Severed Ties ; verse + oropherion

[oropherion]

04:00 a.m. Alarm.

04:15 - 05:00 a.m. Morning Stretch and Exercise.

05:00 - 05:30 a.m. Breakfast with Hatsuka.

05:30 - 06:00 a.m. Shower and Groomed for work.

06:14 a.m. On his way to the office.

It was the same schedule Jun Kazuhiro followed every morning without fail. Non-work days differed only slightly, but otherwise the routine remained the same. Twenty-six years old, Kazuhiro was already well on his way to earn a name for himself. A recent graduate from Tohoku University a couple years back and a promising and rising star in the Sendai Law Firm, he had the life. He had a nice flat, a beautiful fiance, and with each successful case, plenty of yen in the bank. Nothing seemed to be able to stop him from this rise in success because he was an overachiever, determined, respectful, hard-working, reliable, perfect in every seemingly way. The ‘Golden Child’ as he had often been referred to by his parents and the complete opposite of his younger brother, Kasaki.


The only two heirs of the Jun family had been raised and treated exactly the same. Both given the same opportunity, same moral and honor code embedded into them, and often with strict and rough enforcement. Yet somehow the younger Jun boy didn’t seem to absorb or maintain these lessons. He rebelled, he did everything the opposite. He was crass, bold, unapologetic in his unruly and brutish behavior. Oftentimes, both brothers would face off in heated fights, leaving each other with plenty of bruises and scrapes that would be doubled by the paddle their father and patriarch punished them with. Growing up, the bond of brotherhood waned thin and snapped. There didn’t seem to be any love or closeness between the two as Kazuhiro continued to prove to his parents that he was the perfect son; the chosen one. The one that obeyed and honored them, that would pursue higher education and a better life for himself and their family. He graduated upper secondary school with honors and it didn’t take him long to get admitted to the Tohoku University at the ripe age of eighteen.

Kasaki was a drop out and fell into drugs, booze, and girls. He led a more ‘free’ lifestyle as he liked to call it, and tried to run the Jun name into the ground. The stress of his abhorrent behavior gradually caused their parents grief and pain, which led to illness, and eventually their death later on in their adult lives. At just twenty five and twenty-three, the Jun boys had lost both parents only a few months apart and Kazuhiro blamed his younger brother for it. His father’s death was the most recent and the funeral had only been eight months ago, which had been the last time Kazuhiro had seen and spoken to his brother. Something he had hoped to keep that way.

Thankfully, Hatsuka had been his rock and his inspiration. Her warm, strong, devoted presence kept Kazuhiro’s head held high even in those dark few months. She encouraged him to forgive his brother only for his own sake, to not let that dark seed bury itself in his heart and grow dark, twisted veins within his body. She was spiritual in the sense that she feared how much deep, negative thoughts could affect one’s body and soul. They had spoken many hours into the night, of her fear of him letting his anger and resentment take control, that he’d lash out and ruin all of the hard work he had done to get where he was today. Kazuhiro wasn’t sure what he had done to earn such love and support, but he treasured her and vowed to take care of her and love her for the rest of her life. A beautiful silver diamond engagement ring had sealed that deal.

“Hiro, you’re forgetting something?” Came Hatsuka’s sing-song voice from the kitchen, drawing Kazuhiro from the foyer where he was about to stuff his feet into his dress shoes.

“What’s that?” He called back with a playful smirk as he looked back towards her leaning over the counter. He saw her give a light huff of faux annoyance as she blew her bang out of her face.

“Your lunch….and your goodbye kiss, you idiot!” They shared a laugh as he stalked back into the kitchen, slipping an arm around her waist to draw her in. His fingers lightly tickled her sides, making her squirm and giggle and slap his chest in response, before he dipped down to capture her petal soft lips in a kiss. She melted into him and he let the moment linger for another second before he sighed and drew away. “You are going to make me late, woman.” He snickered as he pinched her bottom, snatched up his lunch box she had so lovingly made for him, and darted away as she tried to chase him with a wooden spoon in retaliation. “Love you, Suka!” He called as he slipped on his shoes, grabbed his leather suitcase, then darted out the door before she could strike him.

It was only a twenty minute bike ride to the office. The receptionist in the main lobby was busy on the phone already when he walked in and he lifted a hand in greeting before ducking down the hall to head towards his office. He was stopped a few times by his colleagues, engaging in short conversation, before he finally made it to his desk to begin work. He had a large case to prepare for and needed to go through all of his documents, notes, statements, and evidence to prepare for the court hearing. As a defense lawyer, it was very important for him to make sure he represented his client to the utmost of his ability, especially if said client was innocent. Kazuhiro refused to defend any client that couldn’t prove without a doubt that they deserved a non-guilty verdict. Something he didn’t have much choice in the beginning of his career, but now with his feet wet and a little more cemented in the company, he was given a little more leeway with his decisions.

Kazuhiro worked quietly and diligently in his office for hours, typing up his opening statement, organizing his notes and eradicating anything that wasn’t truly important to the case, and so forth. It was just thirty minutes before he planned to take his lunch break when he heard his cell phone buzzing to life. Saving his work and leaning back in his seat, he frowned as he picked up the device and saw a number he recognized belonging to the local precinct. A sigh passed his lips as he figured it was either the office calling to see if he’d represent one of their prisoners or an actual prisoner calling to request him personally. But then how would they get his cell phone and not call his office instead?

Despite the strangeness of it, Kazuhiro pressed the green button to accept the call and lifted the device to his ear. “Hello, this is Jun Kazuhiro speaking. How may I help you?”

“Aniki.”

The cold, sarcastic voice on the other end was all too familiar and sent an icy jolt down his spine as he immediately stiffened and sat up straight in his chair. His grip tightened on the device as he slammed his hand down on his desk and gritted his teeth.

“Kasaki,” Kazuhiro spat back with an equal tone of cold indifference as he glared at his office wall. “Why are you calling me? I thought I told you I didn’t want to hear from you ever again.”

“You hurt me, big bro. I just need your help. Just this once.” Kasaki seemed to wait as he heard his older brother’s silence before continuing, “I need you to bail me out.”

Kazuhiro immediately snarled and hissed into the phone, “Absolutely not! Whatever bullshit you got yourself is your own problem! Hell, you probably deserve to spend a few nights in prison. Ma and Pa aren’t here anymore to bail you out of your own fuck ups, and I’m not gonna pick up their slack. Forget my number. Good-bye.” He wouldn’t let his brother say anymore, or try to butter him up and make him feel any ounce of guilt or shame for denying his last remaining family help. He hung up immediately and panted, running a hand through his neatly trimmed short black locks as he cursed. His brother had a lot of nerve to think he’d cough up any amount of money to bail him out of a situation he had put himself in!

The older Jun boy took a few minutes to simmer down before he went back to work. When he found he couldn’t concentrate any longer, he decided it was time to take his lunch. Saving and closing everything down, he grabbed his phone and headed to the breakroom to grab his lunch box from the fridge. He was short in greetings to his colleagues as he slipped out of the firm to get some air and eat in the nearby park. What he didn’t expect was to be suddenly accosted by a group of ruffians on his way, causing him to drop his lunch to the ground. He tried to fight off the assailants, but they were quicker and more organized as they knocked him out.

 

[Verse]

It was hard in the beginning, when he still cared. He remembered some of it, actually, pushing up against the kindness his parents had taught him. These impulses he had. They had started as something else in him, foreign, but then they became him. The things he wanted weren't in conflict with the things that he loved. They burned down everything else. As they built, the friction grew between him and his family. He had loved mother the most, but it didn't help. He wanted what he wanted, and they got in the way of that. Maybe he got off on seeing them upset, because they were the last authority in his life. He wanted to be free, and they stood in the way of that, because they took up space in his heart. He found a home outside of their house, instead. Away from the golden boy Kazuhiro, who would rather lecture than have fun. The way they used to fight had actually made it easier for Kasaki. That's all the education he needed to be who he wanted. And he was good at it too. Mom and dad liked to brag about Kazuhiro and his grades, but Kasaki was doing great, too. Only it wasn't in a field his family appreciated.

And since he couldn't have the money big bro got from doing everything their parents wanted, Kasaki had to earn it in other ways. For a young, able body, there was work. He started off just running, and graduated to heavier work within the new family. He couldn't do the computer stuff, which was on the rise, so they liked him for the street work. He was tall and the life he led gave him a pretty menacing look. Under the streelights and in alleys, he could certainly look the part. And, whenever he got to prove himself, he was good when the chips were down too. The other boys he ran with liked him, because he had their backs. Why wouldn't he? They were lost in the night together. They drank together and sometimes they fucked together too. There was a certain kind of kinship between them, when all of them had sucked his cock. It was kind of a rite of passage, to have the shit beaten out of you, and then have it fucked out of you too, by the dangerous Jun boy. The dysfunctional dynamic made the few who stuck by his side a very tightly knit group.

They looked to him for leadership. He was climbing in the world. But it was hard to focus when there were so many distractions in the night. He had to try it all. And the higherups were happy with a boy who would gladly kill for them, and only wanted libations and free passage at their clubs, and perhaps a few girls and boys in the brothels. But even the geezers in charge were suggesting Kasaki do more than just run what he could carry, or take iron pipes to people who owed them. Kasaki preferred being free to pummel people, and take their money. But eventually he caved and did some of the more organized shit. It paid astronomically better, anyway.

But it also came with higher charges. Especially after he'd become a legal adult. The cops could be bribed for the smaller stuff, but this shipment and the body floating in the river connected to it, was kinda high profile. They didn't have a smoking gun, but the heat meant some Samaritan and hero types got involved. The better bribed pigs belonged to his bosses, and they didn't want to do shit for the lower caste unless they had to. So, when he was taken in this time, he couldn't just talk shit with the officer usually on his case and then leave a few hours later. The time he was looking to spend here would seriously damage his evening plans.

That's why he needed Kazuhiro. So that's why he called. He threw the phone when the BASTARD SHIT FUCKER didn't want to help. At least dad's lessons came with the bailout. At least the youngest Jun had enough pull to get another call. He wasn't about to play nice anymore. He made sure this call was to people he trusted.

Hanzo and Keda were the same age as the Jun menace, and had no trouble following the instructions. There were some tendencies of Kasaki they saw in Kazuhiro, but in the end, the lawyer type wasn't that tough. They did a number on him, and when he came to, it was in a nearby warehouse, not far from the one the raid was at. A few threats, most of them sexual in nature, since the violence had already been showed, did the trick. People with hands without callouses are easy to convince. So it could only end one way.

With Kasaki getting a cop to his cell, who begrudgingly told him his bail had been paid, and the lawyer was waiting for him.

Hanzo was short and square in build. He'd done most of the talking, and Keda had been holding and swinging a crowbar, like a toy, like a promise. They weren't as smart as Kasuki, so they were rather blunt when trying to 'negotiate' with the man who had some features just like their young boss. It was the usual stuff, and when the suit realized they were serious about breaking his bones if he didn't do them this solid, he became more willing to hear them out. A small mention of his beautiful fiancé helped, too. They weren't really acting when they talked about what they'd do to her, if they got bored if Kasaki didn't come back.

So when they waited outside the station and sent the worse for ware older brother in, they expected good results.

Kasaki was smug when he came out. Black tanktop under a big jacket. He was the younger of the two, so he still had some softness in his face, though not his expression. "Look at you, bro!" he said and grabbed Kazuhrio by the shoudlers and eyed him up and down. "Damn. Domestic life has treated you well." the hooligan said, slapped his brothers arms twice before letting him go. He then proceeded to throw one arm around the no doubt expensive suit shoulders, and walked them out the door. "But you kinda hurt me on the phone." he said into his brother's ear. "You were gonna leave me in there, huh?" the hot breath was obviously a threat that should ring truer now since Hiro had met his associates. They went down the stairs together. "I think it's my fault. We don't even know each other anymore. Isn't that a shame?" well on the ground he shoved Hiro toward the car, and Hanzo opened the door. "We should catch up right now. Why don't you invite me to your place?" he asked and pushed Hiro onto the seat. The car was on the road soon.

 

[oropherion]

Kazuhiro had always brandished himself as intelligent and prepared for anything, but it seemed this perfect persona he tried to keep up all day, every day, had a crack. A crack that somehow his younger brother had and had always managed to exploit. Kasaki always managed to get under his skin, no matter how hard he fought it, and today was no different. He shouldn't have been so naive to think that his assertive declaration over the phone would be enough to put his brother off from bothering him. No, he should have thought of all the things his brother could have done to make sure he got what he wanted, but Hiro hadn't in that moment. Oh how quick he was regretting it when dirtied hands grabbed at him, forcing him into fighting with all his might. A man of class he was, didn't mean he didn't hit the gym when possible and keep in shape. But still his rather posh lifestyle didn't afford him the kind of strength and dirty-play style these thugs had. By the time he had woken up in the warehouse, he was sporting a few bruises and a bloodied lip and the back of his head throbbed, warning of a potential lump from being struck by a hard object. He groaned as he came to and found himself tied to a chair by some crude ropes.

He cussed when he came alert enough to realize what was happening, which earned him a back-handed slap that exacerbated the cut on his lip. He spat reddened spittle to the concrete floor between his spread legs and glowered at the two men. It didn't take long to realize who these punks belonged to and he hissed his brother's name under his breathe like it was venom to be spat out. Of course this was Kasaki's doing. He never did like to be told no or to lose a game or be refused anything in his life. He should have known his younger brother would not lay back and take his punishment like a man. Kazuhiro's pride and disgust for his kin had him refusing Hanzo's attempt to persuade him to help his brother. Each time, he was struck whether with a fist or with the crowbar Keda was swinging around. His jaw throbbed from punch after punch and his calves screamed in pain from the strikes from the crowbar. The hits hadn't been enough to break any bones, but the threat was very clear that they would have no problem doing so.

Kazuhiro was hellbent on not giving these devils what they wanted no matter the consequences, no matter the threatening of sexual violence against himself, but when they brought up his fiance, his sweet Suka, he cursed anew at them. He spat blood and phlegm at them, rattled against the chair despite his disheveled state, unable to do anything more than yell vehemently at them that he wouldn't let them touch her. The things they were describing of what they would do to her made his stomach twist in revulsion. They were monsters and he couldn't understand how his brother could be involved with such people. To let himself sink so low. But it was enough to finally force him to comply and agree, even if it went against everything in his being to do so. He hated to give in and give his brother what he wanted.

He let them bring him to the station, stumbled out of the vehicle and limped his way in knowing they were waiting and watching, ready for him to make a run for it. He wouldn't run though. Now he was pissed, enraged, and he wanted to beat the living pulp out of his brother for doing this to him. Blood stained his expensive suit, darkening the white of his blouse to a nasty copper tone. It would take a lot of yen to have the stains removed and he planned to get that out of Kasaki himself. Alas, he was greeted by the younger Jun punk with strong, calloused hands on his shoulders, rattling him further. He held back the groan of pain and instead pierced his brother's face with cold daggers. "Cut the pleasantries, Aki." He snapped, a muscle in his jaw twitching as he stumbled again by the arm being thrown around his shoulder. His hands balled into fists, ready to swing and remind themselves both of the old times when they used to settle their differences with fist fighting until one or the other parent broke them up. The simple fact that Kasaki's underlings were still nearby and the threat to Hatsuka kept him from letting out all of his rage in that very moment, even if it was well deserved. Soon, he told himself, soon.

Hiro rolled his eyes with such little empathy at the drama of his brother's words and curled his lips. "........" He fell silent though, wisely keeping himself from retorting that he certainly was going to leave his sorry ass to rot in a jail cell, but the threat in the tone was enough to curb the attitude. If only because he knew what these kinds of men were capable of and he was also shown just a taste of it. Hatsuka didn't deserve it. He just hoped he'd get to see her tonight. He stiffly walked down the stairs with his brother, shoulders hunched up and tense, showing he really didn't appreciate his brother's proximity to him. They had never been close especially not affectionately so it was uncomfortable and unnatural, and he knew it was just to threaten him and keep him compliant. "I wonder whose fault that is? If you weren't such a degenerate, we could be like true brothers." He spat vehemently before he cursed as he was shoved towards a car, glaring at Hanzo as he yanked open the door. With little choice in the matter, he was pushed inside and he sat stiff and awkward in the seat next to his brother.

When his brother made his intentions known, Hiro cursed again and reached out to grab the lapels of his shirt, not caring that he could easily be shot and murdered here. But his brother needed him so he'd keep him alive, at least that is what he thought. "Fuck you, Aki! I know what you want. I'm not going to take you there. You can take me anywhere else and we can hash this out, but I refuse to take you to my place!" He shook the other, other hand clenching and ready to throw a fist. Some restrained kept him from actually throwing it though. The car was already lurching through the streets as if it already knew where to go and he hissed, tongue laving over his bruised and bloody lip. "Why do you gotta be like this, Aki? You could be so much better than this filth!" He argued, eyes filled with disgust and awe at just how blinded and crazed his brother had become.