My Hearts Desire by Amy Tasukada

Author:Amy Tasukada
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Yakuza Path Romance
Publisher: Amy Tasukada
Published: 2023-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

October 16

By the time Kazuki arrived at the Kamigamo shrine, the festival was already in full swing. The horseback riding archers had already begun their competition. They each took turns shooting at progressively smaller targets. It was a small festival compared to the others the city offered, and being in the middle of the week didn’t help attendance. Even in the back, Kazuki had a decent view.

Hana had suggested the festival outing to gain inspiration. The bright blues, pinks, and golds of the costumed noble reenactors complimented her fabrics, while the powerful stances and thundering horses captured the masculine lines of Kazuki’s suits. He took out his sketchbook along with small swatches of fabric Hana had offered up for her part of the collaboration. He scratched out a few rough lines, the standard male-framed figure.

The minutes passed, his attention bouncing between rider, fabric, and paper. Once all the archers finished the set, Kazuki glanced down at the sketchbook.

Yuuki.

“Damn it,” Kazuki said under his breath.

He thought he would get over the every-sketch-is-like-Yuuki phase once Hana brought the samples. He rubbed his face. He had years of sketches without Yuuki popping into his designs, but the man shows up twice, and suddenly, he’s permanently pinned to Kazuki’s creative subconscious. Yuuki wanted nothing to do with him, and the sooner Kazuki removed the pin, the better for his aching heart.

He flipped to the next blank page and caught sight of a small gap in the crowd up front. His mind couldn’t wander with the horses an arm’s length away.

Kazuki weaved his way through and claimed his spot next to a small group dressed in traditional indigo yukata. Perhaps no one got close because they appeared to be part of the show.

The first archer for the next round galloped by. The air rushed over him. His heart thumping louder than horse hooves.

“You need to take a step back,” a man growled.

Kazuki turned back toward the man. No one but a yakuza would wear a suit darker than pitch to such a lively event. The local yakuza crest was pinned to his lapel.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any offense,” the words dripped from Kazuki’s mouth. “I’ll go.”

“It’s fine.” Kazuki recognized the voice, even if he didn’t want to believe it.

He gulped as his gaze became impaled by the haunting nightmare of Mr. Murata’s crow-dark eyes.

“Mr. Okamoto, it’s always a pleasure. Have you come to watch the archery too?” Mr. Murata’s formal tone did not hide the knife-sharp lilt in his voice.

“Ah, yes.” Kazuki cleared his throat, hoping to hide his panic. “I apologize for interrupting. I was sketching some new ideas using the festival as inspiration. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll be on my way.”

“Nonsense, you can get a better view here with us.”

Us?

Kazuki’s eyes widened, finally noticing the other members of the group. Mr. Murata’s secretary stood beside him followed by Jun, then Yuuki. The narrowness of his eyes screamed for Kazuki to leave.

“I wouldn’t want to impose,” Kazuki said.

“I insist.” Mr. Murata’s smile appeared more death threat than reassuring.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.