Mark My Words

Denji buys some tempura and udon from the restaurant in the corner of the street before he heads to his apartment. He is in a good mood. He tries to imagine Samantha's face when she opened her locker this morning, the thought brings a smile to his face.

"I'm home," he announces when he enters his dark apartment, none of the lights are on. "Hana?" he calls, but there is no answer.

He walks a little further into the hallway and switches on the light.

'Maybe she went out.' Denji is a bit disappointed. Hana has been quite depressed ever since the divorce was finalized and he wanted to cheer her up with some of her favorite food for dinner.

He places the bags on the kitchen counter before he walks toward his bedroom to change. However, he stops when his foot hits a beer can, sending it rolling until it's stopped by the wall.

"What the–"

Denji tilts his head to the right and stares at the dark living room for a moment. He walks to the light and turns it on, revealing the scene; Hana is passed out on the floor and surrounded by dozens of empty beer cans and a couple of bottles of liquor.

"Hana." Denji rushes to his sister and shakes her in an attempt to wake her up. She only groans with her eyes closed. "For fuck's sake Hana, did you drink my Macallan Scotch? Do you know how much that costs?" Denji asks with an angry voice. "Hana," he calls again.

He sighs. 'What a mess.'

Denji wanted to tell his sister about what he did to Samantha this morning. He was sure his actions would please her. But seeing her like this, he just wants his sister to forget about the Ichiharas once and for all.

He picks up Hana and carries her to the guest bedroom she has been using for the past couple of days.

"Kei…" she mumbles in his arms, tears running down her cheeks. "Why…why."

Denji clenches his teeth. He lays his sister in bed and pats her head. "I will make that family pay, Sister," he whispers. "I promise you."

When he returns to the kitchen after freshening up and changing, Denji has lost his appetite. He puts the food in the fridge and grabs a cold beer. He definitely needs a drink. But as soon as he takes the first sip, someone rings his doorbell.

"Who is it?" Denji asks through the intercom, but he doesn't get an answer, nor can he see anyone on the monitor.

He opens the door, only to find Matsumoto with two other men standing to the side.

"Aren't you one of that bastard's men?" Denji utters through gritted teeth, still affected by his sister's state.

"You better watch your mouth, boy," Matsumoto warns with a frown.

"What do you want? Are you going to detain me in my apartment again?"

"On the contrary, Mr. Watanabe," Matsumoto says with a grin.

"What does that mean?" Denji raises a brow.

"It means that you are to vacate this apartment. It is the property of Mr. Ichihara now, and he wants you gone," Kei's head of security explains.

"What?"

"Mr. Ichihara was nice enough to give you 24 hours to get your stuff and leave. We will be back tomorrow, at the same time." Followed by his two men, Matsumoto walks away without giving Denji the chance to protest again.

"Un-fuckin-believable." Denji slams the door and runs an angry hand through his hair. "That bastard, Kei. He wants to make us homeless."

Denji tries to contact his uncle, Takaya, to get an explanation, but his phone seems to be turned off. Then, he calls his cousin who finally confirms his fears. Kei Ichihara had taken over all of his uncle's businesses and assets.

"Fuck," Denji curses under his breath.

"My father is also missing," his cousin adds. "We are not sure whether he ran away, or he was hurt by that thug."

"He took my apartment and told us to leave by tomorrow evening."

"Well…I would invite you to stay with us, but things aren't good right now. My mother is devastated by the news."

Denji squeezes his phone. "I understand," he utters with a strained voice before hanging up. Then, he throws his iPhone, crashing it against the TV. "Those bastards. After everything that my sister did for them. Without her sacrifices, they would be nobody."

"Brother?" Hana's drunk voice comes from the end of the hallway. "What happened?"

Denji takes a deep breath. "Nothing, go back to sleep, Sister."

Hana stares at him for a moment before she complies.

Denji takes two strides and crashes on the couch. He grabs his opened beer and finishes it in one chug. He has to do something, but he has no idea what. All he knows is that he has to take care of his older sister.

Hana has always been there for him, especially after their parents passed away. She married into the Ichihara family for the sake of the Watanabes. She has sacrificed so much ever since she was but a teenager.

"I will make you pay, Kei Ichihara. Mark my words."