𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬 | ʰ. ʳⁱⁿᵈᵒᵘ [✓]

thirty-three

"Was that really necessary, Mikey?" Baji asked as soon as the last member left the temple. Mikey remained silent as he sat down by the stairs. "Oi! Manjiro! I'm asking a fucking question!" Baji yelled, squinting his eyes in anger. Chifuyu was quick to hold Baji back by holding his arm.

"Enough, Baji-san. We all know that it's for a good reason." Chifuyu exclaimed, trying to ease hi captain's mind. "I know that. But what I don't know is why you have to go that far, Mikey. You said too much." Baji exhaled, feeling short of breath as he recalled Hana's face from earlier. As if she wasn't broken enough, her expression looked like she's been stripped of life for the hundredth time.

"I have to agree with Baji. Mikey, you went too far." Draken muttered, eyeing their silent commander. The rest of them stayed silent. Mitsuya had so much to say. If Mikey weren't his friend and their president, he would've beat the shit out of him for taking it several steps too far. As far as mentioning and publicizing Hana's relationship with Rindou.

"Do you really think she would listen if I told her the truth? Do you think she'd abide easily if I just told her to leave Toman?" Mikey asked, turning his head and looking at his division captains. "If I didn't take it far, she wouldn't listen. I didn't hurt her for nothing. Everything I said was to rid her of harm's way." Mikey retorted, biting his inner lip to maintain his composure.

At that very moment, he was reminded of their childhood. 

Nearly 10 years ago in Mikey's Grandfather's dojo, he met Hana and Baji. Not too long after the three of them formed a friendship, Emma was introduced as Mikey's little sister. Emma didn't smile at all since the day she was dropped off at the Sano residence.

"I'll be Ed. Short for Edward!" Baji yelled, making a smug face. "Then I'll be Mikey. Short for Michael." Mikey retorted, acting like his name was cooler. "How 'bout you, Kohana?" Mikey asked, eyeing the girl who kept on staring at the silent Emma. 

"I'll be Hana, then. That's a foreign name too! Right Emma?" She hollered, linking arms with the surprised girl. "I-- uh. I think so?" Emma responded, flustered because she's never been treated by anyone like that. "Now that we both have four-letter foreign names, we shall be best friends!" Hana yelled enthusiastically, hugging Emma by her neck. 

"That's not fair! You said we're friends but then you call Emma your best friend." Baji scoffed, acting hurt. "Dummy! Then all four of us will be best friends!" Hana exclaimed, jumping towards the two and tackling them down. Emma watched as the three continued to bicker and wrestle with each other. A contented smile pulled on the sides of her lips as a soft chuckle escaped her mouth. Mikey blinked several times as he watched her depressed-looking sister laugh.

"Hana made her smile." He thought, his gaze transferred to Hana only to see her with a satisfied smile that reached from ear to ear. At that moment, Mikey decided that this group of friends was one that he should treasure, swearing to protect them with all of his life.

A ringing phone snapped Mikey from his deep thoughts of reminiscing his childhood. He looked up, seeing Mitsuya who answered his phone. "Hello, auntie?" Mitsuya asked. The rest of them just watched in anticipation as Mitsuya silently nodded, a troubled look on his face. "Yes, we'll be there." He responded before Hana's mother ended the call.

"What did auntie say?" Baji asked.

"She was rushed to the hospital because she collapsed on the street. Doctors said she's still unconscious due to great fatigue." Their hearts felt as if they dropped to the deepest pit of their stomach. "Who was there when she collapsed?!" Baji asked, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. 

"Rindou rushed her to the hospital."

Mikey's jaw clenched upon hearing the news. Without hesitation, he rode on his motorbike and sped away, the rest following behind him. Within minutes, they arrived at the hospital that Hana's mom actually co-owns. Without wasting a second, they entered the hospital. Whispers were audible as the boys in gang uniforms stole the attention of nearby citizens.

"Boys." The cold and stern voice of Hana's mother made their heads turn immediately. Mitsuya's brows shot up upon seeing her aunt's face. Her eyes were bloodshot red and puffy. She looked as though she's aged ten years in just a single night. "Follow me." She uttered, turning on her heels and walking towards one of the private rooms.

As soon as the door opened they saw Hana sleeping on the spacious bed, Rindou's head resting on the mattress with his hand on top of hers. A pang of guilt pierced through their chests as they looked at their friend's face. She was sleeping, but it seemed as though she was having a nightmare.

"Rindou, dear." Mirai called out, making Rindou look up. He rubbed his tired eyes as he stood up and bowed towards his lover's mother. "You can go home and rest now. We've got it from here." Mirai smiled, giving Rindou a pat on the shoulder. Rindou nodded respectfully before grabbing his jacket and giving Hana a peck on the forehead.

As he walked past the Toman's captains and vices, he glared at them. "You guys fucked up big time. I hope you know that well." He whispered before leaving the room. Mikey clenched his fist, refraining himself from punching someone.

"Boys. Did something happen? Did you guys fight?" Mirai asked, caressing her daughter's hand. The rest of them stayed silent. No one dared to speak a word. 

"She looks like she's just sleeping, isn't she? If only she really were sleeping." Her voice broke as tears cascaded down her face. "I-is she not sleeping, auntie..?" Baji asked, his chest buzzing with nervousness. 

"Kohana's in a coma. Doctors said she was just overfatigued, that she overexerted herself. But she wouldn't wake up. I don't know what happened, and I don't know what to do. But seeing her puffy eyes and red nose, and the fact that you guys weren't the ones by her side just didn't add up. What happened?" She repeated.

"I kicked her out of Toman, auntie."

Mirai was quick to look at Mikey after hearing his response. "You kicked her out of your gang? The gang she grew up in? Out of all times, why now? Why ever?" Mirai asked as she stood up, walking towards Mikey.

"It was all for her sake and her safety, auntie. I'm sure you know that I wouldn't do anything to hurt her because of nothing." Mikey responded, looking her aunt straight in the eyes. It was hard for her as a mother, but she knew that she had to trust Mikey's words and judgement. Besides, Mikey was her daughter's first ever friend.

"Then please, Manjiro. At the very least, tell me the reason behind it. I won't tell her." Mirai pleaded, reaching out and taking Mikey's cold hand. "What are you protecting her from?" She asked once more.

"He's back."

Mirai covered her mouth with her trembling hands. "Has it already been that long?" She asked helplessly as she sat back on the chair. "When will this child get to live a peaceful life?" She cried as she stared at her daughter's tired state.

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disclaimer! i am not a doctor and what i said here are not entirely medically accurate HAHAHA but tysm for 35k reads! i'm having a hard time writing cuz of school works 😭 sis is really drowning in them :( enjoy tho hehe and can u guess who's back? 😏