Eternally | Haitani R.

Chapter 1

Cries of anguish and the sound of a baton meeting flesh are the only sounds that can be heard in the dark alley of Roppongi.

Rindou watched his older brother strike the man in the head until the latter fell to the ground and was rendered unconscious.

"Ah, already done, man?" The older Haitani was dissatisfied. He wanted to hear his screams for longer.

The man attacked the Haitani behind their backs while claiming that Roppongi no longer held a space for them. That their era has long since ended after the incident.

A coward, afraid of the two brothers claiming their throne again,

And stupid, getting his hopes up that this time, after so many years, he can already make the two go down on their knees all by himself.

His dreams were instantly crushed by the two not long after he dared to attack them. Not a single scratch was even visible on the two brothers.

Rindou witnessed the grim scene of a man in front of him before he walked past his brother. 

"It's just been hours since we've been released from that disgusting place, and here you are, brother making mess again."

"Too afraid to go back, huh? Rindou?"  The older Haitani walked beside him, ignoring his clothes covered in blood.

"I can murder you here, right now, and I'll still be delighted to be sent there once again." 

Rindou earned a chuckle from him.

"That's my brother!"

The younger Haitani just shrugged, already used to his brother's crazy personality since they were little.

as if he differs from him.

-----

Nami

"Shit!"  I keep cursing as I run as fast as I can. I missed the train and I am 30 minutes late for my part-time job!

Living here in Roppongi is expensive, which is why I need to work hard to sustain myself. 

"Excuse me!" 

I've always been fascinated by how lively the night is in this place, but now it can't even lessen my fear of losing my job. Our boss is freaking strict! I've been constantly late this past few weeks and now she won't hesitate to fire me at this rate.

I turned to the left, opposite of the usual pathway I use. This is a short cut toward my workplace, but it hasn't been long since I avoided walking here after I heard that there's a gang that spends most of their time here, claiming this street as their own. Rumors say that they are brutal and make fun out of people no matter what their age.

I ignored the anxiety seeping inside me. What is the probability that I can encounter them? I convinced myself that I have nothing to worry about and gave my all strength to run as fast as I can. After minutes of running like my life was depended to it, I stopped to catch my breath.  I roamed my eyes and the loud music coming from the familiar club near me started to fill my ears.

I can't see people who looked like they are in a gang. I can't see a single person, in particular.

I was about to start running again when I heard a loud tug on the club's door, abruptly causing it to tumble. Seconds after that, out of nowhere, I saw a man getting thrown at my direction.

What the hell?

I hardly had time to dodge, making me get thrown away alongside the man. "W-what the- "

I still cannot process what just happened when I started seeing guys flying outside the club again. Did I hit my head? How are those guys getting thrown away so easily?

I slowly get up with my feet, ignoring those badly injured bodies on the floor. I noticed that they have the same design and color of clothes. There are also symbols and names tailored on it. A uniform. Members of a gang?

"DAMN YOU, HAITA---"

A bulky guy went flying outside the club for the several times. He's soaking in his own blood making his face already unrecognizable.

What the hell is happening?

"Don't go dying on me, man. You're no fun."

I flinched when I heard another voice. I turned to look at the man who spoke, but all I could see was his back. A rival gang? I thought he was with another men but he was all alone. Making a mess all by himself,  what is he even made for?

I don't want to get tangled with their fight, I have to get away quickly. But how could I get out of this situation if a small move would make him notice me?

"Getting too cocky, aren't we? " he stamped the man's injured chest. " Hey, don't be rude. Don't sleep now, I'm still talking, " I pursed my lips tightly to stiffle a gasp when he started kicking the man in the face to wake him up. Why is no one's around to ask for help?!

" S-son of a b-bitch..." the injured man managed to say with gritted teeth.

" Oi, oi! That's it!" this brutal man crouched down in front of him. "I heard that your gang has risen to the top, " he grabbed his hair and inched his face closer to him. " Stand up and entertain me, idiot. You're disappointing me."

The sight in front of me sent a shiver down my spine.I can't do anything but watch when he started brutally beating the guy, earning screams from the latter. I heard cracks of bones, and bloods just kept gushing out of him. The smell of iron was nauseating. This scene. I think I've seen it before.

At this rate, I'm going to be a witness for murder.  How unlucky am I? I just want to go to my part time job for pete's sake! I don't know what to do. I want to run away and never look back, but I don't have the heart to do that. Not when, before my eyes, there's a person who's going to die if I don't do anything. My conscience can't bear it.

I didn't know that my legs felt weak until I took a step forward. Shouting "back off" or "stop" would be enough, right?

Right.

That's my initial and only plan, but I just find myself filling the gap between us. It was like my feet has it's own life. How dare my body defy me! The man, who seemed already aware of my presence, turned to look at me, but was dazed when a hand greeted him first instead.

My hands moved on it's own, slapping him hard. How bold of me to dig my own grave. I think I'm starting to see bright lights and hear songs coming from the sky. After what I did, I doubt he will let go of me that easily. My legs were wobbly to even run away, that one slap drained the hell out of me.

He stood up with his hand caressing his cheeks  a little. His face still turned sideways.

I mustered the remaining courage I had and tried to extend my trembling hand in an attempt to examine the part of his face where I accidentally hit him without even thinking. My head started to get clouded with fear all I think was to apologize and hope that he won't do the same thing to me what he did to this lying and barely breathing man beside me.

"I-I din't mea-"

Before I could reach out and touch him, he had already caught my hand and set his eyes on me. My breath hitched in my throat as I already had the opportunity to see his face.

On that first night of spring in the year 2004, under the night sky with bright city lights, I was enthralled by a beautiful set of violet eyes.