"When you are captivated by someone, your heart follows them before your mind even catches up."
Forest
Oikawa and Azumi secured a spot on the highest peak to watch the fireworks. "You're not going to call Chifuyu?", Oikawa asked while spreading a picnic mat he borrowed from the shop. The show started and they both marveled at the colors in the sky. They didn't have to talk to each other about how they felt comforted by the silence and only the sound of the fireworks exploding in the sky. It was as if unspoken thoughts were also being exposed in the dark canvas. As the fireworks died down, they finally heard a group of people laughing. The girl heard someone scream in pain. Azumi stood and turned to see a peach-haired lady. "Ren, return the mat. I'll see you later", the girl said with a serious tone. "Sure. I'll buy you some mochi. Make sure to follow me right away. I'll come back after 10 minutes if you aren't still near the entrance", Oikawa said with concern. He guessed that his cousin would like to have some time alone but being in the dark isn't safe. He knew she was geared with kendo techniques but anything can happen.
Azumi walked towards Hina who was panting and with her eyes also swelled in tears. "Please...help..", the peach-haired-haired trembles in fear seeing how her boyfriend is beaten. The raven head saw a stick on the side and picked it up. "Please call your friend. I'm sorry I...", Hina doesn't want to involve someone else. "I'm better than that guy. Lead the way", Azumi towered Hina since she was taller than the average junior high female student.
After running for some time, they ended up on the spot. Takemichi is already wrapped in plaster. Azumi can still hear the gang members loitering around so she decided to stay. She helped Hina remove the plaster and stepped back to give space for the two. Hearing the cries and whines of the man, she wanted to butt into their conversation and lecture about being responsible for one's life and others.
"I gave it to you because you're that special. You're Not Draken And You're Not Mikey Either. You're just you. You're Takemichi. You're not afraid to cry for others' pain and you get so frustrated trying to help them. That's just who you are. If you ask me, There's no one cooler than you."
The peach head's speech made Azumi's heart feel warm and she gets to have a glimpse of the man she just looked down on because he wasn't able to protect Hina. After some time, the conversation ended and the lad turned to Azumi to give a bow of gratitude. He started running towards danger, that's how the raven head sees him but his back is more reliable this time. "I'll escort you down. My cousin might be filing a missing case if I don't head back down for just one more minute", Azumi led the way.
Pathway
"You're holding a stick. Are you going to use that just in case someone attacks?", Hina noticed how she's still gripping on it as if she's prepared to swing it any time. The raven head had always been level-headed and calm. It is when she's with people that her senses heighten. "Thank you. I might be presumptuous but I think you're doing it because of me. You look so dependable. I'm Tachibana Hinata. I hope I can also have your name", the peach head raised her head to look at the expression on the other girl's. Unlike Emma, the new face feels like she's in a different universe waiting to be explored.
"Hanami Azumi"
Upon hearing the name, Hina couldn't agree more with how she fit the name. "I get a gist of your view of him being a delinquent. I also have a friend that's a member of a gang and I commend how headstrong they can be, a lot of times, to the extent of looking like a fool", Azumi said straightforwardly just receiving a chuckle from Hina. "He came to me one night, beaten and bruised. He stood in front of my door with tears streaming down his face. Takemichi wasn't that determined before but that night was different. The next days, I found him being bold and more of a hero trying to save everyone", the girl smiled and stretched her arms. "Even if he's not that strong?", Azumi could tell from Takemichi's build. The other girl nodded. "About that friend of yours", Hina tilted her head. "I wish I could say the same. He's strong. Because of that, I can't find a way to make him just stay by my side and keep still so I can pro-", the girl covered her mouth.
"Hanami-san?", Hina called to her. Azumi seemed baffled by what crossed her mind. "Even if I don't know who your friend is, I believe he's in the gang for a reason", the newly found friend of the raven head assured and they finally saw the festival lights. As they approached Oikawa who was looking at them descending, Azumi's phone rang.
Are you still in the festival?
Yeah. Thanks to you, I was stuck with my cousin.
Get out of that place. I just got home and I received a text from Mikey. A fight is about to happen in the parking lot.
Parking Lot
Azumi told Oikawa to escort Hina then ran towards the parking lot. The rain started falling but she didn't mind. She was on time as a crowbar was swung on Draken's head. "Draken!!!", Emma shouted and it caught the attention of the raven head. She was with Hina a while ago. The rest surrounded the blonde girl but Azumi held Emma's hand and led the girl behind her. She is still holding onto the stick she picked a while ago. "Two of them. Consider us lucky", one of the Mobius members tried to reach out but his hand was slapped away by the stick. Seeing Draken's bleeding head, Emma wanted to get to his side but Azumi's grip on her tightened.
"You got a pretty crowbar there, big bro. Mind if you swap with me", the raven head sounded calm. "What are you going to do with this?", the gang member who hit Draken laughed and handed it. "Something like this", Azumi went so low that she seemed to disappear from the sight of the Mobius member. The next thing he knew was falling on the ground with his back hitting the wet ground. He was laughed at and was embarrassed. He got up and tried to grab Azumi by the neck but Draken woke up.
"Touch them and you'd have more than your ribs broken. I am your target, right?", Draken stood and they were all startled. He led them to the middle of the parking lot with Emma and Azumi watching the one-sided fight. "You sounded worried a while ago and now you're putting all your confidence in him", the raven head turned to see Emma reading a message. "Help will come", she gave a smile. "Does that look like someone who needs help?", Azumi pointed at Draken seemingly playing whack a mole with his own fist. "Emma", they heard two voices. Upon seeing the lilac head lad, Azumi dropped the crowbar. "Tachibana went home, my cousin accompanied her until the festival exit", the girl informed Takemichi. "Are you both okay?", he asked and saw Draken's bleeding head. Mitsuya jumped to join the man. The fight escalated fast with a group of reinforcements from both sides brawling in the pouring rain.
Emma let Azumi under her umbrella. The raven head saw Chifuyu laughing while fighting and the rest seemed to have their fill. The blonde went to act as support to Baji.
I know why you joined Toman. You were charmed by someone you wanted to follow.
Seeing how coordinated Baji moves and his command of his body, Azumi sighed and gave a small smile. "I accept defeat", she said under her breath. At least, she can feel at ease that there would be someone capable of protecting the friend that she treasures. After some time, she shifted her stares to Mitsuya who broke an umbrella barehandedly. He is still keeping a calm expression while putting his anger in his fist.
Chapter end.
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Existence Precedes Essence
Fanfiction"The literal meaning of life is whatever you're doing that prevents you from killing yourself." ― Albert Camus "Azumi, what is that sin you are referring to?", Chifuyu toned down. "Just merely existing. Because I happened, people had faced so many m...
