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Chapter 60: Downhill

The smell of the wet leaves, cold breeze, and freshwater engulfed the awakened senses of a certain brunette who is currently running in the deepness and coldness of the forest wearing only her shirt, pants, and a shoe. However, she has no time to feel the chill in the middle of July because the emotions that took over her whole being is FEAR.

As she made a turn and came in contact of the river which leads to the falls, she knew right there. This night might be her last.

"You have nowhere else to run to, Doctor."

Hearing the familiar voice from behind, she quickly turned around and met eyes with a familiar pair. Her legs literally started shaking not because of the cold and lingering pain, but because she is scared. Tears started pooling from her eyes as she felt something cold and sharp directed to her neck. She looks up and met eyes with him.

"Farewell...Yukino."

"Ahhhhh!"

A panting Yukino awoke from her bed while holding her neck. She looked at herself and sees that she's alright. She looks around and realizes that she's inside her room. She sighs a relief, and realized that she was just dreaming. But then again, the trembling never stopped. Her dream felt so real. But what could it possibly mean?

Her thoughts are suddenly disturbed when she hears knocking from the entrance. Her heart started palpitating weirdly again. She slowly went to her kitchen, took a kitchen knife, and gently opened the door that leads to the staircase.

But when she opened the door, she was surprised with something else on the ground floor.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YUKINO!!!"

There, the whole Toman plus the girls are there holding a whole tarpaulin of greetings, balloons, party poppers and birthday hats.

"You guys..." was all she managed to utter before leaving the kitchen knife behind before anyone could see.

"Happy Birthday, Yuki-chan~" A smiling Kaori greets her as she put a birthday hat on her messy head.

"I hope you don't mind us barging in like this." Toman's vice-commander says with a smile.

"Of course, she minds. She's literally still in her PJs." A smiling Mitsuya says.

"Oy Peh, what the hell is in this? This is hella heavy!" Pah says as he put the two boxes down.

"Why did you even bring it out? You idiot." Smiley says with a huge sarcastic grin.

"Ah! The drinks are inside. Be careful!" Hakkai replies.

Looking at them, the brunette couldn't help but remember their commander whom she met unexpectedly last night. The Tokyo Manji Gang's powerful and kind boss is now the mastermind of the country's most evil organization. Not to mention, her best friend's childhood friend.

"...Yukino?" Her thoughts are once again disrupted when she hears a familiar voice who spoke from beside her. It is Chifuyu.

"Are you okay?" The dark-haired male asks while holding her shoulder.

"You seem like you didn't get enough sleep. Why don't you go get some rest? We can prepare everything on our own." She looks up to him intently, thinking how he's still the same as ever. Kind, caring, and thoughtful.