but managed to keep a firm grip. He frowned at Kaito, who stood grinning, hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Can you stop doing that?"
"Only if you stop spending most of your time locked in this classroom," Kaito countered, his smile unwavering.
"I'm not locked up. I choose to stay here alone. I find it better that way," Sato replied bluntly, eyes still glued to his screen.
Kaito pinched the bridge of his nose dramatically. "That's just sad, man. At least tell me you have plans for this weekend."
Sato paused, staring at the ceiling for a second in thought, then looked back at his phone. "Yeah. I'm going to the Mega Mall to get the new level of Gun and Run, Level 9."
Kaito stared at him in confusion. "You still play that game?"
Sato looked up, frowning. "Yeah, I do. And—"
Kaito waved a dismissive hand. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that. It's just... I've tried playing it for months, and I can't get past Level 4."
Sato's frown deepened in mock disappointment. "Isn't it obvious? You suck at games. Level Four is when the game seriously becomes real. The other three levels are for amateurs like yourself. Those that quit the game, like yourself, have no balls and no pride at all."
Kaito searched for a comeback, his eyes narrowing playfully. "At least I don't eat my food in an empty class."
Sato wasn't phased. "Wow, how insulting. At least I can eat my food. Don't you need your teacher to chew it up before you can swallow?"
Kaito flushed, embarrassed. "Hey! That was just one time, and it was a long time ago. Like, kindergarten! I had trouble chewing!"
"Yeah, you did," Sato deadpanned, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Before Kaito could respond, a group of girls, giggling and dressed in trendy school uniforms, swanned into the classroom. One of them, a girl with bright pink hair, spoke up, her voice syrupy sweet. "Hey, Kaity dear, the football team base is open now. Why don't we walk you over there together?" The other girls nodded in eager agreement.
Kaito sighed heavily, but a faint smile touched his lips as he stood. "Gotta go now, my friend. Until we meet again, I suppose."
Sato, still absorbed in his phone, mumbled, "Stop talking like that," ignoring Kaito's fake accent.
Kaito just grinned and followed the girls out. From the hallway, Sato could hear one of the girls say, "Why do you even talk to that loner? Normal people like him aren't worth your time." He heard Kaito's faint, fake laugh as they walked away.
With a resigned sigh, Sato finally stood, slid his phone into his pocket, and slung his backpack over his shoulder. He began to head home, his thoughts swirling. They're not wrong at all. Kaito's father owns six of the best stadiums around the world, and his mom is a famous model. He's on the perfect and famous side. He has no need to talk to me, and calling me normal is a compliment to people like me. Yet he still talks to me, and not just that, admits I'm his best friend. What a freak.
Don't get me wrong, it's not like I hate being normal. For the record, I love it. I can escape problems without people paying attention to me. I wouldn't have any reason to beef with a mafia or be wanted. And even if an opportunity like that happened, I have a simple technique for escaping.
Lost in thought, Sato didn't see the school bully until he accidentally bumped into him. The bully spun around, a sneer twisting his features. "You looking for a fight? Finding a fast way to be famous by taking me on, huh? Fine, I'll..."
Before he could finish, Sato dropped to his knees in a desperate, begging pose, his voice rising in a frantic plea. "I'm really, truly sorry for the bump! I promise to stay away from you, never talk or even breathe next to you if you'll just forgive me! Please, find it in your deep heart to ignore me and act like this never happened! I can even lick your shoe for you if you want!"
Sato's rapid-fire apology and bizarre offer completely unnerved the bully. His sneer transformed into a look of pure disgust as he backed away. "Forget it, you weirdo! I'm leaving!" The bully turned and practically ran out of the school.
Sato rose from his position, breathing heavily. "That was almost close," he murmured. He walked out of the school, pulling out his phone to check the price of "Gun and Run Level 9," ignoring the bustling crowd. He entered a market to buy groceries for his mom, his mind still on the game. How am I supposed to afford that? Maybe I can find a way to beg my mom for an early pay so I can afford this. He looked up, trying to concentrate on the massive crowd. Damn it, this place is packed. He sighed. Forget it. He tried to sneak his way through without causing a scene or being noticed, a true master of blending into the background.
Meanwhile, at the opulent Kuroda Ryū mansion, his daughter, Hikari, was still asleep. Her nightgown was slightly askew, revealing too much as she turned from side to side, her bed hair obscuring her face. Finally, she slowly sat up from her luxurious bed, the sun beginning to stream through her window.