Antifragile

“Is this the place?”

“According to Nako and Hitomi, this is it.” Eunbi confirmed with a sigh.

Sakura resisted the urge to shudder. The place certainly seemed like a yakuza base. It was dark, damp and reeked of blood and fear. Thankfully, Chaewon was by her side. They had unknowingly linked hands the moment they entered the cave, finding comfort in each other’s presence.

Kazuha stood behind them silently, pretending not to notice the closeness of the two. She kept her face straight, trying to hide the frown that threatened to spread across her face. It was too dangerous for Sakura to start falling in love, especially with so many lives at stake.

“Who goes there? State your business or leave.” A stern voice demanded in Japanese.

“We need your help. Our safety is being threatened by a powerful group of bandits.” Sakura explained boldly.

“Unless you have something of use to offer to me, get lost. We don’t help lowly bandits.” The voice scoffed dismissively.

“We have money, a lot of money.” Eunbi added.

There was a grunt, before the sound of shuffling was heard and two burly, battle-scarred men appeared. They glanced at the group for a while until Sakura pulled out a bag of gold to show to them.

“Come quietly.” One of them instructed, leading the group further down the cave.

As they neared the bottom of the cave, the sound of more men and women alike could be heard. A large group of them were busy mock fighting each other in the middle of the cave as a single woman watched from a stone throne of sorts.

“You mean that lady there is the boss of the yakuza? The feared Matsui Jurina? She’s tiny!” Chaewon whispered.

“Hush! She could have you beheaded with a single flick of her fingers. Don’t forget, this is her turf now. We’re at her mercy.” Kazuha hissed.

The group was led in front of Jurina, with Kazuha in the lead. Jurina stared at them calmly, looking bored and uninterested.

“We don’t entertain little cat fights between bandits. Go home.” She immediately said, barely even glancing at them before returning to inspecting her fingernails.

“With all due respect, it’s not merely a little cat fight. And we have money to offer you, a lot of money. See for yourself.” Kazuha refuted quietly, placing the bag in front of Jurina to inspect.

“So what? We have money too, much more than you can offer. You have nothing that interests me. Leave.” Jurina ordered coldly.

“Please, we really need your help. I don’t know what you want, but I promise I’ll do my best to get it for you.” Eunbi begged.

“I won’t ask you to leave again. Take them away.” Jurina insisted.

The group dejectedly turned to leave, before Jurina let out a sharp gasp.

“Wait, there is something of interest here after all.” She called, a sly smile on her face.

“Let me go!” Sakura exclaimed as two men grabbed her, dragging her towards Jurina.

“Unnie!” Chaewon screamed, trying to help Sakura as more men held her back.

“Is this who I think it is? Princess Sakura…what brings a royal guest like you here? Don’t tell me you’re with these common bandits now.” Jurina drawled.

“What do you want with me?” Sakura growled.

“Oh..not much. I won’t accept your money, but you’d make a great leverage instead.”

“No! We’ll just go home now.” Eunbi protested.

“Fine, I accept.” Sakura agreed.

“She accepted.” Jurina declared with a grin, releasing Sakura.

“Why?” Chaewon demanded as she ran to Sakura.

“It’s my fault you all got caught up in this mess in the first place. It’s only fair for me to pay should anything go wrong.” Sakura reasoned.

“I won’t let anything happen to you. They will have to climb over my dead body before they take you anywhere.” Chaewon promised.

“Break it up lovebirds. We have business to settle. Give me the locations you want us at, and I’ll have my men stationed there. Remember if anything goes wrong, I’m giving up the princess.” Jurina interrupted.

“Come on lovebirds, let’s go home.” Eunbi joked as they were escorted out.

Both of them blushed and turned away, embarrassed. Neither of them had realised how close the two of them had become, much to the amusement of the others.

“Princess, could I have a word please? In private.” Kazuha asked as she pulled Sakura towards the back.

“Is something the matter? Is your shoulder bothering you? We can go and see Kaeun right now.”

“No, I’m well. This is regarding you.”

“Me? There’s nothing wrong with me.” Sakura replied, surprised.

“Princess, you know I only want the best for you. And I know technically I’m no longer your handmaiden, but I still care for you deeply. I can see that you have developed a…personal attachment to Chaewon. I’m in no position to dictate your love life, but as your friend I advise you to be careful. It’s a perilous period right now, and you cannot let your emotions affect your actions. Just please be careful.” Kazuha advised.

“You don’t have to worry, we’re just friends. I don’t think she likes me in that way anyway.” Sakura answered, brushing the matter off.

Unbeknownst to Sakura, she had accidentally said the last part too loudly. Chaewon had overheard their conversation, but chose not to add fuel to the fire. Later that night though, the question continued to plague her.

“Do I really like Sakura in that way? Or is she just a close friend and companion?” Chaewon muttered to herself as she tossed and turned.

Chaewon glanced at Sakura, who was fast asleep next to her. Seeing her sleeping peacefully put a smile on Chaewon’s face, and it wasn’t until she realised that she had been smiling did the truth start to dawn on her.

Chaewon gently cupped Sakura’s face in her hand for a few seconds, before she cheekily poked Sakura’s cheek.

“Sakura…I think I like you.”