SLEEPING AT LAST | bajifuyu

fifteen

After his little confession, Chifuyu and Baji became inseparable. Some did assume curd things about them, though it amuses them; it didn't catch their interest. Foul mouths will work, putting acid through their words, said Baji. 

Everything was doing great, or they thought it was until gangs started targetting Tokyo Manji. Morning after morning, news of several beaten-up members reaches every founding member. Mikey doesn't have any clue as to what group had caused the commotion. That is why the gang has decided to investigate before fighting head-on.

The night envelope the sky with stars, putting up a show in front of them. The growl of Baji's engine reverberated along the empty streets of the city, notifying any delinquent of their presence. Mouths shut as they continued the nightly patrol they are assigned, eyeing every corner for potential danger.

"Hey, Baji-san," Chifuyu sat comfortably at the passenger seat, "Don't you think these incidents happened way too many times?"

"I had my suspicions too, Chifuyu," pursing his lips, he turned to glance at the boy, "I'm afraid it's bigger than we think,"

Baji had sensed it, like the calm before the storm, and it is waiting through the cracks of Tokyo Manji. May the damned befall the earth if Baji's suspicions would fit the objectives of these gangs. Tokyo Manji must prepare for the worst to come.

____________________

The bustling life inside the school contrasts with the cold morning outside of Tokyo. Chifuyu's scalp itch with annoyance, classrooms are too loud for him today; desires for the ringing in his ears to stop. The motion of today's events was a blur under the gloss of tiredness in his irises.

"Why is the rooftop restricted for the autumn?" Baji stomps his feet in the soil, "Aren't they considerate enough?"

The yakisoba in his hand is already cold, sitting at the back of the school hidden by the tall building of gymnasium. The school administration heightened the security on the prohibited rooftop and locked them for the entirety of autumn to winter.

"It has been like that since the beginning of July, Baji-san," Chifuyu said, eating the cold lunchbox his mom made him.

The unsolicited visit atop the school has been their thing for a while, after Chifuyu's episode. It has become their sanctuary, resting tired bodies and minds, pretending worries didn't exist. They're not gangsters, nor students. They are Chifuyu and Baji, no more than high schoolers and gangsters.

"Yes, I know about that," throwing the empty yakisoba to the ground, "C'mon, man, back me up,"

"Stop giving me that excuse. You know you're dumb,"

"Chifuyu, did you ever consider my feelings?"

"Probably, at some point,"

The dead trees and whirring generators witnessed banters back and forth, silent while the duo ensued chaos. Once the noises died down, Baji sat, and Chifuyu notices the change in the atmosphere. All their liveliness watered down to the worry in mind, a topic they tried avoiding last night.

"So, about last night," Chifuyu cleans himself after finishing his lunch.

"I think other gangs have been desperate to lay their hands on Toman. I know they want to stir a fight between us, but they might plot something bigger,"

Baji has made his point, and it's been weeks since Tokyo Manji's name flew, carrying news of being the strongest and fastest-growing gang in Shibuya. In the same weeks, the appearance of their battered members begun to increase in number.

"To pride themselves strong is one, but what could the other reasons be?" Chifuyu asked, looking at the man who slumped next to him. He clenched his fist in anticipation while he waits for his answer.

"I-" Baji raised his hands in defeat, "I don't know,"

There is one thing that Chifuyu knows his friend couldn't stand: Defeat. A boy as stubborn as Baji would lose his wits if he hit a dead end. Baji doesn't know the reason, and it scares him. Chifuyu is scared of what could their potential opponent is, or if it's coming from the other groups.

"Have you told-"

"Telling Mikey is not an option here."

His voice was firm, a tone Chifuyu never heard before, baffling the boy about his change of mood. There's no hint of the carefree boy or the casual voice uses. Baji sounds like a different person, far too different from what Chifuyu sees.

"Why? Aren't they-" Chifuyu tried collecting his thoughts, though confusion appears on his features.

"I want to protect Toman, including Mikey. It's my choice to deal with this myself," Baji said, eyes holding a flame that seers through Chifuyu.

He sighs and smacks the older boy in the head, "Dumbass, do you want to die?"

"Of course, I don't plan- wait, what?" the speed Baji turned his head almost crack the latter, but he did his best, stifling his laugh.

"Count me in," Chifuyu said, offering his fist in front of his friend.

"No, Chifuyu, this is-" another hand met the long-haired male's head, cursing under his breath,

"This is my choice, too. Count me in."

The boy chuckles and bump the blond's fist with his, "Then, don't die on me, fried hair." 

It might be a little promise for the others, but Chifuyu knows it's more than that. Between him and Baji and the words that left their mouths, it's a pact that put their trust and loyalty in each other.