C56 A Crack in the Mask

Daisuke had always told himself he was in control.

Control of his moves. Control of his image. Control of the way the Oyabun saw him, the way the clan weighed him against Riku, his so-called golden son. He didn’t need love. He didn’t need softness. He needed victory—proof that he could outshine the shadow Riku cast over all of them.

But last night had slipped through his fingers like smoke