Existence Precedes Essence

Chapter 10: His Treasures

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." — Leo Buscaglia

Four Years Ago

Playground

A 10-year-old Azumi is sitting on the swing just looking at her feet. Unlike the other children around, she doesn't seem to come there to have fun. A ball hit her face and she nearly fell on the swing. A boy came running and grabbed her shoulders to help her stay stable. "Sorry. They weren't looking at where they're throwing the ball", a cheery yet concerned voice made the raven head look at the source of the voice and saw a lad with the same color as hers. "Matsuno! Come on. Get the ball back", his playmate called. "You should learn how to apologize!!!", he scolded his playmates. 

"That might cause a bruise. We should apply ice. Let's go to the convenience store", Chifuyu grabbed her hand without any hesitation. He was partly responsible because he wasn't able to catch the ball.

Convenience store 

The boy bought three ice creams. Two for both of them to eat and one for Azumi's cheek. "Aren't you going to eat? It's going to melt", Chifuyu opened it for Azumi assuming that her cheek must have hurt enough for her to have an appetite for the ice cream. The girl wrapped the unopened ice cream with her handkerchief and just placed it on her cheeks. The boy peeked at her and saw how thin she was. "I take back what I said. You could have caught the ball if you were strong enough. Come on, eat your ice cream. I'll buy you a steam bun as well", Chifuyu bit on his ice cream and had a brain freeze. He held onto his head. "Thank you...for the ice cream", Azumi thanked the boy and opened the other pack. She feels anxious about eating it in front of him. 

She sure eats well even with the fact that she's a free-loader. 

I commend her audacity to face us at the dining table. 

She feels her stomach churning. Chifuyu unwrapped the ice cream and pushed it inside the girl's mouth. "Feels refreshing, right? Now, you're treating the outside of your cheeks and inside", he smiled widely. He was right. The sting in her cheek is feeling soothed. "Let's eat some steam bun afterward!", the boy bit into the ice cream and got another brain freeze. Azumi closed his mouth. "Press your tongue. It will help", the girl instructed and it worked. "Woah! That's amazing. Is that magic?", Chifuyu was amazed. 

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Abandoned Parking Lot

The brawl started with the addition of new faces. People are being tossed to and fro. "Then, why did you come here? Are you going to ask Kisaki to let you be her woman?", Rin poked her cheeks but she just held up. She won't be able to get away with hitting them. "I'm 18. What if you come running to Big Brother? I'll be squeezing you again just like a while ago", the lad offered. Azumi turned to his direction and knew that ignoring him would just encourage him to be more dotting. "I came here for my friend. I want to see the kind of person he decides to follow", she said with a calm voice. Ran gave a short laugh. "A Valhalla member or a Toman gangster?", Ran joined their conversation. 

Azumi turned around and saw Chifyu standing on the pile of cars. He was punched by Baji and tumbled into the car. She stepped forward to get a better view. "Chifuyu! What are you doing?", Takemichi shouted. "I can't punch Baji-san", the blonde cried causing the man to burrow his knee into Takemichi's stomach. The man is already losing consciousness but still holding tight on the Baji. The appearance of Kazetora behind shook Takemichi and Chifuyu. As the girl saw a knife from the unstable-looking teen, she tried to run towards them but Ran grabbed her arm. "We're just spectators and were ordered not to do anything. That long-haired youngster asked a favor from us so we can't just fail his trust to his big brothers", the braided lad gave a friendly smile but Azumi knew it was just a facade. 

The lady grabbed her arm back and pressed her lips. "I don't like disobedient women but I will forgive you because you're still to bloom", Ran grabbed the girl's cheek and threw her back with Rin catching her. "Didn't you tell us that you're just here to see your friend? I bet this is the best spot to watch him", Rin made a rectangle using his fingers and locked on Chifuyu frozen with Baji stabbed. The event escalated so fast and Azumi just felt unable to describe the scenario in front of her. Mikey is beating Kazetora to death and the other Toman members lose their morale having them be pushed back. "I will not let you kill me, Kazetora!!!", Baji shouted and stabbed his stomach. "Hmmm~ That's the kind of person your friend decided to follow, a wanna-be hero", Rin pulled Azumi and hugged her from the back having his chin lean on her head. "I care less about the reason why he left Toman but it must be because he's trying to save it from something", the lad whispered with a short chuckle. "How can you laugh at the misfortune of others?", the raven head pushed him having her hood removed. The brothers whistled to see such an innocent view. Give it a few more years and they'll hit on her. 

Azumi was able to run away from the two since they were a little distracted. She made her way to the crowd and was able to evade punches and kicks. She was able to make it near the middle but still far enough to reach Chifuyu who was down on the ground. The girl wonders if she could be on his side. He's been helping her all this time so if this is the only thing she could do with all that Chifuyu had done for her. 

"Mom! I brought a friend. She's so skinny. I wonder if we can fatten her so she won't get knocked off by a ball."

"But if it's a view that only I could see this time, I would etch it in my memory"

"I want him to know that he's forgiven and I hope he knows it's time to forgive himself. Azumi, I hope for the same thing for you"

Memories rushed into her she stood her ground. A man was thrown to her side but a tall lad was able to catch a Valhalla member. "Thank-", she looked up and saw Hakkai. "This is a battleground. What are you doing?", the lad furrowed his brow. "Taka-chan. Chifuyu's friend is here", Hakkai informed. The lilac head turned to them and his eyes widened to see the girl in a hoodie. "I-", she wanted to explain that she didn't want to bother anyone with her presence but gulped. "Taka-san. Help me get near Chifuyu", she clenched her fists. The situation is already messed up and Mitsuya is worried about Baji's welfare. Kazetora's being beaten to death as well. He ran to her side and started kicking Valhalla on the way. As they reached near Chifuyu holding his captain in his arms. The man started giving his last words. 

Pah-chin, Mitsuya, Draken, Mikey, Kazutora. Toman's founding members are my treasure. I wanted to fix this on my own. But, I just couldn't. I died on my own.

Chifuyu, I wanted to share some yakisoba with you again. 

The founding members stopped their fighting and the opponents did as well. They cried as they heard the creator of Toman treasure them. In the end, he wasn't a traitor. Before Mikey delivers a final blow to Kazetora, Takemichi shows the charm that Baji had always held on. The sound of ambulances and police was heard all over the place. The fight was discontinued and Valhalla left. "Toman is leaving as well", Mikey announced after hearing what Kazetora had to say. Chifuyu is still on the ground. 

Someone dropped to the ground and knelt as well. "Look at that smile. I didn't know someone could die so peacefully like that", the gentle voice made Chifuyu look up and his sobs became louder. "Chifuyu, Baji wanted to protect you. If you stay here, he will not be able to accomplish what he died protecting. Come on. Let's leave this place", Azumi cupped her friend's face. She saw him beaten a couple of times and he still hasn't recovered from the previous beating. She grabbed him by the arm and assisted him to walk. 

Chapter end.