Jia's jaw dropped open as she felt her heart fall into her stomach, 'this nightmare can't be happening, they can't be that stupid'
Jinx forced a chuckle and crossed her legs, "public what? I'm sorry, what I heard was a garbage statement"
"I-I..." Jia stammered, "with all due respect, father are you sane?"
"Is there a problem, Jiana?" Chian smiled as he breathed out another puff of smoke.
"Dad!" Jinx turned her head and hissed, "you are aware that Yakuza members plus delinquents from other groups want our heads on a silver platter, right?"
Jia was baffled at the fact her father agreed to send her into a death-trap, she was indeed capable, but with many enemies it would be constant bloodshed.
Her breath became shaky from the emotions she tried to mask, "you know that Jinx and I have killed many people.. multiple targets will be on our backs if someone recognizes us!"
"Half the school could be wanting our tongues cut out for all we know!" Jinx yelled.
Kaien nodded, "we are fully aware" he told her, "precisely why we decided to enroll you"
Jia's anger had bubbled up inside her;
the girl wasn't the type to get angry, but with a temper as bad as her fathers, one slight provocation could make it explode.
"Father" she spoke, her low tone catching the attention of the two adults.
"Yes?" Chian answered.
"You know I don't question you" she began, "but as your daughter and heiress, I demand to know the purpose of this decision—do you want me to die?"
"Don't be ridiculous Jiana" he dismissed, "such an accusation is preposterous, you said it yourself, you're my daughter" her father put out his cigarette in an ash tray and sighed, "if you must know, it's because you two have no self restraint"
"Self restraint?" Jinx ranted, "self restraint is not blowing my brains out with a pistol right now!"
"Jinx Yua-Li!" Kaien shouted, "is having a tantrum a smart decision in your situation, or do I need to resort to petty punishments again?"
Jia stayed quiet, watching the two bicker as she tried to calm herself—though she wasn't sure if she was succeeding.
"Fine" Jinx rolled her eyes, "then what are we supposed to do if someone tries to murder us, point their guns at our heads and smile?" she suggested with a sarcastic grin.
"And here I thought you would be thrilled with all the people you could eliminate" Kaien claimed, "I believe there is a reason you're not, care to say it Jinx?"
The girl writhed in frustration and stomped her foot on the floor, "quit being a smartass! I know our clans are gaining attention"
"The more people we kill" Jia added, "the more we give them motive to hunt us down.. it increases attacks and risks our identities.. especially when we fight in public"
She then thought back to her contemplations in the limo, 'so it was our fault.'
"Good" Chian said, "you're aware, now why do you continue to defy us despite knowing our situation?"
Jia fiddled with the ends of her sweater and ran her hand through her hair, admitting mistakes took a shot at her pride; and it was still necessary even so.
"we.. don't think of the consequences... and.. act on instinct?" she guessed.
"Not instinct" Chian corrected, "impulse"
"If it was your instinct, you would've chosen not to kill them.." Kaien lectured, "at least, not in front of a crowd of high school students"
"Again, you two are not discreet" Chian remarked, "witnesses create gossip, every person you kill may belong to a group, if you would like to take care of a problematic individual, be discreet and act like an heiress"
"What do you expect us to do?" Jia exasperatedly sighed, "you didn't even answer Jinx's question"
"In times like these" Chian said, "you deal with your targets quietly, avoid eliminating enemies in front of many eyes"
"Get expelled and there will be a price to pay" Kaien reminded, "while we care about you, we do not tolerate this behavior, you both are almost eighteen and sooner or later we will treat you like any other member in a Triad"
"If you weren't my daughter Jiana" Chian lit another cigarette, "you would've already been executed, you know that; and you know jeopardizing the lives of our members is one of our rules"
The obvious disappointment in her fathers words sunk in, and her anger began fading slowly.
"I'm.. sorry" she apologized with a bow, "I didn't mean to"
Her father blew out another puff of smoke, "apology accepted" he replied, "any more questions?"
"I have some" Jinx immediately answered.
'I guess she calmed down,' Jia thought as she watched her best friend carefully.
"Sooo when is it okay to publicly assert my stance above others annnnd...." she trailed off, "what exactly.. is on the line if we get expelled?"
'Actually.. come to think of it, I'm curious about that too.'
The way her father and Kaien were making it seem, this punishment wasn't something they would want to happen—but what could be so bad?
Chian leaned forward, tapping the ash from his cigarette into the tray, "the only time you may do that, Jinx, is when it comes to your clan with the reason of discipline or punishment" he explained, "an exception in public is if there are less than four people present, that way there are options to silence them"
"And.. about the second thing?" Jinx inquired.
"Mm.." Kaien hummed, "I suppose it would motivate you to obey our rules" he mumbled.
"Very well" he looked at the two, "your positions in the clans are at stake, as well as your right to succeed the title of Dragon Head"
"WHAT!?" Jia stood up from her seat.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me" Jinx cursed, "I knew it"
"Jiana" Chian scolded, "second in command and heiress bear heavy reputations, The Yen Clan will not listen to a leader who does not have the proper attributes and attitude"
"The same goes for our Clan" Kaien said, "the fact you two are girls already have members questioning our decisions—if they found out that you two made a mistake like this, it would cause a revolt"
"Misogyny in the Yua-Li Clan is absolute bullshit." Jinx growled and looked to the side, "I could kill those dimwits before they have time to piss their pants"
"I see why people are surprised that we're blood" Kaien muttered to himself.
Jinx grit her teeth at the comment, "whatever.."
"I have faith" Chian admitted, "however.. if you disappoint me or Kaien, the position as second in command and heir will be competed for and a trial period will begin—whoever wins will take your place"
Jia stood silent for a few moments, processing those words.
The title as heiress was thrown around since she could talk, and her father had given her the idea the Yen Clan would be hers, especially with the intensive training she went through all her life to live up to the title.
At the age of fifteen, she had already taken the rank of second in command—she was meant to lead someday, and there wasn't anyone she could think of that could ever take her place.
She lowered her eyes at the two leaders in front of her and walked to the desk.
"I am the best out of anyone in the Yen Clan." Jia slammed her hands down, "you gave me the title when I was born, no one is going to take that away from me."
Chian proudly smiled and put out his smoke, "so there it is" he remarked, "the determination in your eyes; very good, you'll do well"
Her eyes widened.
For a moment, she forgot her father was only doing what was beneficial for her.
She still had many things to learn.
Realizing her actions, she turned and sat down again.
"Do you now understand the purpose of this discussion?" Chian asked the two.
The girls nodded, Jia unsure of the feeling that lingered.
"In summary," he continued, "do not get expelled or your titles and ranks are liable to forfeit"
"These are your orders from us" Kaien added, "understood?"
"Yes sir" the two replied in unison.