Rafael woke up at six in the morning and took a bath before sitting on his bed to reflect. It had been a year and a half since he was exiled in Tokyo. He dressed casually and headed down to the Izakaya.
Upon entering, Rafael spotted Rina already seated at the high chair, enjoying breakfast. He scanned the surroundings but didn't see Sachiko.
"Seems like Sachiko hasn't gotten out of bed yet," remarked Akira, standing behind Rafael.
"Good morning, Oji-Sama," greeted Rafael respectfully with a slight bow of his head.
"Can we talk?" asked Akira as they stepped outside. Facing each other directly, Akira cleared his throat before speaking further.
"I heard about what happened last night. She couldn't stop crying," he informed Rafael solemnly.
"I take full responsibility for it and I sincerely apologize for my actions," responded Rafael with an even deeper bow as a gesture of apology.
"I appreciate your and Madam Marino's protection that night, but I have a request," Akira spoke with sincerity.
"What is it, Oji-sama?" Rafael inquired.
"Sachiko means everything to me. Since her mother passed away, I have played the role of both parents for her. She is still innocent and vulnerable at such a young age. If you two end up together, please take care of her," Akira bowed his head humbly, surprising Rafael.
"Oji-sama, there is no need for you to do this," pleaded Rafael as he saw Akira lift his head. At that moment, another man approached them carrying flowers and chocolates.
"Akira-san! Is Sachiko here?" the man asked eagerly catching Rafael's attention.
"Kenta, go home now. He would like to see you," responded Akira calmly.
"Why are you visiting Sachiko?" questioned an intrigued Rafael while Kenta raised an eyebrow and observed him from head to toe silently
"Who are you?" Kenta asked, giving Rafael a stern look.
"Kenta, go home! You've been bothering my daughter for months!" Akira raised his voice, urging Kenta to leave.
"What's the problem? I just want to see Sachiko," Kenta argued, causing Rafael to grab his collar and return his intense gaze.
"Listen, it's best if you don't know who I am or what I can do," Rafael smirked.
"If I were you, I would stay away from Sachiko." Kenta stood defiantly as he trembled slightly, looking at Rafael as though preparing for a confrontation.
"Enough!" Akira stepped in. "This isn't over; there will be consequences for this action!" Kenta shouted before turning and fleeing from both Akira and
Rafael and Akira entered the Izakaya, while Rina continued eating her breakfast. Sachiko appeared from the kitchen, curious about the commotion.
"What happened?" Sachiko asked with curiosity.
"Nothing important," replied Akira as he went behind the counter to take inventory of their drinks. Rafael approached Sachiko cautiously, concerned for her wellbeing.
"Are you okay?" he inquired gently.
"Yes, I'm fine," responded Sachiko with a faint smile.
"You have some explaining to do, big brother," interjected Rina playfully.
"Sachiko, are you still upset?" Rafael asked as he held her hand tenderly.
"No, not anymore," sighed Sachiko wearily. "I was just surprised yesterday when I realized that people I admired are different in real life."
Rina interrupted, "My mom is completely different in real life. She may seem kind, but she's actually much worse than Dad."
"Sachiko, I would like to apologize for what happened last night," Rafael expressed.
"I'd appreciate it if you could take me to Akihabara," Sachiko requested politely.
"Sure, that won't be an issue at all," Rafael willingly agreed to the request.
"I'll be heading off to Tochigi with Jasmine and we'll be back later tonight," Rina informed as she finished her breakfast and proceeded towards the kitchen to wash the dishes.
------
On a sunny afternoon, Rafael and Sachiko took a leisurely stroll through a park several kilometers away from the Izakaya. The park boasted a serene garden adorned with flowers reminiscent of the Innovare tower. Unlike the urban landscape that Rafael was accustomed to in the Philippines, this park flourished with lush greenery.
As they strolled down the lane, their eyes were captivated by vibrant blossoms. Sachiko broke the silence, "Looking at these flowers brings me joy and reminds me of my late mother. She passed away when I was just seven years old, leaving my father to raise me on his own."
The couple found respite on a bench as Rafael decided to share his story. "I have never met my biological mother since she left after giving birth to me. My father singlehandedly raised us until he remarried later on in life due to his demanding responsibilities serving our country and navigating conflicts between warlords during those difficult times. Therefore, we lived under our grandmother's care until he could reclaim custody after war concluded."
"That's quite a heartbreaking tale," Sachiko murmurs, intertwining her fingers with Rafael's as she seeks solace on his shoulder. "If only we could linger here for the day, embracing one another while gazing at the boundless sky and contemplating our destinies."
"I yearn to spend eternity by your side," confesses Rafael. A rosy hue spreads across Sachiko's cheeks as she shyly averts her gaze,
"Shall we return home?" she suggests, and without hesitation, Rafael acquiesces.
------
As Rafael and Sachiko walked home, they noticed a group of firetrucks surrounding the Izakaya. It was engulfed in flames.
"No!" Sachiko cried out in horror as she witnessed her childhood home being consumed by the fire. Rafael quickly grabbed her arm, preventing her from getting any closer to the danger. A concerned neighbor hurried over to them.
"Sachiko, where have you been?" their neighbor asked urgently. "Your father is in the hospital."
"What happened?" questioned Rafael.
"A group of men attacked him with metal pipes inside the Izakaya," explained their neighbor.
Unable to find words, Sachiko felt a wave of shock and anguish overwhelm her until she eventually fainted; luckily, Rafael was there to catch her before she hit the ground
Tiffany and Rina arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, assessing the extent of the damage.
"We heard what happened, Rafael," Tiffany said in a concerned tone.
"Aunt Tiffany, we need to go to the hospital where Akira-sama is being treated," Rafael requested urgently.
"Of course, get in the car," Tiffany immediately agreed as they hurriedly left for the hospital. The group arrived at the emergency ward and found Akira there with a serious head injury. He was hooked up to a ventilator due to his condition.
"Oto Sama!" Sachiko cried out in anguish as she knelt by her father's injured body. Despite his pain from his wounds, Akira lovingly caressed her cheeks while looking into her eyes.
"Who did this to you, uncle?" Rafael asked eagerly.
"It was Kenta...but that doesn't matter now," replied Akira weakly but determinedly. Grasping Rafael's hand tightly he continued speaking with all of his remaining energy, "Please take care of my daughter."
"Oji-sama, please don't say those words. Everything will be alright," Rafael reassured as he passed out and the monitor displayed his flat vital signs.
"Oto-sama! Oto-sama!" Sachiko cried out in horror, trembling as she held her father's lifeless body. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she called him 'father,' being led out of the room by Rafael who cradled her gently, attempting to comfort his devastated girlfriend.
Meanwhile, Tiffany took charge of making funeral arrangements while Rafael and Rina were compelled to leave their apartment near the Izakaya and temporarily reside in a spacious Penthouse owned by their father's company with the same name."
-------
In the condo unit, Sachiko was taking a break while Rafael and Rina patiently awaited Tiffany's call to proceed to the temple and pay their respects to Akira. The siblings settled onto the couch, gazing out at the bustling metropolis.
"I can't believe someone would do this to Akira and set fire to the Izakaya," Rina pondered, sipping her wine.
"I know exactly who did it, and I will ensure they face consequences for their actions," Rafael responded with determination as he crushed a beer can in his hand.
"How are you planning on doing that? You're not exactly influential." Rina queried
"What good is having access to Dad's connections if I don't utilize them myself?"
"But Oni, Dad wouldn't approve of that kind of behavior from you." Rina reminded Rafael sternly. He glanced at her smugly before speaking again,
"That's where you come in; after all, you've always been Dad's favorite child." With these words hanging in the air, prompted by Rafael himself,Rina finished off her glass of wine quickly while shaking her head skeptically.
-------
At the funeral parlor, Rafael, Rina, and Sachiko attended to pay their respects to Akira. They observed silently from the sidelines as Tiffany arrived with her bodyguards. Clad in black attire, she entered the hall and prompted Rafael and Rina to rise and bow their heads.
"I came as soon as I heard," Takako expressed upon her arrival. The siblings reverently kissed the ring on Takako's hand in a gesture of respect while Sachiko bowed her head following suit. Accompanied by her own bodyguards, Takako joined Sachiko and the Marino siblings near the coffin where they all paid their respects together before engaging in conversation quietly.
"I used to drink at his bar after my husband's death, when Karl left the company for me, and during moments of triumph. Now that he is gone..."
"Excuse me, Auntie," Rafael interrupted respectfully, causing Tiffany and Rina to exchange surprised glances. They wondered how Rafael, who had not yet assumed a position in his father's place, could make such a request of someone as influential as Takako.
"Certainly," Takako replied with a nod before accompanying him outside for their conversation. Feeling nervous in the presence of such a formidable woman, Rafael began speaking cautiously.
"Auntie, I wanted to discuss something with you."
"Yes?" Takako prompted curiously.
"Before Akira-sama passed away...he mentioned the name of the person responsible for his demise: Kenta."
"And who is this person?" asked Takako incredulously. "He had been stalking Sachiko for months prior to Akira-san's death; we even got into an altercation with him."
"Hmm...this case seems quite intricate. I have no doubt he has some connection linked to this incident—enough audacity even to set fire to Izakaya."
Takako looked at Rafael with concern and took a deep breath before responding.
"I understand your desire to protect Sachiko and seek vengeance against Kenta," she said calmly. "However, there are several factors that make this situation challenging. Firstly, your father has made it clear that he does not want me to get involved or help you in any way. Secondly, we must respect the laws of Japan, and Kosaka could provide assistance within legal boundaries. Lastly, locating Kenta may pose difficulties as well."
Rafael pleaded with Takako saying, "In light of these circumstances, I simply ask for your support in protecting Sachiko."
"Sure, that's not a problem. I also have a favor to return to Akira, so I'll make sure it gets done." Takako nodded and went back to the room where everyone was grieving. Three days later, they laid Akira to rest next to his wife in a nearby cemetery. Rafael offered Sachiko shelter at his penthouse, doing everything he could to provide her comfort and support.
-----
In the penthouse, Rafael prepared breakfast and brought it to Sachiko's room. She was still lying in bed, crying and struggling to accept the loss of her father.
"Eat your breakfast," Rafael said gently. "You can't stay here all day just crying."
"What's the point?" Sachiko replied bitterly. "I don't have a family anymore."
"You still have me," Rafael assured her, tenderly stroking her hair.
"I'll be here for you." Sachiko turned away from him and remained silent, causing Rafael to reluctantly leave her room and give her some space. In the living room, Rina approached him with a quiet murmur.
"Oni," she whispered softly, catching his attention.
"What is it?" he inquired.
"Let's talk at the coffee shop," Rina suggested as Rafael agreed to join her there.
----
At the coffee shop, Rafael and Rina sat across from each other. Rina cleared her throat and took a deep breath before speaking.
"I just heard from Manila," she said casually. "Dad wants me to book you a ticket back home." Rafael leaned back in his chair and looked at his younger sister while sipping his coffee.
"Is he feeling better now?"
"That's what he wants, so be ready to leave in a week," Rina replied calmly. As they noticed Sachiko walking down the street, both Rafael and Rina got up to follow her. Their feet led them to an Izakaya, where Sachiko was suddenly grabbed by several men who forced her into a van along with Rina.
Rafael called out to Rina and Sachiko, desperately chasing after the van until he found himself in an old apartment building. He quickly dialed Kosaka's number for assistance. "Kosaka-Sama, I need your help," Rafael pleaded as he explained that Rina and Sachiko had been kidnapped.
"Where are you?" Kosaka asked on the other line.
"I'll give you the coordinates," Rafael replied before hanging up. However, waiting proved pointless.
Without wasting any time, he forcefully entered the apartment by kicking down the door, surprising their captors. Sachiko couldn't contain her emotions when she saw Rafael standing there like a knight in shining armor.
"Well if it isn't our wannabe knight," Kenta scoffed from beside Rina and Sachiko, facing off against Rafael.
"Release them and face me," Rafael declared firmly as he locked eyes with the men who unsheathed their weapons in preparation for a fight
"We'll see about that," Kenta retorted just before his henchmen lunged at Rafael.
"Is this all you've got?" Rafael taunted, engaging in a physical altercation with Kenta's henchmen. His desire for violence intensified as he forcefully strangled one man and tossed him outside the apartment. Another thug received a fierce blow from Rafael's pipe to the head.
"Rafael," whispered Sachiko, witnessing her boyfriend's eyes turning red as he continued his relentless assault on Kenta's men.
As his lackeys were gradually incapacitated, Kenta seized Sachiko and held a knife against her neck, using her as leverage.
"Don't come any closer or I will end this woman!" threatened Kenta. Rafael stood firm on his position, contemplating his next move.
"So what if I killed her father and burned down that sorry excuse of a place? What can you possibly do? I wanted Sachiko for myself!"
"I will never belong to you!" shouted Sachiko defiantly while struggling to break free from Kenta's grasp.
"Sachiko is mine; harm her in any way and your fate will be sealed!" countered Rafael just as a gunshot echoed through the room before ricocheting off of Kenta's knife blade, startling the hostage-taker.
"Uncle Kosaka!" Rina exclaimed with excitement, recognizing Kosaka of the Shark-Fist as he aimed his pistol at Kenta. The entire apartment was surrounded by police officers. Rafael marveled at Uncle Kosaka's sharpshooting skills and commented,
"You haven't lost your touch." Uncle Kosaka dismissed the praise casually and said, "It's my only skill that would make your father jealous."
Rafael laughed and quickly untied Rina before tightly embracing Sachiko. He asked her,
"Are you alright?" Sachiko nodded and hugged him back tightly. They left the abandoned apartment together to join Tiffany in the penthouse where she awaited them on the couch.
"Aunt Tiffany," Rafael, Rina, and Sachiko greeted respectfully with bows.
"I'm relieved to see all of you safe," sighed Tiffany with a sense of relief. She embraced all three of them warmly and added, "Senator Marino would kill me if anything happened to any of you."
"I was unaware that you still fear him," Rafael remarked in an academic tone. Tiffany smirked and gently touched the young man's face.
"I am familiar with your father," she said, gesturing for them all to take a seat alongside Kosaka. Clearing her throat, Tiffany sipped water from a glass before addressing them. "Rafael, your father has instructed us to facilitate your return to Manila."
Rafael remained calm and unfazed by this information as he already knew of the plan. He took a sip from his own glass of water.
"Is he truly certain about this?" Rafael asked while observing Tiffany's affirmative nod.
"He has ensured your safe journey back," Kosaka added. Sachiko glanced at her boyfriend and lowered her head, tears streaming down her face as she silently exited the room towards hers.
"As for her, uncle," Rafael stated with determination. "I wish to bring her along to Manila; I want everything arranged smoothly for her travel documents."
"Rafael, I must remind you that she is not your wife and we are still obligated to abide by legal regulations," Kosaka explained. "However, if she consents, I can expedite the necessary paperwork."
"I will discuss this with her," Rafael replied.
-------
That night, Rafael stood outside Sachiko's room and gently knocked on her door.
"Sachiko, are you still awake?" he asked before entering the room without waiting for a response. Sachiko was sitting on her bed, wiping away tears. "May I come in?"
Sachiko nodded, allowing Rafael to sit beside her on the bed as he softly held her hand.
"I will be leaving Tokyo in two weeks," Rafael informed Sachiko calmly.
"My father has instructed me to return home to Manila." Upon hearing this news, Sachiko looked at Rafael with shock and let out a sigh.
"First my father and now you too," she lamented.
"Don't say that; you'll never lose me," reassured Rafael tenderly. "In fact, if you agree, I would like to take you with me when I go back."
Sachiko was left speechless as she looked into Rafael's earnest eyes. Holding his hand tightly, tears streamed down her face.
"Sachiko, let's begin anew. I'll support you," Rafael calmly urged.
"Rafael," Sachiko whispered in response. "Would you accompany me to Manila?" Rafael asked, and with a nod from Sachiko, they embraced each other tightly, signifying her acceptance of his proposal.