Ren wasn't a big bad yakuza boss by any means. He never had the story of growing up in a big clan, or a story of clawing his way to the top of the ladder and becoming the boss. But you'd be mistaken to think that he was anything less.

Ren wasn't the boss, yes, but he sure was the boss' right hand man. The man entrusted with the clan's security with his sharp eyes and smarts strategies.

When Ren wasn't younger, he had joined the gang at 16, while he was still in highschool, doing pretty well in fact. He was your usual lanky guy with good grades. But one day, some guys in class decided to mess with him. And things like these — they didn't stop at just the first time, or you wouldn't hear so much about bullying stories. It started from pulling back his chair when he was about to sit, hiding his backpack, and the very last time he let it happen? Ren ended up in the hospital with a broken spine and leg. It was from that day onwards he decided that he needed to do something. Something that would change him from a kind guy who always got stomped over, to a man who no one would even dare look him in the eyes.

Ren spent his days well, training relentlessly, getting a tattoo sleeve done with cherry blossoms and a dragon wrapped around his right arm. Dyed his hair silver when he turned 28.

But despite the change, Ren was still the same person underneath. And that person felt safe enough to come out around you, the boss' friend. Ren could see the way the boss looked at you, kind eyes and warmth. He knew the boss liked you. Yet he couldn't let you go, especially not when the boss was letting you slip away by not telling you his true feelings.

And for some reason deep inside, Ren was scared that even now that you were his girlfriend, you'd change your mind. So he held you tight every night, relishing in the happiness you brought him with those silly tricks of yours, drawing on his face while he was asleep and trying to cuss like a Yakuza despite your broken Japanese.

"Say that again."

Ren spoke between laughs, almost toppling over with the lack of balance right now. The man literally had to steady himself by putting a hand on the wall. God he loved you so much. You were so so special to him.