A Broken Kiss

The Bosses Daughter

Rain in this city didn't fall.

It negotiated.

It slid down tinted windows like it was testing the glass for weaknesses. It pooled in alleyways like it was waiting for someone to make a mistake. It tapped against the iron balcony outside Y/N Ukai's bedroom like it had business to discuss.

Y/N ignored it.

She sat cross-legged on her windowsill, long black curls spilling down her back, white streaks from poliosis cutting through the dark like lightning frozen in place. Several thin braids were woven through her hair, each one tipped with small silver and onyx beads that clicked softly when she tilted her head.

She was reading three things at once.

A crime statistics report on her tablet.
A psychology article about micro-expressions on her phone.
And a leather-bound notebook in her lap filled with handwritten lyrics.

The Ukai estate overlooked the harbor-docks, warehouses, ships that came and went without asking too many questions. It was less a house and more a controlled fortress disguised as something wealthy people pretended was normal.

Behind her, a knock.

Not polite. Not hesitant.

Two short. One long.

Family code.

"You can come in," she said without looking up.

The door opened.

Keishin Ukai stepped inside, sleeves rolled to his elbows, tie loosened, cigarette unlit between his fingers. He didn't smoke in the house. He said it dulled his senses.

He studied her for a second.

"You're still awake."

"It's 11:42," Y/N replied. "You say that like I'm six."

"You're seventeen."

"Which is not six."

He huffed something that might have been a laugh and leaned against the doorframe. Keishin Ukai-one of the most powerful mafia bosses in the city. A name spoken carefully. A man whose alliances were worth more than some countries' exports.

But to Y/N?

He was just her dad.

"You're singing tonight?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Crow's Nest."

His jaw tightened just slightly.

She noticed.

Of course she did.

"The Tsukishima district borders that area," he said.

"Mm. I'm aware."

"Akiteru's men have been pushing into neutral territory."

Y/N finally looked up at him. Her eyes were sharp. Calm. Almost bored.

"I know. They've been buying up smaller clubs through shell companies registered in Osaka. Three of them are linked to a holding firm owned by someone named Yamazaki. Yamazaki doesn't exist."

Her father blinked.

"You checked."

"I always check."

He studied her for a moment longer.

"You're not getting involved."

"I'm singing," she said simply. "Not declaring war."