Existence Precedes Essence

Chapter 11: As The World Caves In

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." — Nelson Mandela

Rikidai High School

Class 3-3

Azumi entered and saw Oikawa placing bellflower on Baji's table. "I had few interactions with him so I don't know what to say", the brown head man looked at the purple flower. "Chifuyu's still crying non-stop. I will be checking on him tomorrow. He didn't attend his class for one week. "I'm sorry for the loss", the lad raised his head and turned to his cousin who had a straight face. "What for?", she asked. "You seemed affected. He's someone you tutored after all. More of it, he was your rival when it comes to Chifuyu", Oikawa pointed out. Azumi didn't respond and just opened her palm on top of Baji's table. "He might not have seen the trees turn yellow because he was busy fighting his own battles", the raven head said as the leaves spread on the table. 

Cemetery

Azumi could see her friend sits on the floor still crying his heart out. She gave a generous distance but still, she knew that he was talking Baji hoping that the dead could speak. A hand dropped on her shoulder. "Mitsuya told me that you were there during the fight. Things went out of hand. You will worry Matsuno if you keep doing things like that", Mikey lets her go. "I will not do it again. I apologize for my carelessness", she bowed her head. It is the most feared delinquent in their block. He wasn't that tall but she saw how stable he is when he fights. He was agile and his punches were calculated. 

"Mi-", she wondered if she was allowed to call him as such. "Mikey", the lad introduced his name. "I won't ask Chifuyu out of the gang. Of course, I know that you have to beat him before letting him go. But then, I talked to Baji before the fight. He told me that he wanted the gang to be that which will throw themselves for the sake of one. He's one of you so I want to bet it that he is in good hands", Azumi bowed very low. Mikey patted her head. "Matsuno is an important member of Toman. He will carry the spirit of Baji together with us", the blonde said making Azumi raise her head and see a smile on Mikey's face.        

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Azumi's Apartment

The woman opened it carrying groceries. "Sorry. I forgot to buy some leeks and meat", a black-haired man peeked from the kitchen. "It's okay. I'm passing by the shopping district on the way home", Azumi placed it on the sink. "You look tired. Something happened in the univ?", the man asked. "My students kept pestering me to join them in a match-making party", she informed. "Then, what did you tell them?", the man with blue eyes was waiting for her answer. "I don't do well meeting guys at random", she sighed and grabbed a cold water bottle from the fridge. Chifuyu clicked his tongue. "You should have told them that you already have a man occasionally visiting your place", he chopped the meat. "Yeah. One that comes just to use my kitchen so he can eat for free", Azumi sat on the high chair opposite the kitchen stove and sink. 

"I'm here to make sure you're eating well. Last time, I was called by the hospital because you fainted and turns out that you're overfatigue", Chifuyu started lecturing about taking care of her health. "That way, you'd be able to conceive a healthy baby and there would be two versions of Azumi in this universe. I bet that's something to celebrate", he continued cooking. After some time, Azumi opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass for her friend. They sat on the dining table and the two reminisced the past. There was a time when Chifuyu decided to have a bald haircut and the lady couldn't stop laughing. She even saved a photo on her phone and showed it to the man. 

The two finished their food and went to the balcony to get some fresh air. "Were you being serious a while ago? Having another version of me in this world is something to celebrate?", Azumi brought back the topic they had a while ago. "Azumi", Chifuyu pulled her shoulder and cupped her face. "Live a good life. Have kids and be the happiest in this world", he said with a pained expression on his face. Those past days, he had been ordered to run after traitors who were trying to snitch on them. The ones who died in his hands have family waiting for them, have lovers, and have a life ahead but he stole it away from them. This was not the kind of future that he imagined to have but Toman changed ever since Kisaki became a high seating official. They were corrupted. He did something to catch the attention of the police and investigate Kisaki. 

"Let's both have that kind of life, you and me", the woman smiled. "Did you just propose to me?", Chifuyu teased. "I was saying that it's not just me who should have a good life", Azumi went on explaining. She even gave mini punches on her friend's chest making the man laugh as it does tickle him. Chifuyu caught it and leaned his forehead on Azumi. "I'll come back again tomorrow. What food do you like to eat?", he asked with a gentle voice. "Pasta sounds good. I'll buy some soda. We can't keep on drinking wine at night", the woman slightly pouted and spread Chifuyu's cheek. "Drive well. I need to sleep early tonight", she said and pushed the man out of the door. 

The next day, 

University Park

"I thought you guys didn't want to be seen in the open. You're like vampires who will melt under the sun", Azumi approached the tall man with a cut on his lip. He was more confident looking this time compared to being embarrassed to talk to women back in high school. Hakkai bowed low with his hand resting on his back. The people were looking and the woman pulled him to talk behind the tree that can somehow conceal them. As soon as Hakkai opened his mouth and straightforwardly told the news, Azumi felt weak on her knees and knelt on the ground. What he heard was just impossible. 

"Are you messing with me? How could Chifuyu be found dead in a hotel? With a gunshot?", Azumi grabbed Hakkai's tie. "You were there, right? How come he's still dead?", she tried to keep her voice calm still unable to process what she just heard. "The rest of us were in the dining and as soon as we heard the gunshot. We knew something was wrong. It was ruled out as Takemichi and Chifuyu betrayed Toman and told the police about our underground activities", the man stood straight and looked at Azumi's baffled expression. 

"Leave", the woman remained on the ground and also dropped her stare on the cherry blossom petals falling next to her. "I'm sorry for your loss", Hakkiai nodded and did as what was asked of him to do. 

Chapter end.