The beautiful white and orange color of the Koi looked even more majestic thanks to the crystal-clear and bright water of the pond. As soon as I left the house, the first thing I did was sit next to it and get lost in my thoughts.

I was happy because I had arrived at a place that was safe for the moment, but at the same time I couldn't help but feel guilty when I thought about what the others were experiencing out there. Above all, I felt bad when I thought about what Liam could be experiencing right now.

«¿Will he be safe? Is the place where he is safe or have the monsters already managed to get in?... Will he be...?»

A hand on my shoulder startled me. I turned around scared, meeting an attractive face. One, that if I weren't in this situation, would have made me terribly nervous.

– He'll be fine.

—¿Huh? – I asked, bewildered, still trying to connect my mind to the real world.

— You're thinking about your brother. It shows all over your face.

He sat down next to me and looked at a small fish that had come close to the shore.

— I'm sorry.

– I've thought about it before, but ¿why do you apologize all the time?

— I-I don't.

— Yes, you do. And you also stutter a lot.— He brought his hand close to the surface of the water and when he did, a ripple appeared that scared the fish away.

– I-I'm sorr...

— Stop doing it.— He interrupted me and turned to look at me.— It's annoying. You don't have to apologize for everything, much less when you haven't done anything wrong.

I felt embarrassed by his words and his serious and intense look. I hugged my knees tighter and buried my face between them. I knew it, I already knew that I didn't have to apologize for everything, but throughout my life I got used to doing it. It used to save me a lot of trouble.

— It's easy for you to say it. People fear and respect you. You've never had the need to apologize.

There was a brief silence.

— ¿And you think that's a good thing?— His tone of voice had become surprisingly cold, causing me to shiver. — We're always changing schools. We've made friends, people who like us, even people who love us. But once they find out where we come from, they move away for fear that we'll hurt them. They don't respect us because they want to, they do it because they think they have to. Just like you.

I bit my lip and frowned. I was grateful that he couldn't see my face because I couldn't deny what he had said. He let out a sigh.

— Our family is very proud. Since we are born we are taught not to make mistakes so that we don't have to apologize, and if you have to, then it is considered a disgrace.

— Your father apologized very lightly— I said, remembering the moment when he played that annoying and heavy joke to test me.

–Ah, that.— I heard a bitter laugh come out of his throat.— My family is different from the rest. For us, the most important thing is family... but for the rest of our relatives, especially for my grandfather, the most important thing has always been our lineage. They even sent us here for that.

I slowly raised my face to look at him and when I did I saw him with an empty and cold expression. Completely different from what his personality was like.

–¿What's so bad about that?

—We are Yakuza Aisha, we are part of the Japanese mafia.— He turned to look at me angrily. Not because of my question, but because of the subject itself.— However, we were practically exiled from Japan. Unlike what they say in the movies, it is dishonorable to be a Yakuza and not even be able to use your power in your country of origin.

– ¿Shouldn't that be a good thing? After all, they spread throughout the world.

Part of me is surprised that he can carry on a conversation like this as if we were talking about something from school instead of something as big as the mafia. But the other part really couldn't care less.

— The real, important business happens in Japan. The rest is just child's play.

I held his gaze for a few seconds before looking back at the fabulous pond.

— But... isn't it better this way? If they were really involved your whole family would be in danger. Dishonor doesn't matter as long as my loved ones are safe.

—And look where that got us.

I knew what he meant. But I still wasn't going to take back my words. I mean, ¿who would have thought of the likelihood of monsters appearing out of nowhere? If I were his father I would have chosen to come here.

Makoto groaned.

– Look, I wasn't planning on saying all this to make you feel bad or anything like that.— He scratched the back of his neck and his cheeks flushed, visibly embarrassed.— I just... wanted to tell you to be strong. That's all.

—¿Strong?

—You apologize for everything and take things for granted. You have to be strong. Fight, keep your head up and never give up.— The blush disappeared and I could see a spark in his eyes that I couldn't decipher. His speech made him look more mature.— If you can still get up then fight, sitting down to think about what might or might not happen will only destroy you mentally.

The dim lights that illuminated the garden were reflected on his face making him look even more handsome and cool. That little speech, besides encouraging me, added another point to the reasons why Makoto is so popular with girls.

– Another thing your family taught you?-I asked with a certain hint of mockery in my voice.

— I-I had to learn something good from them, didn't I?-He frowned and avoided my gaze blushing once again.

My lips curved into a slight smile, amused and grateful for his words.

– Ah, you are really bad, Makoto. We will separate tomorrow, what will you do if the girl falls in love with you?-Yuriko's voice disconcerted us both.

– ¡Y-Yuri...!- I exclaimed as I jumped up but I took a wrong step and felt my foot slip.

Before I could understand what was happening, an arm wrapped around my waist pulling me to a warm chest. Upon making contact with her honey eyes my heart began to beat wildly. She looked at me with cunning eyes and smiled at me.

— Are you okay little one?— I turned my face away when I heard Yuriko's voice so close to me.

— Y-yes, I'm fine. Thank you.- I hurried to get up and move the redhead's arm away from my body.

Makoto was still surprised by how fast everything happened and I just wanted to bury my head in a hole because of how painful the situation was. Suddenly, Yuriko's laughter echoed in the place.

— I'm sorry bro, I know I stole your moment to be cool with Aisha, but I can't let you be the charming prince of a girl we'll probably never see again.

—¿P-prince...? I didn't...!

– It wasn't your intention. Yes, yes. That only makes it worse bro.

Makoto's expression showed complete confusion but my feminine instinct immediately understood what she meant. And I could only agree with her.

«Men who are charming and don't know it are a blessing and a curse. A danger to my inexperienced heart.»

– Anyway, you've had your moment with her. Now it's my turn so I'll steal her from you for a while okay?

Before I could comment on the matter, the redhead took me by the wrist and led me through the green garden. She didn't let go until we lost sight of Makoto. 

Now that we were away from the noise of the pond, the place was eerily quiet. And I say eerily quiet because with what was going on outside, something like silence should be more than impossible. The only thing that produced a little sound were our feet stepping on the pebbles on the path.

— Don't fraternize too much.— Yuriko stopped, forcing me to do the same.

— ¿Fraternize?"

— The less you get close to us, the better.