MYO-3862: Gyutan

In Burrowgatory, criminal organizations were in abundance: outfits, gangs, mafia, yakuza, and everything in between lurked in every shady nook and cranny that one dared to peer into. While some of these organizations were run by the succubuns themselves, many were often run by power-tripping demons, who had little to no vouching from Murmur before they were able to pluck up baby buns to raise up into subservient soldiers. Yomotsu-shikome was one of these demons, and her rule was absolute; the yakuza clan under her thumb were obedient to a fault, and by her hand alone was ruthlessness instilled into each and every member of the clan.

It was unheard of for anyone to go against the wishes of Yomotsu-shikome. As far as the clan knew, they would live and die for her—but this reality came crashing down when one day, a member of the clan—named Katsu—left without a word and never came back. Dissent rippled through the ranks, and many buns whose loyalty to Yomotsu-shikome was never once questioned began to wonder what life would be like, should they choose to live it for themselves. Gyutan was one such succubun, and not long after Katsu left, he would follow suit.

Gyutan left for the big city with all of his assets and a few other escapees who wished to work under him, and set up his loan-sharking business to instant success. In no time at all, he was able to live an easy life within the city; he got a spacious home in an affluent area, and was finally able to truly relax for the first time in his life. With this change in lifestyle came a growing softness—older than Katsu by a little over a decade, Gyutan had stewed in the yakuza life long enough that he wasn’t as awkward when speaking with others. However, it also meant that he was far more prone to violence and casual cruelty. While loan-sharking was a predatory, unsavory business that still required a heavy hand from time to time, Gyutan began to find less drastic ways to deal with late payments from his clients… And his relationship with the other escapees, once stiff and overly formal, soon gave way to something more natural.

Little by little Gyutan has become kinder, although it was impossible to tell if you didn’t already know him. While it’s still rare to see his expression change from the furrowed brows and pursed lips that he was always sporting, kind gestures from him were now much more abundant. Gyutan began to seek this gentleness in other things as well: from adopting a few imps to care for in his spare time to, perhaps most surprisingly of all, seeking out a certain someone from his past in order to rekindle a former flame, it seemed like he was stepping further and further out of his comfort zone in pursuit of a life he could truly be happy with.

Only time would tell if all of his efforts would continue bearing fruit.