Chihiro Hanagaki

Chapter 9 Part 1

"You're a despicable man," I growled. Kisaki cupped his hands in front of his face, "You'll do as you're told." Hanma came out from behind his boss, holding a cell phone out to me. "It's her or Izana. You're choice," he told me. Images of Izana and Chihiro went through my mind. My nails were biting into my palms as I stared at the phone in his hand. In retrospect, I've known Izana the longest, and he's the closest thing to a family I have. Chihiro Hanagaki is a girl I met a long time ago. My friendship with them started after the two promised to avenge me after I got beaten up by some older kids.

Chihiro had been with her older brother at the time I met them. I remembered how she punched the air declaring, 'We'll kick their butts!' Those two were like my heroes. I couldn't fight the urge to want to protect her even now. I reluctantly took the phone and entered the phone number. I couldn't let her be hurt, and I didn't want Izana to get hurt. 'Can we talk?' I texted.

She texted me back almost immediately, 'Who's this?' Gritting my teeth, I texted back, 'It's Kakucho.' After that, she didn't respond for quite some time. I almost thought she blocked the number until the phone lit up with her contact. She was calling me! Kisaki leaned back in his chair, "Answer it. On Speaker." I narrowed my eyes but did as I was told, "Hello?"

Chihiro wasn't beating around the bush when she picked up. "What do you want to talk about?" she questioned. Her tone is even and monotone. The tone she took worried me. "It's about what happened. I feel like I need to explain myself," I explained. "What's there to explain? You tried to kill me." she hissed. Hanma smirked, whispering, "Get on with it."

"I know. Please meet with me, Chi," I begged. I was really doing this. I'm going to set up a meeting point and put an end to Chihiro. The very idea made me feel no better than the day I first attempted to kill her. Even though I forced her into an alley and pointed a gun at her head, she was calm. It was as if she could see into my very core. More silence came from her line.

*No One POV*

Chihiro fell silent as she listened to the background of the other line. The noise was barely a whisper, but she could hear Hanma's voice. "Get on with it." she heard. He wasn't alone wherever he was. The elevator dinged once more, and the doors opened. "We can meet alone," she told him. 'If Hanma is there, then Kisaki is too. No doubt a second attempt would be made.' she thought. She didn't know what she was thinking. Kakucho made a tiny noise but didn't say anything afterward.

*Kisaki's Office*

"We can meet alone," Chihiro told Kakucho. Kakucho froze, staring wide-eyed at the phone. Kisaki shared a look with Hanma as Kakucho stood there silently. The two were having a mental conversation that he couldn't read. "Kakucho?" Chihiro called from the other line. Kisaki turned his attention back to Kakucho mouthing, 'Go'. Kakucho gritted his teeth, "Yeah just tell me where and when." Chihiro then hung up, much to the three's confusion. The phone pinged, and Kisaki ensured they got the address.

"Good, make sure you don't screw up this time," Kisaki ordered. Kakucho left, grinding his teeth as he left. He was on his way to the destination when he received another call. Confused, he answered, "Hello?" "Are they still there?" Chihiro questioned. Kakucho's heart nearly stopped, "W-What?!" Chihiro sounded serious, "I overheard them on the other line. I'm sending you to a different location." Kakucho was surprised again when Chihiro hung up and received another text about the new location. He smirked, "Was she always this perceptive?"