"The mark of a true crush... is that you fall in love first and grope for reasons afterward." — Shana Alexander
Shiba's Residence
Mitsuya called Yuzuha out and gave some cold compress. "I can manage to buy one", the orange head looked at it and felt comforted. "Hanami told me about Taiju", the lilac head informed. "I told her to stop being cozy with me. I didn't call her because she's my friend it was just a payback for her treatment of my wounds. Someone so sheltered like her doesn't know anything at all", the orange head felt frustrated that she didn't have the kind of luxury that the raven head has, according to what she thinks Azumi has. "I don't know about being sheltered. Hanami doesn't have any parents. She was also made to live outside their house because her relatives wanted to harm her", the lavender boy informed. "Why did you have to tell me those?", the orange head looked away.
Why are you telling me these things, Fumi-san.
You're losing with so many things because you know nothing about her. Also, I guess I am an old fashioned one. You cannot love what you do not know.
"I would like you to have a friend, Yuzuha", the lilac head smiled.
Hanami Azumi's Residence
Chifuyu entered and the girl saw a serious and yet calm expression from the blonde. "What? You look like you came back from the dead?", Azumi commented with her arms crossed. "You're right", the blonde made his way into the kitchen. He was carrying a couple of ingredients. "Where is Fumi-san? She said he'll learn from me as well", Chifuyu looked around and found no trace of the woman. "Fumi-san is needed in their company in Hawaii", the raven head answered. "Heh~ I bet she cried a river of tears and babbled to many of her whining", the lad gave a short laugh and brought out the chicken from the bag. "You really know her", Azumi joined him and listened carefully to the blonde's instructions.
"Azumi. Get to learn as many things things as possible. I'd also do my best to survive", Chifuyu remembered what Takemichi just told him. The raven's head slapped the back of his head. "What was that for?", the lad grunted. "I will. I'm a fast learner after all. Don't you think of dying as well, Chifuyu", the lady pressed her lips and remembered how Baji died in his arms. The captain of the first division is a time-traveler and he had been fighting all this time to change everybody else's future. "The next days, I might be tagging along with Takemitchy. I heard that you are getting cozy with Hakkai's sister", the lad opened. "She's such a captivating older sister", Azui smiled as she recalled how she kicked Inui's head. "So, how do you plan on winning against someone like that? Well, I commend you for making a step. You have to know your opponent after all", Chifuyu threw a potato that the lady caught. "I want to save her, Chifuyu", Azumi said with a serious tone.
The next day,
Shiba's Residence
Mitsuya and the three went to make a negotiation with Taijju, Hakkai, and Yuzuha's older brother.
Hakkai will join the black dragon in one condition.
Free Yuzuha.
Taiju smirked. "Also, I have a present to you. I saw some rabbit hopping around the place so I decided to hunt and reserve it for dinner but you guys came all of a sudden", he clapped his hand. Inui went in front of Taiju's bedroom room door and opened it. He dragged the raven's arm and pushed her towards the group. Mitsuya was able to catch her. "Azumi!? What are you doing here? What have you done to him, you bastard?", Chifuyu was about to charge but Takemichi held him. "Yuzuha was just a little disobedient so I kept her friend as collateral. She seemed to care about the lady so she agreed to fetch something for me", the leader of the black dragon lazily answered. "I'm fine. I'm not wounded or what", Azumi assured but her hands are still tied with rope. The lilac head remained bracing the girl and gave Taiju a challenging look. Koko threw a dagger that Mitsuya was able to catch. He used it to free the lady.
Hakkai led them outside. "No matter how difficult things are, do not curse the circumstance you are born into", Mitsuya said before they leave the house.
Park
Mitsuya handed warm drinks. It's already December and the wind is seeping into their skin. Chifuyu and Takemichi went ahead to the meeting place for the officers of Toman. Azumi insisted that she would be fine. Even with so much hesitation, Chifuyu agreed and set his eyes on finding a way for them to defeat Taiju. Mitsuya is still to look for Yuzuha at the address that Taiju gave. He called Mikey that he would be late for the meeting. Mitsuya bent to match Azumi's height as she was seated on a bench. "I'm relieved that you didn't seem to have any wounds. Sorry that you were involved", the lilac head apologized. Azumi shook her head violently to show that she was not blaming them for anything.
"Is this another circumstance that you cannot walk away without saying something?", the lad gave a gentle smile. It was the first proper conversation they had last year after being confronted with Moebius members. "Taka-san. Shiba-san has so many wounds and bruises on her back. Now that I have seen her brother, I cannot help but think that it was because of him. When I heard you have a negotiation with their brother, I couldn't help but feel relieved. But then, at the same time, I felt so frustrated. I felt useless. I couldn't do anything about Shiba-san's situation. I even made Chifuyu worry", the raven's head covered her face with her palm. "Your desire has reached me, Hanami. As for the things you cannot do, leave it to us and just focus on the things you can. I already told Yuzuha that I want you to be her friend", Mitsuya patted her head making the lady remove her hands and look up to the lilac head. Chifuyu was right when he said that the first division captain's smile could melt the pain away but still, she felt tight on her chest.
Mitsuya stood properly and handed his phone. "I have to make sure you were able to arrive home safely", the lad asked for her number. Azumi reached out and entered her number and they connected with the line and other social networks. "Taka-san, I'm glad that Chifuyu was able to meet good people like you", the lady stood as well. "You sure telling that to a delinquent?", Mitsuya chuckled and started walking away. "You are what you were before you became a Toman member or an officer", the lady gulped as she reasoned out with the lilac head. Would he find it nosy on her part? "Thank you, Hanami. I nearly forgot that part. If it's not too much, let's all visit the shrine to celebrate the start of the year", he chuckled. Azumi felt warm on her cheeks. She knew what it meant to everyone but it just made her happy to be asked by the lavender boy.
Mitsuya wondered why she wasn't answering so he turned around just to see Azumi running away. His phone rang and received a notification.
Looking forward to that.
-Azumi
Chapter end.
YOU ARE READING
Existence Precedes Essence
Fanfic"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...
