𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐝 - [ʜɪᴀᴛᴜs]

𝟎𝟑𝟎: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

"So this is their hideout... Or rather..."

"We've fallen into their trap!" The twins finish each other's sentences.

Before the five of you came to Yokohama, Takemichi suggested making a stop at Chifuyu's, so they can ride their own bikes. When you finally arrived, a boy with a buzz cut and a long scar going over his left eye greets you all, expecting you to come. He introduced himself as Kakucho.

There were a hundred men behind him. Kakucho even admitted it was unfair to pin all of them against the Toman members that showed up. Opting instead to have a 4v1, walking closer to your group. You couldn't help but feel offended at your exclusion, but it was besides the point.

"Woah! Someone's got balls!" Smiley taunts, cracking his knuckles, "Fourth Division Captain, Nahoya Kawata. If you're gonna fight by yourself, then I'll do the same!"

"Heavenly King of Tenjiku, Kakucho," he introduces himself again. You couldn't help but feel like this was straight out of some delinquent manga.

All four of you watched the two fight. Smiley effortlessly took hit-by-hit from Kakucho, as if it was nothing to him. Swinging at Kakucho with full power. The boys were vocal, commenting on every little thing. Finally, Smiley jumps and kicks Kakucho with both legs. He spins back as Kakucho tumbles across the floor from the impact.

The boys cheer for Smiley as he walks back to you guys. Smiley boasts even more about his victory, directly at you. The look on your face was too obvious with how impressed you were. Though he wasn't as fast as Mikey, he definitely got the job done quicker than Takemichi or even Chifuyu would.

"Alright!! Let's go back to Tokyo!" Smiley says, jogging back to the bikes.

All four of you walked out and you noticed Takemichi stayed back. Seemingly talking to Kakucho. "What's he doing?" Chifuyu asks, getting on his bike. "Talking with the guy," you say, "It's probably important."

You sit behind Chifuyu, waiting for Takemichi to come out. "Sit with me instead! I won the fight!" Smiley suggests. Chifuyu turns his head quickly, furrowing his brows at the pink-haired boy. "I would've totally won if I fought Kakucho!" Chifuyu raises his voice, "Plus, she chose me!"

What is happening?! You exclaim to yourself.

Finally, Takemichi walks out and gets on his bike.

-

The Kawata twins already parted ways with the three of you. As you arrived back at Chifuyu's place, Takemichi tells you about his conversation with Kakucho. Kurokawa Izana is the real leader of Tenjiku. And Kakucho believes Kisaki is using Izana and even asks Takemichi to help 'save him.'

Chifuyu already knew there was gonna be a meeting soon since Tenjiku was targeting everyone in Toman. You all decided to put it off and just wait for that meeting to come up with a more cohesive plan to defeat Tenjiku. To defeat Kisaki.

You opt to just walk home after Takemichi offered to drive you. Telling him he needs to prioritize himself and rest since he took the most beatings compared to the two of you.

On your way, you notice a familiar blonde, holding a taiyaki in his hands. He was sitting cross-legged on the border that separated the road and the body of water below.

"You look lonely," you sat beside Mikey, who finally noticed you. He smiles, "I'm not, I got Mr. Taiyaki with me. Blub blub," he replies, moving the fish.

"Very funny..." You say at his obvious teasing. You couldn't believe months have passed since you had your first date with Mikey.

Mikey eats the fish-shaped snack and looks at you closely. "Where'd you come from?" He asks, seeing your clothes have been dirtied and ruffled. You forgot you were still fresh from the mini-fight you had with Tenjiku. "Uh, I fell down a hill..." You stutter, lying to the boy so you wouldn't worry him. "What are you doing here anyway?" You change the subject.

Mikey looks out at the lake. "Do you ever feel like running to the water?"

"Well, I don't know how to swim, so..." You admit embarrassingly.

"Each wave looks like it's trying to step foot on the shore but it always falls back," he continues. You raise a brow, "Is that a metaphor for something?" You ask. Mikey turns, his face visibly confused, "Metamorph?"

"Met-a-phor," you enunciate, "You really need to pay attention in school." Mikey turns, looking back at the water. "You were with Takemichi and Chifuyu a while ago, weren't you?" He suddenly asks, you continued to insist you weren't. Mikey laughs at your attempts, "The kid with glasses already told me."

Damn it, Yamagishi...

Mikey pouts, "Why would you lie to me about that? If you would've called, I'd definitely help." This was the first time Mikey has seemingly scolded you. You apologized, "It slipped my mind during the moment."

"Promise to tell me if you're ever caught up with other gangs!" Mikey reaches his pinky toward you. You giggle at the childish action, but take his pinky with yours and lock it. "I promise."

The blonde turns away and sighs, "It might be my fault," he says. You asked how it could be since he had nothing to do with Tenjiku. "Since you were exposed to Black Dragons on Christmas, other gangs may know you're close with Toman," he says, "Or even close to me."

You lift your arms and pat your bicep, "I can take 'em!" You say, you notice Mikey start to laugh. "I fought Tenjiku guys with a bike, y'know!"

Mikey praises you. "You use anything nearby, huh? Umbrella, bike, what's next?"

"Who knows? Maybe it'll be a chair," you say.

"Too predictable!" Mikey says, "Your next weapon should be a pair of glasses!"

"What if I fought with a toothbrush?"

"Maybe even a person! If you start using Takemitchy, maybe he'll learn a thing or two!"

The both of you continued to joke around. You were glad he didn't press you too much on being involved with Toman business. You were even more glad that you could see him smile. You assumed that the metaphor he unknowingly used must've been a reflection of his dark impulsive thoughts.

Mikey gets off and walks to his bike, "Let's go, I'll drop you off so you can rest." The two of you get on and start driving. "I could be biased, but I think you're pretty qualified to be in Toman," Mikey comments. You laugh, assuming he was joking, "Why don't I join then?"

"No way!" He rejects and you laugh more. "I wouldn't be able to focus on my own opponents if I saw you fighting against someone," he admits.

You scoff, "You don't think I can handle it myself?"

"Yep," he says flatly. You make an ack sound, offended by how fast he responded to your question. He didn't even try to say it gently. "I don't like guys who use weapons," Mikey states, "It shows how weak they are. So they play dirty by giving their opponent an unfair disadvantage."

"Of course, I'm not saying you're like them!" He says quickly, hoping to not offend you further. You reassure him you took no offence, understanding what he meant. "In your case, you kind of have to, since you're basically just a bystander."

Thanks for solidifying that... You say in your head. You were already a little insecure about being a bystander when it comes to Toman. You were adamant about joining the guys to go to Yokohama so that you would finally have an important role to play. Yet you were still excluded.

You finally made it home. You get off Mikey's bike and thank him for the ride. "Can you promise me one more thing?" Mikey asks.

"What's up?"

"Promise you won't continue to help Takemitchy with Toman business," he asks, taking out his pinky once again.

You come closer to the boy, smiling at him. A pitiful smile. You put his hand down and his eyes widened.

"Sorry, but that's something I just can't promise."

Chapter thirty, end.