Don't Save Me

Chapter 2

"If Shin hadn't persuaded Mikey, the gang would have been divided in two.

Shinichiro was Mikey and Emma's older brother. He had taught them everything since their childhood, taking on the role of a parent at the same time.

A few days ago, following a battle with the Moebius gang, Pah-Chin had voluntarily surrendered. He had stabbed Osanai, the leader, in a fit of rage. It had to be said that Pah's friend had been attacked, his girlfriend had been violated in front of him, and his parents beaten.

El' understood. She didn't know how she would have reacted in his place, but when it came to her friends, whom she considered her family, she tended to no longer differentiate between right and wrong.

When she heard the news about Pah, a strange void formed within her. They had been friends since they were twelve and had shared strong moments. He might not have been the smartest, but his kindness and loyalty made up for much more. It was strange not to see him anymore. Two years in prison was a long time.

With Draken, El' would sometimes visit him. However, only Pah-Chin's family was allowed, so they waited outside hoping that the gift they had asked Pah's parents to pass on to him would please him.

"Are you listening?" Emma's voice cut through El's thoughts. The two girls, accompanied by Hinata, Takemichi's girlfriend, were walking in a park.

"I was somewhere else. What were you saying?" Emma glared at El while Hinata stifled a laugh.

"How can you be the head of the brigade if you never listen to what people say? - I think the principle of being a leader is not to listen but to be heard," El' replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I give up," sighed Emma.

El' emitted a small mocking laugh that earned her a weak hit from her friend on her shoulder.

"Girls, aren't those the boys over there?" Hinata intervened, pointing at figures in the distance.

The three friends squinted, thoughtful.

"It's hard to say, they are too far," said Emma. - "We need to get closer," added Hinata.

As they walked a few meters, El' mocked, "I see a giraffe and an excited dwarf. We have the answer to our question. - Draken is not a giraffe!" protested Emma. - "Mikey is not that small... mumbled Hinata, thoughtful.

As they got closer, Takemichi, along with his group of friends El' didn't know, saw them approaching. Draken and Mikey also raised their heads.

"Hinata! "cried the blond with a crest, rushing towards her. "What are you doing here?"

It was funny. He looked like a little puppy wagging its tail in front of its owner. While her friend walked away with Takemichi, El' glanced at Emma and nodded her head towards Draken.

"Go ahead, he's there. Ask him, I'm sure he'll accept. - But... what if he says no?"

Sometimes it amazed her to see how blind these two were to each other's feelings.

"You won't know until you try."

Emma took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"You're right. I have to gather my courage."

Without another word, she headed towards Draken, who continued to juggle a soccer ball with his foot. In front of him, Mikey patiently awaited an opening. El' was about to admire the show when an unknown head appeared in her field of vision.

"Hi! I'm Yamagishi Kazushi. You probably know me as the gang dictionary. Ask me anything, and I'll answer!"

He was a small, brown-haired guy with glasses, part of Takemichi's group. Behind him was a second, tall guy with black hair who seemed concerned as he watched his friend's approach.