Existence Precedes Essence

Chapter 26: Intoxicated

"In the end we discover that to love and let go can be the same thing." – Jack Kornfield

High School- Ground

The raven head watches as Chifuyu talks with another blonde. "You're hanging out again. What, you're going to form a gang once more?", Azumi crossed her arms. "It's none of your business. You have to focus on getting those crazy A grades", Chifuyu pouted and walked past her. "You haven't won a single sword fight me with so don't go saying that it's none of my business", she felt hurt by his words and stormed away. "I think I'd side with Hanami this time. You shouldn't have said that", Takemichi lectured about not being too harsh with a lady in that age as they are more sensitive this time. "It's better this way. I bet this time,  Taka-san already asked her out. Draken suddenly appeared in the clinic and dragged her to his car. He called me to assure that he is doing the favor for Taka-san", the lad informed with a small smile resting on his face. Takemichi felt like crying. He wanted the best for Chifuyu but having Mitsuya in the picture is an overkill. 

Shopping District-After Class

Azumi carried vegetables and fruits. She already bought her supply of meat so she practically bought what she needed for the day. She saw some thugs in purple uniforms beating three students still wearing their school uniforms. 

Please, we will no longer hang out on your turf. We didn't know that you already claimed it. 

The raven head sighed and asked if she could leave her bought goods with the last stall. She made her way into the alley and saw a bottle lying on the ground. "Huh? What do you want missy?", one gang member noticed her. "They're our first years. They might not know much about our turfs. It's not like you bought them and placed a no trespassing sign", Azumi raised her chin and the gang members felt that she was belittling them. "It's Hanami-senpai", one of them recognized. Of course, she is famous on campus as a straight-grade student. "Your senpai? How sweet of you to take care of you, dear underclassmen. Still, they needed to learn their lesson", one threw a punch but felt like his arms were about to get dislocated as Azumi grabbed on it and slammed it on her knees. She bent and grabbed the bottle. 

"This is none of your business so don't butt in", one tried to attack her but she broke the bottle of glass on the wall. She gave them a cold stare and they felt like she could stab them in all directions. They cleared their throat and said that they'd forgive them just once. 

Park

Azumi passed by and saw a familiar figure. He was drinking a can of beer and seated on the bench. His face is already flushed which means that the lad is already intoxicated. She decided to ignore him. "Hanami!", he shouted his name. The raven head mentally slapped herself for passing by that route instead of going home directly. "Have you been drinking this afternoon, Taka-san?", the lady approached him. "I was waiting for Hakkai because I can't seem to bring myself home", he had a toothy smile. Azumi grabbed the drink from his hand and threw it in a nearby trash can. "Ah. That's for my finishing drink", he whined. Something that he doesn't do when sober. 

"Gang members with purple uniforms are roaming around here. They didn't appear much in the past but you have to be careful", the lady said with concern. "Heh~ You're worried about me, Hanami? I'm not even someone that close to you", Mitsuya arched his back trying to control his balance. "Did Hakkai see your message?", Azumi asked. Mitsuya checked his phone. "Oh, I didn't send it", he laughed at himself. "My place isn't that far. I'd assist you to walk", the lady pulled him from sitting. Mitsuya remained silent and allowed the lady to drag him. 

Azumi's Apartment

Azumi could feel her spine already complaining. She just dropped the lilac head on her bed and breathed deeply. "Taka-san. You're quite mean to let me do all the walking. You slept halfway", she gave a playful punch in his head. She sat down on the bed and looked at the lad peacefully sleeping. The lady rested for some time and removed Mitsuya's shoes. He's also wearing a denim jacket. "I'm not harassing you, Taka-san. You just look like you're uncomfortable with this", she asked for permission even if he was unconscious. The lady was successful in removing his jacket. Her eyes trailed down his pants and the belt. She gulped and convinced herself that it was for the sake of friendship. 

She reached for it and loosened it. Azumi nearly shouted when a hand grabbed her wrist. "Oops. What are you doing missy?", his low and husky voice made the lady explode. "You're drunk and I was just loosening-", she stopped and looked at Mitsuya looking at her. 

She peeked and saw something on the side of the shaved part of his hair. It was a tattoo of a dragon. The lady reached out to it and fixed some of the hair so she could see the entirety of it. The lady was amazed at the design and didn't realize that the lad was already awake and looking at her. "I designed it", he spoke and Azumi grabbed a pillow to cover his face. "Are you trying to suffocate me?", the lilac head gave a short laugh and sat down. The lady knelt having her be almost enveloped by his frame. 

Mitsuya raised her chin with his hand and leaned closer. He's almost out of self-control but he reminded himself that you don't pluck a flower you love. "Can I kiss you?", he asked.  Azumi was taken aback by his question and gulped. "What are you asking? I was about to shout when I saw you on my bed. I'll call Shiba-kun to fetch you", she's preparing to stand but Mitsuya pulls her back. The lad guided the back of her neck and he pressed his lips on hers. Azumi bowed her head before Mitsuya could even continue. She hugged the lilac head. "Taka-san. Sorry, I can't take advantage of your confusion. Go home and get sobered. We'll talk tomorrow", the lady felt like she could conquer the former captain of the 2nd Division. She gave a forceful push on the bed and stood up right away. 

" You're strong, Hanami", he said playfully. 

After some time, the doorbell rang. Azumi opened it and saw Chifuyu and Hakkai. "You asked me to come to your place but I don't know where", Hakkai panicked and searched for his favorite human. "He's in my room", the lady informed. He ran towards the room and opened it. Mitsuya's belt is still undone. "Hanami! Were you trying to harass Taka-chan?!!!", he shouted making the lady blush. "I'm not that low!", she shouted back. Chifuyu just sighed and entered her room as well. At the corner of the room, Chifuyu saw a mini-bulletin board. His heart felt warm. It was filled with pictures. On the top part of it were the photos they had when they were younger. "You should have called me, Taka-chan", Hakkai carried him on his back and turned to Azumi. "Hanami. You're still getting a full load of lectures about self-control. Also, why would you think of bringing him to your place?!", he continued lecturing and eventually left. 

"Whether or not you're dating, you should still be careful about bringing a drunk man inside your apartment", Chifuyu added and sat on her bed. "Noted", Azumi pouted and opened the door towards the balcony. "Then, are you two already going out?", Chifuyu asked. "What are you saying? He doesn't even think that we're close. Also, anyone would have done the job of being with him at the beach. Just happened that I was the one Draken saw as available at that moment", the raven head sighed. "I think you're mistaken on that part", the lad disagreed. "You were not available, you were with me that time but Draken still decided to take you away", the blonde stood and picked up the photo on the board. "Can I have this one?", he asked. "Chifuyu? Are you angry?", Azumi could not see his expression but his back felt so distant. 

"Not to you, though", he answered and left. 

Chapter end.