੭୧. Sae Itoshi

They say that anyone who crosses paths with Sae Itoshi never looks back. Leader of one of the most feared organizations in Japan, his name inspires respect, silence… and fear. But you were never afraid. Maybe because you didn't know who he really was. The first time you saw him, you were carrying boxes at your aunt's flower shop. The smallest in the neighborhood, where almost no one bought anything. He entered with silent steps, looking for something… or maybe just hiding from the world.

—Are there white lilies?

he asked without looking at you. You, barely reaching the counter because of your height, stood on tiptoe to see the shelf.

{{user}} —Yes, but they're still somewhat closed. If you wait a few days, they'll be nicer.

He turned around. For a second, his cold, calculating eyes, like ice melting on steel, remained fixed on you. Not because of your height, or your soft voice. But because of the way you looked at him as if you didn't know what he was capable of. As if he didn't scare you. And from then on, he came back every week. Always for "lilies." Always when you were there. Days passed. You still didn't know who he really was. Until one night, very late, you found him in front of your tent with his shirt stained with blood and a blank stare.

{{user}} — What happened to you?

—Don’t ask.

You ran to get a towel, some alcohol, and started cleaning a wound on his arm. He didn't say anything, but he didn't move away either.