Existence Precedes Essence

Chapter 14: Treating Your Wounds

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'" — C.S. Lewis

Kansei High School

Azumi changed into her indoor shoes and closed her locker. "Good morning, Hanami", the voice made her jumpy, and stepped back. Mitsuya saw her startled expression. "Taka-san. Good morning", the lady greeted back and saw a rustic orange-haired lady behind him. She was smaller than Azumi and yet her presence seemed bigger. "This is Yuzuha. Hakkai's big sister. She's wounded so I'll go treat her in the infirmary. I bet the nurse is running late again today", the lilac head gave a smile. "Stop treating me like a child, Mitsuya. I can handle myself", the new face roared. 

Mitsuya. So, that's his name?

But then, they're calling each other on a first-name basis. 

"If you don't want me to clean your wounds, would you let her?", the lilac head pointed at Azumi. Yuzuha hesitantly nodded. 

School Clinic

"You stay here!", Yuzuha shut the door close. Azumi wasn't sure how to approach her as she already looked annoyed. "I will be preparing antiseptics", she looked around and saw the cabinet. The raven's head turned in Yuzuha's direction after getting the medical kit. She was confused as to why the lady had her blouse removed. "I'd rather have a stranger see this than Mitsuya. He's nosy after all", the orange head furrowed her brow. 

She's more concerned about Taka-san being nosy and not her being half-naked. 

Before she could even say a word, Yuzuha turned around exposing her back. Azumi was left speechless to see bruises and a new wound seemingly a scratch. 

"It was a cat", Yuzuha understood the silence. The raven head went closer treated the wound and placed a dressing. "If it is an animal as you have told me, you still need to visit the hospital to get your shots", Azumi knew it wasn't the case. "But, if it's not-", she wasn't able to finish her words because Yuzuha turned to her side and grabbed on her neck. "It was an animal. I already told you. Are you also like Mitsuya who likes sticking their nose to someone else's business?", the lady had a threatening glare. 

Because you were my friend, Mikey also considered you as his friend as well. The same goes for the others. 

"Taka-san looked worried a while ago. If there's something bothering you, I think it wouldn't bring harm to tell him about it", Azumi tried to talk some sense into her. Yuzuha pushed her away. "What do you know about me? Also, I wouldn't let him get caught in my problem. I can handle myself. I don't know who you are but you seem close to Mitsuya. I care about him as well. In the first place, he's the one that saved my brother", the lady opened the door and left. She saw the lilac head leaning on the wall opposite to the door giving a wave and a smile. Azumi ran after her. "Yuzuha-san. This is my address. You can stop by my house anytime to have your wound dressing changed", she gave a paper and bowed low. The orange head just grabbed it and left. 

"That's generous of you to offer help", Mitsuya commented. 

Rather than have you see her bare skin. But also, she seems to be in so much pain. 

The next days,

Arcade House

"And what am I doing here?", Azumi blinked a few times confused about why she was dragged along with the siblings' date. "Hakkai told me that he's fine with me bringing along someone. Also, I would be an ingrate for not treating you after you helped me with my wounds. The bruises are also healing because of the ointment you gave", Yuzuha sat on the bowling longue. "He also wanted a worthy opponent", the lady said as if it was a challenge. "If you lose, you will have to stop hanging around Taka-chan", the tall lad seems to lose his awkwardness since she sees the lady as a threat. His captain had been telling him how interested the raven-head lady was. Azumi went to the bowling aisle and grabbed a ball. "Let's have a fair and square game, Hakkai-kun", she gave a quick smile. "I won't back down. This more important than any of my fights", he raised his sleeves. 

After some time, Hakkai looked at the scoreboard and felt devastated. He lost with just one point. He was hoping there could be a buzzer-beater to make him win at the last minute. "Just happened that I have good muscle coordination", Azumi cracked her neck and turned towards the blue-haired lad. "I won't give up Taka-chan. Here's some money, you can buy us some sweets", Hakkai slapped the money in her hand and turned to Yuzuha to help him out. "Sorry Azumi, maybe you can leave Hakkai's sight for a while. He's not really good at handling losses", the orange head waved her hand. "You're both unbelievable", the lady gave a short laugh and went to buy some sweets. 

After some time, she came back carrying snacks and saw Hakkai and Takemichi having another match. "Tachibana?", Azumi saw Yuzuha on the other lounge with the peach-head. They shared snacks and watched the two play bowling together. "Hakkai's tall and slim", Hinata commented. The raven head looked at the guy and nodded as well. She remembered being protected by the man during the battle of Toman and Valhalla. They continued playing games and Hakkai kept on winning. He would somehow hiss whenever Yuzuha would suggest that Azumi would also join. 

Street

"From now on, you're my buddy", Hakkai placed his arms around Takemichi. The blonde is trying to get away from the tall lad and feels a little embarrassed about losing almost every game. "I can't believe that you're the captain of the first division. Hakkai is more capable than you are but he said he's not interested", Yuzuha sighed. "Right, he's tall and slim. He also has a good face", Hina became more generous with her praises. The man froze. "He feels awkward around girls", the sister explained and looked at Azumi who was thinking how the tall lad gave a threatening look at her while talking about Mitsuya. 

"Hina", Takemichi whined. "Well, he's satisfied as long as Mitsuya is his captain. Do you know who his wallpaper is?", Yuzuha showed it and it was the lilac head. "That's crazy!", Takemichi commented. As the sister showed her phone, things got crazier. They are approaching a group of gangsters wearing an overall white biker outfit with a dragon behind them. "What are some Toman members doing on our turf?", a classy-looking lad stepped forward. "Koko", Hakkai recognized. As they were having a conversation, Azumi looked at Hina who was fazed with the scenario. Hakkai already punched someone down and it alarmed the group. "Shiba-san, we should-", she was about to look at the orange head but she already charged and kicked Inui who was holding a blade up to Hakkai's neck. 

Azumi felt awe with her courage and desire to protect Hakkai. She clenched her fist and wanted to grab her back. 

Sumi dear, it is the task of a man to protect the ones they love. You shouldn't feel guilty being protected. Also, you shouldn't feel guilty that I chose to protect you. 

A bigger man came forward and started causing chaos. He slapped Yuzuha who tried to interfere. Hina went to Takemichi's side but the blonde pushed him as he saw the leader of the black dragon charging on him. Azumi was quick to catch Hina before she hit the ground. The captain of the first division is being beaten around like a punching bag. Hakkai's words stopped Taiju from killing the lad. He lost consciousness. The black dragon gang members were ordered to leave and they followed right away. "I'll stay with your sister so you can carry Takemichi to his place", Azumi assured Hakkai. 

Hakkai's Residence

It is clear that the Hakkai brothers are well-provided as how the entire house is furnished and squeaky clean. "I'll deal with my own wound. Go home. My brother seems to be pleased with Hakkai but he might change his mood again", Yuzuha braced her shoulder. The raven head already knew where the bruises were coming from. "Must have been tough, Shiba-san", Azumi tried to reach out to her shoulder but the orange head slapped her hand away at the sight of her brother entering. "Leave. Are you looking down on me? From now on, don't you talk to me as if we're friends", Yuzuha pushed her towards the exit. Taiju looked down at the doll that entered their house. He didn't bother asking who she was but just thrilled that his brother will be joining him. 

Chapter end.