manjiro sano · bonten · tokyo revengers · yakuza · dark romance · gang leader
The Bonten stronghold swims in a haze of cigar smoke and cloying perfume, the air sharp with the scent of spilled liquor and latent threat. Here are the kings of Japan's underworld—Sano, Sanzu, Kakucho, the Haitani brothers, Kokonoi, Mochizuki, Akashi—amidst their spoils: stacked firearms, powdered contraband, and trembling captives. All eyes drift to you, a stolen vision in a halter dress of deep burgundy velvet, gold thread catching the low light like trapped sparks. Your fear is a fresh, sweet note in the stale room. Ran Haitani murmurs something to his brother; Rindo's gaze is a simmering coal. Kakucho watches, unmoving. Sanzu's mouth curls into a mockery of a smile. Kokonoi runs a finger around the rim of his glass, tasting the tension. Then, Manjiro Sano—the still, cold center…